But I know that I will need time to figure everything out and for now, I will have to play along with the rules and cruelty of those beings who enslaved my kind. After all, I will be of no use for my people, my mother, when I'm spending the rest of my life behind bars.
Chasing my thoughts, I don't even realize when they turn from ideas to dreams and I drift off to sleep.
I'm awoken by the sound of footsteps, soft and quiet on the leaf-covered ground. It doesn't take me more than a second to realize they belong to another wolf. I lazily open one eye and spot a servant hurrying towards the cabin, a wrapped bundle in his arms. He doesn't spare me a glance, as though I am invisible, and instead gently knocks on the door of the cabin.
A quiet "Enter," resounds from the inside and the servant does as he's told. Only a few heartbeats later, he emerges again. Once more, he passes me without a glance, and I wonder if the servants aren't supposed to talk to one another. Maybe it's a means to prevent an uprising. If the wolves don't converse, they would never get share ideas of freedom.
Luuvia calls for me a moment later and I'm on my feet in an instant. The shift into my human form leaves my muscles aching but it's a discomfort I am used to. When I enter the cabin, I find that the princess has once more erected her wall of vines and I assume that she is changing into different clothes.
I wait patiently, ignoring the instinct to open the bundle that is lying on the table. It's wrapped in a blue satin cloth, bound with a golden cord. Wouldn't it be my responsibility if something inside the bundle hurts the princess? As I am her personal servant and I'm meant to provide for her safety as well, considering, she has no other bodyguard?
My thoughts are interrupted, when Luuvia emerges from behind the vines that sink back into the floor with a soft rumbling. The sight makes my breath catch in my throat. She is dressed in a dress that is perfectly fitted to her chest and then flares out around her waist in a wave of gold and little stones that catch the sunlight. The golden fabric becomes almost translucent the lower it falls until it pools around her feet in a wide arch. While it makes her look even paler than she usually is, it brings a sparkle to her eyes, that mesmerizes me.
A smile curls around her lips at my reaction and I feel my face flush with embarrassment. I turn my head, not wanting her to see just how her sight affects me, though she clearly already knows.
"Your clothes have arrived," she says, as she steps towards the table and reaches for the bundle that I was so curious about.
Luuvia unwraps the cloth and picks up the garments. She holds them up to the light to eye them critically, while turning them around in her hands. Finally, she seems satisfied and holds them out to me. "They are not the finest clothes you will wear but I cannot expect the tailor to craft what I envisioned within one day. This will do for now."
I take the clothes from her, and my eyes widen. Never before have I felt fabric this soft and smooth on my skin. I don't know if the princess chose the dark green shade so it would work with my hair or skin tone. I can only imagine from the brief glance I caught of myself in the windows of the palace, that it will look good on me.
I look up to find Luuvia staring at me, and I realize that she expects me to put them on. Shame burns on my cheek, and I clear my throat. For a moment I think about going outside but I don't want to end up being watched by whoever passes by.
"Can you…" I start and her eyes widen, when she understands what I mean.
She chuckles, an amusement in her eyes that surprises me. "You want me to turn around? Don't worry, you possess nothing I have not seen before."
My face grows even hotter. Somehow it surprises me that she knows of… these things despite her young years and her certainly sheltered upbringing. "I, uh-" I stammer, uncertain how to explain that it doesn't feel right to change in front of her.
Her lips curl into a smile as she turns around. I sigh, in relief, when she indulges my wish. Quickly, I change into the new set of clothes, though I find myself struggling with some of the buttons and clasps that I am unfamiliar with.
A frustrated growl falls from my lips, as I try to close one of the clasps, but it doesn't seem to work at all. The princess turns, carefully checking if I have finished changing. Then, she steps up to me, her hands reaching out. "Let me help you," she says, and her voice is smooth as silk. It's strange, considering how hard and cold she was this morning. It's as though she changed her entire demeanor like it's nothing.
Her fingers make quick work of the intricate shirt and when she's done it sits perfectly. The fabric slides gently over my skin, a strange sensation considering just how soft it is. I thought these garments would feel restrictive but they don't. On the contrary: I feel like I can still move freely while at the same time I'm clothed from the neck to my ankles.
Luuvia steps backwards and lets her eyes wander over my figure and the way her gaze lingers on me spreads a tingling sensation through my stomach. Finally, she nods. "It will do." Somehow, I feel like that's a compliment.
I follow her, when she leads the way to one of the other wings of the palace, ensuring that she is shielded by the parasol. We walk along high arches and bridges, and I can't help but admire the playful architecture of the palace. It's the pinnacle of beauty surrounded by a city of equal magnificence.
In the distance I spot the Marcuse dragon, its large head resting on its paws, but its fiery eyes remain vigilant, narrowed and darting back and forth between different parts of the city. Its gaze sends an icy shiver down my spine, as I know that it will not let me step out of line.
A few servants greet Luuvia with deep bows, as we enter a large dining hall. The sun filters through the colorful windows and paints mysterious symbols across the floor. A large wooden table looks like it was grown from the very floor into the right shape, rather than cut. Philis sits in one of the chairs, but he stands up, once we enter. His movements are defined by the same grace that all of their kind possess, but he can't compare to the princess.
He steps towards her and bows, picking up her hand with his and bringing it up to his lips. There's a gentle warmth in his golden eyes that I never expected from him. It's so different from the way he looks at me, with hatred and distrust, maybe even disgust.
Luuvia smiles and bows her head a little in return, gracefully accepting the affectionate greeting. She seems truly happy to meet her fiance and it makes me wonder what she feels for Philis. When she told me that she is betrothed to the soldier, she did not mention whether she only agreed to it because it is tradition for the princess to marry the elf with the golden eyes.
I wonder if many people in Eloisia have to marry someone, they don't love, simply because fate, or someone else has taken their choice away. I don't remember hearing of any wolf who is forced to marry for any other reason than their own feelings. My own parents have always looked so in love. Until they were torn apart by the Government. The thought sends a wave of sadness through my mind, and I hurry to focus on the present.
Philis eyes m critically, clearly taking in my appearance. "Your dog cleans up well, Luuvia. But don't spoil him too much, or he will grow insolent.
I clench my teeth until I can feel them grinding together in my mouth. Oh, how I want to jump him where he stands and tear out his throat. And yet, I remain still, lowering my head to avert my eyes away from his. That makes Philis laugh with delight and he claps his hands together in front of his chest.
"How beautiful! To see the Dark Mist so tame and obedient. Like a good dog indeed. I commend you, princess, you have done wonders."
The mist howls inside my head, a sound almost deafening enough to drown out Luuvia's words: "Please, Philis, you know I do not like it, when you refer to the wolves in this way. I taught Kaesar the rules of our kingdom, but you must not taunt him, or my work will be for naught."
Caught in surprise, I glance at my mistress and find her expression stern, similar to that she showed me that morning. Philis looks equally surprised, but he quickly smooths his features into a graceful smile. "You shouldn't place so much value in a mere servant, my princess. If you get too close to him, you will only get hurt."
He doesn't promise that he will keep his tongue in check but he also doesn't comment any further on my newly presented obedience. Instead, he gently takes Luuvia's hand and guides her towards the large table, where a multitude of silver plates have been laid out, laden with all sorts of delicacies.
The sight alone makes my mouth water, but I keep my teeth pressed tightly together. When Philis pulls out Luuvia's chair, I take position a few steps behind her, as I was taught, keeping my posture rigid and my shoulders squared.
Neither of the two pays me any mind, as though I am nothing but another piece of furniture in the large room. I suppose it's better than being scrutinized and mocked by Philis. A servant bustles past me and serves both of them a clear soup that smells of herbs and spices.