FORBIDDEN AFFECTION

Chapter 34: Reunited

Amelia stubbornly held onto the child, refusing to let her walk. As they arrived at the palace, she carried Lily with her.

"I can walk, you know," Lily muttered, slightly exasperated. But Amelia simply hummed in response.

"If you trip again, I'm not going to help you. That's why I'm carrying you," Amelia explained, though Lily seemed to enjoy being carried and wrapped her arms around Amelia's neck.

Amelia forcefully kicked open the doors to the throne room, and Lily couldn't contain her laughter.

"Mistress, that child is quite peculiar. Isn't she supposed to be scared?" Seth, the loyal servant, asked, perplexed by Lily's fearless demeanor.

Lily scoffed in response, feeling offended. "Mommy says I'm just special! And brave! I'm not weird," she muttered defiantly.

Amelia, irritated by Seth's comment, shot him a glare. "There, she said it herself. She's not weird," Amelia retorted, making Seth retreat in defeat.

Amelia's frigid gaze locked onto the king as he greeted her with a formal bow. "Greetings, Your Imperial Highness," he said, aware of the consequences of any misstep in his words.

Amelia's voice dripped with coldness as she revealed her purpose. "I have come in search of a specific woman, my beloved. I request permission to search your entire kingdom. Refusal will only lead to its conquest."

The king, knowing the power and determination of the empress, had no choice but to acquiesce. "I understand, Your Highness. You have full permission to search every corner of my kingdom."

With a pat on the king's shoulder, Amelia sent a shiver down his spine. She gave the order to Seth to initiate the search, and the two of them departed. However, Amelia had another thought in mind.

As they left the palace, Amelia turned to Lily and posed a question. "Is there anything you would like to buy before I return you home? Name it, regardless of the price."

Lily's excitement bubbled over as she celebrated in Amelia's arms. "First, I want to buy Momma a new coat, and then I want to buy my Mummy a beautiful new dress!"

Amelia placed Lily on her horse and mounted her own stallion. She then turned her attention to Lily's desires. "And what about you? What would you like?"

Lily fell silent for a moment, contemplating her response. Finally, she grinned mischievously. "Money. I want to be rich."

Amelia's laughter burst forth, causing nearby knights to shrink back in fear. "You want money?" she asked incredulously, as Lily nodded with unwavering determination. "Very well, my little dreamer. Let's make our way to the capital and buy all the things your heart desires."

Amelia and Lily embarked on a shopping spree, visiting numerous shops. Lily excitedly picked out new dresses, while Amelia indulged her with an abundance of sweets, even though Lily was the sole one enjoying the treats.

As evening approached, Amelia recognized the weariness in the young girl. "Are you tired, little one?" she inquired, and Lily responded with a tired nod, resting her head on Amelia's shoulder, her eyes barely open.

Amelia chuckled softly and made her way to the address Isabella had provided, intending to return Lily to her home.

Standing in front of the small and cozy home, Seth took the initiative to knock on the door while Amelia stood there, her heart pounding with anticipation.

When the door swung open, Amelia found herself frozen in place, unable to move as she laid eyes on the person standing before her.

"Lily..." Y/n's voice trembled with worry as she reached out to take her daughter, but Amelia couldn't bring herself to let go. Instead, she handed Lily over to Seth, her gaze fixated on the woman who had once been her beloved, but had been lost to her for so long. The emotions flooded over Amelia as she confronted her long-lost lover face to face.

Amelia's heart shattered as Y/n pushed her away, a mix of confusion and anger clouding their eyes. She desperately grasped Y/n's hands, holding them against her cheeks, pleading for recognition.

"Baby, it's me, Amelia," Amelia sobbed, tears streaming down her face. "In your eyes, I have found my home. In your heart, I have found my love."

She recited the very words that had once been a declaration of their love, hoping to rekindle the flame of their past. However, Y/n's expression remained puzzled, as if those words held no meaning to them anymore. The realization struck Amelia like a dagger to her heart. 

"I know who you are, Amelia Montclair, the Tyrant Empress of Eldoria," Y/n muttered with bravery, causing Amelia's heart to shatter even further. Tears continued to flow from her eyes as she struggled to make Y/n remember their love.

"Baby, it's me... Amelia," Amelia's voice cracked with anguish. However, Isabella suddenly appeared beside Y/n, her presence a reminder of the life Amelia had unknowingly disrupted.

"Your Highness!" Isabella immediately bowed upon seeing Amelia, but Y/n maintained their posture, distant and cold. The weight of the situation was evident in the air as tensions grew between the three.

"You took my daughter, and you think I wouldn't be mad?" Y/n's voice resonated with anger and hurt, intensifying the pain in Amelia's heart.

Amelia's knees gave way beneath her, and she motioned for Seth to pass the sleeping Lily to Isabella's arms. Her voice trembled as she pleaded with Y/n to remember their shared love, but Y/n seemed determined to distance themselves from Amelia's presence.

Confusion and despair consumed Amelia as she cried out, "Why can't you remember me?" The ache of Y/n's rejection became too much to bear.

Isabella, torn between her loyalty to Y/n and her compassion for Amelia, stepped forward. "Love, bring Lily to her room. I'll take care of this," Y/n commanded, her tone brooking no arguments.

Reluctantly, Isabella complied, leaving Amelia broken and alone on her knees. Her tears continued to flow as she clung to Y/n's hand, pleading for them to return home and end her loneliness.

But Y/n yanked their hand away, refusing to acknowledge their past love. In a final act of rejection, they muttered coldly, "I don't remember you being my lover, Your Highness. I'll leave now."

Amelia remained on her knees, heartbroken and bereft, as Seth approached and draped his coat over her trembling shoulders. Recognizing her pain, he gently urged her to return.