Aiven was sitting on the chair with a smile on his face while I was on the bed, blushing with a suppressed happiness from thinking about the Prince.
I took a deep breath then sighed, "He's just so perfect. The way he smiles, the way he talks, the way he tries to joke around to make me look foolish, but it makes me laugh; the way he always makes every conversation go on..." I covered my face with my hands, "It's the first time someone tried to stick with me. I know I'm not social, but there was no one who tried to stay with me."
I don't know if I should feel happy or sad about having the Prince.
Happy because I met someone like him, or sad because I just realize how lonely I am.
"I am angry because I know I'm a candidate. And there's a whole bunch of beautiful ladies much more suitable to be his queen, while I'm just... me."
I let my body fall on the bed with my face still covering my face, "I'm just a human, Aiven. I'm nothing."
"Why are you degrading yourself, Amy? No one told you that you're JUST a human, right? If the Prince didn't want you, he should've sent you away, but he even made you his priority."
I spread my fingers to take a peek at Aiven who's looking away while looking flustered, "Why?" I asked.
"Can you sit appropriately, Amy? It is a bit uneasy for me to see you in bed like that."
I creased my brows while thinking about what I did to make him feel that way.
Then I realized I am laying on the bed.
I sit right up then cleared my throat, "Sorry. Are you perhaps uncomfortable with women?"
He looked straight at me then laughed, "No," he covered his mouth then shook his head, "I am just used to women being too reserved, soft, and delicate."
"Well, |'m sorry if I'm not your typical lady. As you have said, I'm not soft because I am selfish and inconsiderate."
I pouted at him and shook my head to tease him.
"Well, I hope you can stop thinking only about yourself and thinking that your thoughts are always right."
He stood up and fixed his suit, "Anyway, please prepare for dinner, Amy. Tomorrow, I'll teach you about the things you need to not feel lost in this world."
He smiled at me and left, then Justif entered the room. He bowed and smiled at me, "Miss, dinner will be ready within 15 minutes."
I nodded as a reply. Justif left right after, leaving me alone in the room.
I stared outside the window and saw that the moon has already risen out of its grave. The stars are also shining beside her as if the darkness isn't so scary.
I opened the window and I was greeted with the cold autumn breeze. From my world, it's still summer, and when I came here it was also summer.
Is this world's time faster than normal?
I sighed as I lean on the windowpane, I really don't know this world, at least Aiven offered to teach me some things.
Well, the Prince did teach me about their learning system and now that I remember, do the triplets and Nevic already know how to read and write?
They are just so small. The triplets are like 4 years old, and Nevic's like 6.
When I was 4... well, I don't remember what I did that time, but I learned to read and write when I was maybe 5. I really can't remember my early childhood, maybe because my mom died when I was still young and it might have caused me to forget things.
But thinking a small Prince Forest, writing and reading, makes me feel like I want to jump back to the past and listen to him while reading me a story.
If I was really inconsiderate - well, I am still thinking if I am, but I guess the way Aiven explained things did make me reevaluate my behavior - is the Prince struggling right now?
But why does he need to suspend his meetings with the brides? I was the one who's not present, and everyone else is there.
"Miss?" I heard Justif call which made me walk towards the door and opened it.
"Dinner's ready," he smiled at me when he saw me as if he didn't hear what Aiven and I talked about.
Does he think the same way about me like Aiven?
I smiled and went out of the room then followed Justif to the dining hall, but before we can enter, I called him.
He turned around then stopped.
He widens his small round eyes at me, "Yes, Miss?"
I cleared my throat and intertwined my finger, "What do you think of me?" I asked with my shaky voice.
I never really considered other's opinion about me, but when Aiven told me those words, it made me think that maybe I am too dense to really understand how other's perception changes me for the better.
"You are sweet, Miss. Unlike other ladies, you don't order us around."
I felt happy to hear that, but that's natural, I was born in a place where servants aren't necessary. I can do almost everything by myself. I can take a bath without someone scrabbing my back, or eat without anyone cooking for me.
I smiled at him, "Thank you, but I know you've heard my conversation with Aiven."
He nodded, "Yes, I did. And I'll bury the words I heard in my grave, Miss, don't worry."
I shook my head with my hands waving in front of me, "No, tell me, am I selfish for running away? Am I inconsiderate of others?"
Justif sighed, then he looked down, "Miss, I am in no position to tell you those words. But," he looked back at me with a different gaze, there was no sign that he's a servant and I am in a higher position. He was looking at me at the same level as if I was asking a friend.
"I won't say you're selfish since we are all selfish in some way. But you're really not thinking about other's emotions. Basing on how you talked to the master, you're stuck in your thoughts that people see you in a manner you created yourself. Learn how to talk and ask, Miss. Knowing you're wrong is better than playing as the right person walking in the wrong direction."
I nodded while listening to Justif. It is a bit awkward to hear someone's real opinion of you, but it also widens my perspective on my action.
"Thank you, Justif." I patted his shoulder then I went inside the dining hall where I saw the triplets, Aiven, and Nevic sitting together.
But Cassidy runs towards me with a paper on her hand.
"Amy~!" she called then she pulled my hand and gave me the cream-colored paper with a portray of a woman.
"That is your MISSING paper, Amy. It's plastered all over the kingdom," Aiven spoke.
I looked at him with confusion about what he's talking about before looking at the paper properly.
"MISSING: Amelia Snow, bride candidate," it says.
The sketch of my face was outrageously unrealistic.
"I don't look like this," I murmured.
I looked way terrible than this. I don't have shiny eyes just as how this shows. My hair isn't this perfect, and my smile isn't this charming.
"The Prince was the one who described you to the artist, Amy. I believe this shows how much he admires you."
My cheeks heated up while Cassidy smiles like a teasing little sister.
"But I already claimed Sis!" Nevic shouted, then he went off of the chair and runs to me.
"What do you mean?" I bent my knees to catch Nevic, "You claimed me?"
Aiven groaned then walked towards me with irritation all over his face, "Did Nevic perhaps rubbed himself to you?" He asked.
I tried to remember every moment Nevic was around me. He did hold my hand, hugged me.... oh! I almost forgot.
I nodded my head aggressively, "Yes! When I picked him up, he buried his face to my shoulder and I think he rubbed his face to me, I'm not sure but he did get that close to me."
Nevic looked up to Aiven but he flinched and hides his face with his tail.
Aiven bent his back then picked Nevic with his hands, "You child, how many times should I tell you. You can't claim a person!"
Cassidy went to me and pulled my head, then she whispered loudly, "Nevic rubs his face to people he loves and claims them as his playmate. When he does that, your traces will be poof! Gone! No one will trace you anymore because Nevic owns you."
I looked at this little girl with wide eyes. They can do that? Claiming and stuff are the contents of wolf stories but I didn't know they can do that too. But that is really weird to know especially that I am under this claiming thing.
"I can rub my cheeks to you if you want to be my playmate, Amy~" she added, then she begins to lean towards me but Aiven picked her up and gave her to a butler to send her back to her seat.
"Then, that's why nobody can track you." I heard Aiven sighed.
I looked up and saw his bothered expression.
"No wonder even the tracers can't get to you." He said then he looked down and reached for my hand.
"What do you mean?" I asked as he helps me stand.
"When a candaenian, a breed like us - those with ears, tails, and paws- claims you, it is like erasing your traces. Your scent, your footsteps, your breath, everything will be the same with the one who owns you. And our breed is one of the rarest, maybe that's why the Prince hasn't thought about that. There are only two families of candaenians in the kingdom."
I furrowed my brows at Aiven who's massaging his temples from the stress then I looked at Nevic who pouted while holding his fork and spoon on his hand, then I just noticed that his paws were gone.
"Wait, can you control your appearance?"
Aiven snorted as he sends me to my seat, in disbelief. "You're more concerned about that?" He shook his head then he nodded, "Yes, Amy, we can."
My jaw dropped when Ordelline suddenly changed into a small white wolf-like appearance, followed by her sisters, then Nevic as well.
Aiven shook his head in annoyance, "Dinner will be served, sit down." He said under his breath, but the kids run around chasing each other.
It was like watching wolves run around, they were beautiful like clouds in the sky. They move swiftly and gracefully.
If they hide during winter, it'll be hard to spot them.
"Children!" Aiven called then the kids froze like ice, then they all whimpered and transformed back to their normal forms.
I smiled while enjoying this moment.
I wish I had a wonderful family like this, people I can love, laugh with, and a brother who will scold me, and little siblings who will irritate the hell out of me.
After we ate dinner, Aiven followed me to my room halfway before I reach my room.
"Amy, " he called.
Justif bowed before Aiven then left.
"Tomorrow will be your last day of stay here, that's why I'm asking you to prepare your explanation to the Prince. You may do what you want tomorrow after I give you a short lesson, alright?"
He smiled at me softly, as if he's sad that tomorrow is my last day.
I nodded my head then chuckled if he's looking at me that way, I may end up spending the trial date here with them.
"Yes, don't worry." I turned my heel towards my room, but I tilted my head towards him to say good night.
I heard his footsteps grew faint as I unlock my room.
A lot of things happened today, and the hours seemed long and tiring.
After taking a shower, I jumped to bed and closed my eyes.
What should I tell the Prince?
"I run away because I was insecure about myself, and I like you."
I whispered but I cringed the way I sounded, but that is the summarized version of all my rants and thoughts.
I was scared because of what I feel, including all the shock I have since I came here.
Anyway, I still have a day to think about everything else.
I should just get some sleep to enjoy my last day with this family.