[Next day: Morning]
Ovelia's POV
I woke up to find Ace missing from beside . Last night, we hadn't fallen asleep together either. Ray's words echoed in my mind, igniting a flicker of curiosity about the problems he had hinted at. What could it possibly be?
I finished my breakfast, feeling an empty ache in my stomach that seed to mimic my solitude. Once again, Ace wasn't there to share the mont with . Now, I sit in my room, staring at the ceiling, lost in thought as I wait for lunchti to arrive. The clock ticked slowly, each second stretching longer than the last, amplifying my feelings of unease.
A gentle knock interrupted my thoughts. When I opened the door, I saw Ann carrying a mini fridge and a dical kit.
"Lady Ovelia, it's ti to treat your wounds and bruises. Also, here's the mini fridge you requested yesterday," Ann announced, her smile brightening the dim morning.
I grinned, "Wow, we finally have a mini fridge in my room!"
Her face lit up in response, a spark of joy dancing in her eyes.
Once she set up the fridge and plugged it in, she approached , ready to address my wounds.
"Ovelia, finally, so of your bruises are fading. But it's strange... why are your wounds healing so quickly? Werewolves typically heal faster than humans, right?" Ann mused as she carefully tended to the wounds on my arm.
I gazed at her, a smile lingering on my lips, feeling a warmth in her presence.
"Why are you staring and smiling like that?" Ann asked, her brow furrowing in confusion.
I couldn't help but smile wider. "You don't call 'Lady' when it's just us; it's like we've beco friends," I added playfully.
"You said I shouldn't call you 'Lady' when it's just us. Also, we can beco friends, you know," Ann replied, her cheeks flushing a soft pink as she wrapped a bandage around my arm.
Her adorable embarrassnt made chuckle softly. I felt grateful for her care; the warmth in our interactions wrapped around like a comforting blanket, slowly easing my worries about Ace and whatever troubles were brewing beneath the surface.
"Ann, what should I do to make Ace fall for ?" I asked, my voice tinged with uncertainty.
Ann lifted my shirt gently to tend to the wound on my back, her eyes filled with warmth. "Nothing, really. I an, just be yourself. Show him how much you care. Do the things you love for him."
Despite her words, a fog of confusion hung over . I had tried being myself with my adoptive parents, yet I never felt their love in return.
As she carefully applied a bandage, Ann continued, "Don't worry, Ovelia. I know your feelings for Ace aren't fully ford yet. But when you see him with Lady Eliana, you feel that pang of jealousy, right? For example, when you three had breakfast together in the dining area, that's a sign of love. Jealousy shows you care. Just be patient. Love takes ti to grow—and sotis, it finds you when you least expect it."
So, jealousy was one sign of love. Still, I don't want to hold back my feelings for Ace. I yearned for soone to love , and the thought of being alone again was unbearable.
Once she finished bandaging my wounds, Ann lowered my shirt. I turned to face her and took her hand, feeling grateful. "Thank you, Ann. Your support ans so much to ."
"I'm happy to help, Ovelia," she said, her smile brightening the room. "But it looks like it's ti for lunch. Let's head to the dining area." She added
I smiled back at Ann, feeling a flicker of hope, and together, we made our way to the dining area. Each step felt a little lighter as if the warmth of her encouragent had ignited sothing within .
[Afternoon]
•Palace Dining Area•
As I stepped in, the scene remained unchanged. The maids stood in neat rows, their eyes cast down, while an array of vibrant dishes lay spread across the table. Once again, I found myself dining alone.
I took a seat and began to eat, the silence wrapping around like a familiar blanket, yet it felt heavier each day.
After finishing my al, Ann and I exited the dining area, making our way back to my room.
"Ann, have you had lunch yet?" I asked, my voice lingering between curiosity and concern.
"Yes, lady Ovelia," she replied, her tone cheerful yet respectful. "My breakfast, lunch, and dinner schedule is set earlier than yours so I can keep you company and ensure you eat."
A wave of sadness washed over as she called "Lady" again. It stung a little, reminding of the boundaries between us that we couldn't easily cross. We were still outside my room, and I understood why she needed such formal language. Anyone could overhear her, and I feared soone might get angry or even report her for being too familiar.
"Ann, can we go to the garden instead? I'd love to inhale so fresh air," I suggested, my voice tinged with longing.
"Of course! That sounds wonderful," she answered
Ann's bright smile lit up the shadows that lingered in my heart. Together, we made our way to the garden.
•Palace's Outer Garden•
As we stepped outside, the warmth of the sun embraced us. As I gazed at the radiant blooms, sunlight danced upon them, transforming the flowers into a breathtaking sight—more beautiful than I could have imagined.
Suddenly, a delightful idea popped into my mind: to whip up a snack for Ace.
"Ann, do you know if there's a cookbook around?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.
"Yes, my lady! It's in the kitchen," Ann replied eagerly, her eyes sparkling enthusiastically. She turned to , her smile infectious as she added, "Are we going to make a snack for Sir Ace?"
"Absolutely! I'll grab it, and I was hoping to read it here to relax a bit," I shared with a hint of excitent.
"Oh no, lady Ovelia! Let get it for you. Just sit on the bench and wait for , okay?" she insisted cheerfully, her spirit lifting mine.
I opened my mouth to protest, but before I could utter another word, she was already off, her lively energy filling the space like sunshine.
I walked toward the bench when a sudden breeze swept past , carrying with it the sweet scent of blooming flowers.
"Thank goodness you're safe, Ovelia," said a voice that sent shivers down my spine.
It was the sa voice I had heard in the forest when I narrowly escaped the jaws of a werewolf. I glanced toward the trees, a wave of fear washing over .
"I have no na, but you can call Wind," it said softly, almost playfully.
I was baffled by how this wind could speak. It felt as if it was channeling its voice through the gentle gusts, as every ti the breeze caressed , I heard its words crystallize in the air.
"Wind, how did you know my na? And thank you for saving that day. If you hadn't warned to run, I'd be gone," I said, my heart racing with gratitude.
Another gust flowed through, curling around like a comforting embrace. "I overheard the whispers of other visitors in the garden as you were about to be wed. I simply guessed you were Ovelia—and I was right."
I should have felt apprehensive and afraid of conversing with a whispering wind. Yet, strangely enough, calmness enveloped . Maybe it was because I sensed that Wind had no intention of causing harm. I marveled at this ethereal connection that transcends fear, fostering an unspoken trust between us.
"So, you've been watching over ?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.
"Yes," Wind replied, its voice a soft caress. "I'm here whenever you need . Rember, you're never truly alone."
I smiled softly, feeling an undeniable bond forming in the air around us.
The wind rustled softly. "I can sense you have many questions for . If you wish, co into the forest, and we shall talk there," it whispered mysteriously.
Suddenly, the windswept inward towards the trees, beckoning . I stared at the forest, that dark, foreboding place where I had encountered the enormous werewolf. Yet, deep down, I longed to speak to the wind. My mind raced with unford questions, but my heart ached to connect.
"OVELIA, DO NOT ENTER THE FOREST ALONE!"
The shout jolted awake. I glanced forward, horrified to realize I had already stepped into the shadowy realm of trees, completely unaware.
A strong gust blew, mingling with an eerie laughter that echoed in the air. I knew it was the wind, and fear gripped suddenly, sending chills down my spine.
I turned my gaze towards the garden and caught sight of Ace on the palace's second floor. The window was open, and without hesitation, he leaped down, seemingly unfazed by the height.
He rushed toward , his hands tenderly cupping my face as concern etched across his features. "Ovelia! What's happening? Why are you heading into the forest? You look so pale!"
A wave of dread crashed over as mories flooded back—the terror I once felt within those trees. I reached for Ace, enveloping him in a tight embrace, tears streaming down my cheeks despite the pain radiating from my injured arm.
"I don't know what's happening, but I'm here now. Please, don't cry," he whispered softly, wrapping his arms around .
In his warmth, my anxiety began to dissolve. Could this be love? Was this sense of peace a part of what it ant to care for soone honestly?
"Lady Ovelia! I found the cooking book!" Ann's cheerful voice broke through the mont, her excitent palpable.
I reluctantly released my hold on Ace, hastily wiping my tears away, and turned to Ann, startled by her sudden appearance and the shock on her face.
My gaze was drawn back to the forest. Had the wind truly deceived or enchanted ? But deep down, I sensed an unwavering intention—wasn't it the wind that sought to protect when the werewolf nearly claid my life? What, or who, truly was the wind?
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