Trap

{1}

⚠Everything in this story is fictionalized. Nothing's connected in real life. There would be cursing and errors. My third language is English, but I'm not that good at it.⚠

{Story reminders!

Bold - protagonist narrating the story

Italic - characters' thoughts}

Enjoy the story!!

I've always told myself, "Expect the worst to avoid disappointment." And let me tell you, it made my life serene to live. Hi, I'm Connor Cunningham, a royal-blooded werewolf. I've hidden this from everyone for my whole life except my brother. 

"Colton, I'm going!"

"Yah! I told you to stop calling me that! I'm older than you!"

"That's why you look old."

"SERIOUSLY- You know what, whatever. Well, good luck, I guess."

"Thanks! Love you!"

"Hate you!"

"Bye~!!"

You must be wondering where I'm going, right? Well, I'm going to be applying for a dangerous job. Not only, my life will be on the line, but also my real identity. I'm risking everything for someone I'm longing to meet again. Luka..... He....... he's like my other half. But right now, all I really remember is that I erased his memories of me to keep him safe. I also erased half of the memories I have of him. But from what? Up to now, I don't remember why. I tried my best to remember, but nothing. But I do remember that he lives in the palace. If working in the palace can help me find him, I'll work there. I'll do whatever it takes to bring him back into my life. I can't live without him anymore. I remember some of our happy memories, and it makes me miss him like crazy.

?Colton?

"Yes, bro?"

"Are you there yet? How do you feel? Remember, don't be nervous and do your best!"

"Why are you treating me like a kindergartner?"

"I'm just worried about you. It's your first time to go to the palace after a long time."

"I've been there?"

"I-I..... forgot...... that.... I'm..... cooking....... lobsters?" Wait, do we even have lobsters???

"We don't have lobsters at home." Wtf is this dude talking about?

"I meant..... crabs! Yes! Crabs!" I think we just finished all of our crabs yesterday nigh-

"We just finished the last of our crabs last night." Is he taking drugs?

"I bought new ones!" Wait, it's been 8 years since I left the house......

"You never leave the house."

"W-Well today I..... did! With our car!"

"I have our car. You don't even have a driver's license!" Well, he does know how to drive, but we only have one car, and I'm using it right now..............

"..........." What do I say?!

"Well, I'm here. Talk to you later."

"What palace are you in?" WTF DID I JUST ASK?!

"Colton! The Kingdom of Herridonia has only one palace! Are you high?" He's definitely drinking again............

"Oh...... right........ well, bye~" I HAVE NO MORE EXCUSES I NEED TO GO.

"Yah!! Yah-"

☎End of call☎

I wasn't even done talking!! There's only one palace in the Kingdom of Herridonia. What's up with him? Wait, you're confused, aren't you? "How come there's a Kingdom of Herridonia ???" you might ask. Well, there are 3 worlds. This world that I live in, the Werewolf World, and the Second Human World. In the Second Human World, there's a place called "The Republic of Herridonia" Basically, in the other world that I grew up in, the countries' names start with " The Kingdom of ..." then add a name of a country from the SHW. I go to SHW every week. Well, I've been going there since I knew how to open the portal of that world to visit the other me.

 ~•Time Skip•~

I was done applying for the job. All of our skills were tested. Like if we run fast, our shooting skills, fighting skills, etc. They said that the results will be out next 2 weeks. They also said that they'll give me a call. I'm going home right now. I bought some donuts on the way for Colton and I. Hope he likes it.

"Colton~ I'm home~" Where is that dude?

"Oh, you're here? How was it? Did you get accepted?" I hope he didn't...................

"I don't know?" 

"And why don't you know?"

"Most probably because there were 10,000 applicants, and they're still making the results." i***t.

"Oh! Right. Wait, what's that?" Why do I smell..............

"You mean this? They're donuts. Wanna eat?"

"OF COURSE!!!!! LET'S GO TO THE DINING ROOM AND EAT!!!!"

"To the kitchen, indeed," I laughed and sighed.

Why does he go bananas whenever he sees food? I don't even know.

"Donuts!!!!!!!! I'm so dang hungry!!!!!!! I thought I was gonna die from hunger a while ago :')"

"You how to cook. And you even told me some unconvincing excuses about you cooking a while ago so, why didn't you?" And what's up with his unconvincing excuses a while ago?

"Obviously, I was busy, still am, finding a cure for you." 

"I told you, stop." He's so hardheaded.

"Stop what? You mean my ongoing research cure?"

"Yes. Please, just stop. You're just wasting your time and effort."

"I told you too, didn't I? I won't stop until I find a cure for you. I want you to become a normal human. And I don't want that virus running around your blood anymore."

"Well, that "virus" that's running around my blood is the only thing that reminds me of who I am and what I am. And if I ever see Luka again, he might recognize who I am."

"Luka, Luka, Luka!! He's all that I ever hear from you!!"

"..............."

"For goodness sake, Connor!! I'm here too! I also accept you for who you are! Luka is not the only one who loves you! As your brother, I do too!"

"I know that. But Luka's the first friend I've ever had in my whole life, the first person to be there for me before I met you and your family. You know that he's very important to me. He's my other half, you know that."

"Don't tell me that you applied to be the King's bodyguard just to look for Luka."

"Hate to break it to you, but that IS the ONLY reason why I applied to be the King's bodyguard."

"Have you lost your mind?! You placed your life on the line?!! And the possibility of your real identity being exposed?!! Just for Luka?!!!"

"I can do more absurd things than that just to bring him back on my life."

"You deleted him from your life, and now you want him back?! This is nonsense!"

"Then maybe you should tell me why!!"

"I can't."

"Why "can't" you?!"

"Because you told me not to!!"

"Now, I'm telling you to tell me!"

"I'm not telling you, and that's final!"

"WHY?!!!"

"Because I don't want you to go down that dangerous path you took twice."

"Twice? Wha-??"

"When you erased your memories of him together with his, that wasn't your first time."

"What do you exactly mean?"

"I shouldn't have been soft at that time. I shouldn't have told you how you can recover memories."

"Fine, what do you know that I don't?"

"Your whole story, Connor. And your sufferings that I never wanna see again."

"Everything?"

"I know every little detail."

"Can't you really tell me? Not even one bit?"

"I can, but I won't. That path that you went to twice is very sketchy. And as your brother, I don't want to see you going down that path EVER AGAIN. I'm warning you, it's dangerous."

He doesn't want me to find Luka..... But I want to give it a shot again. Even if it'll hurt me. But if I give it a go, will it be a good one?

"I......I'd be in the other world if you need me."

"Are you mad at me?"

"No, I-I just need to clear my mind. And maybe some fresh air."

"I understand. I'll call you when I need something."

I went to our room for a sec to get my phone. Then I went to the other world, wearing a cap and a face mask so that people won't recognize me. My counterpart is really rising in popularity every day, so they might most probably mistake me for the Connor they know. I'm here, in front of the building of the agency/building that he's working for. He's in a group called Aqua. I honestly love their songs. His name is the same as mine, obviously. Well, they're on a break right now, so I decided to go there and take them to my house here in the other world. Of course, they agreed.

"And, we're here!!"

"Connor, why'd you bring us here?"

"I bought food before I fetched you guys! Wanna eat?!!"

"Connor, you might wanna tell us why you brought us here?"

"Thanks for the food!!! But Alex and Max are right. Why did you bring us here? You only bring us here when things aren't going great in your world."

"Basically, I...... I had a screaming match with Colton."

"Oh, so you guys fought?"

"Not exactly, but I guess so?"

"Let's eat!!!"

"Babe, why are you always hungry, hm?"

"Excuse me, we're not together!!"

"Oh come on~ I know you like me~"

"Will you guys do the flirting later? You scumbags!!"

"It's not like you weren't trying to make me yours a while ago?"

"Are you guys gonna shut the f**k up, or I'll throw you guys off the window?"

"Let 'em be, Carson. Let's just eat by ourselves."

"You're right."

"Yah!! Don't finish those without sharing, you selfish scumbags!"

"So, what did you and Colton fight about?"

"We didn't fight, alright? It's just that....... he doesn't want me to find Luka....."

"Huh? Did he say why?"

"He said it's dangerously painful. He also said that he knows everything that's why he's stopping me from finding Luka."

"Well, that's it. Just listen to your brother, you idiot."

"But something's telling me to go find him."

"What? Your heart?" Carson giggled.

"Exactly."

"I say you go find him," his counterpart said.

"What? Why?"

"Why would you say that? What if he gets hurt again like what his brother said?"

"When I told you that you erased my memory too, I was lying."

"What? Why would you lie about that?"

"Because I know that, one day, this day would come. Your brother doesn't know everything. I know a few things that he doesn't. So I'm telling you, go for it."

"I........."

"You.........?"

"I applied to be the bodyguard of the king. As in, the head in chief bodyguard. The kind of bodyguard that'll stay with him 24/7."

"You're seriously putting your life in danger just for you to find him?"

"Why is everyone saying that?!" 

"We're idols, ya know? We know how dangerous that is. Whenever we're at the airport, from what I see, the bodyguard work is pretty hard."

"Considering that the one you're gonna guard is a king. Your work is gonna be 10 times harder."

"I'm good with that. I'll do everything to find Luka. And you guys must've forgotten the fact that I'm a werewolf. Wounds heal up in no time, and I have the traits of a royal werewolf. I can-"

"Oh, we know what you can do. You don't have to spit it on our face. Still, I see in your eyes you're troubled."

Oh, yay! Now I'm getting a phone call. Is it Colton?

?Unknown?

"Who is it?"

"I'm Mr. Phillips, and you, Mr. Connor Cunningham, is hired as the head of the chief bodyguard of King Luka."

"Oh my, thanks for-"

"It wasn't me who hired you, Mr. Cunningham. It was His Majesty who did. You are to come tomorrow here to the palace, five in the morning, sharp."

"Yes, Mr. Phillips. I understand."

☎End of Call☎

The call ended, and I looked on the ground with a flustered face. I know I should be happy, but I'm really concerned why Colton was acting like that a while ago.

"Are you still worried because of the ranting of your brother?" his counterpart asked.

"You could say that."

"Listen, there's a notebook hidden under your mattress."

"Huh?"

"There's a notebook you hid under there before you ran around and went erasing memories," he mockingly said.

"Yah!!"

"What?? Anyways, read that but don't let your brother know about that notebook."

"And why is that?"

"'Cause, you told me that that notebook's confidential between you and me."

"Well, you guys can keep on munching on my food in your agency's building. I'm going home."

"Already? We haven't even played at least one round of mafia game!" Alex complained.

"Alex, this is more important. It's about an important chapter that happened in my life."

"Of course. Luka is more important than us anyways," Asher said, annoyed.

"To you, he's only the important one!!"

"It's not like that- fine, it is like that. Somehow like that?" I sighed. "I know, I'm a bit biased, but please, understand me."

"It's fine, Connor. You can go. Alex and Asher, I'll be talking to the two of you later after we finished practicing. Got it?"

"Me??? Why???? What did I do?"

"Just follow what I said!"

"Carson, let them off the hook. They're right. I promise that I'll give you guys more attention. 'Cause, you guys deserve that. After all, this place...... and you people are my second family, the second me."

I was being unfair. I can't...... disagree with that. I'll give those dorks what they deserve. I came back home and went to my room immediately. After I took them back to their company's building, of course. I checked under my mattress. And I did find a notebook. And it has....... the same mark that's on the back of my neck....... What the........ It definitely is the mark that I have on my back!! Okay, so what do you have in store for me?

"⚠Connor (the idol) was your first clue. This is your second clue. Please read carefully, alright?⚠

?Connor Cunningham, if you're reading this now, go find him. I'm sure you know who I'm talking about. We have the same brain, after all. Look, I assume right now your birthday, technically mine too, is about to come. Maybe it's September now. You're in danger. Everyone is. Everyone you love is in danger from someone. I won't tell you why I erased our memories because I want you to understand why I did that. That's all I gotta say. If you have no idea where to find Luka, the clues will help you at their best. Work for His Majesty. Your third clue awaits in the palace. The next clue will be given to you by someone. That someone is close to you, to us. I left more clues in the palace, by the way. Be sure to know all of them.?"

"Great....... now that messed my head up even more. Can I just take off my head, clean it, and return it? I'd love that........ "

While I was busy being flustered, I heard a knock on the door. Obviously, I hid the notebook.

"Yes, Colton?"

"May I come in?"

"Well, I guess so."

I immediately laid down on my bed, closed my eyes, and pretended to be calm.

"Look, Connor, I'm sorry."

"Don't be, Colton."

"You're angry at me, I know."

"I'm not, Colton."

"You don't use that tone when you're mad. You're obviously mad at me."

After sitting down, he said,

"Fine, I'm a little upset. I mean, you started to get mad and worked up when I only wanted to know the reason why."

"Look, I'm really sorry. It's just that....... I feel uneasy every time you mention Luka."

"What? Why? Please know that you're weirding me out, Colton."

"So you're still mad......"

"Come on, just tell me!"

"You warned me about this."

"About what?"

"You warned me that everyone's life is gonna be in danger once you start looking for Luka again after you erased your memories."

"What else did I say?"

"You said that this is your responsibility...... as the...... the person who caused this mess."

"Mess????"

"I had no choice but to try to stop you. Connor, I was scared. I saw how much pain you've been through when you still remembered everything. It was hard for me to see you like that. You go home every day with tons of wounds, and magically they'll heal by themselves! That was cray-cray not gonna lie, but right now, I'm scared."

"Scared of you losing your life because now everyone's in danger, including you, because I made this big fat mess that I don't even know?"

"I'm not scared of that. I'm not even afraid of death, Connor! I'm scared! For you! You told me that your life is gonna be at stake because of this. That you might die on the process."

"Is that all that I told you?"

"There's one more."

"Where is this leading to...........?"

"You told me that a close friend of yours also knows about this. You didn't mention her name, but you said her name starts with the letter F."

"Letter F?"

"Yes. So figure it out, and I'll cook dinner. I'll call you when it's ready."

"Alright."

Do I know someone whose name is starting with the letter f???? F it!! F who? Wait, I think that's the one who's mentioned in the notebook!! But who is F??

?~•Time Skip•~?

I woke up and took a shower. I'm going to the palace today. Damn, I'm so nervous!!!!

"Good morning, Mr. Phillips."

"Ah, I see. You're earlier than I thought. You've impressed me already, Mr. Cunningham. Please follow me to the King's office."

"Yes, Mr. Phillips."

I'm so nervous to finally meet the King!!! I wonder what he's gonna say about me.

"Your Majesty, Mr. Cunningham, has arrived."

"Good morning, Your Majesty," I greeted as I bowed 90 degrees.

"I'll take care of the rest, Phillips."

"Yes, Your Majesty," he said and went out.

"So~ Connor, right??"

"Yes, Your-"

"Hey, when we're alone, treat me like a friend of yours!!"

"But, Your Majesty, that's against the rules."

"Quite strange. I'm pretty sure I haven't given you the palace rules yet. So I'm pretty sure you shouldn't be aware of that?"

"I...... don't also know how I know that?"

"Well, let's chitchat later. We need to go to the Kingdom of the Millanbell to meet the Thompson family."

"What time will we arrive?"

"We'll arrive at 7:45 pm. Apparently, we need to go now. It takes 14 hours and 45 minutes from here to capital."

"And did you just say "the Thompson family" Your Majesty?"

"I told you, treat me like a friend. Not a king~!"

"I'm sorry, Your- I mean Luka."

"And yes, the Thompsons. I'm meeting- I mean, we. We will be meeting them."

"For what?"

"For oil."

"I don't think you should deal in business with the Thompsons."

"Well...... why are you suddenly telling me that??"

"I know how dirty Collin works. And I'm not letting you deal in business with that guy."

"Well, I'm pretty sure he's a nice guy."

"I know Collin's dirty little secrets, I think most of them actually. So I know how dirty he works."

"Great then! We could use what you know as blackmail-"

"Whatever mud you throw at him, he'll always find ways to clean it. Don't underestimate Collin. He owns the capital."

"And I own Herridonia. If he dares to mess with me or my country, especially you, I won't let him get away with it. So don't worry. I might be a young king, but I know how to protect my people and deal with Blake kind of people."

We came inside the jet and I saw Anders as soon as we came in.

"Anders~!! Hi!"

"Ah, Mr. Connor, it's nice to see you again."

"See me again?? he awkwardly chuckled. "Right...... haha..."

What......?

"Does Lady Fallon know you're coming?"

"N-No. She does not. Uhm... is Gabriella here???"

"Oh, I see. Wait, let me call Gabriella."

He went on the other side of the plane and looked for his daughter.

"I see. You do know the Thompsons and the people in their life, huh?"

"Ah, yes, Luka. Of course, I do."

"Oh my gosh, Connor!!!" she hugged him and pause for a while. "How long has it been?? I think almost a year now! It's great to see you again!!"

"Oh, it's been that long? Where and when was the last time we met?"

"At Lizzy's bar! I think it was November at that time??"

"Oh~ So, how are you and John??"

"Well.... we're not together anymore."

"Oh, I'm sorry for asking. And did I ever tell you, you're so gorgeous?"

"No. Alright, I'm kidding, yes. You used to tell me that every day. I remember you telling me you had a crush on me!! That was so cute."

"Well, I-"

"Did you eat already??"

"Well, not yet. But first, may I introduce you to-"

"His love, Luka. Luka Harrington," he stated as he shook Gabriella's hand.

"Oh~ Did I make you jealous? I'm so sorry about that. Don't worry, I only see Connor like a little brother. I assume you guys are married?"

"Yes-"

"No, Gabriella. We're not married."

"Oh, is that so?? Well, alright! I actually made something. You lovebirds need to taste it!! I'll be back in a minute."

She left with a smile. What's wrong with Luka?????

"Your Majesty, I assume-"

"Luka," he emphasized.

"Luka, I assume that you might wanna explain why you said that to Gabriella?"

"I..... just felt that something was off about her."

"And so you told her we're together?"

Luka's POV

Well, I...... I guess I kinda felt jealous?? You're all lovey-dovey with Kirby, and I didn't like it....... Wait, what am I even saying???? This is awfully weird!! Luka, what the heck are you thinking???? Get back to your senses, will you?!

"Well, that just came out of....... nowhere," he nervously chuckled.

"Nothing's off about her, hm? I assure you. I know Gabriella."

"I'm back~ So, I made hot cocoa with sweet spaghetti~ You guys will look cute when you share the same pasta noodle! I'll take a picture of it-"

"Gab, Gab."

"What? Don't you like my idea? I can-"

"Luka and I are not really together."

"Wha? Then why would Luka say that?"

"His Majesty was just joking."

"What did you just say? "His Majesty"???"

"Yes. You see, Luka is the king of Herridonia."

"Was I being too informal??? Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry, Your Majesty!"

"It's alright, Gabriella. Besides, I'm really in a mood for jokes right now."

"Your Majesty, thank you for your kindness."

"Luka, would you like to eat? Mr. Phillips texted me that you haven't eaten yet."

"Well, yeah. I'll eat."

"Gabriella, give me that. His Majesty needs to eat."

"No, I'll go get something fancy for His Majesty. You will eat this. I will not let you go meet that demon with an empty stomach."

"Actually, Connor and I can just share. I don't mind. We're friends, after all, aren't we, Connor?"

"Yes, we are."

"Great then! Enjoy your food! I'll be on the other side of the jet, where my dad is."

?~•Time Skip•~?

We arrived in front of Thompson Manor. I wonder what clue awaits me here. I saw the third clue before we went here.

"Clue: Brown hair, pretty face, a fashionista, a mother figure."

Who is it? If I sum all of the clues that would lead to......

~To be continued~