**********
Something warm was resting on my arms. I opened one eye to messy black hair and a callused hand on my arm. Darq's hands were rough but not unpleasant. His sun-kissed skin almost made me forget that we were from the North.
I slowly lifted my free arm and patted his dusty hair. He lifted his head, and his sleepy eyes lingered on lips for a bit too long before meeting my eyes. I looked away, hoping that he didn't see my embarrassed face.
I retracted my hand, but he grabbed it and held it in place on his head.
Sheraton got up from her chair when she saw him grab my hand but sat back down when I gave her an awkward smile.
I returned my attention to Darq when he spoke, "Hey...are you feeling better now?"
I nodded, but I didn't remember anything after Darq squeezed the living daylights out of me.
Ubir was resting on a couch by the coffee table. He sat up and stretched at the sound of Darq's voice.
Why is everyone here? Is this an intervention?!
"We took care of everything. You haven't thrown anything for a while. You had me worried for these past few weeks. I even asked your dad to help me hold an intervention, but he told me that you were probably just going through another phase," his expression softened as he gently rubbed my hand.
Did he...want me to throw things at people? And a phase? Not throwing shit is a phase for Fellanie?!
"You've been nice to Sheraton and me lately. Not that it's a bad thing! We've just been friends forever, and you usually don't greet us so nicely. I didn't ask about the change because I didn't want to make you mad. I was hoping you would talk to me first if anything were wrong," he explained.
This damn body has selective memory. Why can't I remember any of this?
"Uhh, I must have hit my head harder than I thought during the wine incident. I'm still the same old me, but I don't remember anything before the past year!" I laughed nervously.
"Really? Why didn't you say something earlier? I followed you around the next day just in case something like this happened from the wine assault. I expected you to slap me or punch me in the face when you woke up." Darq explained.
"The old you would have thrown wine bottles right back at them and demanded their execution," he added.
I should have pulled the amnesia card right off the bat.
I am a dumbass.
"Don't worry. I punished them. I reminded everyone that we were the 'Tyrants of the North' since they've gotten complacent in my absence." His eyes curved into crescent moons, and his grin turned into a devilish smirk.
Hold up.
WE ARE WHAT NOW?!
Sheraton joined him with a crazed look in her eyes. Ubir gave a thumbs up and yawned from the couch.
[Is it just me or are these padded walls?]
It seems like I have severely misjudged my inner circle.
Our eyes met once again and I blinked when he took my hand on his and raised it to inspect.
"Is there something wrong with my hand?"
"No," he laughed and placed my palm on his cheek. His rough face was hot to the touch. He turned his head and pressed his lips on my palm, sending jolts of electricity down my arm and into my chest.
My mind went blank when I felt his chapped lips arch into a smile under my palm.
I was paralyzed from our unbroken eye contact.
"See, the old you would have slapped me when I kissed your palm." He laughed and placed my hand on back on his cheek.
SLAP!
I slapped him with my free hand and pressed his head between my hands. I should headbutt him while I had him trapped.
"Welcome back, Fel!" he said as he let out a goofy belly laugh.
"Take your filthy hands off, my lady," she growled at him. Sheraton pulled him up by his collar and dragged him to the door.
"God, I swear everyone here is batshit insane and needs professional psychological help," I muttered to myself. "Leave me alone," I glared at Darq, who was still giggling.
There was way too much going through my mind right now.
How can he be so casual about this? Was he on a list somewhere for being some sort of predator?
"Oh yeah, sure. I didn't want you to wake up and be alone, but I can leave now that I know you're alright," Darq collected himself and waved before leaving.
"You too, Sheraton and Ubir; I'll ring the bell if I need anything." My two loyal employees nodded and left the room.
Finally, I can figure out what that second memory was all about before I forget it.
The second memory was about Darq again. After watching these two memories of child neglect and abuse, I felt awful about being so judgmental against him, especially after what he just did for me.
However, I wasn't the original Fellanie. This meant that I had to stay the hell away from the man. I'm surprised that we weren't engaged. We're a bit old to be single, especially in the traditionalist North: home of ancient nobility, feral animals, and angry magical janitors.
I don't want to think about what he'll do to me if he finds that I'm a fake.
If he survived out in the wild for a month straight fighting wild animals at the ripe age of 10, then I can't fathom how strong he is now. Darq was a lightning rod for tropes. Terrible childhood, probably in love with his only childhood friend, lone wolf, really dumb, super strong, and he's possibly also cursed or something along those lines.
I mean, the guy's name is DARQ. DARQ ULTRACOLD NORTHARTIC. I still can't get over his dumb name.
I need to gather allies to go against Asholle. Once I'm in a stable position, I'll look into ways to go back to Earth.
It was weird to see Sheraton smile in the memory. She was still formal, but she had a warmth in both memories. A smile and warmth that I had yet to experience.
I lifted my arm and pulled it with my other hand. Pops and relief cracks escaped my joints as I repeated the same motion with the other side.
After adequately loosening up and relaxing my muscles, I hopped out of bed to get ready. I should wear a more conservative dress that covered my shoulder wound—
I felt no pain. I rushed to the mirror and pulled the collar of my nightgown to the side. Removing the bandage revealed unblemished skin.
**********
We regrouped in a spacious meeting room. I found out that Darq did come here for work. I am both relieved and disappointed that he wasn't stalking me.
Soldiers transported all of the weapons produced in this territory to the North. There were blacksmiths up north, but they only repaired weapons. Lately, caravans of weapons have vanished in transit recently. The higher-ups sent Darq to ensure the safe delivery of weapons to the North.
Odd. Who sends a Duke on an errand?
"What was this about magic stones? I've been meaning to ask you why you were here," Darq asked.
There's no harm in telling him, I guess, "I need to recharge these magic stones for Wolt and Zen's wedding, but all of the mages are gone. You heard him last night. That was my job here."
"That's it? Why didn't you say so?" He asked, genuinely surprised.
"What do you mean, 'that's it?' Prince Asholle will have my head if I can't even plan this wedding." I sighed.
"I can transport them north and have the mages recharge them. We currently have about 326 mages." He offered.
"There's a war; you can't just do that." I rubbed my forehead in frustration.
"I...have my ways."
"Right. Why should I trust you with my neck?"
"Uhh, trust me! When have I ever let you down?" he said confidently, he grinned from ear to ear, and those cute dimples teased his cheeks---
Aaahh, what am I thinking? Focus!
"Well, remember that one time that you ripped my sash? You let me down pretty hard back then," I rolled my eyes and continued, "Anyway, I don't have any other options at the moment, so I'll think about it."
"There are talks of the crown prince marrying Northwegia's princess. There may be a cease-fire. The mages can recharge stones for the country when it happens," he added in an attempt to convince me.
I wonder if that's the real reason behind the annulment?
Knock knock
"Hey, is Fel in here?" Wolt's stern voice sounded through the door.
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