Lara managed a hesitant embrace in return, patting Alia’s back stiffly before stepping away. "Alia, my servant told about you," she said slowly, the words feeling foreign on her tongue. "And... about the Saturdays I used to spend at your ho. I’m sorry I can’t rember."
Alia nodded in understanding. "It is alright. We can make new mories." She looked at Lara gently. Then, she turned to the other ladies and gave a triumphant smile.
Janna’s gaze darkened, eyes narrowing at Alia’s display.
Lara was at a loss what to do. She didn’t know how to interact with them, but a nagging intuition whispered that they had ulterior motives for approaching her. She could guess what it was, as she pieced together their subtle glances toward the prince and hushed whispers.
Lara straightened and turned gracefully to Prince Reuben, who had been observing the scene with mild curiosity. "Your Highness," she began, her voice smooth and unhurried, "this is Alia—my childhood friend."
Alia bead happily. She curtsied and uttered "Your Highness," with crazed reverence. The rest of the ladies scrambled to introduce themselves when Alia made no effort to introduce them.
Silence descended once the introductions concluded, stretching taut and uncomfortable. Lara stifled a yawn behind her hand, exhaustion settling into her bones. The room suddenly felt suffocating, the eyes of strangers heavy and unrelenting.
Bener stepped forward smoothly, his voice cutting through the tension like a knife. "Your Highness, Father, Mother," he addressed the crowd with practiced ease. "As you know, the journey was long and taxing. Let us allow Lara to rest. There will be plenty of ti to reacquaint in the days to co."
Lara turned to him, her expression filled with unspoken gratitude. In the midst of a crowd of unfamiliar faces and hidden intentions, she felt relieved to have soone who understood her exhaustion.
She was glad to be surrounded by intelligent siblings. They seed to have a tacit understanding. Soone was always there to jump to her rescue.
Freya offered a polite smile before excusing herself. Her hand gently guided Lara down the corridor towards her room.
Mira stood still, a bitter taste of resentnt flooding her heart as she watched the woman she had cherished and called mother for the past two years turn her back on her. It felt as though an invisible barrier had risen between them, one that only Lara, her biological daughter, could breach. The ache of abandonnt settled in Mira’s chest, igniting questions that spiraled in her mind.
Reya was already waiting at Lara’s room, and she had arranged Lara’s clothes and the other things that she had brought from Calma. At the foot of the bed against the wall, Reya placed the basket that held two wolf pups that had grown a little bigger.
The mont the two pups heard footsteps, they opened their eyes and they were no longer blue but turned to amber. They jumped out of their basket and nibbled at the hem of Lara’s dress, then licked at her shoes.
"What kind of puppies are these?" Freya inquired, her brows furrowing in curiosity. Though she never considered herself fond of dogs—she found herself softening at the sight. The tiny, wiggling bundles of fur, their bright, innocent eyes sparkling with mischief, tugged at her heartstrings. If her daughter was eager to welco them into their ho, Freya decided she would embrace the idea.
"Madam Freya, you won’t believe it! These aren’t just ordinary dogs," Reya exclaid, her eyes sparkling with excitent. "These are wolf pups, rescued by the Miss from the majestic heights of Mount Ourea!"
In the early days on the plateau, she was scared every ti Lara or Grandpa Jethru returned ho with an injured wolf, a wounded fox, or an orphaned tiny tiger cub cradled in their arms. The sight of these vulnerable creatures, their wide eyes shimring with fear, sent shivers down her spine. Yet, as the weeks passed, her trepidation slowly transford into fascination. The tiger cubs, with their striped fur and playful antics, exuded an irresistible charm, while the wolf pups, with their endearing howls and clumsy little paws, tugged at her heartstrings. Before long, like Sandoz, she found herself enchanted, embracing the beauty of these wild animals and the bond that began to blossom between them.
Freya was stunned. Wolf pups? They looked cute now that they were small, but what would happen when they grew up?
Lara picked up Littley Grey, who was whining for attention. Snow whimpered at her feet. She wanted to be picked up too, and Lara did just that.
"Aren’t they dangerous?" Freya asked, looking at the two pups now nestled on Lara’s lap, who sat at the edge of the bed.
"Madam, the ones in the wild are dangerous, but these are Lara’s pets. They are very loyal creatures. Did you know she has a tiger pet called Thunder? That tiger allows Lara to ride him."
Freya’s face paled, and she staggered back. "Tiger? Lara riding a tiger?"
"Reya, don’t scare Mother." Lara sent a warning look at Reya. She was talking too much again. "Mother, I just happened to save that tiger when he was a cub, and he recognized as his master. Just think of it as a dosticated big cat."
Freya sensed that Lara wasn’t keen on continuing the discussion. Her daughter must be really tired.
"Lara, take a rest now. It has been a long journey for you. We will catch up again tomorrow." She gave Lara a quick hug before gesturing to Reya to exit the room as well.
Lara’s gaze was still fixed on the closed door. She was still in a daze. Her mother’s embrace was soft and warm. Her scent, subtle and comforting, still lingered in the air. It was a new and strange feeling for her, but it was sothing she had been searching for in her last life, and failed to find.
But now she found it. And she will do everything in her power to protect it.
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