The Crown's Entrapment



The next morning came, and Bella together with Jayra, Bartos, and Helion's entourage continued on with their journey towards Haven Forest.

"So, you mean he recalled Helena's voice and words, but not her face?" Jayra asked. 

Bella simply nodded, noting the hint of wary in her sister-in-law's voice. 

"What if he remembers Helena's face once he sees Lena then?" Jayra continued. 

Bella opened her mouth to speak but closed it just as quickly. That actually never came across her thoughts even once. 

"The Fairy Queen and Lena look identical," Bella pointed out. "But Lena isn't her, so I don't see the need to be worried, Sis."

Well, at least she could finally tell now why her sister looked so worried. However, she could tell that something was still off about the way Jayra was acting, and she frowned when she noticed how awkward her sister smiled at her. 

"Oh, right. It's just that… Well, Osman… I mean, Amon recalled her voice, and maybe seeing Lena would bring back more memories," she explained. "I just hope that it's not just his past memories inside the Element Forest though."

Bella didn't comment on Jayra's words. Instead, she simply stared at Amon's back as he rode his horse ahead of them. 

"So what do you think will happen in the Global Summit?" Bella asked, changing the topic. This time, she turned to his brother Bartos who was being unsurprisingly quiet.

"The Mount Sorel Guild will host the event, so I'm sure it'll go smoothly Bella," he casually answered, his eyes also focused on Amon's back. 

Bella blinked at that information. If she recalled correctly, the Mount Sorel Guild was a group consisting of independent and neutral Masters that didn't involve themselves in the affairs of the kingdoms unless their assistance was requested. They never easily accept requests as well, preferring to first analyze if their assistance was being used for a good cause.

"Stop glaring at him like that," Bella humorously remarked. "He'll feel it."

"I still can't believe that he's Osman," Bartos grumbled in annoyance. "He had such a drastic change in attitude, so different from the Osman I knew. Maybe I should knock him down a peg to knock some sense into him."

Bella shook her head at her brother's suggestion. It was understandable, however. After all, Osman had been someone who was always bubbly and friendly to them. He was the one who would always initiate conversations and would even be the only one who could make her brother laugh aside from Lord Gideon. 

"Ah, if only Lord Gideon is with us as a part of our entourage for the Global Summit," Bella nonchalantly wondered. "Maybe he'll be able to break the ice." 

Unfortunately, Lord Gideon was left behind to look after their Kingdom together with Lord Gilas while their King wasn't available.

"That's true," Jayra chuckled. "Actually, now that I think about it, maybe we should just send my husband back and ask for Lord Gideon to replace him." 

She then turned to her husband and scoffed, "You're just too serious at times, my husband. Right now, we need someone jolly and good at cracking jokes. You just look constantly annoyed. Loosen up a bit, will you? It's not Osma- Amon's fault that he lost his memories…"

"Hah, just last night you were cursing him," Bartos huffed with a roll of his eyes. 

From the sidelines, Bella smiled knowing how the couple would eventually start quarreling, bickering, and later on, being all lovey-dovey with each other again. She didn't want to witness that again, so she went ahead and spurred her horse forward so that she could ride beside Amon. The moment she managed to catch up, she was greeted by Rendon.

"Good morning, Lady Bella," he greeted her with a wide smile as she positioned her horse between his and Amon's. "It's a lovely day, isn't it?"

"Indeed, Lord Rendon," she greeted back with a wide smile. Shen then turned to her left at Amon and said, "Good morning, Your Majesty."

Amon simply answered her with a curt nod.

"We'll be arriving at Haven Forest before dark, Lady Bella," Rendon casually spoke. "I do wonder how many kingdoms will be participating in this event though."

"Hmm, Cordon, Valcrez, and Ebodia will be there for sure," Bella commented.

"There's no doubt. They are the most powerful kingdoms out there, and I'm really curious about how things will end up," Rendon voiced out. "I just hope they won't be too wary of us.".

"They won't. King Nikolai, King Darius, and King Ezekiel are just rulers. They'll do their best to be neutral," Bella reassured him. "And besides, they will have surely already heard of how Helion is reviving itself to be a better kingdom for good. Helion's participation in this event in making peace talks is already proof enough that it is trying its best to maintain peace."

Rendon nodded in agreement, while Amon remained quiet.

[What do you think he's thinking?] Poona curiously asked. [He's being so quiet, and it's unsettling.]

Bella pressed her lips together as she too wondered if Amon was bothered by what she said to him last night. She unknowingly let out a sigh. It was just in her nature to be vocal and candid at times.

[Maybe I should tone down my actions around him a bit?] Bella thoughtfully mused. [What do you think?] 

Poona chuckled. [What actions? We haven't done anything yet,] she scoffed. [You haven't even started trying anything.]

That was true. She was yet to begin her efforts in trying to woo Osman, after all. 

Chuckling, she turned to Rendon and casually asked, "How about we have a race up to that cliff, Commander Rendon?"

As if looking for permission, Rendon looked at Amon, making Bella pout. "Please, Your Majesty. Allow Rendon to come with me," she halfway pleaded. "I feel quite bored already, and I miss running in my wolf form. Though, I'm sure you won't allow me to shift and run, so at least let me have some fun racing around with him."

There was a pause, and Amon looked to think things over before he murmured, "Alright. Just this one time."

As soon as she received his approval, Bella took in a breath quietly chanting a spell on the horse she was currently riding. It would be the first time she would try it, and she could only wonder if it would even work. It was something Master Kasper taught her if she wanted an animal to go rampant. 

"Are you ready, Bella?" Rendon amusedly asked. 

Smiling, she simply winked at the man before commanding her horse to run. To her disappointment, however, her horse seemed to be running just fine.

[Hahahaha! Seems like you really suck with magic!] Poona teased. 

Bella clicked her tongue. It would seem that her trick didn't work. But then, after a few moments, her horse finally started going crazy.

"Lady Bella!" 

She heard Rendon shouting from behind as her horse took off with her on it. Turning, the corner of her lips turned up upon seeing how Amon was also rushing towards her. He was going so fast that he even passed Rendon with how quick he was going. Eventually, Bella closed her eyes as she let her horse throw her off its saddle.

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