Princess Madonia Lovewood

Crystal scratched her head, pondering over the significance of the matter and she walked ahead mindlessly, drawn to the last picture in the corridor. It depicted the most beautiful pair, their expressions filled with love and tenderness.

Curiosity consumed her, and Crystal leaned closer to examine the nameplate beneath the portrait. However, her furrowed eyebrows revealed her confusion as she noticed something peculiar. The names and dates were completely absent, not even faded, but as if they were never engraved on the crystal plate.

Ambrose who was still running the horses of his mind widened his eyes with realization, "What portraits?" he asked, his voice filled with both concern and bewilderment. He had not paid much attention to Crystal's words when she mentioned they were portraits of the Former King and Queen.

Crystal turned to face him, her eyes filled with confusion. "All these-- They are all portraits. Can't you see them?"

Ambrose nodded slowly, his voice barely above a whisper. "Indeed, all of them appear as blank canvases to me. I am unable to perceive the faces; only the names and dates are discernible to me."

A mixture of astonishment and unease swirled within Crystal as she processed Ambrose's revelation. The realization left her questioning her own sanity and the nature of the enchantment surrounding them and she asked herself if only Aether faeries were able to see those portraits.

As Ambrose absorbed Crystal's words, his eyes widened in astonishment.

She gazed at the portrait in front of her, where two familiar figures smiled with an intensity that seemed to reach out to her, as if they were alive and adoring her from within the frame.

Overwhelmed by an irresistible urge, Crystal extended her trembling hand towards the portrait. As her fingertips made contact with the surface, a sudden jolt coursed through her body. She gasped, feeling a surge of energy enveloping her.

In that moment, it all clicked into place for Crystal. The familiarity of the corridor, the haunting dream of the dark smoke pursuing her—the pieces of the puzzle fell together. This was the same corridor she had fled from in her nightmare. The memory of the terror she had experienced upon waking up washed over her, her head throbbing with pain and confusion.

Alarmed by Crystal's distress, Ambrose rushed to her side in a state of panic. "Crystal, are you alright?" he asked urgently, his eyes filled with worry.

Concern etched across his face, Ambrose watched as Crystal's body leaned against him, her strength failing as she started to slip into unconsciousness. He gently supported her, his eyes filled with worry, "Crystal," he spoke but there was no response, only the weight of her unconscious form against him.

As Crystal's breathing grew shallow, a single tear escaped her closed eyes, glistening on her cheek. In that vulnerable moment, her lips quivered, and she whispered in a voice barely audible, "Mother, Father, I have longed for you." and she finally lost consciousness.

Ambrose's heart skipped a beat, his mind racing to comprehend the gravity of her words. The pieces of the puzzle fell into place with startling clarity. Crystal, with her connection to the Lovewood name and her deep resonance with the portraits, was more than she appeared. She was Princess Madonia Lovewood, the daughter of the former king of the Fae Kingdom.

Speechless, Ambrose's gaze traveled between Crystal's pale face, covered in a sheen of sweat, and the portrait she had stood before moments ago. Realization washed over him, flooding his thoughts. The word "Lovewood" had echoed in his mind for a reason—it was a whisper from his forgotten past.

...

Crystal's eyes fluttered open, greeted by the sterile white surroundings of the royal infirmary. The throbbing pain in her head persisted, a lingering reminder of her encounter in the corridor. As she tried to make sense of her surroundings, she saw Ambrose and Aurelius approaching her hurriedly, concern etched on their faces. They reached out, each taking hold of one of her hands, their voices filled with worry as they asked if she was alright.

A jolt of unease shot through Crystal, and her instincts kicked in with an inexplicable warning. She glanced at her hand held by Ambrose, her mind racing with conflicting emotions. A flash of fragmented memories flickered through Crystal's mind before she fell unconscious. Though she couldn't fully grasp the details, she felt an inexplicable connection between those memories and Ambrose. It was as if a voice within her urged her to keep her distance from him, warning her that being close to him would lead to harm.

It seemed irrational to assume such things, but Crystal had learned to trust her instincts—they had never steered her wrong before.

With a sudden movement, she snatched her hand away from Ambrose's grip, a pang of guilt hitting her as she witnessed the hurt in his eyes. She understood that he cared for her, but she couldn't ignore the nagging voice inside her. It wasn't that she wanted to push him away; it was a matter of self-preservation, of protecting herself from the unknown dangers that lurked within their intertwined destinies.

Ambrose's aura resonated with his hurt, and it tugged at Crystal's heart, tempting her to reach out and console him. But she steeled herself, burying the surge of guilt and focusing on her own well-being. She needed to prioritize her own safety and uncover the truth about her identity, even if it meant temporarily distancing herself from those she cared about.

Crystal turned her head towards Aurelius, a weak smile forming on her lips. "I'm alright, Aurelius," she reassured him, her voice tinged with a hint of exhaustion. "It's just a minor headache. It felt like my past self had momentarily taken over me. Remember when I helped the Pookas in Mysticum Vale? It was something similar."

Aurelius nodded, his expression a mix of concern and understanding. "I remember. It seems like there are fragments of your past that surface from time to time."

As Crystal spoke, she couldn't help but notice the subtle change in Ambrose's demeanor. His heartbeat quickened, and an undercurrent of nervousness emanated from his aura. It was as if her words had struck a chord within him, confirming her suspicion that he was somehow linked to her fragmented memories.

Crystal cast a cautious glance at Ambrose, her gaze meeting his. She saw the flicker of unease in his eyes, a hint of recognition and vulnerability.

Aurelius cleared his throat, drawing Crystal's attention back to him. "Crystal, remember you asked me about that garden with the unique flowers and the fountain?"

Crystal's eyes lit up, and she nodded eagerly. "Yes, I remember. Did you find out anything about it?"

Aurelius nodded, a hint of excitement in his voice. "Well, my great-grandfather told me that such a garden only existed in the Fae Palace once. It was known as the Garden of Eternal Blossoms, renowned for its ethereal beauty and enchanting flora. However, since the commotion surrounding dragons, it has been closed off and even the royal family members no longer visit that garden."

Aurelius turned to Ambrose, a glimmer of hope in his eyes. "Your Highness, do you know anything about the Garden of Eternal Blossoms? And do you know where it is located now?"

Ambrose, still reeling from the sudden rejection of Crystal pulling her hand away while still keeping her other hand in Aurlius's, looked up at them with a mix of emotions. He took a moment to compose himself before responding. "Yes, I am indeed aware of such a garden. If Crystal feels well enough, we can go there now."

Crystal, her determination unwavering, spoke up. "My condition is perfectly fine. I want to see that garden. I don't know when or if I'll ever want to come back here."

Aurelius, focused on the garden, didn't pay much attention to Crystal's words. But for Ambrose, her statement struck deep within his heart, piercing like a knife.

Suppressing his emotions, Ambrose managed a weak smile. "If that's what you desire, Crystal, then we shall make our way to the Garden of Eternal Blossoms. Let us not waste any more time."