Chapter 318 - Strength

Her vision soon turned blurry as tears welled up in her eyes. She did not want to cry. That was what she told herself since the moment she woke up. But now it would not stop. Margaret let out a sigh of relief. 

She caringly rubbed Laina's back, "Let it all out... it's alright."

How she wished there was more she could do for Laina. But alas, this was the best she could, to accompany her in her time of need.

"What... what if he ... he ... doesn't make it?" Laina cried through her tears and hiccups, "Margaret... I..."

"He will make it. Don't you trust him?" 

"Of... of course, I do! But... but..."

"No buts. He promised you, remember? Dante never breaks his promises, especially one that he made to you, "Margaret reminded her as she wiped away her tears.

Laina buried herself in work on purpose. She chose to push her emotions aside for the sake of her duties as Queen. But the real reason for it, was so that she would not cry. Every time she replayed the scene in her mind, her heart broke. 

They had been apart from one another before, but this time felt different. Laina glanced up to the open night sky. The moon shone brightly amongst the ocean of stars. Despite the warnings and advice of those around her, she was determined. 

She was determined to find a way to get to the Celestial Realm. Looking down at her own hands, Laina knew one thing was for sure. If the answer to lifting the curse was potentially in her memories, she would first have to find a way to access it.

"Feeling better?" Margaret asked as she released Laina from her embrace.

Laina smiled. What would she do without her best friend? "Much better."

"Margaret."

"Yes?"

"I want to get my memories restored. I want to know who I was. I want to lift the curse." Laina said with determination, "Will you help me?"

"Laina, I...this..." Margaret was hesitant.

Her reluctance was written all over her face. Laina understood why. But she had already made up her mind. She cupped Margaret's face, there was something she had kept in her heart for a very long time.

"I always felt like our history together is beyond this lifetime. If your interactions with Dante did not give it away, the way you care for me did."

Margaret averted her gaze for a moment. She furrowed her eyebrows as memories of a time in the past flashed through her mind. 

"What if you don't like what you find?" she asked hesitantly, her shoulders slumped. 

She had not considered that before. 

"Is there something I should be worried about?" ever since she knew the existence of her past life, Laina often wondered what it was like. 

She wondered how many people she had forgotten. Margaret did not know how to reply to her. But the Queen of Kinshearth had an answer in mind. She placed her hand on Margaret's.

"You risked everything to be here with me. No matter how it might have been, I am grateful for what we have now."

Margaret had been by her side through it all, through thick and thin. Even when she disagreed with Laina's actions, she stuck by her side. The bond they shared transcended beyond time. 

It was a difficult decision for her to make. Helping Laina to regain her memories had consequences that came with it. All she ever wanted was for Laina to be safe and well. But apart from it all, she wanted Laina to be happy.

"I will do anything for you, Laina, "She declared, "If this is what you want, I will do my best to assist."

In the following days, Laina fulfilled all her duties as Queen to the tea. A visit from the Galatix Bank potentially threw things off course but Laina's presence calmed things down. Ethan was surprised by how well she managed everything. 

Behind the scenes, Laina wrote to the Oracle, seeking information for a way to regain her memories. To her surprise, the Oracle replied swiftly with the information she sought for.

Not wanting to abandon her post, Laina made all the necessary arrangements before going. She did not know how long it would take her to accomplish her goal, all she knew was that it was what she wanted to do. 

Based on the information Margaret had given her, she knew that time worked differently for her in Gaeia and in the Celestial Realm. Laina had the advantage of time, but she was not about to waste any of it. Not even a second of it. 

"Your Majesty, Crown Prince Ethan seeks an audience with you," a messenger announced as they entered Laina's bedroom. 

"Send him in," she replied without looking up.

A few moments later, Ethan entered the room. He bowed respectfully to Laina while greeting her. 

"Your Majesty, I..." he was hesitant to question her decisions. After all, who was he to question the decisions of his Queen?

Laina noticed his hesitation. She peered out of her closet to look at him, waiting for him to speak his mind. But the Crown Prince did not know what to say. He was conflicted. 

"Ethan, do you remember what I taught you before?" she reminded him, "Speak your mind with me."

"Yes, right," he replied as he rearranged his thoughts, "Your Majesty are you sure you're leaving me in charge?"

Laina stopped what she was doing. She walked over and sat him down on the sofa. Though he had only been under her wing for a fairly short period of time, Ethan had proven himself to be a studious pupil. 

He did everything Laina asked of him and he did not question her decisions. It took a bit of pushing from Laina for him to open up and ask questions. It was all a work in progress. 

Laina patted him on the back, "You'll be alright, cousin. Plus, you have Margaret here to assist should you need it."

"But..."

"Have faith in yourself, Ethan, have faith."