The Crown's Entrapment

Chapter 725 Follow the Flow

"I'm sorry, Bella. It's because we're not really sure of the situation inside the Kingdom of Helion at the moment," Jayra apologetically explained. "In the end, we decided to keep this information hidden because we don't want to give you false hope. What if the King of Helion is a different man from what we thought? Seeing you lose it once was enough for us… We can't just-Bella!"

Jayra cried out as she stopped midsentence by her sister-in-law standing up and leaving. She was just about to follow her when Bartos held her by the wrist.

"Stay here," he told her. "I'll be the one to talk to her."

Jayra nodded before letting out a small sigh as she got back to her seat. Turning to Queen Mother, the older woman's lips were still parted even as she stared at her.

"I apologize for being direct, but I'm really confused right now…" Jayra stated as soon as she managed to compose herself. She then looked at King Amon who simply bore a stoic expression as he met her gaze.

Tilting her head a bit, she voiced out with a frown, "We looked for him for almost a year, and even now that search is still ongoing. Our King refused to give up on him because he's like a brother to him… But looking at you… I don't know anymore if I'd ever believe that you're really the Osman we knew…"

He was just too different. Osman wasn't as cold as the King before her now.

"He is the same man," the Queen Mother suddenly confessed.

"Mother?!".

"It's alright, son. I will follow my gut feeling on this," Queen Mother Mona stated while looking intently at her son. "I believe I've heard enough for me not to doubt Lady Jayra…"

She then turned her attention back to Jayra and continued, "We found him in the Dead Sea with the help of my mermaid friends there. He's been under the water for days drifting and unconscious. He's a half mermaid from my side which allowed him to withstand the sea, but when he woke up, he had no recollection of who he was before."

This time, it was Jayra's lips that parted. It all made sense to her now...

Seeing the lack of reaction, the Queen Mother let out a loud breath as she further explained the situation. "We intentionally erased all traces of Amon's existence so that no one would find him. I want to protect him from Devon back then. That demon wouldn't have stopped until he killed Amon with his bare hands, so I hid my son for months," she recounted. "It was then that I broke the spell that I had infused in him. We then prepared him to fight Devon, but something unexpected happen…"

"King Ezekiel killed Devon…" Jayra finished the sentence.

Mona nodded.

Jayra shrugged as she let out a few sighs at what actually happened. Shaking her head, she couldn't help but turn to King Amon and say her next words. "Maybe I can help him regain his past. I'm a healer too."

King Amon's expression quickly darkened. "No, you don't need to do that Lady Jayra," he firmly stated. "My memories will return on their own if it's bound to happen. Like I said… I don't trust strangers easily…"

Jayra scoffed as her expression dimmed, her gaze turning darker than the night itself. "You sound like you don't care about your past. Do you even know what we all went through after that incident?! We almost lost Bella!!!" she all but shouted out in anger.

"For months, we'd always find her on that damn cliff where you fell talking and crying to herself. She almost ended her life because of the pain and guilt, and now you're refusing treatment for you to regain your memories?!"

"I understand your sentiments, Lady Jayra, but you must know that I am the King of Helion, and my priorities are to restore my kingdom and rebuild things for my people," Amon sternly replied.

"The Helonians have suffered more than enough because of my half-brother, and it wouldn't do for me to lose sight of that. The only focus I have now is my kingdom and my people. Like I said, I believe if things are fated to happen, then everything will happen in accordance with heaven's will…"

"You-"

"Sis, please stop already."

Jayra was cut off as she turned around. Sure enough, Bella had already returned with Bartos.

"Please stop this already," Bella all but begged with a sigh. "Don't push this further than it should."

Narrowing her eyes, Jayra turned to her husband who only shook his head at her. Taking the hint, she let out another heavy sigh before pressing her lips together.

"Please come in and take your seats. Now that everything has been cleared up, we should all have dinner," the Queen Mother stated as she did her best to diffuse the tension. "As Amon's mother, I would be delighted to hear more about my son's past. Maybe we can all talk more about it later… Also, I have a request for the three of you."

Bella and Bartos sat back down, and despite Jayra having done much of the talking so far, it was Bella who went and asked the question. "What is it, Your Highness?"

"To be honest, only a trusted few know about Amon and how he lost his memories…" Queen Mother stated.

"We understand, Your Highness. My brother and sister-in-law will address His Majesty accordingly," Bella quickly reassured the older woman. "Don't worry. We'll also inform our King and the others in advance to do the same once we're all gathered at the Global Summit."

Jayra simply blinked at her sister-in-law. [I wonder what's going on inside Bella's head right now,] she wondered aloud through her bond with Bartos.

[She wanted us to stay put and just let her take the lead,] Bartos informed her. [She practically begged me earlier for us to simply follow the flow… She kept saying that she knew what she was doing, and it would seem that's the case…]

Jayra could only shrug at that information. She had almost forgotten how strong-headed her sister-in-law was if she put her mind to it. Looking at King Amon with squinted eyes, she mused, 'This bastard… Maybe I should amend the spell into a master-servant one where you'll become the servant and my sister-in-law is your master!'

The King suddenly coughed, and she inwardly smirked, 'Serves you right!'

[Bella told me to tell you to stop cursing the king and let him eat in peace,] Bartos half-scolded her through the bond. [Your glare is obvious, wife.]

Jayra simply scoffed before returning to her meal. She didn't care what this king said anymore. If he wanted to be stubborn, then maybe she should just match him if only to annoy him into finally getting treatment to make her stop.