Chapter XXVIII: In Love

“Spill the tea, Amaris! What happened? Please don’t leave me hanging!” Her eyes widened as she grips my both arms.


She’s been asking me countless of times about this until we get inside the car.


“Like what I’ve said, Olivia was not the one who planned the whole thing. She was just instructed, but she did not tell me who’s behind this.” I exasperatedly let out a sigh.


I thought she would tell me everything, but she chose to protect that creature. She preferred to take all the blame and get accused.


“Do you have any suspect in mind? Maybe it’s Sanya and Tanya?”


I shook my head. They will never do that.


“No. Not the twins.” In a short period of time, I gave them my trust just like what I’ve done to Mathilda.


"How did you know it wasn't really Olivia?" she asked once again.


"I've accidentally read her mind." Yes, I have that ability but I seldom use that. I still respect their privacy.


“You can read minds? Wow! There are only few numbers of witches who can read minds!” She looked at me in amusement. She even grabs my arm in excitement.


“I can read minds but not all creatures. Others already knew how to block their minds. In Olivia's case, she was vulnerable at that time, that's why I was able to read what's on her mind,” I explained.


I was saddened when I found out what was on her mind while we are talking. She was torn between telling me the truth and her loyalty towards Amalia. I felt like I doesn't deserve the truth that's why she didn't tell me what happened.


“It’s Amalia. She's the one who planned that stunt,” I told her with a saddened heart.


She looked at me with disbelief. She couldn’t believe it either.


“W-what? W-why would she think of doing that to you? She’s unbelievable! The amount of her bitterness is incomparable!” She spats in so much disgust.


I don’t know either. I thought she wouldn’t meddle with my life anymore after our agreement, but I think she is not half way yet in making my life miserable. I couldn’t fathom the amount of her madness towards me.



“Last week, when I won as the Best Hunter, Amalia accused me of being a cheater. She would not allow me to go on every Elites’ mission, until I have proven my ability. So we decided to have a duel and the whole Elites agreed.”


"So the gossib about Amalia is true, and you are the woman who turned her into a pulp?” Her annoyance suddenly changed into triumph.


"Oh my gosh!" I didn’t expect her sudden scream, it almost makes me jump from my seat and I know Mr. Bear as well who’s been quiet but I am sure he is listening to us.


"My best friend is freaking great!" She rubbed both my cheeks before shouting again.



I just wait for her to calm. We are friends for almost a month and I am somehow getting used to her loudness. I love every time she is this energetic.


“But why would she accuse you of cheating? Although, I was surprised that you won, but I did not even question that. There are actually creatures that you think are weak but actually have hidden strength from within. She's just too insecure with you. What does she think of himself, she is the only strong one?! B*tch!” Her moods change every second, she’s back from being annoyed again.


“It's good that she saw what you are capable of! She just can’t accept that you beat her, and she is way below compare to you! She’s too childish planning that stunt! I really hate her!” she said without even blinking her eyes.


“I don’t want to confront her anymore.” I let out a sigh and rested my back on the seat.


“I feel like it won’t end if we kept on arguing about it. It doesn't go well because she really doesn't want to in the first place. I'm always willing to talk to her but I think she's not yet ready for that.”


I looked out at the car window and noticed faint raindrops. It's raining again.


“If you just let it go, it's more likely you are letting her to do it again. She has no right to pester you because in the first place, she isn’t in the relationship with the King. They are not even married!” She snorted.


Caden's face immediately came to my mind when she mentioned that. I also waited a week before asking someone about this. It was good that me and Mathilda had a time.


"Uh, can I ask a question?" I was still hesitant to say that because for no apparent reason I felt embarrassed.


“Of course. Like what I have told you, I am willing to explain and point out things that you do not understand. What was that?" She turned to me and patiently waited for whatever I would say.


“These past few days, I’m feeling some unfamiliar emotions. My chest often beats loud and fast when Caden is around…” I began.


I also felt my heart beating fast again just mentioning about this. We were just talking about him but the overwhelming feeling is striking again. Is there really such a thing? Is it normal that there’s a creature that will make you feel inexplicable? I’m starting to get afraid with the emotions I am feeling for him.


“Caden who? The King of Elites?” she asked confused.


I nodded immediately.


“What do you mean? Aren't you afraid of him? Maybe, you feel that way because you are scared of him.” She caressed her chin as if she is thinking something.


“No. I’m not frightened at all. Sometimes, I can't breathe properly when he's just around the perimeter or every time when our eyes meet. Then I my heart becoming erratic just talking about him.”


I hold her hand and put it on my chest. "Feel it… Can you feel the fast beating of my heart?"


She paused for a while, then nodded afterwards, and slowly, her mouth gaped open as she looked at me. I know she already concluded something but I continued speaking.


“And what I still don't understand is the feeling that I feel like I'm being choked when I see them together with Amalia. There are needles piercing my heart and it is just getting worst as times passed by. I hate it, but deep inside me, I am starting to wish that if I can be at Amalia’s place whenever Caden is with her. I want to talk to him and be with him too.” The color drained out of my face as I am telling it one by one.


“I am disgusted with myself because of these feelings. These are all new. I'm in a mess. I can’t tell it to Mamita either.” My tears started to fall. I'm so frustrated, I have a lot of things I don't know but this is what confused me the most.


Mathilda hugged me carefully. “Hush, don’t cry. It's only natural to feel that way when you're in love.”


I felt like a lightning struck me. What? In love?


I immediately released from her hug and looked at her, waiting for her to tell me more.


She's smiling at me but her eyes show the opposite. Her eyes look sad.


"You are in love with the King, Amaris." For a moment, I felt like I got deaf with the conclusion that she made.


"Uh, a-are you sure?"


I know what love is, but I don't know the feeling. I just read it in the books, but I have no idea what it feels like.


“You are the only one who can answer that, Amaris. But everything you mentioned are the signs of being in love.” She gently stroked my hair and smiled. "You will figure it out, soon… but for now let it flow inside your heart and feel the moment.”


We both got silenced inside the car. I put my palm on my chest, feeling the loud beating of my heart.


"A-are you happy for me?" I ask her because even she doesn’t tell me, I could feel her sadness.



“I am happy that you finally felt that thing they called love, but I can’t help but to get worried. Didn’t I tell you before that whether the King has feelings for Amalia or not, they are already destined for each other.” She gave me a faint smile as she continued speaking.



“Amalia was head over heels with the King, and if ever she knew about your feelings… she would definitely go berserk. And I don't want you to get hurt.”


We sighed in unison. Just thinking of Amalia, I knew that I would be in trouble right away.


“I guess it isn’t love yet. Maybe I can find a way to lose this feelings?” I could feel the hopelessness in my voice. I’m trying to convince myself, even though my whole heart is against me.


“Don't hold it back, Amaris. If you can, then go for it. Just be ready of whatever would be the outcome. If ever you weren’t love back, then move on. At least, you fought for your love. Always remember that it isn’t love if it didn’t hurt.” She caressed my hand and gave me a forced smile.


“If you think you will be happy when you make him feel your love, then go for it. You get hurt in the end, but at least you made him feel it. I will always support you, best friend. I promise…”


I sobbed for the overwhelming feeling. My heart melts with the comfort she’s giving me. Mathilda never failed to make me cry.


“Thank you so much, Mathilda. I don’t know what I would do without you. I love you so much.” I hugged her and cried on her shoulders. Because of her, I felt the feeling of having a very first friend.


“I love you too, Amaris. I would do everything to protect and guide you. Because of you, I have a family again.”