75 The Fish Out Of The Sea

The moment the night got colder, Forest and I decided to go back to his office where Aiven and Fisher are still talking. I saw a map placed on the table where a mark was placed in the Echo Kingdom and the Alpha Kingdom. There are also marks placed in the kingdom's borders.

Fisher and Aiven looked at us and gave a slight nod.

I clasped my hands to warm it up.

"Amy has a plan. It seems easy but we know, easy plans have the hardest execution sometimes," Forest said as goes to Fisher and Aiven.

I decided to sit down for a while to warm up myself. Also to think about what Forest just said earlier. He's now engaged to the Delta's Princess Tellusia.

If I fail this plan, it's either we die, or Forests marries the Princess and I can't let either of this happen.

"Amy?" Aiven called while Fisher and Forest were talking about preparing the army.

Aiven went and stood in front of me, "You looked distressed."

"Well, I am in distress, Aiven. By the way," I smiled and rests my elbow on my lap, "How are the kids? I really want to see them but I can't go out of the kingdom during day time."

Aiven sighed with a smile and folded his knees to look at me, "They're dying to see you too, Amy. They were thrilled when I told them you're back. I already told them cockroaches don't die easily."

I tilted my head, I just remembered that Aiven takes fun in calling me a cockroach. I softly hit his shoulder, I've been dying to kick him but I know I can't do that.

"Well, I have a big day tomorrow. I have to stop King Sorin in attacking Charlie Kingdom. I can't let a kingdom fall just like this."

I slowly looked down at the ground as I felt my back getting heavier with realizing what may actually happen tomorrow. I have never seen a war nor been a victim of it. I don't know what tomorrow may look like. What's harder is that I don't know how to stop it when in reality I can do it.

"Amy, we have to let King Sorin attack Charlie. If we move now we can't win. We don't have anything prepared. Also, we're prioritizing helping Echo Kingdom."

I looked at Aiven, so it is Gathrin Kingdom who the Echo Kingdom asked assistance to.

"You're right, but a lot of people will suffer tomorrow," I frowned.

Aiven nodded and gave a heavy sigh as he stood, "Sometimes sacrifices need to be made for the better. Don't worry, it wouldn't be a waste. We just have to be prepared."

I looked at Forest, I wonder how did we first meet? Was it a sweet meeting? A stupid one? But no matter how it happened, I'm happy I was brought here.

I joined them and listened to their plan and everything was good until I saw a ray of light hitting the map.

It's already sunrise.

"Oh shit," I whispered with my eyes wide open despite me feeling sleepy, "I have to go."

I immediately hugged everyone, and before I opened the door, I smiled, "I'll see you again. Please be safe."

Forest suddenly dropped the pen he was holding which he uses to write their plans in a paper to be sent to the Echo Kingdom for Arias and ran towards me and gave me a tight hug.

"No, you take care of yourself. We'll be fine. Don't worry. Just remember, we need you to win this, your safety is a priority."

I embraced him tighter and buried my face on his neck for a second then I hurried back home.

The first one I saw was Gerald prancing back and forth in my room. It seems like he didn't have a wink of sleep last night too. His eyes were dark and his hair was a disaster.

"I'm so sorry, Gerald. I was listening to their plans--"

"Yes, I know, Your Highness. But please get ready the maids will be here any second."

He locked the door and pushed me to the bathroom. When I was done having a quick bath, I heard him open the door and within just a few minutes, the maids arrived.

As I always do, I pretended I was excited to see King Sorin the moment I went out of the bathroom. But to my terror and surprise, King Sorin has already left to go to the camp where they prepared their army against the Charlie Kingdom.

I can't contain my anger and frustration as the maids were dressing me up. I kept on clenching my jaw which one of the maids noticed.

I want to be there and stop everything, but Aiven already told me, sacrifices have to be made, but there are lives that King Sorin is killing.

"Your Highness, is there a problem?"

The maids looked at me suspiciously, they are still cautious even though they know that I'm wearing the ring that should manipulate me.

"Nothing, I'm just upset that the King left without telling me," I softly said and pouted while still trying to look a bit angry to suffice for clicking my tongue.

"I see--" the maid suddenly cut her words when we heard a loud sound.

When we looked at the window, a large dark smoke appeared. It came from the borders between Charlie and Alpha Kingdom.

They already started.

"Don't worry, Your Highness, I'm sure they're just getting rid of the pests."

I clenched my fist when I heard those words while the maids were all looking happy while watching the smoke get bigger.

When I looked at Gerald, he was watching the smoke too, but he was frowning. His expression made me feel the pain he must be having. I know he's loyal to King Sorin, but he doesn't want any of this too.

I looked back at the smoke. There are a few more now and each is large enough to cover the whole sky with dark smoke. But when I look back at Gerald, he was gone.

It only took a couple of seconds for me to look outside, but now he's nowhere to be found.

After the maids had their fill of their entertainment, I dismissed them. Since King Sorin isn't here, I'm free to meet my family.

I saw the three of them having breakfast in the garden and I decided to join in.

"Good morning," I greeted.

None of them seem to be having a great morning because of the war that is happening. The sun's already covered by the smoke and the air is starting to smell bad.

"I'm sorry," I whispered.

It was supposed to be my job to stop King Sorin, yet here I am having breakfast while our neighbors are being roasted.

"No, it's not your fault," Kai answered softly as his eyes linger around the guards who are standing ten meters away from us.

"Anyway, I got some news, the bandits that roam outside the kingdoms have sworn an agreement to help in exchange for giving them residency in our kingdom," father whispered in between bites of our breakfast.

"The ex-residencia? The last time I heard about them was when Princess Tellusia was kidnapped," Mother worriedly looks at father.

"Yes, do you remember that, Meteor?" Father asked as he points for the pepper near me.

I shook my head, "Why? Did something happen between me and the bandits?"

"Maybe, all we know was Princess Tellusia was kidnapped during one of the trials for the Prince Forest's bride candidates." Father shrugged and continued to eat as if we weren't talking about serious matters.

"They're just bunch of rocks, woods, and plants, how can they help us?" Kai raised his brow while nonchalantly chewing.

"Read about their abilities later, Kai. What I'm asking is if your sister will let them join our side," Father shook his head at Kai then he glanced at me with his impatient eyes.

I took a couple of bites, I don't know who this ex-residencia is. I don't know whether they can be trusted or not. I don't know if they can be of use or they'll just be baggage.

"Can I meet them tonight?" I asked.

Kai and father looked at each other, seems like they already thought about this.

"Amy," Mother called, "I heard from the knights that tomorrow, they'll be attacking the Echo Kingdom if they won today against the Charlie Kingdom."

I furrowed my brows, "What?"

How can they attack kingdoms one after another when they were just having problems with the number of their armies yesterday? What's their plan and how will they do it?

"But they're lacking knights, that's impossible," I whispered before someone called my name.

"Princess Amelia," a man with a bald head full of gray scales with gills on his neck called, "We have to speak with you. Please finish your breakfast as fast as you can."

His uniform tells me he's from the Beta Kingdom and he's an officer. Is King Sorin using the help of his friends now? Is this how he'll attack the Echo Kingdom?

"I'll be done, please wait for me inside," I smiled and nodded for the guards to send him back.

"Alright, tonight I'll meet the ex-residencia. Meet me outside the kingdom. Mother, don't worry, I'll tell you what I'll find. Don't worry."

I stood up after drinking and immediately went to meet the Beta Officer.

He was in my room standing in front of the window, watching the smoke in the sky. It seems like it ceased. It may be done by now, that's why an officer was sent here.

The door was closed and it was only the two of us.

"Amy," I was about to sit when the voice from the officer changed from a low loud one to a soft voice of a teenage boy.

I looked at him and his appearance changed like water into Prince Marin.

"What?" I stood back up, "What are you doing here?" I suppressed my voice and dragged him away from the window.

"Alright, there's not much time. Amy, we need your help." Prince Marin's face turned bitter and later, he cried.