CHAPTER 24

In Elshor Island, Ammon finds that Charlotte is barking wood. He could see how much she struggled in what she was doing. He drew his feet closer to Charlotte, and she immediately turned to face him upon hearing his foot steps. Charlotte put her katana back in her scabbard and smiled at Ammon.

"Sorry, how long have you been there before? Sorry if I am doing this, I just don't want to be a burden to you!"

"You don't have to do that, Charlotte. You're my visitor, so you shouldn't be working. Besides, I don't cook that often, so we'll just be fine without cutting woods."

"But, I wouldn't be considered as your visitor anymore. I'm not doing anything right now, that's why I'm cutting this woods."

"Please don't think you're a burden, Charlotte. But if you're not preoccupied, I'll help you practice today!"

"But you're tired from your training, aren't you?"

"Yes, I am tired, but I will make an exception this time. I want to teach you how to use a sword so you can protect yourself from any dangerous warriors or beasts on this island. So, do you want us to practice?"

"Thank you," Chalotte said as she approached Ammon and took his hand in hers. "I prepared a delicious meal inside. Let's eat!"

"Amazing, I am usually the one who prepares food for others and not the other way around. I only experienced it when I was home!"

Charlotte dragged Ammon into the house. When they entered, he noticed a variety of fruits on the table, including mango, papaya, dragon fruit, orange, pineapple, ginger bread, barley bread, and porridge.

He hugged Charlotte in appreciation, and suddenly, he did not feel tired anymore when he felt the warmth of Charlotte's body. "Thank you Charlotte, you know I'm very tired right now, but for some reason, I regained my strength when I hugged your body."

Charlotte's face turns red, but she reminds herself that she can't fall in love with Ammon because she has a mission to finish: to find her fated man. She then wasted no more time and spoke bravely to him.

"You know, getting lost in this vast nation is a blessing in disguise. If this hadn't happened, I would never have had the opportunity to meet you. So as a token of appreciation, can I kiss your red lips?"

Ammon drenched in sweat. He didn't anticipate Charlotte asking him a brazen question out of the blue. "Wait, why do you want to kiss my lips though?" he nervously asked.

Charlotte answered directly, "As I said, I just want to thank you for everything you've done for me. Is that a bad idea?"

"No, I'm not saying that's a bad idea, but I do believe that kissing someone just to express your gratitude for their efforts is inappropriate. I hope you don't misinterpret what I mean to say, Charlotte."

Charlotte felt humiliated and the disappointment was plain to see in her eyes. "It's okay, you have a point, Ammon. Pardon me, I just did not know how to repay your kindness. I think I am becoming a burden in your life right now!"

Ammon fixed Charlotte's hair and put a smile on his face. "I already told you, my visitors should not work inside my house. I will be ashamed of myself if I let you work, so refrain from saying that you are a burden to me coz that is not what I think."

Charlotte gave him an appreciative grin. "I apologize for what I did, Ammon! I swear, I am not going to ask you to kiss me. Anyway, let us eat before practicing. Having a full stomach enables you to concentrate on the fight!"

"I can't disagree with that," Ammon pulled out a chair and let Charlote sit first before sitting across from her.

"Did you pick these fruits all by yourself?"

"Yes Ammon!"

"Do you actually know how to climb a tree?"

Charlotte remembered that Strargazer Venus forbade her to say anything about herself including her magic so she just lied to him. "Of course, I climbed the trees and picked these fruits, although I was really terrified to do it at first!"

"Yes, it is. So please be careful next time and don't come outside my house. We don't know if bandits pirates are still chasing you."

Charlotte consumed some gingerbread, but she continued to speak despite having a full mouth. "I'll remember that, and could I ask if you know anyone named Alexander?"

"Yes I do, he is one of the zodiac warriors of Prince Arthur!"

"Oh, I see. How is he doing now?"

"Do you happen to know him?"

"I-I mean, no never mind. Forget that I asked a ridiculous question!"

"Well, he was quite famous in Alabama. As a matter of fact, he is more handsome than me. He already has a significant other named Isabella, and they are about to get married after the 40th anniversary of the Alabama."

Charlotte attempted to hold back her tears as she did not expect that Alexander would marry a woman he didn't truly love. "Why would you marry someone you did not love? Is marriage only for couples who genuinely love each other? From what I have also heard, he was not in love with her."

"No, actually Isabella is pregnant and Alexander. There is a strict rule in Alabama that when a warrior impregnates a warrioress, he is obliged to marry her. But in the case of Alexander, I think he is in love with her, so I did not see any reason why he shouldn't marry Isabella. So, out of curiosity, did you know him?"

"Not really. I just heard some rumors about that Zodiac warrior. Anyway, I'm just going to make you some hot tea!"

"Charlotte, you need to save your energy for our training, so don't push yourself too hard."

Charlotte arose. "I'll be alright."

She went to the kitchen to make some hot tea for Ammon, but she found it difficult to focus because of what she had just heard from him. She had never felt so heartbroken before, so she did not know how to recover from such a painful experience. She was about to return to the table when suddenly the projected image of Stargazer Venus reappeared in front of her and began speaking softly.

"Please do not let your emotions get the best of you, Charlotte. Everything that is happening to you right now is predetermined. You need to concentrate more on your mission!"

Charlotte lowered her voice to avoid being heard by Ammon. "Am I not allowed to cry after learning that the man I once loved is about to marry another girl? So please tell me, can I blame my fragile heart?"

"Your feelings are valid, Charlotte. So take the lesson and do not attach yourself too much to the young man in this house!"

"Can I take a break for a while? I mean, I can't move on yet and I don't know when it will happen. All I want now is to cry and release the pain."

"How about your family and your kingdom? They relied on you, Charlotte!"

"I tried to kiss Ammon a while ago, but he refused. Isn't it rude to just kiss someone and tell them you are doing this to thank them?"

"Then try kissing him when he falls asleep or do something to make that happen as early as possible!"

"Calm down, it's so difficult to do. Give me some time to do it, Stargazer. If you were in my shoes, you wouldn't want to kiss someone you just met. You will be subject to slut shaming!"

"Hey Charlotte, are you okay?" shouted Ammon. "I am not in the mood to drink tea. Let us just practice outside!"

After the Stargazer Venus projection vanished, Charlotte threw the tea on the sink and left.

Ammon asked Charlotte when she emerged from the kitchen, "What is taking you so long?"

"I am sorry, I just could not find some ingredients for making a tea," lied Charlotte.

"No, you are lying to me, Charlotte." Ammon rose to his feet and walked towards Charlotte. "As a zodiac warrior of Prince Arthur, I am well trained not only in terms of fighting but also in terms of my senses. I could hear you talking alone, although I was not quite sure about what you were mumbling about. Is it related to Alexander?"

"No, it's not. I am actually praying to the stars and asking them for their guidance. I swear, I am not losing my mind yet."

Ammon gave Charlotte a serious look. "You did not answer my question. What is your relationship with Alexander?"

Charlotte trembled with fear. She was aware that the only way to hide her real relationship with Alexander was to lie. She spoke in a calm voice while focusing on his eyes. "Actually, when we were kids, Alexander and I were friends, but now that we're older, we need to grow apart!"

Ammon grinned. "Okay fine, I believe in your words!"

Charlotte breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you for trusting me, Ammon."

"You are very much welcome. So now, why don't we attend their wedding? I mean, you are still friends with Alexander. I am sure he'll be glad if he sees you in person. So wanna come?"

"No, thanks. I am undeniably happy for him and for his future wife, but I don't think my presence is needed. After all, it's been a decade since we last met, so he definitely forgets about me!"