"Mother! Of all the people in this kingdom, my mother's coming…"

The princess rushed up off the ground, with Shadow following in example.

And to think the reason of all these emotions to explode in her mind was because her dear and compassionate mother, the one parent she's come to love and trust all her years, might have a terrifying shock of her little angel having an Umbrian prince as a suitor…Oh how Amy yearned for her Queen mother to be the merciful, understanding monarch parent she is, giving the young neo-queen an excuse not to be afraid…

Once soft, her eyes became alert at the sight of Lily's shadow. Her heart beat in a particular rhythm by the sound of Lily's slippers approaching. Her mind was overwhelmed and a bit nauseated in guilty response to her mother's chamomile perfume. Her and Shadow have to choose out of a ultimatum: either come up with a clever plan to get Shadow out of here as soon as possible, not to mention in time, or prepare for the most difficult explanation to tell the Queen.

Amy, unlike some other protagonists, never chooses the latter.

"Oh, we've really done it now! Me and my big mouth-" Amy complained in defeat.

"Amy, don't go blaming yourself for this. Your mother obviously heard us and probably is curious." Shadow comforted, all the meanwhile looking for a place to hide. This is getting ridiculous even for him to handle. Does he have to drag the both of them to the moon for their love not to be discovered?

He looked over at Amy. Without a doubt, the day would take its turn for the worst for them.

Shadow hated to see her like this. What's more to just make him go mad with is if her waterworks started to erupt.

Unless…

"Amy! It looks like I don't have to go away after all," Shadow rushed through, hands clasped at each of Amy's shoulders. Amy just stared at him. Just what in the world is he talking about?

"Shadow, this isn't funny; if my mother as so much catches a sight of your accursed, yet gorgeous quills, I may never see you again…" Amy said.

A hand crept upon her rosy cheek in reassurance, and green pools of lament meets the same red eyes of cleverness, the one thing she's come to fall in love with that night…Hope may not die after all.

Shadow sped behind a nearby bush in a hurried fashion, while Amy straightened herself up for her mother's arrival. And just in time too.

A peaceful atmosphere makes itself known as Queen Lily appears. A violet parasol acting as her shield against the sun, the scarlet hedgehog stood before her. Her heart shaped face was serene and collected from the troublesome world around her.

Mother and daughter stared into each others' eyes. If one looked carefully, and with a mindset attitude, it's with no debate that Amy was almost, almost, the incarnation of Lily. Silence lingered around for a bit, until Lily spoke.

"Briar rose", she spoke, "I thought I heard you laughing to your heart's content. Was there something that could provoke you to do so? Seeing as what your father told me…"

Just once glance at her expression was enough to make you cry. Amy tried to conjure up a good reason to laugh like she did earlier. But the restriction from the depths in her heart reminded her too much not lie to her mother, no matter how much it is important. Who in the world would lie to the one person who has comforted you, understood you, and has been by your side since birth?

Nevertheless…

"Well, it's such a beautiful day, Mother. After all, all this happiness and joy can make you do nothing but smile and laugh."

"You are right. It is a beautiful day. And I don't fault you either; I heard you singing as well while I was checking up on the roses. All it takes is one voice, and it gives way the true feelings just by listening to the melody."

Amy beamed happily, satisfied that someone else commends her for her performance.

"And yet, if that was you giggling, who was the other voice that I heard? From what I can tell, it sounded like a man's voice."

Now Lily was confused and waited to see Amy's mysterious friend.

And here comes the anxious, embarrassed side of Amy. No other rational excuse pops up.

"I…I…I…I…"stammered Amy.

"Oh, that was me, your highness. No need to worry." A male voice spoke out of nowhere.

Well, that snapped Amy out of her repetitive corner. Oh no, Shadow…wait a minute, it can't be him…it doesn't sound like him at all…

The pink girl turned around to see that cocky smile facing her upturned one.

Sonic?

Sonic walked up beside her, winking in response as though reading her mind, and put his arm around her waist. Amy was aghast at this. Why would Sonic help her now, right when their contact was limited to formal greetings?

"Oh, Sir Sonic. You were laughing also?" the queen concluded, surprised.

"Yes, we were having a bit of fun before I got to my duties for today. I couldn't really ignore her cute smile and her beautiful singing, since they've always made a fool of me, so-"

Out of a spontaneous reflex, Sonic kissed Amy's reddening cheeks. Did he just kiss me?

Lily looked upon this, and relaxed once again. After taking a closer look at Sonic, an emergence of a smile shone out from her spirit as she admired this display of friendly puppy love in front of her. It was bound to happen sooner or later.

"Okay. I won't ruin your fun any longer." Lily gladly responded. "Just make sure Amy that you don't wander to the forest, where you'll get lost. You'll make sure of that, will you Sir Sonic?"

Sonic nodded in sincerity, bringing Amy closer to him.

"Very well then" she finished. "See you for supper, Amy."

Queen Lily retreated back to the palace, content that Amy had found love at last. An aura of warmness followed behind her, a lasting signature the queen always had.

Amy sighed with relief that her worst fears weren't confirmed. She took Sonic behind the bushes and, as hard as it is to forgive him, thanked him anyways.

"I don't know how to thank you, Sonic. You just saved me back there, and I was just about to crack down too! But, I don't think it was necessary to kiss me like that- although it was flattering."

Something unusual was happening. On top of Sonic's quills, red and black was spreading in a gradual speed…

Eventually, Sonic wasn't there anymore, but the Prince Shadow himself. Amy 's mouth dropped open - how did he do that? It was Shadow all along!

"Shadow! But how…"

From behind his back, he reveals in his hand a half empty vial filled with a blue, misty liquid. So, he used the potion he had in case of emergencies. "It's a potion that Tikal gave to me one time, for my missions of trespassing on an enemy's territory, if necessary." Shadow explained.

Amy understood every word he said. Now it dawned on her just how calculating Shadow can be at times. Then she laughed, at how flawless and brilliant it was, her mother not noticing a thing.

"But Shadow, why?" She said, still giggling.

Shadow still had his usual glare on his face, but a tiny smile managed to escape from his lips. He landed a hand on her shoulder.

"A smile was all I needed to see from you. That's good enough of a reason as any," Shadow said quietly.