"Up here." He called out as he laid on a tree branch.

Smiling up at him, I climed up and joined him. "You were right earlier. I shouldn't be rushing into these things. I don't know what came over me to yell at you like that."

"It is understandable, your love and care for your people made you react like that. You are the type who will not tolerate anyone hurting your loved ones." Although his words were kind, his voice was neutral, with a hint of slight coldness.

I blinked, before looking down. "Oh...yeah, I suppose so." I opened my mouth again to say something, but closed it again, changing my mind. "I'll be going inside then." I got up to leave.

"Good luck with your confrontation." I paused on my way climbing off the branch for a moment, but continued silently.

***

A few hours later, Akihiko came into my room. "Weren't you going to confront her?" He asked, standing by the door.

Keeping the palace's map aside, I coaxed him to come in. "I was going to, but I realised that you were right. I shouldn't allow my emotions get the best of me. The whole point of this training was for me to remain calm, and that was one thing that I did not achieve."

Akihiko jumped on my bed. "You did achieve calmness, but your love and care are stronger, that is why."

I got up, "I am thinking of surrendering," and grabbed a book from my luggage. "Hear me out first. In this book, I came across the secret of this amulet." I opened the page. "Here it says that the amulet will activate when it is nearby the crown, bringing it closer toward the amulet."

"How will it be activated? Akihiko asked, peering into the page.

"That, I do not know. Not much is written about it in here." I turned the pages, searching. "I guess we ought to give it a try."

"And what if it doesn't work?"

I shrugged, closing the book. "Then she'll lock us into the dungeons." I stared at the closed book. "I don't know, do you think that is the correct answer?"

Akihiko licked my cheek. "Shall we find it out together?"

I laughed a bit. "Well, once you turn human, at least I won't be worried about you licking my cheek."

"In that case, I'll always change into the wolf form and annoy you." He laughed alongside me.

"I guess it's now or never." I whispere, laying back in bed.

"Yeah, it does sound risky, but at least you won't be confronting her." I got up, looming over him.

"What do you mean? That I cannot fight with her?"

"In that manner? I don't think so." He turned around, getting on top of me. "Even a wolf can easily pin you down."

"That's coz I am allowing you to pin me down." I pouted at him. "I wouldn't let 'any' other wolf or human to pin me down.

Akihiko laughed, getting up. "You are crazy."

I followed him out of the room. "Says the crazier one."

I met my family and Tiana's parents warming and chatting by the fireplace. "I...decided to confront her." My parents nodded in understanding while my brother protested. After a few moments of bickering between my brother, Akihiko and I, Fiammetta reluctantly agreed to it, offering to drive.

***

Upon arriving at the palace, the guards immediately allowed us in without bothering themselves to ask Tiana's permission.

"Why are you here?" Tiana asked, holding her hand to the maid who was feeding her grapes.

"I came here to fight with you." Although being scared, I felt confident with Akihiko's presence beside me.

She scoffed. "Don't waste my time, throw them into the dungeons." I blinked, was Tiana scared of losing that she had refused the fight? While walking, Tiana called out. "Wait. I have a better plan." Tiana got up and came closer. "I sentence them, first Akihiko, then Manami." My eyes widened; she wanted to take our lives.