Astrana's POV:
"You know what," I started while walking in the palace halls. "This is a major shock."
"Yea, I'm still digesting the fact that he has amnesia," Zach said with a sigh.
"Really? I'm still stuck on the fact that you two," Derek gestures to me. "Got married to each other."
I giggle patting his back a bit. "It's hard to wrap your head around right?"
"Is it ever!" Brandon sighs. "Seriously, we left for a few days and so many exciting things happened."
Exciting? That is not the word I would be using for this development.
"Did I just hear you refer to this as exciting?" My friend with white hair and green eyes walks to us.
"Brandon," My hazel eye friend smacks his head. "This is anything but exciting."
"I agree, this seems more of a cruel joke than exciting the way I look at it."
"Absolutely, Astrana." She sighs. "Just imagine waking up and not remembering anything."
We shake our heads each with a sigh. That's got to be horrible! On another note… "How do you think this will play out?"
"Whatcha mean?"
"Like will he remember? Is the wedding going to happen?"
Most likely. "He seems to be handling it pretty well right now," Derek said as I nod.
"I don't know about you but I was nervous in his response to her being pregnant."
"Us too."
"Thankfully, he chose the latter because if he had chosen not to keep it…" My white-haired friend shakes her head with a sigh. Yea, thankfully he chose the latter.
"What are you six talking about?" My mom walks up to us.
"Oh, we're just talking about this situation."
"You mean Liliana being pregnant or your brother having amnesia?"
"Both of them." My friend said.
"This is… something." My dad chimes in. "But, the good news is he's slowly getting accustomed to us."
"If this keeps up, it will only be a matter of time before he remembers again!"
"Mhm. Although…" Maria said with a distant gaze. "I feel bad for her."
"Definitely."
"You all heard what he said, right?" Zach said as we nod. "He doesn't know if he likes her or not."
"How does he not know?"
I shrug cluelessly at look at my friend. "You're slowly regaining the memories you have lost. Mind telling us his way of thought?"
A slight smile graces her face. "With amnesia, it affects more than just your memories. It affects everything from the ability to recall facts to basic things such as regulations of emotions."
It affect emotions as well? "He's still trying to get accustomed to everything and sometimes, it's better to just rely on logic rather than emotions."
"So… what you're saying is that it's not that he doesn't know his emotions towards her," Derek started. "But he's relying on logic and ignoring his feelings?"
"Perhaps that the case." She said after a moment. "But, there is also a chance that he forgot the name of emotions."
My eyes widen. "That could be the case!"
"It's not that he forgot the emotion altogether, but rather forgot the name that we associate with that emotion!" Brandon exclaims excitedly.
If that's the case… "How do we make him realize?"
I don't know… My eyes widen. "Oh, is the wedding still scheduled for next week?"
My parents' nod. "Yup,"
(Flash):
"Everyone, back away this instant!"
Sweat drips from his forehead as trickle of tears stream down his face. "H-Help me," He chokes out as his breathing labors. "W-Why am I… I… d-don't hurt me!"
"Your Highness," The doctor cautiously approach him. "Your Highness, you're safe. You're in a safe place."
(Flash)
"About what happened earlier…"
My dad sighs clutching his head. "Star, you were right. He has PTSD." Post traumatic stress disorder?
"Did something happen to him that I don't know about?"
My friend gasp as her eyes widen. "You don't think he's remembering that, do you?"
"I hope not." My mom said after a moment. "But… judging by his reaction… I think so."
"But the seal-"
"The seal isn't absolute. It will fade over time." My dad clenches his fist. "I fear that with this, he will remember everything about her."
"If that happens… then he will-"
"Excuse me, but what are you talking about?" My friend interrupts as they look at her.
"Yea, Mom, Dad, what are you all talking about?"
They look at each other then look back at my friend and me. Huh? "Astrana, Star, it's best if you don't know."
"What? But-"
"He's right. The less you know about this, the better."
What are they hiding from us?
Astral's POV:
Night time: (Roughly 11 pm)
Another yawn escapes my lips as I pat her back. My fiancée heaves above the toilet bowl. Her face is as white as a sheet with sweat dripping from her forehead. "Are you okay?"
"What do you think?" She snaps as I let out another sigh. Geez, note to self: don't provoke her. Mood swings are the worst.
"Why is this happening?" Tears flow from her eyes. She's angry one moment then sad the next. What on earth have I gotten myself into?
My hands help her out and flush the toilet. "It's because your body's adjusting to accommodate another living being."
We sit down carefully on the bed while I turn on the bedside lamp illuminating a bright orange hue across the room. "Ok," I hand her a cup of water. "Drink this,"
She sniffles drying her tears with the back of her hand while taking the cup from my hands. "Thanks but I don't think this will help."
"It might not help with the regurgitation but it will make you feel a bit less uncomfortable," I said as she gulps down the water.
"Baby, my stomach hurts!"
Did she refer to me as 'Baby'? "I'm not your 'baby'."
Tears glisten as my eyes widen. Uh-oh… "You don't love me anymore!" I wasn't sure that I loved you to begin with.
"I'm carrying your child and yet you are being so mean to me!" Tears fully flow on her cheeks as she weakly hit my chest. Um… how am I supposed to handle this?
"How am I being mean?"
"Isn't it obvious?" A sob escapes as she hits me even more. This is going to be an eventful night.
"No…" I utter slowly as more tears leak from her beautiful eyes.
"You-"
"Ok, ok," I hold her wrist gently. "I was in the wrong, alright?"
My fiancée sniffles. "What did you do wrong?" Uh… what did I do wrong?
"By not letting you refer to me as 'baby'?" I guessed. Is that correct?
"Correct," She pecks my cheek with a grin as I push her away gently.
"Remember the physical contact rule between us."
The waterworks started again as my eyes widen. Not this again! I quickly pull her into a hug ignoring my discomfort as she wraps her arms around my chest. This is… I don't even know what to think in this situation. If this continues, I won't be getting sleep anytime soon.
"Stop crying. It's alright." I rub her back as she snuggles in my chest. Oh, come on!
"Honey,"
"Yes?"
"Do you… want our child?"
"Why would you ask that?"
Her eyes start tearing up. Not again… A sigh escapes my lips as I dry her tears with my fingers. "Why are you crying?"
"Tell me the truth," My fiancée holds my hand. "Do you want our child?"
"Why are you asking me this?"
Her eyes drift down towards the bed. "It's just… you don't seem to be excited about this… combined with the fact that you don't remember…" Oh.
A smile graced my lips. "Liliana, look at me," Purple eyes meet my gaze as I tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. "I might not remember about our connection but I assure you, I will try my best to remember."
"I know you will, my beloved." A hand lays on my cheek.
"Do you feel like you're forcing me into this marriage?" I ask softly after a moment of her silence.
She nods. "I feel like you only accepted this because of my pregnancy."
Well… that's not entirely untrue… "Silly," I cup her face in my hands with a minuscule smile. "Why would I propose to you if I didn't love you?"
"But… you don't remember."
"Regardless of my memory, in the past, I proposed, correct?" She nods. "Now's no different. I may not remember but if I fell for you once, I can fall for you a second time."
A pair of arms wrap around my neck tightly with her face nuzzling against my neck. "I love you."
A soft voice mutters as I freeze. I love you… I gulp and rub her back gently. Am I supposed to say it back? Is that how these things work?
A tightness in my chest lingers as I pull her closer. "I…" No… if I say it now, it wouldn't seem right considering that I don't love her.
"I promise that I will try my best to remember you, Lady Liliana." I'm sorry for lying about this. Truly sorry for deceiving you, Lady Liliana.
My eyes shut as I wrap my arms around her shoulders. If I didn't lie, you would be in more pain. I'm sorry. A yawn escapes her lips as I glance at her. "You should get some sleep."
"Mhm." My fiancée shifts closer laying her head on my chest. Not on me!
"I meant you should get some sleep on the bed." I slowly pull away as her arms tighten around my chest.
"Astral, you're my teddy bear." She whines. A teddy bear?
A chuckle escapes my lips. "A teddy bear?"
"Mhm!"
This is the first time a person has referred to me as a teddy bear before… at least I think that is. "You're also my heat source."
"A heat source?"
"Yup. You keep me warm throughout the night."
"But isn't that what the blankets are for? Surely I wouldn't be much help."
"Yes, but all the blankets in the world don't compare to you."
(Pulse)
"Ah!" I clutch my head as a knife penetrates my skull.
(Flash):
"Anyway, she wouldn't let me get out of bed this morning."
She rolls her eyes. "Again, you're my heat source for the night."
"Isn't that what the blankets are for?"
"Yes," Her arms wrap loosely around my neck. "But all the blankets in the world don't compare to you."
"Why is that?"
"Isn't it obvious?" She asks while I wrap my arms around her waist pulling her closer.
"How can I know if you don't say it?"
"I love you, Astral," My fiancée whispers.
"I love you too, Lily."
(Flash)
My eyes widen as a hand touch my cheek. "Do you remember something, my beloved?"
That 3-word phrase came from my mouth? "Honey?" Her tone lace with concern as I clasp her hand gently. I…
"We had this conversation before, right?"
"You remember?"
"A bit but nothing significant," I said after a moment as her lips curve upwards.
"Nothing significant? Every memory is important, my love."
I guess. "I guess you have a point."
A yawn escapes her lips as she buries her head in my chest. "Hey," I look down at her sleeping figure. "If you're tired, lay on the bed."
"Mmm, what's the difference?" She mutters sleepily waving an arm.
I let out a sigh gently laying her on a pillow as she squirms. "You need to sleep earlier these days."
My hands pull up the blanket and untie the canopy curtains. "Especially since you're bearing our child." My fiancée shifts a bit ruffling the blanket off. I stifle a laugh. How cute. I adjust the blanket accordingly with a slight smile. She sure seems peaceful. "Goodnight."
(Flash):
My friend offers me a gentle smile urging me to continue. "I… don't know how I feel about her." I started choosing my words carefully. "I know that I don't dislike her that's for sure."
(Flash)
A sigh escape my lips as I lay down on the couch looking towards her sleeping figure.
In the past, it looked like I loved her. I even said 'I love you'. Hmm… but why? Why do I feel like something is amiss here? Like... there's something missing?
The next morning:
Maria's POV:
(Flash):
"I love you, Maria," An 18-year-old guy with chocolate brown eyes and pitch-black hair holds me close kissing my forehead gently.
"What's with you all of a sudden?" I giggle as he wraps his arms tighter around my waist.
"I just really wanted to say that, my love."
I roll my eyes and peck his cheek. "You flatterer."
(Flash)
"Lady Maria," My friend claps in my ear as I blink snapping from my thoughts. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine." Why did I… this day…!
(Flash):
"I hate you!"
(Flash)
No wonder I suddenly remembered that memory. This was the day when he cheated on me.
(Flash):
"Your Highness, What should we do about-"
Their attention got diverted as I enter. Not a single word came from anyone's mouth as my gaze locked onto his heterochromatic eyes. "Maria?"
I tackle my friend wrapping my arms around his neck. He stands there dumbfounded. "Are you… okay?" Tears cascade down my cheeks as I pull him closer.
"Lady Maria," A council member said after he got over his shock. "This is a meeting. You can't just burst in like this."
"Hey, um…" He pats my back as I stifle a sob. "Maria, I'm in the middle of a meeting so if you need anything, you can…" My friend trails off as he notices my face.
"A-Astral," I choke out as I pull him closer. My tears stain his shirt as his eyes narrow.
"What happened?"
My breathing starts to labor as every muscle in my body trembles. I have to calm down. Geez, why are you crying Maria? What's there to cry about?
"Did someone die?"
I shake my head pressing his body closer to mine as he stands there with his arms up in surrender. "Um... then what happened?"
A sting radiates in my chest as my fingers grip onto his shirt. "I need you." You're pathetic Maria. Seriously? Why are you dragging him into this? He has nothing to do with it yet...
"W... What?" A surprised tone rings in my ears. "Well um, give me two minutes. I'm in the middle of discussing-"
"Please," I choke back a sob as he lets out a breath. His arms pull me closer patting my back.
"Ok, ok," He glances at his parents. "Your Majesties, may I be excused?"
The King waves a hand. "Of course,"
"I apologize, Council Member Athena, Raphael."
"Your Highness, you have nothing to apologize for. We will continue this at a later date."
He nods. "Please, excuse me."
(Flash)
That day…
"Are you sure that you're alright?"
No… I'm not alright. I blink away the tears with a sniffle. "I'm fine."
His eyes narrow as he shrugs. "Ok, well, I got to get going. My parents said that I have to be present at a meeting." But he doesn't remember anything.
"How will that work when you have amnesia?"
"I don't have a clue."
If others find out about this it will not be good. "Good luck!" I shoot him a smile as he returns it.
"Thanks."
My friend starts to walk away as I clench my jaw. "Wait,"
He turns back with a puzzled look. "Yes?"
"Can I hug... you?"
The guy across from me blinks as he stares at me. "Uh... Sure…" My friend said after a moment as I throw my arms around his neck. He stands there blinking while gently patting my back. "If you don't mind me asking, is something the matter?"
"No, it's nothing," I respond after a moment holding back the tears as I gulp. Why am I remembering him? He and I broke up a year ago. "I just wanted to hug you that's all."
He rubs my back gently as I tighten my arms around his neck pulling him closer. Why can't I forget about him?
(Flash):
He sighs. "Maria, it's been roughly a year since you two split. Don't you think it's time to forget about him?"
(Flash)
Easier said than done, my friend. If only I can forget… "What do you do if you can't forget someone?"
He stays quiet for a few minutes. "You remember them."
"But if you don't want to remember them, what would you do?"
"I don't know what prompted you to ask such a question but I would give myself some time."
"Time?"
He nods. "Time is essential for forgetting a being."
"I know, but…" It's been a year already…
He breaks the embrace with a slight smile. "Don't dwell on that person too much. Just feel the flow and you'll be fine."
Feel the flow… "What does that mean?"
A chuckle fills my ears as he pats my shoulder. "It could mean anything you want it to be."
The door opens and his butler shows up. "Your Highness, it's time."
He nods and looks back at me. "Feel the flow, Maria. I know that you can forget him."
I blink as he walks away talking with his butler. Feel the flow? Does that mean don't give up? A gasp escapes as my eyes widen. Wait, how does he know that I'm talking about a guy? Does he remember?!