23 Survive it

The moment we entered the castle's premises, my feet are starting to itch to run to the mansion and lock myself in my room.

I'm sure everyone's waiting for me.

And I feel anxious about facing them, especially Granny. I'm sure she'll scream at my face again.

Regin might even point his sword towards me and tell me that I insulted the Prince for running away.

Oh apples, help me!

"You look scared, Amy. Is this about your attendants and your knight?"

I looked at the Prince with surprise, "How'd you know? Are you reading my mind?"

I'm afraid that if he has a mind-reading power, I'll have to refrain from thinking - not that I'm really thinking.

"No," he chuckled, "I knew you'll be worried about facing them. You're not rude to disregard other people's feelings."

I can't help but smile from hearing those words.

Aiven thinks I am inconsiderate, but if the Prince thinks that I am not, then, I'll believe him.

"I don't know what to tell them," I whispered as I intertwine my fingers.

"Just tell them what you told me." He smirked, "That you are starting to have feelings for me and---"

"Alright!" I yelled, "Gracious apples, why do you have to say that?"

I looked away with a heated face. I can't believe he's not feeling embarrassed about it.

More like, he's proud with that smile.

Why does he look so happy when he said that I like him? Does it mean... no, he can't be. He won't like someone like me. I'm far from what a prince would like.

I stayed silent until we reached the mansion.

And when we stopped, I didn't even wait for someone to open the door.

I did it myself, which left the Prince and the chauffeur surprised.

"Amy!" Called the Prince but I didn't look back.

The maids in the mansion greeted me, but I run upstairs to my room.

I hate it when I tell myself that I am not fit for the Prince.

I know I'm more confident than telling myself those lowly words, but I can't get it off my chest-- I'm no one here.

I opened my door and immediately saw Granny, the maids, and Regin waiting for me.

Ugh, and now I have to deal with them.

I entered the room and closed the door.

I was expecting them to do what they usually do, scream, threaten, and be noisy, but they just stood still quietly.

"I'm sorry," I whispered.

I think it'll be better if granny started scolding me, or Regin pointing me his sword.

This situation is awkward to the highest level.

"I..." Oh apples, what should I say?

"Miss Amy," Lulu said with a warm welcoming smile, "Welcome back."

Everyone smiled at me as if I didn't leave them with worries, "Welcome back, Miss Amy." They all said with a cheerful voice.

Lala and Lili ran towards me and gave me a big hug.

"We missed you, Miss!" They cried.

These two energetic maids suddenly started shedding tears while holding me, I can clearly see that they were worried sick.

Granny just looks at me with a glance that says that she's happy I'm back safe and sound, while Regin looks at me as if he's about to cut me to half and also, he looks relieved that I'm here.

Lulu gave me a piece of cake, "Miss, we made this for you."

After I told them everything that happened, except the part that I confessed, while we were eating the cake, Prince Forest suddenly entered the room.

"Oh, I apologize, I thought Amy was not doing anything." He said the moment he saw us laughing and joking around, "Please, excuse my rudeness. I'll take my leave, please enjoy."

Regin stood up before the Prince can even leave, "Your highness, please, join us."

"Yes, your highness. It is still morning, and you're supposed to be meeting with Miss Amelia," Granny added.

I sighed as I finish the slice of cake Lulu gave.

I already forgot about that 'meeting' with the Prince.

"Do you still want another piece, Miss?" Lulu asked as she takes my plate.

I nodded, I'll do my stress-eating routine today.

I was having too much fun at Aiven's house that I forgot what I do here.

Suddenly, Granny tapped Lulu and the other maids, making Lulu forgot to give me some cake. Then, they all adjusted their seats.

The Prince sat down, and for the grace of apples, he sat beside me, while my attendants gave us too much space that they're all seated too close at each other at the other side of the table.

"Alriiiight," I groaned, "Do you want some cake?" I asked as the Prince was busy staring at the cake.

I noticed Lulu flinched, she might've forgotten to serve the Prince some cake but this annoying granny stopped her and she gestured me to serve the Prince some cake.

Okay, first of all, I have never served anyone 'cause I live by myself.

Second, I hate this atmosphere!

All of them, including the Prince's guards, are all staring at us as if they're watching some telenovela live.

I faked a smile at granny then I stood up to give the Prince some cake, but he stopped my arm.

"Please, let me do the honor of serving you, Amy. I'm sure you're exhausted."

He said then he pulls me softly back to my seat, while he stood up and gave me a slice of cake, then he took one for himself.

I can see Lili and Lala blushing too hard, I'm sure they're dying to shriek.

"Thank you," I said faintly. I took my fork and I noticed I was shaking horribly.

I felt my chest beating like drums, and face heating like fire.

Lulu gave me a teasing smile, while Lili and Lala were suppressing their screams from what the Prince did.

But for the most part, his guards were in shock about the action of the Prince.

A prince serving someone else? Huh, I am the only one who can make him do that. Or maybe not? Maybe he's only trying to be nice and gallant.

"Is your hand alright?" Asked the Prince as he sits down.

I nodded my head but my hand can't stop from shaking.

I was too overwhelmed by what he did, and I won't lie, I was taken by his action.

No one has ever served me a cake or anything.

Why does he always have to do things no one has done for me? He's making me fall for him even harder.

"Then, say aah..."

My eyes were left wide open in the surprise of what he's doing.

He's trying to feed me with his own hand! Newsflash: A prince is feeding a mindless human!

I unconsciously opened my mouth as I stare in awe at his wonderful face.

His eyes never cease to hypnotize me.

"That's a good Amy!" He cheered when I took the cake.

And my heart was stolen once again.

It aches because he's a perfect being! Why does he have to cheer with a warm and cute voice! Why did they make such a dangerous being? He can kill me with a single smile right now!

"Do you want some more?" He asked with a smile as he takes another piece of cake.

I was about to nod, but seeing everyone us watching, made me turn my head around.

"No, I can eat on my own."

I said while trying to sound as if I was not flustered.

Is he not embarrassed about what he's doing in front of everyone?

We finished the cake while eating normally, and an hour before our meeting was over, he told me what to expect for tomorrow's trial.

"Just stay with everyone, do not enter the forest near the fields. Do what you have to do, and be good at it."

I nodded, of course, I'll do good or else I can't have you -- I mean, or else I'll lose.

"And Amy," he looked deeply into my eyes, with worries and begs, "Please, win."

I froze, did he just asked me to win?

Why?

Is it because he wants me to win to still be part of his candidates, or he's just cheering me up and he'll do this to everyone else?

"Okay," I said.

I already told myself, that I'll win this game, but if lose, what will happen?

I'll get sent back to my world with no memories of what happened. I'll forget the Prince.

It's not bad to lose because I'll forget about him.... but... I can't lose him.

Prince Forest left at noon, and now, I'm in my room again.

If only the kids were here, then I'm not going to be bored.

"Miss, do you want to go out of the mansion?" Lili asked.

Oh, now that I remember... They locked me here.

"I have a question," I asked while throwing everyone glances, "Why didn't you tell me that I can go out of the mansion?"

The maids looked away, but Granny walked towards me with a frown, "Miss, we just want to keep you safe."

I shook my head with a bitter expression, "When I learned about that, I questioned why. I know you want to keep me safe, but I have Regin. He can guard me. Other brides can go out, but I was stuck here, bored. Oh, and FYI I run away because I wanted adventure. But maybe if you let me out sometimes, then I wouldn't have ventured out on my own."

Regin suddenly steps in when I started rumbling, "Miss, it was an order to keep you inside the mansion, so no harm shall befall you."

I raised my brows, "What? Whose order? The Prince? Is that why he gave me permission to go out before?"

"No," Granny said, "Don't blame the Prince. It was the King's orders. He wanted to keep you safe until you get to go home or win."

It was that old man's orders?

Is it because I'm a human? That's racism!

Not because I don't have powers doesn't mean I can't walk around town.

If they're confident with their village, they know safety is secured even if there's a human walking around.

I sighed, I don't want to make this a big deal.

I just wanted to know why, and since I can get to go out now, I'll stop ranting.

"Alright, why don't we go out and buy clothes fitted for tomorrow's trial?" I asked.

Lili nodded with a smile, "Yes! When we first saw you, you were wearing clothes fitted for dirty work."

I snorted. What was I wearing when they first saw me?

It was jeans and rubber shoes and long sleeves.

"Do you have clothes similar to that?"

Lili closed her eyes to think, "I think I saw one in the clothing store. It was a skirt but it was divided into two in the middle and it's similar to what men wear, but it still looks like a skirt."

Maybe it's like square pants. It's better than wearing dresses in a field. I don't want to hold my skirt while harvesting or planting.

"Let's go then."

The village looks so much better when I'm walking around freely, not with a hood hiding my face or running away from people.

I also get to talk to people who look so majestic with their skin type and color, especially this saleslady who's skin was like a tree and her hair was like vines.

We finished shopping and it was only then I found out I have tons of money. It was my saved allowance from not going out for this whole week.

I was so happy that we ended up eating outside, going to a circus, and I even insisted that they all buy things for themselves.

Regin bought a necklace for his little sister, Granny bought a shawl, and the maids bought pieces of jewelry and dresses.

We came back before the sun finally sets, and while we were on our way back to my room, I caught a glance outside the garden.

The Prince was with a little pretty bride, sitting on a swing made with wood and vines.

The bride was leaning to the Prince, and she even looks like... well.... she looks like she's kissing him.

And he's kissing her.

I'm not bothered or anything.

I was just shocked.

They look great together.

I don't even know what I'm feeling now that I'm seeing this view.

Am I sad? Angry? Betrayed? Fooled?

Maybe I was just standing in an angle which makes them look like they're kissing.

But what if they really are?

"Miss?" Lulu called.

I looked at her then I looked back at the Prince, but they're only sitting together now.

I smiled at Lulu and followed her.

I only came back, and a lot has already happened.

I wonder if I can even finish this game, more or less, survive it. I don't really know this world.