Keara's Experts

So far, I have realized a few things. I'm married to Kael, who happens to be a villain. There is also Keara; I don't know who she is, but the feeling I got when I touched her made me feel like she is a villain too. Callum hasn't done anything or shown any signs of being a foe; in fact, he seems oblivious to the silent conflict going on. Luckily, Vince's visits are no longer frequent. And I have finished the three bookshelves and started again; I don't mind.

"Your majesty," Kyra called, walking in, and I just hummed in response. "You have visitors," she said. Who could it be, and what could they possibly want?

I dragged myself to my feet and followed her to a sitting room, my steps heavy with reluctance. The corridors of the palace had become somewhat familiar from all my long, aimless walks with Vince—walks that felt increasingly pointless as time went on. Each hallway, each turn seemed to blend together in a haze of monotony. It was as if I were navigating a labyrinth with no clear way out, and despite my familiarity with these paths, there was a persistent sense of disorientation.

As we approached the sitting room, I couldn't shake the feeling that I might never fully recall anything about my time in Erries, even if I retraced every step I'd taken within the palace walls. I wondered if I had ever ventured beyond them or if my entire existence here had been confined to this opulent prison. The sense of isolation was overwhelming.

I pushed open the door and entered the room, only to be greeted by an unusual sight. Keara sat at the center of the room, surrounded by a large group of people. Each one was holding an assortment of items—syringes, bottles of various liquids, and even peculiar-looking tools that I couldn't identify. The atmosphere was charged with a mix of tension and anticipation, and the air was filled with an assortment of unfamiliar scents that made my head spin slightly.

Keara's demeanor was calm but her eyes were fixed on me with a glimmer of something I couldn't quite place—hope or perhaps a hint of impatience. The group's presence was overwhelming, their busy movements and murmurs creating a chaotic symphony that contrasted sharply with the room's otherwise stately decor. It was clear that something significant was about to happen, but whether it would bring clarity or further confusion remained to be seen.

"Good morning, Lady Keara," I said, curtseying.

"Oh, your majesty, you don't have to be polite to me, please," she said hurriedly.

"Good morning, your majesty," the group chorused, and I turned to look at them.

"These people are experts; I'm sure they can figure out the cause and find a way to bring your memories back," she said.

"Your majesty, my acupuncture has helped many people with amnesia," a man stepped forward, showing me a long needle. I shivered at the sight and took a step back.

"I will prepare soothing incense that will free up your mind and let the memories return."

I listened to everyone's proposals but wasn't impressed. I won't let the people that the villain picked for me touch my head; they might mess up my brain even more.

"Thank you, but I don't need any of these," I said politely.

"But… I understand that you don't trust me or any of these people, but I want you to recover your memories more than anyone else," Keara said. Or you need to make sure that I won't remember anything. What is her deal anyway? What could she possibly want?

"You don't have to worry about me. I'm sure I'll find a way on my own," I stated clearly.

"Okay, I understand," she smiled and motioned for her group to leave. "Lilien, please try to trust me," she said, holding my hand. She just called me 'Lilien.' Is she losing her patience?

I smiled and moved my hand away. "I'll try," I said, and she sighed.

"I'll take my leave now, your majesty," she said and walked out. What will she do next? She won't just sit still, will she? She's a villain, after all.

I turned to leave but met Kyra's gaze; she looked like she had something to say.

"What's on your mind?" I asked.

"It's nothing, your majesty," she said.

"Just tell me," I pestered.

"I just think that you've changed, your majesty. You changed a bit from how you were when you first came here, but it's probably because you lost your memories and you don't trust anyone," she said, and I felt a small pain in my head, but it was gone as fast as it came. "You used to be close to Lady Keara, but now you don't trust her."

"Is that so?" So it's a jealousy story? "Who is she?" I asked but felt like I shouldn't have. "Never…"

"She's his majesty's youngest cousin," she replied, and my head hurt again. It's like there is information that affects me.

"Let's go, Kyra. I'll find out how far this story will go," I said and walked away.

I walked into my room and went on a search for something that I believed I'd have—a diary. I married a really handsome shifter and probably had a good story; why wouldn't I write something down? That's not female lead-like. Well, I didn't lose my memories, so I wouldn't have thought to write, but it's interesting and deserves to be written. I must have had something to write in the two years I stayed here. It'd give me a clue so I'd know who wiped my memory and why.

I searched for a long time, but the only notes I saw were my Erries lesson notes, my diary, and Keara's notebook. My search was pointless.

I sat on the bed and looked around for a place that I didn't touch, but there was none. I searched every part of the room that I was most likely to hide the diary but didn't find anything. It's either I didn't have one, or the culprit took it. Whoever it is probably took it and burnt it after going through it.

I'm not safe in this place. I've truly become a perfect female lead. My life is such a novel.