"For me?" I looked into those pair of black beaded eyes, excited and happy. There was no answer but I took the cute blue cosmos flower from his tiny hands. "I love it! Thank you!"
The hedgehog scurried away shyly. I giggled and brought out the breads. "Do you guys want to eat this too?"
All the animals looked expectantly up at me. I tore the bread between my forefinger and thumb, handed each of them a portion. It had become a habit of mine, strolling in the forest before or after lunch. Sometimes, like today, I would meet Leon napping his butt away under the shade of the trees, or just lazing around with the animals. Unlike other Princes who had their own prince works, he really was free.
"Would you like some too?" I handed a butter roll to him. "You haven't eaten right?"
The layabout Prince opened his sleepy eyes glancing sideway at me. I was thinking he would not take it like always. The first week I came down here, he left as soon as he saw me. As the time passed by and the amount of animals I befriended rose, he stayed longer, and did not bother to leave just about three days before. It was a pain for me because, only when he left, I would start venturing deep into the wood to my secret place with my furry friends.
He reached his hand out and took the roll. I was surprised but did not really mind. I continued chatting with the animals praying he would leave after that roll so I could go to my place.
"You actually get along well," Leon suddenly said. He never talked to me so I startled.
"With them." He moved his gaze to the animals and—wait, did he just smile? It was very briefly and small but I was quite sure he had just smiled.
"Oh, um—" There was nothing to say.
"Can I have one more?"
I raised my brows. "What?"
He pointed to the bakery basket.
"Oh, of course!" I stumbled for the basket, still did not know how to react to this friendly Leon.
Then, he joined our little snack time. The animal was happy, but I felt unaccustomed with this Leon. It would take time to get used to. I tried my best to be friendly too, for the benefit of this Kingdom though.
"What's he saying?" I asked Leon who was nodding to a deer.
"He says his brother was born yesterday." said Leon.
"Really!" I had never seen a baby deer. "That's great!"
"It's full moon. I hope he's alright." Leon murmured as the deer pushed its head against his palm.
"He'll be!" I said wondering what a newborn and full moon had anything to do with each other.
"I mean my brother."
Oh, "Is he ill?"
Leon ignored my question and went on talking to other animals. I sighed at his way of only talk when he wanted to. "If you miss him, why not go back? Why are you still here anyway? You don't seem like you're in with other Princes." Just another great chance to shoo away this prince.
"You mean I don't fight for your attention?" He chuckled. "I think this is stupid and boring. If it was not for my father's order, I wouldn't even come here, let alone staying this long."
I shrugged. "I agree. It's stupid."
The Prince turned his round citrine eyes at me. When I cocked my head asking him 'What,' he pressed his lips trying to smother a snicker which only lasted for a few seconds before he laughed into my face.
"Sor—sorry!" He said through a laugh. "I thought you're enjoying it!"
"Mind you!" I said in a slightly louder voice. "Who wouldn't have a hard time in such situation?"
Leon's laugh dropped into a smile. "I think we can be good friends."
I'm not sure about that Prince.
Leon spent a long time with us. He was even kind enough to translate the animals' words for me after that. I learnt a lot more about my little friends' thoughts and had to rush through the woods by the time Leon was called by his servant boy, Teak, whom of course, was a Beastskin too. I hadn't seen much of him, but every time I did, he would be full of sweat looking alarmed with his dog ears all rose straight up. And he would said—
"Oh Prince! Even with my nose, it took me so much time to find you! Why do you love wandering off so much? Oh Princess! It's a lovely day! How are you? I hope my Prince did not give you any trouble. Those breads smell nice. By the way Prince, the King said—"
Not exactly thisevery time, it depended on the situation, but he was very talkative and friendly and his tail was always wagging. Maybe because he was a Golden Retriever and Leon rarely talked, so he had to be the one doing it. They were a funny Prince and page boy couple for me.
I sighed and slid down onto the soft ground when I arrived at my secret place. I have to stay here for at least five minutes to recharge my energy. It had been the only way to keep my head in shape and not freaking out with all of these surroundings.
I had never considered running away. I had never run away. I was taught to stay and face the things I hated or feared. No, actually, responsibility forced me to do it, to fight with all the obstacles. I had been pushing myself for all of my life. And even here, in this whatsoever land, I still had to fight alone. I was so tired.
Just a few minutes of peace and silence, that was all I needed. And I would be ready to go out there again. Just a bit more...
Relief swallowed me in and I surrendered myself to the dreamland.
When I woke up, the animals were still sitting with me. I stretched feeling full of energy and a little blue bird landed on my knees. It tweeted as if asking whether I had a good nap. I said yes to it but the bird would not stop chirping. Its melodious noise was like an invitation for me to sing along, so I did.
The bird tuned its melody with mine. I looked at it in surprise. This was actually fun. I tried many songs but it did not miss a note. This little creature was impressive.
But then it flew away. I looked at the direction it went and saw a figure...what? No! two, no three!!!
Stood staring at me were Fayn, Leon, and Shaph.
My heart beat like crazy. They found my secret place. Wait, not just that! Did they hear me sing?! Oh, god, please! Why are they here? Oh, right! I forgot the class with Fayn!
Fayn was the first one to speak. "Kara,"
"Yes!" My muscle stiffened and my voice went an octave higher as if I was caught doing something wrong.
He slowly approached me. I was too frightened to move. He knelt down and his face was leveled with mine, still staring at me intently. I felt very uneasy and even more uneasy when he said. "You sing so beautifully!"
Gravity must have shifted, because my blood flowed from bottom up to the top collecting in my face. I may study singing but I had never let anybody hear me sing seriously except my teacher, not even mum, dad, or my sisters.
"Yes Princess!" Shaph said slewing to my side. "I did not know you have such a sweet voice!"
Darn it! I looked past Shaph and my eyes met Leon who was goggling at me. I stood up abruptly and said with shaking voice. "Wh—why are you all here?"
"You did not show up. I asked around but no one saw you." Fayn said. "I was worried so I asked Shaph to help."
"We looked everywhere but we couldn't find you." Shaph said. "Then Prince Leonhard took us to the forest edge but you weren't there. He asked Riggy." He pointed at a little squirrel on Leon's shoulder. "And he led us here."
Sighing, I surrendered and let them walk me back to the palace. I was not going to be able to look straight into their faces for all my life from now on. Embarrassment refused to leave me that whole afternoon. It seemed Fayn noticed, he said during our class. "What's the matter?"
"Nothing." I said keeping my face to the aquatic Beastskin page of the book.
"You don't have to be shy with that voice." Fayn said as if he could read me. "I wish I could wake up hearing it every day."
That helped, helped reddening my face.
"Kara." Fayn said again and when I did not look up, he grabbed my chin. It was tickling. "Look at me." I had to face him without any option. He chuckled.
"Wh—what are you laughing at?" I asked, confused.
"You're red." He said snickering. "It's cute! Sorry—" He let go of my chin and rested that hand on my head, stroking gently with kinder attitude. "In order not to be shy, you should sing for me every day."
I pressed my lips.
"Anyway," Fayn said. "Let's get on with our lesson. Next's Mermaids."
I turned the page excitedly temporarily forgot the shyness. Mermaids had always been my favorite mythical creature. Until coming here, I had never believed they really existed. The picture of half-fish with charming blue tail charmed my eyes. From previous class with Fayn, I learnt that most Beastskins live in Aeca, Leon's Kingdom. Mermaids were likewise. The book said they had a little city in the Coral Lagoon. Like all about the mermaids I used to know, they were professionals in singing. "And you are as good as them." Fayn concluded the chapter.
"Then," I started, ignoring his occasional compliment. "Fayn, why do you live in Azmera?"
"Our Kingdoms are close together." Fayn explained. "About one-third of Azmera's citizens are Beastskin."
Oh, right. I had to pay more attention to Philip's geography again.
Fayn described other aquatic Beastskins a little more and we moved onto the avian species. They all had a pair of wings adhered to their backs and were very rare. This made me think of an angel and I relaxed. Studying about Beastskin fascinated me. There were all kinds of strange and fun combination of animals and human. At this point, I could not help glancing at Fayn's ears like I always did when studying with him. Its fluffiness seemed to increase every time we met, or was it me wanting to touch those ears so bad.
"Kara." Fayn called. I quickly brought down my gaze, did not want him to know what I was looking at. But this time, it was too late. Fayn's eyes moved up, then down, and grinned. "Do you want to touch it?"
"Touch what?" I tried to mask my excitement with blank face. But maybe the blankness was too obvious. His grin broadened and he said. "My ears."
Would he really allow me to? They were on his head. In Thai culture, people do not play with each other's head. It's the part needs respect.
"N—no, thank you." I said sweeping away my only chance.
"Are you sure?" Fayn smiled teasingly. He lowered his head, ears flicking, as if to lure me. "I might change my mind later if you don't take this chance."
"I'm," I swallowed. There was a lump in my throat. "sur—"
Not letting me finished, Fayn grabbed my hand bringing it up to his ears. My fingers felt the softness and it suddenly curled around the furred triangle.
The other hand wouldn't hesitate anymore too. The whitish grey ears were thick and warm, as soft as young velvety grass. My eyes sparkled. My face lit into the happiest smile since I came into this land.
"Look at you."
I heard a voice but did not really pay attention too. My focus was solely on the ears.
"Kara."
Hands grabbed at my face covering up both of my cheeks. The touching was so sudden and too much that it pulled me back to the one doing it. My cheek heated when I saw Fayn's face with a sweet smile closed to mine. I quickly dropped my hands and tried to get away. Fayn's left hand left my face, swiftly rounded my waist while the right one caressing my cheek tenderly.
"In fact you," He said very lightly. It was more like he was talking to himself. "are adorable."
Drat! I fell into a trap! My heartbeat was climbing up. I went rigid as he pressed his lips on my scarlet cheek. The kiss was like an electric shock. I started back in horror wrestling my way out and ran out of the room where I converged on a maid.
"Princess!" the maid got up rashly stumbling on her speech. "I'm—I'm very very truly sorry!"
"It's alright. It's alright." I said glancing back and saw Fayn, tidying up books, grinned. He seemed to have fun teasing me and my stupid reaction was what attracted a tease. I took in a deep breath calming down. If I acted insensitive, these people would get bored and stop. They weren't sincere anyway, I did not have to care.
"Princess." The maid said with shaky voice. "There's someone here to see you."
"Hmm?"
"He's in the waiting room." She said.
And where the heck is that? "Alright, please lead the way." I said, glad for the chance to escape.