The glow of Apollo's rays hit towards Amy's spellbound eyes, her whole figure appearing to be in an atmosphere of ecstasy. She woke up without abruptness, nor was she troubled by the sudden daylight peering into the cavern. As a matter of fact, her irises sparkled at the sign of a day reborn.

Amy started to sleepily feel around her surroundings when she realized that she was still in the cave from yesterday -

Yesterday…yesterday was the best moment of my life. It was as though…my innocence and happiness was finally put safely in the hands of my love, not my nightmares or my worst fears. Shadow's love for me was…deeper than I would ever imagine. And my adventure to experience how much he feels for me was both sexy and beautiful at the same time…

Still lying in her comfortable spot, she moved her feet to get up, but only to be anchored down by a strong grasp around her waist, making it as seem it never wants her to leave it's presence.

Amy looked slightly around her shoulder to glimpse at her hedgehog barrier, and she smiled softly.

His arm was around her slender waist in a protective position. He would normally be alert but here is his conscious body slumbering peacefully. The dark knight had finally found peace indeed. Away from the world that is hostile towards him, away from the parents that expect greatly of his totalitarian performance. And right in the heart and presence of an angel that keeps his mind at peace and for him to just focus on her and her compassion and love, which was reserved just for him.

The princess almost died on the spot by staring at his expression on his face. She wanted to stay with him, and make him this happy forever.

He looks so well-disposed and quiet, like a baby hedgehog.

Of course I want to stay by his side, just to wait to be kissed and caressed by his addictive touch and love…

But, unfortunately -

...I can't stay. I just can't stay, risking our true love in danger.

She knew this was impossible, for they were in two very different worlds.

Forlornly but with deep devotion, Amy gently kissed the sleeping Shadow on his forehead. A rush of euphoria surged through her bloodstream as she performed this act. To her delight, he smiled softly in his subconscious state.

Breathing in the pure aroma of oxygen to awaken her somnolent senses, the sovereign begun to dress up in her birthday dress, hoping that her parents wouldn't be too annoyed that their thirteen year old daughter had wandered off from home and hadn't came back for a whole night. Just the image of their worried faces placed a guilt conscious on her head.

On the other hand, her father would spark a flame of suspicion in the midst of the distress and confusion as to why she would be gone from home for a whole night. Heck, since it started in the last seven weeks. Soon it would arise to an almost noticeable trait around Amy. Deep down, she doesn't want her father to speculate and doubt his daughter's trust and security towards the Royal Family, especially if the situation concerned a very much loathed adversary.

Pulling on the glove on her right hand, it was amazing at how her presence of mind didn't sense a certain someone wrap his strong arms around her waist, pulling her closer to him, his left hand traveling up and down at the touch of her shape. He nuzzled into her neck, tickling her in the process. At this occurrence, she smiled broadly.

"And where do you think you're going, my precious rose?" Shadow purred.

Amy giggled softly more and more as her dark knight continued to hypnotize her. "I'm about to return back to the palace, before my Mother and Father murder me for being gone for almost a whole night," she replied, still giggling.

Shadow, a bit troubled at his princess leaving him, cupped her chin in his hand and turned her head for her sweet green eyes to meet his blood red ones.

"But…wasn't it worth it?" He smiled in devilish seduction.

"Yes…..," she sighed blissfully. "Yes…it was all worth a night of magic."

There was no denying that what had happened certainly blown their minds away, but at least they knew that their souls were closer and more intimate than ever. Nothing could tear them apart now.

A pair of canaries flew side by side in the sky, singing a sweet duet of music to wake up the woodland creatures.

Shadow held Amy's petite hand in his tightly, never wanting to let her out of his sight as long as he lived.

"Shadow…I have to go. It's the only way that nobody will be suspecting that something is going on."

"….DAMN IT! How come the heavens have to put a curse like this on us?" Shadow let go of Amy immediately in frustration, staring out at the sun in spite.

"Why can't I just have a free reason to be happy and not worry about what one person would think about our love and closeness. Heck, why should WE care what everybody, even our parents, would imagine at the despicable yet beautiful thought of being together? Sometimes I think we're better off not being heirs and just have a paradise of our own, the only people being you…."

Shadow ranted, then took the moment to glance at Amy's startled look etched all over her face. He didn't calm down, but his temper got exceedingly new with a desperate rage.

"Just you…"

He gently took her hands in his, placing them near his fierce, beating heart.

"And me."

Just gazing into his defiant ruby irises can almost break her royal loyalty to the usual mental routine of her daily life, and push her to stay in his arms forever. But to do that was to put both of them at risk. It's just not right at how they could not enjoy each other without outraged eyes glued to the sight of the two trying to be one.

The poor princess couldn't help but agree with the midnight prince, no matter how upsetting it is…

"You see? I keep telling myself that everything will probably get better once I actually tell my family that my soul binds to yours, that I love you beyond reason, doubt and spite and nothing could ever stop me from loving you or being in love with you, for that matter.

"But as I seen through my eyes how much my father scowls at the mention of your name and your family, I knew that I obviously had my hopes up too high. There was absolutely no way that they will agree on me and you being in a relationship. And I can't help but become sorry about how this has to come between us.

"This feud has NOTHING to do with us and our love. At all. Bout of course our families have to drag us for the ride." She sadly concluded.

Shadow couldn't utter any more persuasion from his lips. No words had tried to escape.

He desired to embrace her, make her happy again, anything so that he wouldn't have to see the bright green color in her eyes fade further from reality…..all he could do was frown more.

Amy touched his cheek in loving tenderness, as though she would never see him again in her lifetime. That was when she knew she had to leave the premises on the spot.

"Hey Shadow…." she painfully whispered.

He got the message sooner than expected just by the tone of her voice. He nodded.

"I love you, Shadow. Always remember that."

Amy lingered closer to him, a sweet sincerity in her expression.

"Of course, my love. I love you too, and I always will," he smiled back at her. They both shared a kiss, ending with Shadow escorting Amy out of their little paradise and back to the outside world.

"Did I really upset her that much, or was she just trying to…nah, it couldn't be."

Searching throughout the forest by the king's orders, the cobalt hedgehog practically sailed by the shrubs and trees to find the missing princess. And even so of the blurry vision of the scene, his sight can be sharper and quicker than anyone could possibly doubt.

"She must care about me a whole bunch if she objected to me signing that document. Otherwise…the princess wouldn't have ran away like that."

Of course Sonic thought that what she had done was a bit juvenile, although the knight couldn't help but notice something distinct about the pink lady…..

She's recently been so fierce and…passionate about what she stands for. Also…she looks so …pretty when she wore that dress. That princess…she does something to my heart whenever I get near her…or when she tries to persuade me with her cute smile…or whenever I say her name…

Sonic's eyes had widened at this discovery. Noticing that his heart flutters every time her smell lingers around him, now he's facing the fact that his spirit longs for her to be around her not just for a few hours. It could just be for a whole day if he wanted. No, he wished that could be possible, instead of her hanging with the Umbrian future king.

Dear lord, am I…am I losing my heart over Princess Amy Rose?

Soon, he sighted a lone pink figure approaching him. Relief and patronization overcame his conscious immediately.

"Your Highness! Where have you been all this time? Your father and mother has been worried sick about you!" Sonic said, trying to hide the sign of worry in his voice.

Amy was a bit dazed, until she caught up with his voice that she realized that he was talking to her.

"Oh…oh! I'm alright! I was just… a bit upset about yesterday and…but other than that, I'm perfectly fine," Amy reassured him.

Well, at least that matter was settled.

"At least you're safe and unharmed. I would kick myself if something were to happen to you Princess," Sonic explained softly.

Amy blushed a light pink at what he said and, as he noticed, so did Sonic.

"R-really? I didn't know that….." Amy smiled modestly. He's so thoughtful lately…and sincere with a feeling that I can't quite put my finger on…

"Well," he said, holding out his hand for hers, "I meant it when I said it. You are our Queen, after all. A beautiful queen with that." He winked at her with a flirting sense.

Amy smirked and took his hand, him carefully picking her up on his back like old times.

And with that, he sped down the trail back to the Flora Kingdom. Amy was constantly enjoying the cool breeze flowing through the wisps and strands of her hair, while Sonic was enjoying having the princess so close to him, like his dreams had desired so much for.

And I meant what I said from my heart….and that promise will never die away…if I keep dreaming of you…as my girl.

Well, at least I haven't disappeared! Hope you've enjoyed this chapter ;)