CHAPTER 19 - CONFUSED

"Mister Sheldon?" Friean called.

Sheldon was the one driving so he was not able to face Friean, "I am very sorry, Your Highness. I can't face you right now."

"Well, that was fine with me. Forget those silly entitlements. May I ask what does that forest looks like?" Friean continued.

"Well, knowing Lady Samson, she was fond of simple yet dangerous things. She loves everything that was raised and fueled by the sun. So definitely, there will be more plants there. I am not sure with the animals, because I am not with her while building the venue," Sheldon explained.

Ace was playing with a stick, "So it was all programmed and operated by her. It was, I think a very tiring place do deal with," and he sighed, "Ouch!"

"Oh, I am very sorry, Ace! I didn't mean to," Snow was worried about Ace and she gripped Ace's wrist, the one with a bandage.

"No, no, don't worry about it. I'm fine. It's just that, I noticed that it hurts and stings these days. And it annoys me," Ace tried to make Snow feel comfortable.

"I am still very sorry," Snow caressed his back.

Ace stopped it by grabbing Snow's hand and bringing it back to her thighs, "I'm okay now, Snow. Don't worry about me."

WELCOME TO DWINDLE CORRIDOR

"The name is too cute! Dwindle Corridor," Friean pointed the arch.

"Cute to say but it means a little scary," Rex said while his eyes were closed.

"So you are awake? How could you ignore me, huh?" Friean was irritated.

"Stop your nonsense, Your Highness. You are disturbing the others who sleep," Rex was trying to nice but deep inside he is tired and sick of dealing with Friean.

"Stop calling me that!" Friean is already tearing up, "Or else—"

"Or else what?" Meta cut her, "Can you please settle your issues somewhere else? You are so annoying! I just wanted to rest before we enter that effin' forest but I can't because you are too noisy!"

"Who the hell are you to cut me off while I am talking?" Friean was about to hit Meta when Sheldon stopped and hurriedly open the door.

"Sorry to interrupt, Your Highnesses," Sheldon vowed, "We are here."

All of them tried to get a look at the windows but Tosh and Hoax just get off the shuttle.

Tosh looked disappointed, "This was not the forest I am expecting."

"Me either," Hoax agreed, "This is nothing compared to those we have in Northwest."

"Where you killed a Southern?" Meta added.

"Look, I did not want that to happen, okay? He first threatened me with that anaconda!" Hoax walked away.

"I am not favoring anyone here, Meta," Tosh said, "But it is normal to defend yourself when you feel like you are in danger. It is an instinct and I bet you know it. Just try to understand everyone's feelings so that you yourself could accept indifferences."

"How could you talk to me like that when you did grow with those animals in the wild, huh? What do you know about people? Tell me!" Meta shouted.

"Yes, I may be raised by those animals in the wild, but my Dad taught me how to be fair and live a good life. That may be enough to tell someone who holds a deep grudge inside you," Tosh flashed a small smile and was trying to walk away when Meta talked.

"That made me more unconvinced and made it harder to believe you, soon to be King," Meta smirked, "Talking about deep grudges, huh? Who despises his mother here?" she walks nearer to Tosh and pat his shoulder, "You have no rights to advise others if you can't deal with your issues just like what you are saying, okay?" and she left Tosh at the shuttle side.

"Wow! I can't call this a forest!" Snow expressed her amusement, "This is more likely to be a paradise. I can live here forever."

"Just like the beauty of South Westerns, the beauty of nature may be deceiving too, Your Highness. I suggest that don't spit words you cannot make sure of. Don't let others feel at ease and convinced by your flowery words," David passed her.

"Is that still about the forest? Or there is something you want to say?" David continued walking so Snow decided to follow him and pulled his hands, "Why are you doing this to me, David? What is happening to you?" Snow's eyes become teary.

David just looked at her and throw her hands away.

"What the hell is wrong with you, David?" she was about to throw something at David when Ace blocked it and hugged her to stop her from doing so, "You too! What the hell are you doing, huh? Why are you being like this to me?"

"You don't have to do that, Snow. Believe me. It will result in nothing good," Ace slowly lets go of her.

Snow looked at Ace at his eyes, "Why do you always make my heart flutter, even David is here? Why do I feel this towards you when I ought to love David?"

"I have no intention of confusing or letting you feel that way, Empress. As you all know, I am engaged and I will be faithful to her. I am just doing what I know is right so we can easily get out of this horrible island and come back to our loved ones," Ace left her.

"Hey, are you okay?" Friean asked Snow and helped her to get up.

"I am not, Sissy," she cried, "Why does David acting that way? He avoids me!"

"When did it started?"

"Since the day we got out. I didn't know what happened to him but he changed. So much!"

Friean hugged her, "Sshh. Maybe he was tired. Just give him a break, okay?"

"What break does he need? It was a two weeks break for both of us and he changed like that in an instant. I don't know what to do," Snow was about to fall again when Ace grabbed her on her waist, "And this man holding me, makes me feel confused towards my feelings to David!" she pushed Ace away, "Stay away from me while I can still control myself. I assure you, you can't get away from me if you stayed that way towards me."

Ace helped her to get back with her balance, "Sheldon asked me to get the two of you. The forest's gate is now open and we all should enter together before Lady Samson comes."