40 Just like Humans

PRINCE FOREST'S POV

I walked out of the room where Amy was taking a rest, leaving her knight, Aiven and Prince Marin with her.

And again, I'll have to leave her in someone else's hand. I was not disheartened with Regin's actions since it was not his intention to leave her alone, but after hearing that Aiven was with her, it did disturb me for a bit that he left her in the garden where those foolish guards weren't around.

I was just talking and entertaining other nobles and guests when I heard the news about a fight that happened in the garden, and the moment I saw Regin rushing Amy to the clinic, the first thing that popped in my mind was the person who attacked her.

And there I saw three maids being held with two of my bride candidates, however, the maids' faces were foreign to me.

They were wearing the Gathrin's attendant's attire, but I have never seen their faces before in the mansion. I was sure that they weren't from my kingdom.

With the confirmation that Amy will be fine, but without my knowledge that she was cursed until I heard it from the caster herself, I decided to talk to the five ladies.

I followed them into an interrogation room in the underground rooms of the castle.

Based on how the guards reacted, it didn't hit me that they might be involved in the incident until I heard everything.

Starting from their absence in the location where it happened, until how they let the maids leave the attendant's room.

And when it was time to ask the caster and the other ladies, they all replied with the same answer, they don't know the name of the person who ordered them to take Amy.

But what was surprising was that the bride candidates, Miss Cyris and Miss Myrinne confessed with crocodile tears streaming from their eyes, that they were involved, but it was only because they were threatened.

The three maids even bolted out and tried to hurt them after they tried to speak, good thing I was able to stop them all.

And even after using my power to make them speak the plan of Amy's attempted abduction, they still weren't able to give me details that can help.

I was about to let them all go back to the Gathrin Kingdom for further inspection and for trial, but then I heard that Regin was looking for Prince Marin, and that was when the caster maniacally laughed loudly. Her face twisted into a dark monster I loathe to see, and with her every breath, I can sense an assassin's thirst for death.

Upon finding out that she cursed my Amy, the whole room turned into a spiraling abyss, a darkness that was not meant for me, but for that demonic being in front of me.

I wanted everyone to see what will happen if they hurt anyone I care for, I wanted them to receive a grave warning because I knew, someone was watching, someone who's connected to everything that was happening.

First, I froze everyone and made them focus on what I was about to do.

I felt the sharp fear trace down their backbone, I can see how terrified everyone was and the caster was staring at me with horror in her frozen laughter.

Even the guards weren't able to do anything under my power. Once you're locked in my strings, you won't be able to do anything.

They watch how I twisted her guts, how I made sure that everything inside her felt what Amy felt while she was under her spell. I wanted her to know what she does to the people she hurt. I wanted her to relive the pain she gave to the people she killed.

Just after a few minutes, her frozen laughter vanished and was exchanged to a cold expression of terror with death painted in her eyes. And with a single snap, everyone was freed of my power, but I knew, they'll be imprisoned for a while in the terror I made them watch.

And I'll do it all over again if I have to.

I may not be able to point fingers right now, but if ever the agreement that the Delta Kingdom asked for will play a role in the threat that the Kingdom is receiving and with Amy's attempted abduction, I will never forgive them.

"Your Highness," a knight greeted me as he opens the door of the throne room where the King Mantano, the delta's leader, was sitting comfortably in his golden throne decorated with leaves and vines.

"Your Majesty," I said the moment I entered, then I gave him a bow.

The way he looks unbothered even though an accident happened is already noticeable uncommon for a king. Anyone who finds out that something happened to their guest will be ashamed, worried, or afraid. But he's just there, sitting with a smile on his face.

"Prince Forest of Gathrin Kingdom, I was happy that you replied to our agreement with enthusiasm, though you have adjusted some of the things we wanted," he said with a cheerful yet mocking voice.

I glanced at his wrinkled and puffy face, with his large stomach full of the pleads of his people that he never try to listen to.

"I apologize, but I cannot let Princess Tellusia win that easily. We're guilty that we weren't able to keep her security, but that is not an easy way to grab the crown. It is still a contest, Your Majesty," I said with a respectful voice and a smile, even though I want to leave this dark and unkept throne room right this moment.

I can't believe he has a daughter, but this castle doesn't seem to be fit for a young daughter to be raised in.

"Well, if that is what you insist. Anyway, I know that my daughter will win the contest and finally, our kingdom will be united."

"I don't see why marriage is the only way for our kingdoms to be connected, Your majesty." I answered right after he spouted his words that were frustrating to hear, "From what I know, we've been friends for a long time. I don't see why we have to tie the knot to say that we're united."

He scoffed, then he stood up slowly, struggling to carry the weight of his large disgusting belly, "You're still young, Prince Forest, you can't continue seeing the world as it was before. Things change, promises are broken, connections are stained, and friendship is not forever."

I just watch as this swollen old man goes down his throne, only to take a few breaths down on the stairs. Then, he threw me a mocking glare, "Whatever happened earlier to your bride candidates weren't our fault. It was a fight between your candidates, Prince Forest."

I was about to answer his foolish and unjust words when the knights suddenly held my arms to pull me outside the throne room.

I knew if I say the wrong word, someone might get hurt, not only me. I took a deep breath, then I pulled my arms away from the knights.

"I can walk myself out, you don't have to assist me," I said under my breath as I turn around.

I went back to the room and saw the three young gentlemen talking softly, while Amy was still sleeping soundly.

They acknowledge my presence with their heads bowing lightly, then Regin offered me a seat, but I prefer to sit on the bed beside Amy.

"What are you conversing about?" I asked as I brush off some strands of hair away from Amy's face.

I just noticed that her hair has turned into a darker tone of color, making it look like sunset bathed softly in her hair.

"Prince Marin wanted to ask you to disqualify Princess Tellusia from the candidates, Your highness," Regin answered with a soft tone as if he wanted to laugh at the Prince's request.

I looked at Prince Marin, and with his good looks, it won't be hard for him to gain any woman's attention. I smiled lightly at him, "Why are you requesting for such payment, Prince Marin?"

Prince Marin's cheek turned into a pink complexion, then he creased his brows in embarrassment and irritation, "Isn't it obvious? You're too old for her! You don't deserve Princess Tellusia. You already have that irritating lady with you, you can give Princess Tellusia to me now." He mumbled while pointing at Amy to show that she's the irritating woman he's talking about.

"I apologize, but I cannot do that, Prince Marin," I said with a snort, "I can have as many bride candidates as I can but I don't have the right to just give them away just because someone else likes them."

"Then, can I just visit them?" His voice suddenly turned into a soft pleading voice.

"Them? Who are you talking about?"

"Princess Tellusia and Amelia. Can I visit them? That's the only thing I'll ask from you, don't worry."

I wrinkled my brows at him, why would he want to visit Amelia? It's obvious why he wants to see Princess Tellusia, but Amy too? Has he grown attached to her already?

"Why do you want to visit Amelia, Prince Marin? You've done your part in helping her."

"We have a secret together, Prince Forest. But don't worry, I won't steal an old woman from you," Prince Marin twisted his face to show that he doesn't have a slight adoration for Amy.

"She's only four years older than you, Prince Marin." I commented as I stand up, "It's getting late, let's all go back to the kingdom. I don't have the intention to stay here after what happened."

"The other guests from the kingdom has gone home as well," Aiven said as he was about to carry Amy on his arms.

I unconciously held his arms and put them to a stop, "I'm sorry, but let Regin carry Amy," I said with furrowed forehead.

I didn't want to think too much about it, but isn't Aiven getting too close to Amy? Just like how he reacted earlier when she was hurt. I don't want to suspect that he has growing feelings for her, but it's bothering me now.

"If that's what you say, Forest," he sighed then he went for the door, "I'll leave now. See you tomorrow."

Regin carried Amy on his back, while Prince Marin also proceeded to go to his attendant.

While we were on our way to the carriage, Regin spoke, "When the gemstone was broken, Your highness, it seems like, Miss Amy was not aiming to call for my help, but for Mister Unzter. I do not want to talk ill of him, but it seems like something is going on between him and the Miss."

I just glanced over Amy's knight, then I helped him to place Amy in the carriage.

I do not want to ponder too much on what is happening between the two.

Amy already told me that he's loyal to me, even though she just said it out of embarrassment, I still believe her.

"Take her home, let her rest. And don't wake her up early, I still won't be able to come for our meeting."

"How about Miss Cyris and Lady Myrinne? What actions were given to them?" Regin asked as he places a cloak over Amy's shoulder while she lied on the seat.

"They'll be sent back home for trial, but I'm afraid they won't be able to go to their kingdoms for a while."

Regin sighed then he nodded, then I watched as they flew towards the dark sky.

I missed out on a lot of things just because I was forced to stay with the Princess Tellusia earlier. They made sure I won't be able to check on Amy or anyone else.

Starting from Amy meeting Aiven, and whatever caused her to ask him to leave her alone in the garden, until to the moment she was being washed off of the curse. Whatever she saw in the memories of the caster was seen by Prince Marin, and now they both have secrets together.

Unfortunately, I still won't be able to spend time with her and ask how she's doing.

I was even planning on asking her for a dance earlier, sadly, everything turned upside down.

Sometimes, I just wish that we're just normal people, like humans, and we'll meet in a normal way, and we'll live in a peaceful place.