72 Be Strong

I hurried back home with my chest feeling full and warm. It was as if I was burning inside with positivity. I was overflowing with hope. I felt like I was floating in cloud nine, and nothing can stop me.

Luckily, no one looked for me. Gerald was good at guarding my room until I came back.

The next morning, I received a reply from Akhad.

It turns out, he already told everyone who can help us with the plan. To my surprise, there are more people than I expected who are against King Sorin.

It was the residents of the kingdom, some knights, the merchants, nobles, and the council members.

He managed to get three other council members to work with us. The only problem will be the other two.

Everything is looking great. But we can't be contented with this.

Since the council holds most of the power in the Kingdom aside from King Sorin, they should be our priority.

Whenever I think about the similarity of the government in the human world, it turns out, it's almost the same. No matter where it is, wicked people will somehow still be able to become leaders. Those who also want power will do things no matter how evil it is. Compassion is not a part of their vocabulary and it will never be.

"So, what happened?" Father asked.

I just finished another practice and he helped me to maintain and manage my speed in an easier way. It was hard for me not to be too fast especially when I had to maintain a certain speed.

I just found out that Kai can almost do every technique to be learned in speed. He may not be an A-level, but he's definitely great.

"Everything will be taken care of," I answered in a faint voice.

There are still maids and other knights following us behind, but Gerald's keeping the distance to assure that no one will hear us.

King Sorin will be here anytime now. The best thing we can do is to plan out everything smoothly before he arrives.

The only problem that we're facing now is when we will play it out.

They said he'll come back to gather his other army to take the Charlie Kingdom, then Foxtrot, followed by the other Kingdoms.

I just don't get where he got his courage to attack those kingdoms when his army's already falling short.

Gerald has also given me letters from the nobles who are willing to lend me their knights, and powers when needed.

The citizens also assured me that they will be behind me to help.

But even though it's almost perfect, I can't still get something off my mind.

What if I can't be a bride candidate anymore, even if we won? What if he'll get married before everything's settled?

I know the decision's not always up to the royalty, if the residents want something eagerly, Forest won't be able to resist. He has to marry the winner. It's his duty.

As days passed by, my training somehow became harder. I honestly loved how hard it became because it also made me discover how powerful I really am.

I can set anything on fire, no matter how far or large it is. With just a single thought, it can burn to ash. Water nor air is also useless because before water can even put the fire out, it'll dry up. In terms of air, I can just attack the individual who's casting the power and burn them.

I just realized how scary it really is if King Sorin was an A-level. He will definitely be limitless.

He'll surely burn the world, leaving only those who are useful to him.

As the Protection Council kept everything in secret and swore that they will never abide by King Sorin's orders about attacking the kingdoms, the others also prepared for war in the shadows.

Those who are in King Sorin's side doesn't have a clue about the revolution that will happen in the future.

But when the day came for King Sorin to arrive, I just found myself summoned to the throne room, where he gave me a gift.

"My sweet princess," my mental uncle smiled as he kissed my hand.

I just did a curtsy, but I felt my skin being burned in acid when he held me.

I saw the Protection Council behind him, and since he never brings them before, I felt my stomach turning 360 degrees.

Did he find out? How?

I took a deep breath and smiled, I have to be calm. Based on my mother's description, the tanned man with long black hair and wood-like skin is Akhad. I saw him, but he didn't even flinch, nor show any fear. He's calm.

"I'm glad that you came back without any harm, Uncle," I said as I try to act worried.

He smiled and took out something from his chest pocket.

Honestly, if he's not crazy or evil, this man will be a great uncle. He's like the ones I see in movies, the one who spoils his family and friends, the happy-go-lucky one. But that's only an if. He's definitely a creature straight out from hell.

He took out a small red box, then he took my hand, opened the box and the next thing I know, I was wearing a ring with a red gem.

I felt a weird shock all over my body when the gem glimmered like a fire, but that was it.

Yet, when I looked at Akhad, I just knew I had to act as if something did happen.

"Now, you're the perfect Queen." King Sorin giggled and held both my hands and put me in a skin-peeling feeling of an embrace. "You'll listen to whatever I say, my Amelia."

Just after he said those words, I knew what I should do.

He's expecting me to be his puppet, but why do I still have control over my body?

"I will follow you... King Sorin." I monotonously answered, with my eyes acting as if it's empty.

I saw Akhad nodded softly, then he spoke, "Your Majesty, Her Highness will be having a late reaction during the first few days, but I assure you, once her body stops resisting to the gem, she'll be following your words immediately."

King Sorin continued to hold my hand, but he broke the embrace and stared at me with a wide smile.

It's the most terrifying smile I've ever seen, it's as if the demon is right in front of me.

My nerves tingled in a cold and restricting scare .

"I see, that's fine. As long as she'll be with me to take down the kingdoms, especially the Gathrin Kingdom." He reached for my hair and kissed it, making my knees go weak for a second. "Then, we shall go now, my Queen."

As King Sorin held my hand while we walk towards the door, I gave Akhad a glance.

This is part of the plan, they already hinted this to me, but I didn't know it was in the form of a ring.

I thought he'll give me a medicine to control me, but a ring? King Sorin is a totally disgusting person, he's still thinking of marrying his own niece.

It's smart of him though, he knew I'd resist if I was in my right mind, that's why he already prepared for everything. But before his plan was carried out, mine already succeeded. If I was a day late, the Protection Council would've created a ring that will definitely remove my thoughts, thankfully I already had them on my side before that happened.

But this just marks the start of the war, I have to be careful and perfect as I try to act controlled by King Sorin.

This is just step one, be strong Amy.

For my family, my kingdom, the people, friends, and Forest. Be strong.