How are you all?

I'm still sick...and tired of taking meds... And my stomach problems never seem to end...

>>Amber

"You're going to Hollow Woods?" I stared at Hael in disbelief, "That's a forbidden place..." We both stood in the bedroom given to me while I was to stay here in the palace.

"Someone reported that the miasma is coming from that forest." He stood with his arms folded. I could tell he was thinking about something.

"So the king asked you and the high priest to investigate?" I shook my head, "Why? Hollow Woods are pretty far."

"Yes," He nodded, "But there is no other country between us and Hollow Woods. Not from that direction."

"Hael, don't you hate it when the king gives you orders?" I was worried. I wanted him to tell the King that he won't do it. Something about Hollow Woods was giving me the creeps.

"No,"

"But you want to be the one in absolute control, right?" I mean, he has an obsession with power.

"..." He took his time to think, "I want to be in a position where no one can abuse me. I don't mind doing my job or anything related to work."

"Isn't it going to be dangerous?" Hollow Woods has been uninhabitable for centuries, "And why Hollow woods? Who saw the miasma there?"

"The person who sent the message is dead. He only managed to send a letter back to Maximillian saying the miasma is in Hollow Woods."

"So that's all? A letter? Not even a person?" I paused, "And why would a person even go into Hollow woods? Even animals don't go there!"

"That's the odd part." He was still thinking, "Why would he go in there? And how did miasma travel out of Hollow woods, if, the miasma is actually from there." He let out a soft sigh.

"Hael," I had a bad feeling about this, "When are you leaving?"

His gaze focused on me, "Right away,"

"Right away!?" I felt anxious

Oh Damn...

"King's orders," He said, "Eldias and I both asked to stay for tonight's ball but he told us we can't," He smirked, "It seems the king is suspicious."

"Suspicious?" I frowned, "Of What?"

"That you're Corvina,"

!!!

"What?" That was like a blow.

"What are the odds," He looked into my eyes, "That a person who looks exactly like Count Cory's Daughter to appear out of nowhere?"

"It is very much possible," I said nervously, "Lookalikes are everywhere. Is he really suspicious?"

"That's what I think," He shrugged, "I might be wrong. But with how adamant he is on making me go away and then hold the event, I feel like either he's suspicious of you, or..."

"Or?" I looked at him in apprehension

"He simply wants to have fun." He stepped back, "You do look exactly like Lyal's ex after all, he might simply want to see how things play out without any interference."

I pursed my lips.

It's possible. He did make Lyal the supervisor...

"Well, I doubt things will get bad here in the palace, you're well aware of how this place works, So I'm sure you'll be fine." He turned around to go to the door, "I have to leave."

"When will you come back!?" I asked

He stopped by the door, "Since it's only an investigation. It shouldn't take me more than two days."

Oh

Two days... I have to get through this alone for two days

"Why?" He asked, "Are you nervous? You have no reason to be nervous. You're the saint,"

I gulped, "I know," I looked away, "It's just," I realize I've grown a bit dependent on Hael and that's not a good thing, "It's nothing."

After learning about Hael's story, my heart has wavered a lot. When I ran away from The Cory Manor, I had no intention of ever going back to him or to start liking him again.

But here I am

Simply anxious because he won't be by my side.

What am I doing? Do I really desire him? Again?

Will our relationship even work out? Hael isn't even good at regulating his emotions. I doubt he understands much empathy either.

I looked down

And with all that in mind, does he even like me that way?

"Why do you look nervous?" He asked and I looked at him.

"Just thinking," I said softly, "I'm sure there are going to be a lot of troublesome things here." I diverted my mind.

"You don't even need to win," He said, "The winner gets to serve the nobility, if you keep losing, you can go back."

!!!

"Oh! You're right!" I was a little shocked. I can't believe I didn't think of that! "That will actually make things easy for me!"

He opened the door, "Stay safe, My Lady," He passed me a smile

"Yea, you too,"

"If you ever need me, call me," He said.

"How will you be able to reach me from so far away? Will my voice even reach you?" I rolled my eyes.

He smiled, "I'll make sure, it does." Then he left the room but I didn't make much out of his words.

***

Since there was a ball arranged by the princess in the palace, Illaris and I were both invited.

Three maids came in to get me ready and they brought a dress with them.

"Is there any way I can not go to the ball?" I asked as I stared at the dress I wore in the mirror. It wasn't bad or anything but there was something odd about it that I couldn't quite put my finger on.

"You have a formal invitation from the princess," A maid sat me down on the couch and began to do my hair, "Not going would be bad for you."

I pursed my lips

Honestly, I can't trust the princess to let it slide if I don't show up. I let out a deep breath. And I really don't want any trouble. I let the maids do their thing and by the time they were done, it was time to go.

I looked at myself in the mirror before I left the room and seeing myself all dolled up, I saw my previous self in the mirror.

I frowned.

Wait, a minute.

Isn't this my dress? The more I looked at it, the familiar it became.

Right,

I owned the exact same dress as Corvina! I even wore it to a big party, at the duke's son's engagement!

Odd

I turned around to look at the maids but they had left.

This feels strange. It can't be a coincidence, can it? I looked at myself in the mirror again. The dress was from the princess. Maybe she gave it to me because she didn't want to wear a dress I had worn before. But why would she own one that I had already worn years ago?

I let out a sigh

I can't ask for another dress now. I have noone to ask to,

Let's see what happens at the ball.

It shouldn't be anything I can't handle.

I turned around and left the room. At the same time Illaris came out of his room as well. We were right next to each other so I'm assuming this type of thing will keep happening.

"Hello," She spoke first, "Good Evening,"

"Good evening to you too," I replied, not wanting to make things awkward but since we had to walk towards the ball room alone things did get a little awkward because we didn't exchange any other words.

I barely knew anything about her and I have no idea if I can trust her or not.

But it's better to assume that I can't.

"Lyal!" She smiled as we turned the corner that led to the ballroom.

"Illaris," He smiled back at her. He must have been waiting for her.

He walked towards us and offered her his arm, "Let's go," She took it and they began to walk away.

Oh, right

An escort. I need an escort! That's how you enter the ballroom!

"Aren't you supposed to be helping both of us?" I called him out and he stopped to look back.

"One man can escort one woman," He replied, "And Illaris and I are," He paused for a second, "Close friends, so of course I would choose her."

"And you didn't pick one out for me?" I asked, "Clearly, you knew that Hael wasn't going to be here."

Illaris looked at me, and then at Lyal but she didn't say anything. But it did seem like she didn't like how Lyal addressed their relationship.

"I am not mannerless," He replied, "Someone is waiting for you too," He pointed at a man behind me, and then began to walk away.

I rolled my eyes and let out a sigh. That's when I heard footsteps behind me

"Why?" A familiar voice came from behind me that made my heart jump, "Am I not good enough to be your escort?"

!!!

I shot my head around because I recognized him right away

"Ahin!!"

And there he was. Dressed in formal attire for the ball, he stood smiling.

"Hello Amber,"

"Oh! My God!" I stepped towards him, "I thought you went missing!" I was more than happy to see him. I kept wondering where he had suddenly disappeared to and I was getting a little depressed since I wasn't getting to see him or his little sister.

But this was a pleasant surprise.

He let out a chuckle, "I wanted to visit you and explain but the workload didn't allow it." He presented his arm for me to take, "I'm your escort for the night."

I took his arm immediately, a wave of relief washed over me.

I won't be alone like I thought I would be!

Thank heavens!!

We began to walk towards the ball room.

"Why weren't you visiting anymore?" I asked.

"I've been deployed somewhere else," His expressions turned sour, "Unfortunately, we won't be able to see each other at all."

What?

"Why?"