[Next day: Morning]
Ovelia's POV
I had just finished my shower, the steam still lingering in the air. I opened the window, allowing the sweet lodies of the birds to fill the room—a beautiful morning chorus that made my heart lift.
Suddenly, a knock at the door pulled my attention. I turned to see Ann standing there, her expression a mixture of determination and concern.
"Ovelia, it's ti to treat your wounds and bruises," she said, her voice firm yet gentle.
I smiled, feeling a warmth spread through , and perched on the edge of the bed. Ann approached, sitting beside as she began to carefully unwrap the bandage from my left arm.
"Ovelia, your arm is healing nicely. In about a week, it should just be a scar," Ann remarked, her eyes scanning the wound. "Does it still hurt?"
"Just a little," I replied softly. "Ann, can I ask you sothing?"
"Of course, Ovelia," she said, focusing on the task of applying ointnt to my injury, her touch both careful and reassuring.
I hesitated, my curiosity mingling with a sense of unease. Yet, I was drawn to the question.
"Um... I just wanted to know where your mate is?" I asked carefully, my voice barely above a whisper. The mont the words escaped my lips, I noticed Ann freeze, shock washing over her face.
"I'm sorry," I stamred, feeling regret seep into my heart. "You showed that mark on your neck before, and I... I was just curious."
Ann's smile was strained as she replied, "He passed away, Ovelia. It was due to an incurable illness."
The sadness in her voice wrapped around like a cold breeze.
"I'm so sorry... I didn't an to pry. I should have known better," I said, lowering my gaze and sorrow washing over .
"Don't feel bad about it, Ovelia," Ann reassured , her voice soothing despite the evident weight of loss she carried.
Though she tried to smile, I could see the glimr of sadness in her eyes. I felt a deep sense of regret for my question, wishing I could erase the pain I had unintentionally reignited.
"Most of the maids here in the palace have lost their partners," Ann said softly, her eyes reflecting gratitude. "We're so thankful to King Raymond for hiring us as maids; it has given our lives a new purpose."
With a gentle determination, Ann continued, "Now, let tend to the wounds and bruises on your back." She moved behind , lifting my shirt and carefully removing the bandage. "Wow, Ovelia, your wound is healing nicely! The bruise is still there, but it's much smaller." Her voice was filled with genuine delight.
"Yes," I replied, my eyes lighting up. "I checked earlier while showering, and a lot of my bruises are gone! I can finally wear short dresses and sleeveless tops now." A sense of freedom surged within , a rare feeling after everything.
"You heal so quickly, Ovelia. You're the most remarkable human I've ever known," Ann said with admiration, her smile warm and encouraging.
I, too, was puzzled by my unusual ability to heal. Sotis, it surprised my adoptive parents as well. That's why they hit , adding more bruises to my body.
Suddenly, the door swung open, and my heart raced as I saw Ace enter, his expression serious. He wore rchant attire, and I almost didn't recognize him in such a different outfit.
"Good morning, Sir Ace," Ann greeted, standing up straight, her respect evident in her tone.
Ace smiled warmly, yet his gaze held an unspoken urgency as he stepped toward . "Ann, make Ovelia look like a village girl. You should change, too, as part of the disguise. We're going to Thunoa Village." He settled beside , his presence both reassuring and commanding.
I couldn't shake the feeling that sothing significant awaited us in that village, though I couldn't quite put my finger on it.
"Sir Ace, lady Ovelia has no village girl clothes in her wardrobe. I'll check the storage room for sothing suitable," Ann said, her brow furrowed in thought.
Ace nodded in agreent. Ann looked at , flashed a 'fighting' sign, and then left the room.
It struck then that it was just Ace and left in the room. I glanced at Ace, and he wrapped his arms around , resting his head on my shoulder.
"Ace?" I said, surprised.
"Please, can we stay like this for a while, just the two of us, until Ann cos back? My wolf craves this, and we've missed you, Ovelia," Ace whispered, his voice soft yet warm.
I hugged him back, feeling a surge of comfort. "Sure," I replied.
He tightened his embrace, and in that closeness, I sensed his exhaustion. Before I knew it, he had drifted into a light sleep, his weight gentle against .
Minutes passed before the door creaked open, and I saw Ann smiling brightly.
"No, Ann, it's not what you think!" I exclaid, my cheeks flushing and my heart racing.
I felt Ace stir awake beside .
"We only have a little ti left," Ace said as I loosened my embrace around him, and he did the sa. "Ovelia, please start changing your clothes."
I stood up from the bed and said, "Ann, is it okay if I grab my clothes and change in the bathroom?"
"No, you're changing here in front of . You don't need to be embarrassed; I've seen your body completely. I know Ann has, too," Ace said, his tone a mix of reassuring and teasing.
I didn't argue. Ann gently began to remove my clothes. Caught off guard, I looked at Ace, who was watching intently.
"D-Don't look at like that," I stamred, a mix of shyness and unease in my voice.
"Your bruises are gone now; only your back and arms have so scratches left. You heal so fast," he remarked, his gaze softening.
His words echoed Ann's from earlier, yet I couldn't help but glance at my body in surprise. Just a mont ago, when I was showering, I noticed small bruises, but now, they had vanished entirely.
I looked at Ann, and she was simply smiling. She began to help put on my outfit. I sat down, and she slipped on a pair of vibrant orange boots. Glancing at the mirror, I couldn't help but admire how I looked: a short-sleeved orange top paired with a teal skirt adorned with decorative orange and gold patterns at the hem.
"Great choice, Ann! That outfit suits Ovelia perfectly!" Ace remarked, and a wave of joy washed over .
"It's my pleasure, Sir Ace," Ann replied cheerfully, her eyes sparkling.
As Ann started to style my hair, she paused, glancing at Ace. "Sir Ace, if you don't mind asking, what are we planning to do in Thunoa Village?"
"To capture the werewolf bandits who've been preying on rchants and food suppliers. That's why the ingredients ordered by the vendors aren't arriving in our kingdom," Ace explained, his tone serious.
In the mirror's reflection, I noticed Ann's expression change. "But why do we have to involve Lady Ovelia? That mission is dangerous for her," she said, struggling to keep her voice steady.
I turned to Ace, seated on the bed, seeing the gravity in his expression.
"The guards and soldiers I trust are mostly on other missions. If Ray and I leave the kingdom, there's a significant chance a werewolf might target Ovelia, just like before," he said, pausing montarily as if weighing the weight of his words. "And if sothing happens, I know you won't be able to protect her alone," Ace continued, his gaze intense.
"I'm sorry for being so sensitive, Sir Ace," Ann said, her voice barely above a whisper.
"It's alright. I know you care for Ovelia just as much as my wolf cares for her. That's why I need you on this mission, to be her bodyguard," Ace replied with a reassuring nod.
"Understood, sir Ace. Lady Ovelia, it's done," Ann said, and I saw her reflection in the mirror, smiling brightly.
"Wow, Ann! Thank you! Your hands are truly magical; you fixed my hair perfectly!" I exclaid, my heart light with happiness.
"You're always welco, lady Ovelia," Ann responded warmly, her smile infectious.
Ann began to open a cabinet and pull out a makeup kit.
"Ann, don't put makeup on, Ovelia. She's beautiful just the way she is," Ace said, his voice firm but with a soft smile that made my heart race.
I glanced at Ace, seeing that warm smile as a blush crept across my cheeks.
Ann leaned closer to , her voice a playful whisper. "Your face is red, lady Ovelia. I think it's love making you blush."
I covered my face with my hands, feeling utterly embarrassed. "Ann, please stop teasing ," I protested.
I heard Ann chuckle softly, clearly enjoying my reaction.
"Sir Ace, lady Ovelia," Ann said, turning to Ace with a bright grin, "I'm going to change my clothes and grab the food we'll take on the mission."
"That's a great idea," Ace replied, nodding. "We don't have ti for breakfast now. Let's et at the Palace Entrance; that's where the wagon will be."
I smiled at Ann, and she returned the gesture before stepping out of the room. As she left, a sudden thought invaded my mind.
"Ace, while we wait for Ann, could I talk to Wind at the forest entrance near the garden?" I asked hesitantly.
Ace's expression shifted; concern flickered in his eyes. "I don't know what you're planning, but I can't allow you to go there alone. I'll accompany you," he said firmly.
"Thank you, Ace," I replied, my pulse quickening, a smile breaking across my face.
We both stood and made our way toward the garden, a mix of excitent and anxiety swirling within .
•Palace's Outer Garden•
As we stepped outside, the sun's warmth enveloped my skin, but the flutter of anxiety in my heart remained.
Ace and I made our way toward the forest entrance near the garden. I could feel the vibrant energy of nature all around, yet my mind was elsewhere.
"Wind!" I called out, the words escaping with a mix of urgency and hope. "I'm leaving. I don't know when I'll be back, but I promise I'll return. I want to talk to you again!"
I held my breath, desperately waiting for a response. Why had he saved from the werewolf in the forest? Why did it say it would be there when I needed it? Did wind know ? Did Wind know my true parents?
Suddenly, a voice broke through my thoughts. "What are you two doing here? We need to go now; we can't afford to delay our departure!"
We turned to see Ray standing there, dressed in a rchant outfit, a gleaming sword at his side, flanked by Ann.
"Ovelia, let's move. It seems Wind isn't in the mood to chat," Ace suggested, his voice steady but laced with concern.
I nodded, reluctant to leave but knowing we had to follow through. We approached Ray and Ann.
"Ann, that outfit suits you beautifully," I said with genuine enthusiasm, trying to ease the tension.
Ann wore a charming dress: a white blouse paired with a green apron-like section embroidered with colorful designs, complented by a reddish-brown skirt.
"Thank you, lady Ovelia," she replied shyly, her cheeks tinged with pink—her delight palpable.
"Ace, here's your sword," Ray said, extending the weapon toward him.
Ace took the sword, securing it at his side, and glanced back at . "Let's go," he urged gently, echoing my own unease.
As we began to walk away from the garden, I cast one last look at the forest. Still, Wind remained silent, and an unsettling feeling crept over . I hoped our journey wouldn't be fraught with danger.
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