The tent was solid, and there was only one way out—the entrance. That meant walking out without getting seen was the definition of impossible. I looked around the tent once more. It wasn't too big, but it was quite spacious. Everything essential was here. At the center was the bed. In the corner stood a mirror and other items I didn't need to worry about right now.
I grabbed something sharp and walked towards the back of the tent. I was just about to try cutting through the fabric when I noticed shadows moving outside. I placed my ear against the canvas and heard muffled conversation. Guards. Now that I thought about it, guards should be surrounding this tent. How the hell did I even get in here? Wait. Could it be she brought me in here herself?
I turned around and retraced my steps to where she was sleeping. Right there in the covers was a girl—extremely beautiful, I must add—with literal white hair scattered around her head on the pillow.
I sighed. There was no time. It was already a countdown until the guards from before returned to check what was going on. I was no Sherlock Holmes. I needed her help if I wanted to survive this mess.
I squatted down beside the bed and tapped her shoulder. "Princess," I muttered.
At first, there was no reply. After I shook her with more force, she finally reacted. First came a groan. Second, her eyes fluttered open. Third came a frown.
I was just about to cover her mouth when she... smiled? Wait, what the hell was going on here? She bit her lip, and her hands suddenly went around my neck. I wasn't sure what the fuck was happening at this point. This didn't make any sense.
"My love," she muttered.
That smile, the fact she didn't even care she was undressed... she knew me. Or at least, she knew who this body belonged to.
"What?" I frowned.
"Oh... that's right," she said, then sighed before letting go of my neck with a huff and an annoyed expression. "You don't remember."
"Remember? Remember what?" I moved back a bit.
Something had happened last night, and from the looks of it, it was something she was aware of.
"Shh." She placed a finger between my lips. "You told me everything last night. I know you lost your memory, and that you only remember some things from your past life. You don't know who you are or what happened that day you woke up."
I just nodded stiffly. Okay, that confirmed one thing. Somehow, some way, she had gotten me to spill everything to her. But I couldn't possibly have told her about—
"And yes," her eyes suddenly turned cold, "I also know about your disgusting affair with a commoner's wife."
I was lost for words.
"I wa—" I tried to speak, but she interjected.
"Yes, I know she forced you, but that is no excuse for a second time. And a third."
"Cal—"
"No, I will not calm down. You could have always run, but you stayed that long, which meant you enjoyed it."
Her smile now didn't feel comfortable to look at. Damn it, how was she reading my mind? This was scaring the shit out of me. And who was she even supposed to be?
"For now, it seems no one recognized you, which is good. Just keep that identity of a commoner. You will be coming with me," she added.
I spoke up. "Who are you supposed to be?"
"Your wife," she smiled. But just as she did, she frowned and added, "Though you don't remember."
"I don't get it. You're a princess from another kingdom, and I... I... wait." A nagging thought that had been showing up appeared once more. This time, the more I thought about it, the more it actually checked out. "Am I... Mael?"
Her eyes widened—confirmation enough.
Fuck. I really was him. When that bitch said a prince named Mael had been sent off to the neighboring empire, the thought had struck me. What if? What if that carriage I woke up in was the carriage supposed to be headed for the other empire? That would explain why it was outside that town.
"You remember?" She was upright now, holding me by the shoulders.
I shook my head. "No, I just... remembered someone mentioning a prince was to go to another empire, and it just... clicked."
She sighed, then pressed her forehead against mine, her eyes closed. "I promise, I will help you remember, no matter what."
"Hold up, hold up." I pulled away and held her hand. "It still doesn't make sense. How are you my wife?"
The next instant, I heard that voice again from outside. "My lady, are you okay?"