The Mate She Forgot

The Mate She Forgot
Nicole did not remember loving Prince Zandro.

That was the first thing that frightened her.

Everyone around her spoke as if their story had already been written.

A powerful prince.

A destined mate.

A love that had lasted for years.

But when Nicole searched through her own memories…

There was nothing.

No stolen moments.

No letters.

No gifts.

No memories of the man everyone claimed had loved her.

And now she was about to meet him.

The man who remembered everything she had forgotten.

Nicole carefully lifted the bottom of her dress as she walked, trying not to trip over the unnecessary amount of fabric surrounding her feet.

The gown was beautiful.

There was no denying that.

The material was elegant, the design was flawless, and it suited the image of someone meeting royalty.

But for a simple meeting?

It was too much.

The tight fabric around her waist made every movement feel difficult, and the heavy skirt made walking feel like a challenge.

Nicole sighed and looked at the woman beside her.

“Alicia.”

Her sister immediately looked over.

“Must I really wear this?”

Alicia stared at her in disbelief.

“Of course you must.”

She smiled brightly.

“You are meeting your mate.”

Nicole looked away.

“We do not even know if he is my mate.”

Then she added quietly,

“He could be yours.”

Alicia stopped walking.

For a moment, she simply stared at Nicole.

Then she gave her the most offended expression possible.

“Nicole, don’t say something so ridiculous.”

Nicole raised an eyebrow.

“Why?”

“Because everyone knows Prince Zandro is yours.”

Alicia smiled.

“Besides, he is completely obsessed with you.”

Nicole frowned.

“That is impossible.”

“Why?”

“Because I think he hates me.”

Alicia immediately shook her head.

“You really must have hit your head harder than we thought.”

Nicole looked at her.

“What does that mean?”

Alicia sighed.

“You have been saying the strangest things lately.”

She looked genuinely confused.

“Zandro hates you? Nicole, he has been in love with you since the moment he saw you.”

Nicole remained silent.

“What are you talking about?”

Alicia tilted her head.

“You really don’t remember?”

Nicole’s expression changed.

“Remember what?”

Alicia began listing everything as if she could not believe Nicole had forgotten.

“He always gave you gifts.”

A finger lifted.

“He took you on private walks.”

Another.

“He sent you letters.”

Then Alicia smiled.

“And he even fought those boys who tried to court you.”

Nicole stared at her.

“Those things happened?”

Alicia blinked.

“Yes.”

Her smile faded slightly.

“Nicole… you really don’t remember?”

Nicole looked away.

Because she did not.

Not even a little.

She tried to search for those memories.

A letter from Zandro.

A moment with him.

A gift he gave her.

Anything.

But her mind remained empty.

Nothing appeared.

No image.

No feeling.

Nothing.

Alicia was too excited to notice.

She continued smiling as she fixed the last detail of Nicole’s dress.

When Nicole first heard that Zandro wanted to see her, Alicia had immediately taken control.

Before Nicole could object, she had dragged her into her room.

She fixed her hair.

Selected her jewelry.

Applied makeup.

And forced her into this dress.

Nicole had even asked the question that crossed her mind.

“Alicia…”

She had looked at her sister.

“Are you not in love with Zandro?”

Alicia had looked completely shocked.

“Why would I love a man my sister loves?”

Nicole had not expected that answer.

But Alicia had said it with complete certainty.

Because to Alicia, there was no question.

Prince Zandro belonged with Nicole.

Now, walking toward him, Nicole tried to calm her thoughts.

The sound of her heels against the ground was the only thing keeping her focused.

Her fingers tightened around the fabric of her dress.

She did not know what to expect.

She did not know what kind of man she was about to meet.

But then she saw him.

Prince Zandro.

He stood several feet away, leaning casually against a tree with his arms crossed.

His eyes were closed.

The wind moved through his dark hair.

Even without trying, he carried a presence that made it difficult to look away.

Powerful.

Confident.

Familiar.

Nicole slowed.

She did not understand why.

She had never met him.

At least…

Not that she remembered.

But something inside her reacted the moment she saw him.

Her heartbeat became faster.

Her breath caught.

It felt as if a part of her already knew him.

Alicia noticed immediately.

A huge smile appeared on her face.

She looked between Nicole and Zandro.

Then she whispered,

“Go get your man.”

Nicole turned.

“What?”

Before she could react, Alicia pushed her forward.

“Alicia!”

Nicole lost her balance.

Her heel slipped.

For a moment, she thought she was going to fall.

But she never touched the ground.

A strong arm caught her around the waist.

Nicole froze.

The scent surrounding her was familiar.

Too familiar.

Slowly, she looked up.

Green eyes met hers.

Prince Zandro.

His expression was softer than she expected.

There was no anger.

No coldness.

Only something she could not understand.

Relief.

Like he had been waiting for this moment for a very long time.

“Is your dress making things difficult?”

His voice was low and gentle.

Nicole blinked.

“Y-yes, but I’m fine—”

Before she could finish, Zandro lifted her.

Nicole gasped.

“Prince Zandro!”

Her arms immediately wrapped around his neck.

Her face burned with embarrassment.

He held her effortlessly, one arm supporting her back and the other beneath her legs.

“Be quiet, Nicole.”

His voice carried a small smile.

“Allow me to do my duty.”

Nicole stared at him.

“Your duty?”

Instead of answering, he carried her toward a nearby chair.

When he finally placed her down, his hand remained at her waist for a moment longer than necessary.

Then he gently lifted her chin.

“Yes.”

His eyes held hers.

“My duty.”

Nicole’s heartbeat increased.

“You are my duty.”

Her cheeks warmed.

They were in the temple.

Anyone could see them.

Anyone could misunderstand.

But Zandro only smiled.

“I missed seeing you like this.”

Nicole froze.

Like this?

She did not understand.

Because she did not remember ever being this close to him.

Zandro stepped back.

“I have important matters to handle today.”

His expression softened.

“But I came because I wanted to see you.”

Nicole lowered her eyes.

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

Immediately, his expression changed.

“Mate.”

Nicole looked up.

“What?”

“Call me mate.”

His voice was quiet but certain.

“You will turn eighteen tomorrow.”

He stepped closer.

“And tomorrow, everything changes.”

Nicole held her breath.

Then Zandro pulled her into his arms.

The warmth of his embrace surprised her.

At first, she remained still.

But slowly…

Her body relaxed.

Because despite not remembering him…

Being close to him felt natural.

Too natural.

His voice came softly beside her ear.

“Even if you are not my mate…”

Nicole froze.

His words continued.

“I will still choose you.”

His arms tightened slightly.

“I will never leave you.”

A strange feeling moved through her chest.

A feeling she could not explain.

Because part of her wanted to believe him.

Part of her wanted this to be real.

But another part whispered that something was wrong.

Something important was missing.

Something she could not remember.

Zandro held her closer.

And Nicole closed her eyes.

For one moment, she allowed herself to forget the questions.

For one moment, she allowed herself to believe.

Because if this was a dream…

She did not want to wake up.

But neither of them knew the truth.

The memories Nicole had lost were not gone forever.

And when they returned…

They would change everything.