CHAPTER TWO

It had been a few hours after Ariella had entered the forest, and she was tired, sore, and hungry. Her skin was littered with scratch marks from branches and her leg was swollen after she had slipped and fallen, which slowed her down greatly.

Ariella felt like she had been walking in circles, she knew that she had passed by that same tree at least four times already. Giving up, she sat down where she was standing. It soiled her nightgown but she didn't care, the nightgown already had stains almost everywhere and she couldn't be bothered caring how she looked during her current situation.

She hugged her knees and leaned on a tree that was close to her. Her puffy red eyes were about to close but she didn't want to sleep, she was scared.

At the thought of her current situation, Ariella burst into another round of silent tears. With all the sudden stress that her small body and mind had to go through, she soon lost consciousness.

**********

- The Next Day-

The room was small, bright, and quiet. It had a basic design, white walls, and plank floors. The room was a medbay with three beds and a bedside table and chair next to each bed.

Occupying one of the three beds was Ariella, she had bandages on her arms and her skin was pale than usual. She was wearing an extremely big yellow top that reached her knees and her blue hair was packed in a simple ponytail.

On the left side of the bed, sitting on a chair was an elderly woman the woman was dressed in a simple green dress, and on her neck was a simple golden locket.

Her black hair which had some strands of grey, a clear sign of her age was packed in a low messy bun and her bright teal-colored eyes were only focused on Ariella.

Not a long time later there was movement coming from the bed. Ariella was starting to wake up. Her soft grey eyes opened slowly as she tried to get up but quickly winced and fell back on the bed.

She became too absorbed in looking and touching her bandaged arm that she didn't even notice the women beside her. As a result, when she turned and saw the woman beside her, she let out a scream.

"W-who are you?!" Ariella stumbled over her words as she tried to leave the bed but instead fell on the floor.

"what happened?! " An elderly man shouted after he had slammed the door open. His face was red and his breathing was uneven indicating that he had run all the way here.

The elderly man had on a butler's uniform and his orange hair which had grey strands was slicked back, showing off his slightly wrinkled forehead.

Coming in right after the old man was Louis, dressed from the neck down in shining silver armor. His blonde hair was tamed and his facial features were more pronounced and defined.

"Nothing happened, she was just started." The woman spoke in a hurried tone holding Ariella in her arms. Ariella looked around for a while and the moment she was back in bed, she buried herself in the covers.

"Juliet..." Louis whispered, gaining her attention. He pointed at the three of them and then at the door, indicating that they should all head out.

Once they were all out of the room Juliet let out a long breath that she didn't even realize that she was holding.

" I still find it hard to believe." Juliet paced around the corridor as she sighed for the nth time.

"I know right? Louis, how could you keep something like this from us?" The old man yelled in a small voice.

" I didn't have a choice. I sent her there to protect her, I just don't know how she left without the person looking over her realizing." Louis rested on the wall in a thinking position.

"But does Theo-I mean his majesty know yet?" Juliet asked a question that they had all been wondering.

"If he did he would have told at least one of us, right Edward?"

"I don't know. No matter how ignorant he can act at times, he knows everything." Edward massaged his forehead, a deep frown forming on his face.

They all pondered for a short while until Juliet spoke up.

"If he still doesn't remember her then what?"

"We convince him obviously, I'm sure we'll find a way." Louis responded, finally standing up straight.

"How do we convince someone as impossible as him?" Edward said grumpily.

"Edward." Everyone's blood ran cold as they turned to the person who said that.

Standing right in front of them in a calm and relaxed manner was Theodore, looking as regal as ever. His formal outfit matched his tall and robust build and his straight onyx-black hair was styled perfectly which added a little bit of shine to his dull grey eyes.

"I'm honestly not surprised to hear that from you." Three of them stared at him for a few more seconds before snapping out of their daze.

"Greetings your highness!" The three of them bowed and greeted him at the same time. They stayed in that position under Theodore's cold gaze until his cold expression changed into a fake half smile.

"You may rise." He said, his deep voice laced with authority and confidence.

The three of them rose to their normal posture but still looked everywhere else but his eyes which betrayed his relaxed expression.

"Umm... Pardon me, your highness, but if I may ask, what are we doing here?" A short and chubby man broke the tension awkwardly. His curly mustache moved with his mouth as he spoke.

"Good question Seth." Theodore said, eyeing Louis suspiciously.

" I heard that something interesting appeared. I'm just here to know who or what it is." By the time Theodore was done with what he was saying, he was already in front of the door.

Before Theodore could even turn the doorknob, he was interrupted by a loud thud coming from the other side of the door.

"Oh my goodness..." Juliet mumbled quietly to herself as she the cold sweat dripping from her forehead.

When he finally opened the door he was met face-to-face with Ariella who was rubbing her arm. Realizing that people were staring at her, she shifted on the floor, and still in the position she was in, Ariella yelled out with a flustered face.

"I didn't hear anything! I promise!"

It was silent after she had said that. The five of them still staring at her with confused expressions.

"What?" Theodore asked no one in particular, completely unaware of what to do.

"Is she okay?" Seth asked slowly, looking at her as if she was a crazy person.

As soon as he said that Louis quickly jabbed him hard on his sides.

"Watch your words." Louis scolded.

"Tch." Seth just clicked his tongue in response.

"What's your name?" Theodore asked.

"Her name is-" Edward didn't get to finish what he was saying as he was caught off by Theodore.

"Quiet, I didn't ask you." Theodore snapped at him harshly.

"My apologies..."

"Umm... my name is Ariella, Ariella Hart. " Ariella confidently introduced herself once she stood up properly.

It was at this moment that Seth stopped mumbling and instead stared at Ariella in shock.

"Hart?!" Seth screamed out in shock as he ran toward her to take a closer look.