CHAPTER 11

Mr. Gavin’s P.O.V

I saw footprints as I looked directly at the meadow. “Shit, what’s she even doing in there?!”, I said. The worry in me felt like it was about to burst. I ran as fast as I could and entered the forest she’s in. I screamed at the top of my lungs, “Amari! Where are you, Amari?”. I kept calling out her name but still no response. “Dear God, where could she be?” I cried. I took deep breaths first to calm myself down, “Panicking won’t help you find her, Gavin” and slapped myself with both hands to get rid of the nervousness I had.

The forest got darker and darker and I am still in the same spot as I was. I looked around closely hoping to find paths, it would be much better if I see footprints. I had been looking around for a while, and I still have no idea which direction to head to. With all the thoughts running in my mind, I did not realize that I was already running again without even thinking. This time, I did not stop. I searched every bit of the forest hoping to find Amari, the woman who I cared for. For a while now, I had been scurrying back and forth and still had no clue where she was. What mattered was to find her, but then the rain started to pour.

My heart began to ache as I got flashbacks about Amari’s memory during the forest fire.

4 months ago

PRINCESS AMARI’S P.O.V

Another beautiful sunny day at the castle as a princess. I was wearing a pink Victorian hoop dress with my hair in a half updo. “Looking good, you lovely Amari” I mumbled, praising myself as I looked at the mirror in my room. I stared at my reflection for a while because of my enchanting beauty that could attract eyes until someone knocked on the door. “Who is it?” I asked, then my maids opened the door. It was Queen Constance, my mother. I ran towards my mother and hugged her as she asked “How are you, my darling?”. “I am absolutely fine now that you are here, mother” I happily replied like a kid “Why don’t we sit and have tea?”. “Sure, darling. That would be lovely,” replied Queen Constance.

I ordered my maids to get the English Breakfast Tea as an eye-opener in the morning. I also told them that mother and I would like to have our breakfast eaten in my room. My mother playfully smiled at me and I smiled back. It seemed that she was hiding something, I hope it’s exciting. I then asked out of wonder, “Is something on your mind, mother?”. “Oh, you are such an observer, Amari. I do have something in mind,” mother replied. “What is it?” I eagerly asked, “Well, I plan to take you out in the forest. Just you and me. You know, appreciating the forest and take things off our minds even just for a while.” mother said. As she was saying those, I felt like she’s not okay. Did they fight with my father? Is she in a bad mood or what? I wanted to ask her what’s wrong, but I decided not to. I would just leave her be first.

We talked about some stuff irrelevant to politics and any royal topics as we ate breakfast and drank tea. We talked and laughed our hearts out for quite a while. “What time is it, Eva?” mother asked one of my maids, “Well, it’s already 9:38 am, Your Highness” replied Eva. Mother gasped, “Oh no, we are about 18 minutes late to our adventure. Quick Amari, get dressed!”. I stood up and went towards my closet. But as mother was about to open the door, I realized that I forgot to ask where we would meet. I dashed out from there that even mother was surprised. “Mother, where will we meet?” I panted. Mother replied with a smile, “At the west gazebo darling”. Mother hurriedly went out of the room and I began to change clothes.

I brisk walked down the halls as I was wearing a red dress with gigot sleeves. When I got out, I could feel the sun’s warm embrace and the wind’s gentle breeze on me. “Ah, this feels good,” I said while I softly smiled. Hundreds of steps later, I saw my mother waiting for me at the gazebo. “I’m sorry, mother. Did you wait long?” I apologized. “No, not at all Amari” mother replied, “Shall we?”. I nodded in agreement.

We walked towards a green paradise with an earthy scent. I realized there was an awkward silence between us. So, I asked my mother “Is everything alright?”. She then said, “Yes, darling. Everything’s alright. You need not worry a thing, although I appreciate your concern.” I replied, “Sure” and we went on walking. I wouldn’t want to force her as I respected her privacy, but I hope it’s nothing serious.

We explored around the forest and continued our talk from where we left off. We picked flowers, watched the birds fly around, and genuinely laughed at everything that we did. This kind of mother and daughter bond was very important to me with the forest as a witness. I want the time to stop just for a while and just have fun with my mother. Lost in thought, I snapped back to reality when mother squealed with delight like a little girl opening presents. “Crocuses! These are my favorite among all flowers,” mother happily shared. “Phew, I thought something bad happened. You scared me, mother,” I sighed in relief.

Mother continued to share her memories from childhood and how she got to love the flowers. While she was talking, I sniffed the surrounding because something caught my nose. After a while, I looked at the sky and saw thick smoke. How was there a thick smoke at this time? Everything was completely fine and peaceful. “Mother, we need to go! I think there’s fire spreading fast nearby,” I told my mother.