Siya asked the girl firmly, "Kid! Tell me honestly, what were your thoughts about us 'beasts' before coming here?"
She finally asked the question, which was in her mind since she decided to take her in. She believed that Shivanshi doesn't loath them as other people do, but she wanted to know if it's only after seeing them or since always.
After living for over a century, she found herself being ridiculous for having such thoughts. Isn't it already enough to meet someone among humans who doesn't loath them that she expects more? But sigh, she can't help but let herself believe for a moment that maybe the kid liked them since the beginning.
Shivi thought for a moment before replying, "Uhm...my grandma, the Queen Mother, told me about you. At that time, I didn't know what's the difference between an animal and a beast, so I believed you must be someone like an animal-
I thought you couldn't speak, but that's all, you can still cry and hurt, and play and love, you have feelings, just like us too!"
Siya suddenly felt a lump in her throat. That is it! That's what she wants to hear since the time she was cursed, a whole century past, but no one ever said this to her.
"So after seeing us, you should know what's the difference between a beast and an animal. So tell me, what is it?" before she knows she already said these words. But she doesn't want to hear the answer, not now when she is finally feeling happy.
"The difference is....yes!.....that you can talk, can make facial expressions, you have bigger bodies, you have super fluffy tails, and what's more you can even grow them!" she said excitedly and once again rubbing her cheeks on her aunt's tail, which she took for granted now.
Siya laughed at her naïve and innocent words. She thought she must be looking like a fool right now, who is asking a kid such a question, eagerly waiting for her reply and feeling happy over her response too. But it doesn't matter now. She believed whatever Shivanshi told her, even if its a lie or innocent words.
Shivi continued, "It's my first time seeing such a beautiful sky. Life in a palace is very restricted. I can't even see the night sky to my heart's content there. Now when I think about it, it's my first time watching such a beautiful forest and such beautiful trees too," she said while tracing the stars with her little pinkish fingers.
Shivi didn't notice that her aunt isn't responding to her words before, but now when she did, she turned her head towards Siya and told her, ".....and I had never seen such beautiful animals too."
Siya looked into the little girl's eyes and saw stars reflecting in those two innocent eyes. Her chubby cheeks with baby fat were slightly pink due to the cold air. Her short, soft brownish hair was floating in the air. She was smiling, and her two cute dimples were evident on her pink cheeks.
Siya cursed those people living in the palace inwardly. Where did they get the heart to abandon such an adorable princess to let her die in the forest?
She felt that humans are becoming more vicious than they expected them to be. To punish such a small and cute child, who can even make beasts adore her, in such a cruel way, letting her die among the beasts.
'Truly vicious,' she said in her heart and quickly turned to check if, by chance, Shivanshi heard her.
But then she felt the little girl's light breathing, blowing her hairs on her tail, and saw her sleeping without any worries.
Siya relaxed and closed her eyes to sleep.
The Next Morning,
Shivanshi woke up with something soft in her arms. She opened her eyes to look at the tail. She beamed happily and started patting and rubbing its soft fur.
Siya had woken up for quite some time, and she is right now staring at this happy girl, who was playing with her tail. She found it somewhat annoying yet pleasing.
She sighed, "Get up, kid! Time to wash up!" and with that, she picked Shivanshi with her tail and started getting down from the tree.
Shivanshi's mouth was agape in surprise. Her fluffy aunt is so strong. Not only she could climb up on a tree while she rides on her back, but she can climb down with her carried by her tail too. 'So strong.'
They finally reached a lakeside. Except for the name of this forest, everything here was simply beautiful beyond words.
The lake looks wide and deep, with lots of flowers growing on both sides. Shivi didn't know any of them, but she could definitely tell that they were all beautiful.
She gets too excited and started running here and there.
Siya saw her running and picking different flowers, putting them on her hair. She asked her, "What do you say, Fluffy Aunt, how am I looking like this?" she said while putting the Plumeria flowers on her ears. She was looking childishly cute.
Siya didn't reply to her and just smiled at her.
Shivanshi believed she must be looking beautiful for her fluffy aunt to smile at her for the first time. She instantly became happier and asked, "Aunty do you know what is this flower's name?"
Siya nodded and went near her. She picked the flower from behind her ear, which was on the verge of falling, with her paws, and she replied while re-adjusting it, " This is Plumeria flower. Do you know what does it represents?"
Shivanshi shakes her head left-right.
Siya continued, "It represents 'worship.' These flowers are accustomed to Temples."
Shivi nodded to show that she got it and started looking for more. Then she picked few White flowers and presented them in front of Siya, "Aunty, what about these?"
Siya smiled and said, "Try smelling it. See if you find it familiar."
Shivanshi nodded and smelled it. Her eyes went wide in surprise. She was a bright child, so she felt the fragrance too familiar. She said excitedly, "Aunty, this flower smells just like my mummy...Oh! sorry, I mean my Queen."
Siya frowned when Shivi corrected her address, but she didn't comment rather replied to her calmly, "It's the Jasmine flower. They are mostly used for making perfumes."
Shivi made 'o' expression and started looking around again.
Shivi ran towards something by saying, "What's that? Floating there?"
"Don't go there! That's not a flower!" Siya yelled, but to no avail, the one floating in the water already started coming out.
Siya quickly sprinted towards her and stood in front of her as a guard.
Siya's heart-
~I am the bridge
Between what was and what can be
I am the pathway to your new life
I am made of mush
Because my heart melted when I saw you
For one little time, you are mine
I will feed you with my own hand
I will love you with my whole heart
I will make you whole
I am made of steel
Because when the time comes
When you are well and sleek
When your eyes shine
And your tail wags with joy
Then comes the hard part.
I will let you go- not without a tear
But without a regret
For you are safe forever
And you don't need me anymore.~