Forgotten from the Memories

As the second-year class of Professor Nightshade concluded, students began pouring out of the lecture hall, their gazes fixated on a particular individual standing with a stern expression. As faerie students filed out, Ambrose and Aurelius stopped abruptly, their eyes widening in surprise. They glanced at each other, a mix of curiosity and apprehension evident in their faces.

Crystal stood outside the classroom, her arms crossed and her eyes piercing, ready to confront.

The atmosphere around Crystal was charged with tension as she locked eyes with Ambrose, her gaze unwavering. Students nearby could sense the brewing confrontation and edged away, giving the trio a wide berth.

Silence hung in the air for a brief moment as Crystal's piercing gaze bore into Ambrose, her eyes speaking volumes of her determination. It was a silent challenge, a demand for answers, and a refusal to back down and she could feel Ambrose's aura cowering down with anxiety.

Ambrose swallowed nervously, feeling the weight of Crystal's glare, while Aurelius shifted uncomfortably beside him.

Taking a deep breath, Crystal broke the silence, her voice laced with a mix of frustration and determination. "We need to talk," she stated firmly, glaring into Ambrose's eyes, her words leaving no room for evasion or excuses.

The next minute Ambrose and Crystal were standing inside the empty lecture hall, the weight of Crystal's glare still fixed upon him. Ambrose could feel the intensity emanating from her, and it only served to heighten his nervousness.

Ambrose cleared his throat, attempting to alleviate some of the tension. "You could have proposed meeting at the tea pavilion instead," he suggested, his voice slightly shaky.

Crystal's gaze remained fixed on him, unwavering. "I couldn't afford to waste any more time, I already have been doing that for the last few days," she replied curtly. Her words carried an air of indifference.

Ambrose swallowed hard, his nerves intensifying under the weight of Crystal's unwavering gaze while she just stood there like she was not bothered at all and maybe she really wasn't.

Even though her mind buzzed with a flurry of questions, she still was calm and composed because Aurora's words echoed in her mind, reminding her to believe in Ambrose, even amidst her uncertainties as till now, Aurora was more accurate than any of the dreams Crystal has ever had.

She looked into Ambrose's eyes and asked with a firm tone, "Did you know I was Madonia this whole time?"

Crystal's question hung in the air, heavy with anticipation. She awaited Ambrose's response, hoping for clarity, but his reaction caught her off guard. His eyes widened in shock, a flicker of panic crossing his face. Crystal sensed his inner turmoil through his aura, as if he were desperately trying to come up with a suitable response.

Ambrose's mind raced, contemplating the consequences of Crystal discovering her true identity as Madonia. He had imagined this moment countless times, but now that it was actually happening, he found himself at a loss for words. His thoughts swirled in a chaotic whirlwind, and the only coherent phrase that escaped his lips was feeble, "I beg your pardon, but I am afraid I do not understand what you are referring to."

Crystal scoffed at his evasive response and took a step closer to him. Ambrose instinctively stumbled backward, his movements awkward and uncoordinated, until he found himself cornered against a muddy wall. He swallowed nervously, his eyes darting around, searching for an escape that wasn't there.

Crystal closed the distance between them until they were just two inches apart. Her eyes gleamed with a mix of determination and a touch of mischief. A sly smile crept across Crystal's face, sending a shiver down Ambrose's spine.

"Either you tell me the truth willingly," Crystal's voice dripped with a newfound authority, "or I will use my magic to compel you to speak the truth." She raised her eyebrows and Ambrose took in a deep breath. Not only her question but her actions were making him nervous as well; she was in an unnecessarily close proximity.

"I am well aware that such magical phenomena do not exist," he said, his voice tinged with skepticism. Crystal simply nodded her head, a determined look on her face.

"You seem to forget that I am able to do a lot of things I myself don't know about," Crystal replied, her voice steady. "And making you speak the truth is one of them."

With a swift flick of her fingers, a subtle ripple of energy seemed to pass through the air. Ambrose's expression changed instantly. He opened his mouth as if compelled, and words spilled forth before he could stop himself. "I only had deemed you were Madonia at first--" he blurted out, his eyes widening in astonishment at his own admission. In a mix of disbelief and awe, he instinctively placed his hands over his mouth, as if trying to silence the truth that had just escaped him.

Ambrose brought his hands forward, ready to flick his fingers, his intention clear to teleport out of the lecture hall. But Crystal was quick to anticipate his move.

With a swift motion, she flicked her own fingers, channeling her power. In an instant, deep violet circles of smoke materialized around Ambrose's hands, preventing him from utilizing any form of magic.

Confusion and frustration crossed Ambrose's face as he attempted to flick his fingers repeatedly, hoping for a different outcome. However, his efforts proved futile, as the smoke circles held steadfast, rendering his magical abilities useless in that moment. The unexpected turn of events left him momentarily at a loss, unable to comprehend why his magic had failed him as he looked at Crystal in disbelief who just kept smiling at him.

Crystal's voice carried authority as she addressed Ambrose, her tone laced with a hint of sarcasm. "Sorry, Your Highness," she began, a mischievous smile tugging at the corners of her lips, "I might have to borrow your name for a moment, but I know you're a nice guy and won't mind."

She continued with her command, her voice firm and unwavering. "Ambrose Magnus, tell the truth to the Aether Faerie before you. When did you first suspect that I was Madonia?" The weight of her words hung in the air, pressing upon Ambrose's conscience.

Unable to resist the effect of Crystal's magic and compelled by her authority, Ambrose responded swiftly, his voice tinged with sincerity. "I harbored suspicions before," he confessed, locking eyes with Crystal without hesitation. "There were moments when I caught glimpses of Madonia in you, yet your demeanor and character were markedly different. I convinced myself that you were separate entities. However, when you lost consciousness at the Palace, you uttered something that unveiled the undeniable truth—I recognized you as Madonia. Nevertheless, despite my efforts, I am unable to disclose the complete truth to you."

As Ambrose spoke, a mix of emotions played across his face—regret, understanding, and a hint of sadness. It was clear that he harbored a secret burden, one that he was unable to share completely.

Crystal absorbed his words, her gaze contemplative, as she processed the revelations that had finally come to light, a mix of frustration and confusion evident on her face. "Why can't you tell me the whole truth?" she pressed, her voice tinged with a touch of desperation. She needed answers, and she needed them now.

Ambrose sighed, his expression filled with a mixture of helplessness and sincerity. "Regrettably, I am unaware of the exact cause," he said, his tone tinged with remorse. "When you vanished from the Fae Kingdom at the tender age of seven, something extraordinary occurred. It seemed as though everyone's recollections of you were erased. No one could remember the events of that bygone period."

The weight of his revelation settled heavily upon Crystal. She struggled to grasp the enormity of the situation. How could she have vanished from the Fae Kingdom? And why did her existence become nothing more than a whisper, lost in the depths of forgotten memories?

Her mind raced, desperately trying to piece together the fragments of her past. Yet, despite her efforts, she found herself drawing a blank. Only faint traces of a dream, a fleeting image of her mother and herself, remained in the recesses of her mind.

In a quiet, determined voice, Crystal asked, "Can you tell me why I disappeared from the Fae Kingdom?" She looked to Ambrose, her eyes searching for any glimmer of understanding.

Ambrose shook his head. "Even though I am the sole individual who retains the complete memory," he commenced, his words tapering off, "strangely, I can solely utter your name, Madonia, and nothing else. It appears as though an enchantment has been cast upon me, rendering all my efforts futile in attempting to express any additional details."

A sense of unease settled over Crystal as she absorbed Ambrose's words. The mystery surrounding her deepened, and the answers she sought remained elusive.

Ambrose in front of her looked relieved that she did not get to know the full truth but she knew he was not lying to her, he was under the influence of her magic.