The Crown's Entrapment

Chapter 744 The Hunt?

Bella woke up the next morning feeling rather refreshed. Yesterday's talk with the Queen Mother really brightened up her mood. And while Amon leaving did rub her the wrong way, she at least understood why he did it. It must've been uncomfortable hearing everything that he supposedly did back when he was still Osman, and she wouldn't blame him for doing so even if it did end up making her feel annoyed on top of his usual attempts to brush her off.

[Or maybe he left since he didn't like your joke about backing down?] Poona was at it again. That was her initial thought but then she was trying her best not to expect too much so she was trying to interpret his walked-out scenario yesterday in a general way.

She chuckled and said, "Stop that already Poona. I'm trying a different kind of mindset in here and you're not helping."

[What kind of mindset is that? Not expecting so less heart ache when he didn't meet your expectations?]

"Yes so stop messing with my mindset now…"

Poona simply scoffed at her.

Bella smiled. Still, she at least made some progress with trying to get him back to her side. Also, she could tell that the Queen Mother was rooting for her, and it was even fun talking to the older woman.

[We're pretty much in if Amon would ever want us,] Poona chuckled and once again voiced out her opinion as Bella got up from bed. [There's no mistaking that we made a good impression.]

[Well, we made a good impression on everyone except the one that matters,] Bella sighed in response. [Osman still refuses to remember his true feelings…]

It was an annoying fact that she had to deal with. Again, she understood that he now had a kingdom to deal with, but he should at least entertain the notion of knowing his past. But no. Instead, he actively refuses to even interact with anything involving his past self.

[Still, we know that we're making headway into our Mate,] Poona encouraged. [We just have to keep up the pace.]

Bella chuckled to herself as she nodded at her inner wolf's words. It was something to hold onto, at least. There was something there. And even if the whole world would try to stop her from having what was rightfully hers, she refused to give up, especially since she knew that her Osman was just waiting for her to jog his memories.

"Oh right, there's a hunting event taking place this morning…"

She narrowed her eyes up at the morning sun. Based on how high it was at the moment, she mentally realized that she was going to be late if she wanted to take part in the said hunt. All the kings would be participating in it too, which meant that Amon would be there as well.

[We should take this opportunity to cozy up to him some more,] Poona encouraged.

[It's already late though,] Bella sighed. [Would we even make it?]

[Not with that attitude!]

Bella chuckled at her inner wolf's crass language. It was refreshing to hear Poona speak to her like that every once in a while. And while it was kind of disrespectful to hear, it was all she needed to somehow get herself into gear and actually try again.

"I'll show you a good time, Osman," she swore to herself with an amused smirk. "Whether you like it or not, you'll have me by your side until you realize your love for me again."

With her mind determined, Bella prepared herself for the hunt as she raced against the rising sun above. She'd be late, but there was always the concept of being so good at it that it became fashionable enough to be acceptable.

If she was going to arrive late, she might as well do it in style.

[At least make your practical,] Poona reminded. [This is a hunt, after all.]

[I know,] Bella rolled her eyes as she mixed and matched a few of her dresses and clothes. [I can hunt in style if I have to. Don't worry.]

True to her word, she put on a practical, yet stylish blouse that showed just enough of her assets for it to matter. Coupled with a pair of form-fitting trousers and boots, and she was ready for a hunt that would hopefully help her get a few hits in on Amon's stubborn refusal to even acknowledge his past.

[Not the best as a werewolf going on a hunt, but it'll do.]

Bella raised an eyebrow as she looked at herself in the mirror. True enough, it hindered her actual hunting skills as a werewolf if it came down to it, but she at least looked great while doing it. She showed just enough, but at the same time, her outfit alluded to great things underneath it, as if teasing whoever it was that wanted to have a piece of her.

"Nothing like a practical uniform for a practical man," Bella chuckled.

Giving herself an approving nod, she went ahead and left her tent before making her way to the meeting place where those who wished to participate in the hunt would be gathering. She knew she had to hurry if she didn't want to be left behind, but she had a feeling that they wouldn't be leaving for quite some time.

Everyone participating in their group already left. She saw her sister Jayra on her way busy on her own chores in their camp.

"So you decided to participate in the hunt last minute? Our King already left. You're late," Jayra pointed out.

"It's alright… I feel good today Sis as if something good will happen. And besides, I'll just try if I can still participate in it," she replied before waving at her sister-in-law as she continued walking ahead to her destination.

She was honestly not in the mood to go hunting for today but then Poona's encouragement for her to join worked.

"I'm sure the pleasant weather's making things harder on them," Bella casually talked to herself as she walked to the meeting place. "Some people will be bound to be late."

At least, that was what she told herself. Sure enough, the moment she arrived, all eyes were on her as she found herself walking in on a hunting party that was already set to leave.

They were already on their horses and Bella inwardly cursed because she didn't inform their servants that arranged the horses to bring her to this meeting place.

"Lady Bella?" Amon asked from atop his horse, his brows raised as he eyed her. "Are you here for the hunting trip?"

"I… I wasn't that late, was I?" Bella cheekily replied. "I was sure there would be others that aren't here yet."

"Uhm… If I may, Lady Bella, but you are indeed the last one to arrive," a representative of the Sorel Guild respectfully pointed out. "We had already finished our headcount, and we were just about to leave when you arrived."

Bella blinked at the attention being pointed at her sudden arrival. Against her better self, her cheeks flushed as the embarrassment began to finally hit her.

Poona was laughing hard inside of her and said, [You surely give an impression but not a good one. A tardy future queen of Helion?]

"I really thought it wouldn't be that bad," Bella meekly stated.

"You at least arrived, Lady Bella. That's what matters."

Bella's eyes widened at that voice. To her surprise, Amon had addressed her as he trotted his horse near her. She bit her inner lip as she tried to suppress her smile but she couldn't help it as her lips still managed to stretch beautifully while she dreamily stared at Amon.

"This one here is my responsibility," he casually stated. "I'll make sure to admonish her later for her lack of punctuality.."

Bella blinked at his words. Amon saying those words just took her to heaven that instant.

[That's too exaggerated! Didn't you hear how he pointed out your lack of punctuality?] Poona scoffed through her thoughts.

She did but that was not the point. [He said, I'm his responsibility. He can simply ignore me! But he didn't. He obviously wants me to join this hunt under his watch, Poona!!!] she was squealing at her wolf.

Poona clicked her tongue and chortled. [What happened to that new mindset you said earlier about not giving too much meaning to Amon's action so there will be less heart ache if your expectations are not met? How about this… Hmm, maybe he feels bad since you're already here wearing proper attire for the hunt? It will be a pity if you'll not join when they are still here and yet to leave…]

[To hell with that kind of mindset. I will no longer apply it. I'm more fueled up when I interpret his actions to my advantage,] she mumbled to her wolf with a pout and her wolf Poona could only laugh and say, [That's more like you…]