I was going to touch her, but I couldn't get the images of being chased out of my head.
"I think we were meant to hate each other," I said, stepping away quickly.
"You're just scared," Teon said, walking towards her. He patted her head like it was nothing. Good for both of you. "Max, if you try to hurt Faina, master will kill you," he said, and I could see Max visibly shiver. What's wrong with him? What type of reaction is that? And is 'Tiny' also gone?
"I think I'd rather pat that one," I said, pointing at the white one.
"Go ahead then," he said. No, I was just saying, I didn't mean I wanted to touch it. I turned and walked towards it cautiously. It's tiny and cute; it won't hurt me, it won't bite. I told myself this until I was a step away from it. I took a deep breath and took the step, kneeling close to it. I raised my hand and brought it down slowly. The minute my hand touched its fur, it jumped up, and so did I. I didn't notice when I reached the door, but I did.
"Good job," Teon said, laughing. The wolf just kept staring at me like it expected me to do something. What do you want, cute beast? It stood up and jumped down. How can a few weeks old beast move like that? It started walking towards me, and I wanted to run away. Why are you coming this way? I don't have anything for you; leave me alone.
It stood in front of me, staring at me. I turned and looked at Teon, but he didn't have answers. I need to get up and run, but it's cute and dangerous. It climbed onto my lap and lay down quietly. What? Is it telling me to serve it? Am I its servant now?
"I think it wants you to continue patting it," Teon said, sounding amused. That makes more sense. I touched its head and started patting it, but it didn't react.
"When can I stop?" I asked.
"Drop it if you don't want to pat it anymore," he said, and I nodded. I stood up, still holding it, and dropped it on the couch. It stood up and looked up at me.
"Why is it looking at me like that?"
"I think it likes you," he said.
"O... Okay," I said, backing away from it.
"Let's go," he said, and I nodded, still staring at the wolf.
We walked outside and made our way back to the main building. I looked back and saw the white wolf standing at the door, staring at me.
"Maxine's husband was from a species of wolves that grow really fast and become very big at full growth. She doesn't really like the white one because it looks like him the most," he explained, and I nodded. The poor wolf. "You can take it if you want. They are all master's pets, so I'm sure she won't mind if you took one."
"I don't know," I said. I don't want a wolf as a pet.
"It likes you, so you should take care of it," he said. It's cute. I don't want to leave it alone, but I'm scared.
"Do you want me to?" I asked.
"Sure, it'd be nice," he said, and I nodded. If he said I should, then I should. He looked at me and smiled. "I can't believe I'm leaving tomorrow," he said, putting his hands at the back of his head. "I didn't get to play with Tiny," he said like it was too bad.
"You'll be back, right?"
"What is this? Don't tell me, will you miss me?" he asked. It will become less exciting around here. I can never match Teon's energy.
"I don't know," I said.
"We won't see each other again," he stated, and I nodded. "I won't be able to come back here, and even if you go to the academy, I don't think we'd be able to see each other," he said. I wanted to ask why; I was curious, but I didn't.
"If this is goodbye, then I should say it properly," I said.
"Okay, how will you tell me goodbye, Tiny?"
"Goodbye, Teon," I said.
"Is that it?" he asked, looking disappointed.
"Yes, was I supposed to do anything else?" I asked, and he shook his head.
"No, it's fine."
As we walked up the stairs, I really wondered if I'd miss someone I've only known for three weeks. I don't think I will, but I'd surely remember him. As we were about to go our separate ways, I decided to say something that I shouldn't.
"Teon," I called, and he turned to look at me. "I hope we see each other again," I said and walked away. That was a good farewell, and I meant it. He left a mark that would be hard to erase.
I walked to my room and continued reading. I looked outside to where Teon was standing and sighed. I can't believe I jumped off this balcony. That was just... awesome. If I hadn't run away the first time, would I have met Teon? Would everything be as perfect as it seems to be now?
The academy. I should study hard so that I can make it, even if it's just a delusion. I need to learn more about Large Worm so that I can treat myself, but I'm too scared to ask. I'd just study it as best as I can for now.
…
I woke up to someone calling me. I looked at the person with drowsy eyes.
"My lady, don't you want to bid the mister goodbye?" A maid that I recognized was standing by my side.
"The…"
"He's leaving now," she said, and I sat up and looked outside. It's so early. I stood up drowsily and allowed her to lead me outside. As I approached the main door, my eyes started to clear. I walked outside and saw Teon getting in the carriage.
"I guess I made it," I said to myself, walking down the stairs. He looked out and said something to Lady Myra. Just as he was going back in, our eyes met. I should smile. He went in, and the carriage left. Did I do something wrong? Why did he leave like that?
"Let's go inside, Livi," Myra said, and I nodded. "You should get some sleep; your tutor is coming tomorrow," she said, and I nodded. Tutor.
If I start lessons, I'll no longer be bored. Without terror sitting outside my door, there's nothing to keep me busy. It would be nice to start learning things, even though at the basic level, it would be things I already know.
…
I walked inside the sitting room that was given to me for my studies. A woman in a very beautiful dress was sitting there waiting for me. She turned the moment I walked in and smiled.
"You are cute," were her first words, and I could feel the blood drain from my body. "I'm Elise Bradwitt," she said, standing up. She did a small courtesy and stood scrutinizing me. "Cuteness won't help you survive out there," she stated a fact that I already knew, a fact that I learned the hard way. "Introduce yourself," she ordered.
"I'm Faina Livi Alden," I said and copied her courtesy but made it a bit crooked so I'd look like a learner.
"We can work with that," she said and sat down. "Your mother doesn't want you to associate with many people, so I'll be teaching you everything you need to know." She said, "your mother." "I'm a teacher at the academy," she said. Wow! "I took a leave to come here, so don't waste my time, kid. If I don't see potential, I'll be out of here in a minute," she said, and I nodded.
Am I really doing this? I have to work extra hard because I don't know how she'd react if I fail.
"I'll draft out a syllabus. Myra has told me that you know the basics. That will save me a lot of work," she said. "Take a seat," she said, and I obeyed. "Tell me about yourself; we will be able to work well from there," she said, and I nodded.
After the lesson that didn't last long, Lady Myra walked in. She smiled at me and nodded at Lady Elise. I walked out, but I didn't miss her statement.
"Did you figure out what she wants to study?"
"No, the kid is a closed book," Elise complained.
"Hmm… that's interesting coming from you," Myra said.
"You are starting to get fond of the girl," Elise returned.
"You've proven your point; your skills are still intact," Myra said, and I stepped away, not wanting to eavesdrop on them any more than I already have. Will they get angry if I don't speak up? This night during dinner, I'll tell Lady Myra.