It had now made sense that Amon felt a sense of familiarity when he had seen Lena for the first time as if he had already known her for a long time. He had felt that familiar connection with her, and based on her previous expression alone, Amon could tell that Lena felt it too.
She was indeed the Queen Fairy Helena as Bella had confirmed, yet now she was living as an ordinary human, Lena Grant. Now everything had started to make sense to Amon after learning the truth about what had happened to Helena.
She had lost everything for him to live, she risked her life just to save his, Amon was indebted to her. He hadn't even said thank you for saving his life.
"I need to see Lady Lena," Amon suddenly told Bella. "Thank you, Lady Bella, for enlightening me with the truth of what had really happened. I know that you're also growing impatient, but I want to reassure you that my memories are being restored. However, slow this may be, and that I have a feeling that I will soon remember you as well," Amon reassured her, thoughtfulness seeping in his voice.
Lady Bella's conflicted and worried expressions were bothering him, and he wasn't sure as to why he was so affected.
"Would you not want my sister-in-law to help with regaining your memories? Maybe some time with her may help speed up the process. I do hope, however, that you don't forget that I saved your life yesterday. I know that it seems quite irrelevant as compared to when Lena saved you as she had risked everything, but the point is I also saved your life and you're also indebted to me…" Bella now awkwardly suggested.
She bit her lower lip as she stared at him fidgeting. "Just that… I'm sorry if I'm acting like this. I'm scared. It feels unfair to me that you remember everything about her and how much she sacrificed for you. I'm scared that you'll be swayed; that you'll choose her only because you're indebted to her.
"
Amon felt his heart breaking as he looked at Bella, seeing how anxious and conflicted she was. He knew in his heart that he had strong feelings for her, yet he did not want to act in haste.
He needed more time to process everything and to properly sort things out. He was no longer who he was before, right now he was a king and he had a kingdom as well as responsibilities that he should be prioritizing. It was no longer about himself alone but his people who believed in him, who believed that he could make their lives better after Devon had destroyed everything.
"Please don't think like that, Lady Bella. We have a tradition to follow in the selection of a Queen. I believe it's best that we don't break those traditions out of respect for my kingdom which is why I must go through with it. It's what my court officials and people want." Amon reiterated.
Bella frowned and Amon found it hard to avoid her intense eyes which were staring directly at him. "What if you have someone you already love? Would you still go through with those damn traditions?"
Amon's lips stretched wide at how Bella cursed in front of him. He was truly amazed to find someone like her who was this feisty and was not afraid to show her true self, not caring what others thought of her. He was so used to meeting women in his kingdom who were prim and proper all the time and barely freely spoke their opinions, aside from his cousin Lera and mother of course. The rest acted so meek and shy around him.
"Did your King not find his mate and yet they went through traditions right before your Queen was officially crowned as Queen? My people need assurance for their future, Bella. I believe that you're well aware of how much they had suffered because of Devon's tyranny, injustice, and evil doings. They were so traumatized that they were all wary of accepting me as their new king. Everything I've done has been a struggle in order to gain their trust. Even now, I still have to prove myself and it's an ongoing process and journey for me…" Amon confessed.
"I agreed to follow this tradition for the selection of a wife so that my people will feel at ease knowing that we chose someone deserving that could lead them together with me. They want to have a Queen who would truly care for them and for the kingdom. So it's really not because of what I want Lady Bella. I am no longer Osman… and I can't live like how I used to, because I have a greater responsibility now that I must not abandon just for my personal greed…" Amon explained further.
Bella gulped and he couldn't help but take note of every detail on her face at that moment. She was again frowning as she bit her bottom lip. She seemed to have a habit of always doing this and it was affecting him gravely. He wondered how her lips would taste if he bit it on her behalf.
Amon rapidly blinked and swallowed the lump in his throat as he hastily looked away from her face. He was way too distracted. Composing himself, he took the cup of coffee and drank it all in one gulp. He put it down on the table and got up from his seat.
"Thank you for the delicious coffee and for telling me the truth, Lady Bella. I really appreciate it." Amon said with a half smile and cut nod.
Then he took a deep breath and continued, "And, as much as I want for you to travel with us as we head back to Helion, I will have to request you not join us. Our entourage has been compromised and it won't be safe for you to be a part of this."
Bella's face crumpled so he quickly suggested, "It's best for King Darius to deploy a separate convoy, taking the flag of Cordon with you. That way, no one would dare harm you and Lady Lena. If you have mages that could cast a teleportation spell then that may be a better option instead. I will have the guards let you enter the borders as soon as you arrive."
Bella remained in her seat, looking just in no particular direction. Amon felt uneasy, he had wanted Bella to participate in that competition. He wanted to see her more, but he had to restrain himself in order not to express his true emotions. It was not easy, but he strongly believed that it was for the best because his life was no longer his. He believed that he was given another chance at life in order to serve a purpose; in order to serve his people and his kingdom well.
He turned around to leave but his feet felt so heavy that he halted to turn around, only to find Bella was staring at him back. He flinched. Something was wrong in her eyes. They seemed to be welling up.
"I… You see…" he looked so foolish right now, speaking and stammering. "I won't be able to forgive myself if anything happens to you under my watch Lady Bella. So p-please, I hope you won't be stubborn this time and listen to me. Travel separately bearing the flag of Cordon or use the teleportation spell."
She smiled at him and reassuringly said, "I understand, Amon. Don't worry about me too much. I will ask my sister-in-law to use the teleportation spell. I believe she already mastered it perfectly by now. There's no use in traveling slowly since you're not around. I rather use a teleportation spell to be with you as fast as I can."
Amon felt his cheeks burn. He couldn't believe how his heart fluttered with those words from hers. "I…" he began to speak but was unable to continue. He wanted to say something but he was holding back then he thought a little filter on his words might be not that harmful.
Taking a deep breath he gave her a genuine smile and said, "I will see you around, Lady Bella."
"See you at Hellion, Your Majesty," she answered. As if it was the confirmation he wanted, Amon turned around with that wide smile across his face. "I'll be glad and delighted to see you at Helion too, Lady Bella," he unknowingly remarked as he strode long steps, exiting her tent.
He was rooting for her and he was looking forward to seeing and being around her more. She must win that competition no matter what because Amon knew in his heart that no one was able to make his heart flutter the way Lady Bella did. She was able to invoke a flurry of emotions in him that he was confident no other woman could do.
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