DUE TO MISHAP, I BECAME QUEEN

'These are…'

That night, one year ago, Amber had thrown the ornaments and shoes at the pillar of the gazebo beyond the window. Heartbroken at the royal ball, it had been painful to see accessories she had thought suited Leticia more than she. She had flung them away in anger.

'But why do you…have this?' (Zuben: Cos he's a stalker going through your trash etc)

He had kept them in a safe place; Amber could not fathom why she looked at Ernest inquisitively.

Ernest drew her into his embrace,

'I fell in love with you that night.'

'Eh…?' Her violet eyes were filled with surprise. She blushed and lowered her eyes in embarrassment, 'But that night, that was the night I…'

She had been crying. She had chosen to cry there because the area had been deserted. She had shouted out her ugly emotions, throwing her things – very unsightly for a noble lady. How had Ernest fallen in love?

She was mortified.

'Yes, you were out there crying all alone.'

'Then, why?'

'I saw those beautiful tears and fell in love. Do you think I'm a bad man?'

Did he feel uneasy? Amber wondered as his arms tightened around her.

She grasped his shirt, and put her head against his wide chest and shook her head.

'No, I don't think you're a bad person.' (Zuben: Well…)

Sure, if he had told her this on first meeting, she would have been alarmed. It didn't seem to be normal, being fascinated by a woman's crying face. (Zuben: Well…) She would have thought he was into sadomasochism.

But she knew him; she knew his kindness, his sensitivity to the subtleties of her heart, his affection for her was so abundant she felt like she would drown in it. She had thought his behavior had been due to the love potion, even then, she had gotten addicted to his warmth.

She was fully aware of his feelings.

She wanted to be careful what she said, but in the past week, Amber had felt awful. Although she had not been in any pain, she was a bit resentful that he deprived her of her sleep and strength.

Ernest knew he had been wrong to treat her that way; he hugged Amber like an oversized dog begging for forgiveness at the slight thought of her retaliating. (Zuben: Don't forgive him, step on his dick and crush it ¬.¬)

'I'm so very sorry, Amber. I thought you didn't love me, but I didn't want you to leave me.' He said full of remorse. But then he stopped, holding her closer his whispered in her ear, 'Truthfully, I was scared more than anything.'

'Scared?'

'Yes. If I lost you, I would not be able to live. You might believe that it is an exaggeration, but it is an undeniable fact.'