Memory Recovery Spell

I sat in front of Kael, tapping my finger on my forehead. He asked me to have dinner with him again and interrupted my reading marathon… again!

"Has your stay here been comfortable?" he asked, and I raised an eyebrow. "I know you want to see your sister, but I can't let you go, knowing that you might be in danger." Reasonable, but I know better. "We have teleportation gates, but the use of magic is banned in Garhian, and there's no receiving gate there." Because they don't trust Erriseans.

"I understand," I said, relaxing in my seat. "Callum said he'd do some spell for memory recovery," I said casually, changing the topic.

"Callum? Why?" Suspicious.

"To help me recover my memory," I stated.

"Don't do it," Kael said. Huh?

"Don't you want me to recover my memory?"

"I do, but…" Why doesn't he want me to? Is there something I'm not supposed to remember? Did he take my memories? Is he preventing me from going home because he's scared I'd recall something?

"I don't trust Callum, and you said you didn't either." Lies. If I didn't trust Callum, why did I tell him I was pregnant and not Kael? Kael is the villain; he's hiding something. The norms of these kinds of stories: don't trust the handsome ones; they are deadly.

"Is that so?" I said. I'd do it and see if I can get my memories back. "I need to go," I said, standing up.

"Lilien, please, believe me," Kael pleaded, but I could see through his facade. Lilien, please believe me and stop trying to get your memories so I can lock you up till you die. This man, using books to lock me up, nice try. It worked for a while, but I'm almost done with your stash. Once I'm done, I'll move on to the next chapter of my story.

I walked to my room and grabbed my notebook to write down what I knew before going to bed.

...

I sat in front of Callum, going through a book he brought for me that contained basic Erries words translated into Garhian.

"Did you lose your genius as well?" he asked, and I frowned. This man speaks casually with me—not that I mind, but shouldn't he be a bit polite?

"It's my first time trying to read the Erries language," I argued.

"Same excuse," he said, wiping his eyes.

"I saw a few books in Erries in my room, but I didn't bother opening them. What if they're the best?"

"I agree, Erries's literature supersedes Garhian's literature," he said.

"I won't sit still and let you diminish my country's writers," I said, feeling insulted.

"You said so yourself."

"I… I did? Teach me Erries quickly, I need to confirm for myself," I said.

"I could get a translated version instead," he said, and I shook my head.

"No, the original is always best," I said with determination. "But also get me the translated version," I added, and he started laughing.

"You really haven't changed," he said, shaking his head. "Did you decide to let me try the memory recovery?" he asked, and I nodded.

"Yes, go ahead." He stood up and walked to my side, bringing his hand close to my head.

"Okay, here I go," he said and mumbled something. I felt dizzy, then a deafening headache, but nothing else happened. "Whoever helped you lock your memory is good. It's an impossible spell to break from outside," he said.

"Does that mean there's no chance of getting my memories back?" I asked.

"There is. Either you see something definite and important to your old memories that forces them out, or the caster undoes it," he said.

"Something definite..." That'd be Lucy. That's why Kael doesn't want me to see her—she might be my way of recovering my memories.

"You're supposed to have a protection on you. How come someone could do something like this?" A protection spell? "His majesty's power isn't so weak that someone can break through it easily. Lady Keara doesn't fall behind either." Keara and Kael? Then they did it. If they did the protection spell, they can undo it any time.

"I'd have to find something definite, as you said. What could it be?" I asked, and Callum turned to go back to his seat.

"Places you visit? People you know?" he suggested.

"Tried them all," I said.

"Then... I don't know," he said, holding his head. "I'll think of something. You have to get your memories back." What role does Callum have in my story?

Did I have an affair and have my memories taken as punishment? A royal affair—that'd be funny, but I'm not that kind of person. Twenty-year-old me should know better, especially since that's the reason why Lucy and I were miserable. I love the fact that that woman's son was not Father's. I knew she was lying. Father was doubtful but still took responsibility.

Will Callum be the only ally? The one person that'd be on my side in this foreign nation and will help me uncover the truth of my memory loss. My story is getting interesting. Now I just have to find whatever will force my memories out.

There are two approaches. One, search quietly. Two, confront Kael and get in trouble. Maybe I'd be locked up, then a kind soldier will free me, and I'd be on the run for months. Then I'd reunite with... no, Callum will be dead. Kael will kill him for helping me, or that's what I'd think. We'd reunite and fight my husband, and win... hold on, he's the king.

There are so many possibilities it's becoming even more fun to think about. I feel a sense of dread that makes me excited.

Just where will this story go? What will happen next? What other thing will I hear? Will there be an even more shocking news? Am I in more danger than I thought? The thoughts were just a lot, and it added to the excitement.