[Morning]
Ovelia's POV
As I opened my eyes, the morning light spilled through the window, illuminating my room. I glanced around, quickly realizing that Ace was not lying beside me. A wave of memories washed over me, and I suddenly recalled everything that had happened last night. I felt the coolness of the sheets against my bare skin, a reminder of my vulnerability.
I flushed with embarrassment as another realization struck me: I hadn't showered before falling asleep. Exhaustion had taken me, worn out from tears that flowed like a river in the dark.
Suddenly, a knock at the door made my heart race. Could it be Ace returning again?
"Come in," I called out, hastily draping the blanket over my exposed body, trying to maintain some semblance of modesty.
The door creaked open, revealing Ann with her bright smile.
"Good morning, miss Ovelia! Breakfast is ready in the dining area," she announced cheerfully.
"Sure, thank you," I replied softly, forcing a smile.
Ann stepped into my room carrying cleaning supplies. She opened the curtains wide, and the sunlight poured in, showcasing the beauty of my spacious room.
I wanted nothing more than to shower and wash away the remnants of the night. But then my gaze fell upon the bloodstains on the bedsheet. Ace had taken my virginity; we weren't even married yet. A wave of confusion washed over me, mixing with a sense of loss that I couldn't comprehend.
To shield my bruised from Ann's curious eyes, I wrapped myself tightly in the blanket and made my way cautiously to the bathroom. The cool tiles beneath my feet contrasted sharply with my racing thoughts, each step heavy with the weight of my emotions.
I was about to step inside the bathroom when Ann suddenly spoke up.
"Miss Ovelia, are you going to take a shower? Wait, let me get your outfit ready," she said, her voice bright with enthusiasm.
She opened the wardrobe and pulled out a dress, handing it to me with a warm smile.
"Thank you, Ann," I replied, returning her smile.
Once I was inside the bathroom, I turned on the water and started showering, but my mind kept drifting back to what had happened between Ace and me. The memory lingered, along with the dull ache in my back. After I finished, dressed and composed, I stepped out only to find Ann changing my bed sheets. She was holding a blood-streaked sheet, her eyes sparkling with a grin.
"Miss Ovelia, has Sir Ace marked you last night?" she asked eagerly.
"Marked?" I questioned, confusion knitting my brows.
"This!" Ann adjusted her hair, pulling it to the side to reveal a bite mark on her neck.
I could only shake my head, unable to find the words. Her face fell slightly, disappointment flickering across it. I didn't know how to respond to her mention of a 'mark.' Still uncertain, I reached for Ann's hand and said, "Let's go eat, I'm starving."
Her smile returned, a radiant contrast to the earlier confusion, and together, we headed to the dining area, the air thick with unspoken words and unresolved feelings.
•Palace Dining Area•
We've arrived at the elegant dining area. My eyes widened at the feast laid before us, magnificent dishes shimmering on the table, and maids standing respectfully along the sides. I took my seat, the chair exuding comfort.
"Where's Ace?" I asked Ann, concern slipping into my voice.
"He doesn't eat breakfast miss Ovelia," she replied softly, her gaze a mixture of worry and respect for Ace's routines.
As I began eating, I noticed the maids and Ann remained standing, their posture poised and attentive. An array of sumptuous dishes surrounded me, yet I found myself dining alone.
"Why don't you join me?" I offered, attempting to break the tension. "There's more than enough food."
"No, thank you miss Ovelia," Ann gently declined, her voice polite but firm. "We only eat what's left after you're done."
I couldn't help but reflect on my past—a time when I was left with scraps, stale and cold. Yet, they were fortunate; the leftovers here would be fresh, clean, and delicious.
After I finished, a thought struck me. I wanted to bring a touch of comfort to Ace. I piled a generous serving of pancakes, waffles, and a steaming cup of coffee onto a tray.
"Ann, would you mind accompanying me to Ace?" I asked, a hint of uncertainty in my voice. "I'm still not familiar with the palace's twists and turns."
"Of course miss Ovelia," she replied, a smile breaking through her initial seriousness, reassuring me. "This way."
As we walked through the grand hallways, I sensed the warmth of her presence beside me, a friend guiding me through the unfamiliar territory of nobility.
•Ace's Office•
Ann and I stood nervously outside Ace's office.
"Ma'am Ovelia, this is where I leave you," Ann said, her voice trembling slightly, tinged with concern.
I smiled reassuringly, then gently knocked on the door. As I turned the handle and stepped inside, I found Ace seated at his desk, a storm brewing in his eyes. It seemed I'd unwittingly disrupted his morning. For a tense thirty seconds, we locked gazes, the air thick with unspoken words.
"What are you doing here?" Ace initiated, his tone sharp, slicing through the silence.
"I just brought you breakfast," I replied, aiming for a light-hearted tone as I placed the pancakes and waffles on his desk.
As I set the coffee down, Ace's voice cut in sharply, "Didn't Ann tell you I don't eat breakfast?!" His irritation was palpable, echoing in the small space.
Fear jolted through me, catching me off guard. In my panic, I spilled the coffee onto the papers scattered on his desk. My heart raced, a drumbeat of anxiety, as I fumbled to wipe the papers dry, but as I did, one tore beneath my fingers. I glanced at Ace, his fury etched deeply into his features.
"GET OUT!!" he thundered, his voice filled with rage.
My heart pounded like a war drum, and a wave of dread washed over me.
"I'm… I'm so sorry," I stuttered, my voice shaking with fear. I turned and quickly left his office, the weight of his anger heavy on my shoulders.
Outside, I leaned against the wall, trying to steady my breath. Every pulse in my body felt amplified, the sting of his words still ringing in my ears.
•Palace Library•
I found myself in the palace library, the scent of aged parchment and polished wood enveloping me. Beside me sat Ann, her delicate fingers tracing the words on the pages. I was a novice in the world of werewolves, and the mark Ann had mentioned lingered in my mind like an unfinished thought.
"Ann," I ventured, my curiosity edging through the silence, "what's this mark you keep talking about?"
She glanced at me, her expression one of restraint. "Miss Ovelia, I'm not allowed to talk about werewolves," she replied softly, a hint of regret in her voice. Her eyes briefly flickered with something deeper, a longing to share but bound by unseen chains.
As I immersed myself in the texts, I began to understand. Werewolves, I discovered, marked their partners as a profound symbol of commitment—a bond forged in instinct stronger than mere desire. I could almost sense the weight of their loyalty in those ancient words.
"It's like they have two sides," I mused aloud, my voice tinged with wonder. "Their human side, full of logic and emotions, and then this wolf side, wild and instinctual."
Ann nodded, her gaze distant, as if she were momentarily lost in thought. "Yes," she said, her tone drifting like a whisper through the library's stillness. "The wolf embodies their true emotions—their cravings, their deepest longings. It's... primal, almost overwhelming."
Her words hung in the air, heavy with meaning. I could see the conflict within her—part fascination, part fear. I leaned closer. "What happens when their instincts clash with their human emotions?"
Ann turned to me, her eyes sparking with unspoken stories. "That's the struggle, isn't it?" she replied, her voice barely above a murmur. "To balance desire with reason... It's a tumultuous dance."
I pondered her words, realizing that her reluctance to speak was not just about rules; it was about the complexity of emotions tied to these creatures. Here we were, two souls amidst the vast expanse of knowledge, on the brink of discovering a world that intertwined love and instinct in a tapestry of deep connection and sometimes, heart-wrenching conflict.