The Crown's Entrapment

Chapter 726 Do You Want to Join Me

"I don't like this situation," Jayra snorted as soon as the three of them entered the makeshift tent prepared for them. The tent was heavily guarded, and it was clear that their security was being taken close attention to.

"He's simply meticulous, Sis. He's the same Osman as before. It's just that right now, he has a greater responsibility to think about," Bella reasoned. "You can't blame him after everything he has been through though… It's not easy to be the King of an abused and destroyed kingdom that's been hated by other kingdoms for years now…"

It was just the obvious explanation. Bella understood Amon's plight. He only had one focus on his mind now, and that was the betterment of the Kingdom of Helion.

"Having his memories back… He's probably afraid of it," she further concluded. "He probably fears that he might end up abandoning what he has now to go back to his past…"

Honestly, her mind hadn't stopped working to analyze the current situation. In the end, this was the conclusion she ended up with.

"You really like him…" Jayra murmured with a heavy sigh.

"I love him, Sister," Bella corrected with a firm tone.

"Right," Jayra weakly murmured in resignation. "Then again, how could I blame you for that?"

Bella chuckled as she then grabbed Jayra's hand, squeezing it lightly as she reassured her.

"I appreciate your worries, Sis, but right now, I'm just overwhelmed. I would rather see Osman like he is now, alive and well than see him dead. Even without him remembering me, that's a better thing to have than him just… being gone…" she sincerely stated, her eyes blinking tenderly at her sister-in-law.

"Also, I'm sorry about early. My emotions got the better of me, and I know that you and Brother just did what you thought was best for me…"

"Come here," Jayra murmured as she pursed her lips, holding a pout as she addressed her. You do know that I'll always support you in everything, right? So tell us, what's your plan now?"

"I want to stay with him," Bella firmly declared.

"But how will you do that when he can't even recognize you?" Jayra quickly pointed out. "He's being so cold to you, Bella."

"Then I'll thaw the ice in him, Sis. I know I can do it," Bella firmly declared. "The Queen Mother told me that there will be a competition for the Queen's Throne in Helion, and she was planning to inform the other kingdoms about it during the Global Summit so that each kingdom can send one or two representatives. I'm planning on joining, so I'll need help from you and Brother to convince our Queen and King to send me."

"What?! What absurd idea is that!?" Bartos retorted. "Are you out of your mind? I refuse to let you go out there and die!"

Bella shrugged as she quickly cleared her intentions. "Their competition isn't like the ones we have in Cordon, Brother," she pointedly reassured him. "Will you please calm down first and listen to me?!"

When her brother pursed his lips, Bella continued, "The Queen Mother reiterated that no one will get harmed during the competition. The challenges designed for the competition will merely test the physical and mental strength of the participants to determine those who would fit as the rightful Queen of Helion. The competition will last only for fifty days, and the Queen Mother will send the details to each kingdom during the Global Summit."

Jayra scoffed. "Look at him being so meticulous even in choosing his own Queen!" she scorned with a twitch in her mouth.

"Don't be too hard on him, Sis. We don't know what he really went through after he went missing," Bella chided her sister-in-law.

"I know you're annoyed right now because Osman is like that, but I truly understand the situation… And also, I'm confident…" She flashed a light smile as she explained, "He may not remember me right now, but I know his heart will recognize me in due time. All I need to do is be there with him. So please…"

Seeing his sister's determination, Bartos let out a heavy sigh as he surrendered. "Fine. I'll talk to King Darius about this…"

His declaration of support quickly brought a wide smile to Bella's lips. "Thank you, Brother!" she beamed, hugging her brother tightly.

"Ughhh, release me now, Bella…" Bartos groaned in exaggeration. "I can't breathe!"

Bella chuckled and released him. She then turned to her sister-in-law who was still frowning. "Sis?"

At Bella's questioning look, Jayra shrugged as she stated, "I'm still disappointed. Why do you need to do all the work when you've also already suffered enough? How about I just cast a spell on him?"

Bella pointedly shook her head. "Sis, enough already," she firmly denied. "What can I do for you to not worry too much about this?"

"Fine… Do what you want then," Jayra scoffed. "It's not like you'll listen to me anyway…"

"Thank you, Sis," Bella smiled as she hugged Jayra.

With their discussion over, the three of them rested in their tents for the night. Bella, however, couldn't find it in herself to sleep at all. So instead, she got up and went out of the tent. But before she could roam around, the soldiers guarding their tent stopped her from going too far.

"I want to walk around," she explained herself. "Please tell him that."

Thankfully, the guard quickly obeyed and went straight to the king's tent to confirm her request. It didn't take long for Bella to see Amon approaching her. Arriving, he signaled for the guards to move and they promptly gave way for her.

"Thank you…" she told Amon who was now walking beside her. "You didn't need to come and see me here, you know. I mean, you could've easily commanded me to not walk too far or something like that then go back to your tent, your Majesty."

In fact, she was honestly surprised to see him coming over to her himself when he could've just done what she said. That alone made her curl her lips at the implications of it.

"I'm curious about what you're planning to do, Lady Bella," Amon plainly answered. "I've cast my spell, but I still prefer to personally observe my captives."

Bella raised an eyebrow as she continued walking with Amon beside her. "So when did you learn to do magic?"

"Since the moment I opened my eyes from my coma and the demon blood within me got activated," he nonchalantly replied. "It simply comes naturally for me."

Bella remained silent at his response, and such a silence continued until they came to a stop in front of a slow-moving river. Raising a brow, she turned to face him. She stared intently at Amon, and with a mischievous smile, she said, "I'm feeling a bit hot, so I'm planning on having a dip in the water. Do you want to join me, Your Majesty?"