Chapter 20

2060 Words
Seri’s POV "Seri, sweetheart, what would you like for dinner tonight?" my mother asked, her voice warm and inviting. "Hmmm," I hummed thoughtfully as I tapped my fingers on my lips, contemplating my options. My mother chuckled softly, a smile lighting up her face as she patiently awaited my response. "Fried Chicken!" I exclaimed enthusiastically, raising my index finger triumphantly into the air. My mother burst out laughing as she walked over to me, wrapping me in a tight and affectionate hug. "You are just so incredibly adorable, my little one," she cooed as she held my face gently in her hands and playfully pinched my cheeks. I couldn't help but giggle in response to her loving gestures. My mother gazed at me with a small, endearing smile, her eyes sparkling with affection as she continued to hold my face in her hands. "Mom and Dad love you so very much, Seri. You do know that, right?" she said softly. I nodded in affirmation, feeling warmth blossom in my chest at her words. My mother smiled sweetly, leaning her forehead against mine. "We will do anything and everything in our power to keep you safe and loved... I promise," she whispered, her voice filled with sincerity. I smiled back at her, feeling reassured. I promise... Promise... I... Suddenly, I opened my eyes, and I was immediately aware of the moistness on my cheeks. A lump formed in my throat as I sat up, instinctively wiping my face before letting out a shaky sniff. It was yet another dream. Or, more accurately, it was a cherished memory. With a sigh, I turned my head to glance at the clock on my nightstand. 7:00 AM. I had woken up neither too early nor too late, which was at least good to know. After pushing myself out of bed, I headed straight for the shower, taking a quick but refreshing bath before drying myself off and donning a plush bathrobe. Next, I walked over to the walk-in closet and began scanning through the carefully curated clothing pieces hanging there. As usual, I was on the hunt for something that wasn't too flashy, even though every item seemed undeniably elegant and beautiful. This level of sophistication was not something I typically wore on a daily basis. But, of course, I reminded myself that this was the palace, and these pieces had once belonged to a princess. It was only to be expected that each one held a certain special quality, even if they were meant for everyday wear. Biting my lower lip in frustration, I realized I couldn’t choose anything because every piece seemed far too extravagant for my tastes. With a resigned sigh, I closed my eyes and let my hand glide over the clothing, finally stopping randomly at a particular piece. I pulled out an exquisite white, knit-textured, sleeveless dress, and paired it with some open-toed sandals that I felt would complement it nicely. After drying my hair, I brushed it out and styled it into a casual half-up bun. Sitting in front of the vanity, I pursed my lips, trying to apply a bit of makeup to my face, just as the helpers usually did for me. After a short while, I managed to create an acceptable look. I gazed at my reflection in the mirror and smiled softly, feeling a sense of satisfaction with how it all turned out. Finally, I slipped into the dress and put on the sandals. With that done, I settled onto my bed, simply... waiting. After a moment of silence, I sighed and stood up again, making my way to the balcony. I opened the doors, allowing the warm rays of sunlight to caress my skin. I took a deep breath and closed my eyes, embracing the gentle warmth of the sun with a small, content smile on my lips. It felt so gentle and calming. When I opened my eyes again, I shielded them slightly with my hand, trying to catch a glimpse of the sun above. For as long as I can remember, I've always felt a unique fondness for the sun, similar to how every wolf is spiritually connected to the moon. I know it sounds peculiar, but growing up, both my mother and I shared this affinity. We would often watch sunsets and sunrises together, and there were countless evenings when I would watch her dance gracefully as the sun dipped below the horizon. It was truly a beautiful sight. As I inhaled deeply, a soft sigh escaped my lips. Then, as I peeked down from the balcony, I noticed him. Prince Lucas. Our eyes met, and he stared back at me with an unreadable expression on his face. I immediately bowed my head in reverence. "Good morning, Your Highness," I murmured softly, and as our eyes locked once more, he quickly averted his gaze and walked away. I pursed my lips, feeling a wave of disappointment wash over me as I retreated back inside the room. Well, it seemed that he still wasn't in a good mood. Another sigh escaped me, and for the first time since we had met, I found it difficult to accept being ignored by His Highness. I felt a gentle pull from my wolf, Aoife. "I'm sorry, girl. It’s my fault that he hates us," I whispered quietly to her, feeling my heart clench with emotion. I pressed my hand against my chest as my knees began to weaken, and just as I feared they would give way beneath me, I felt a warm pair of arms wrap around me. My eyes widened in surprise as I looked at my unexpected visitor in my room. It was Prince Lucas. He regarded me with... a hint of concern? "What’s happening to you?" he asked, his brows furrowing slightly, revealing a glimpse of... concern. It was something that I had never really seen from him since I met him. But it was there. For the first time, he seemed like he cared.... His Highness slipped one hand behind my knees and placed the other on my torso, effortlessly lifting me up. With a tenderness that took me by surprise, he gently laid me down onto the bed, ensuring I was comfortable before pulling away. The soft mattress cradled me, offering a sense of security that I desperately needed in that moment. "I’ll have a family doctor come to check on you. Stay here," he instructed firmly, his voice laced with genuine concern. Even before he could walk away from me and out of the room, I instinctively caught his hand, causing him to pause mid-step. Prince Lucas looked down at my hand gripping his, a mixture of confusion and curiosity flickering across his features. Then, as if sensing my distress, his eyes rose to meet mine, revealing a depth of emotion that I hadn't anticipated. “What is it?” he asked, his brow slightly furrowed in curiosity. I felt a rush of emotions swell within me, and I pursed my lips, attempting to collect my thoughts and find the strength to stop him from leaving. I inhaled deeply, fighting against the tremors in my voice. “I don’t think it is necessary to call anyone to check on me, Your Highness,” I said meekly, my gaze dropping to the floor as I spoke. His brows furrowed slightly deeper in confusion. “Why not?” he prodded, genuinely wanting to understand. I bit the inside of my lower lip, the weight of my truth pressing down on me. My heart raced as I contemplated whether I should share my struggles now rather than waiting for a more opportune moment. "This is... normal for me," I finally admitted, making direct eye contact with him. He regarded me with a questioning gaze, his interest piqued. “What do you mean?” he asked, an earnest tone lacing his words. With some hesitation, I instinctively placed my hand over my chest and lightly clenched it as a sigh escaped my lips. “It happens when my wolf, Aoife, becomes extremely upset with me,” I explained, forcing a small, helpless smile that barely masked the pain behind my confession. The situation had spiraled downwards after my attempted suicide two years prior. Following that fateful day, whenever I found myself doing something that significantly upset Aoife beyond her usual tolerance, I would feel a heavy weight in my chest, as well as an overwhelming urge to succumb to my physical limitations. For months following my survival, I had felt a strange pull, a deep and unsettling disconnection between Aoife and me; her anger at my actions would resonate deeply within me. Immediately following those moments, I would often find myself battling an episode that felt as though my heart were being squeezed mercilessly inside my chest. My breath would hitch and choke me, and on more than one occasion, I’d black out or become so dizzy that I’d fall. In a twisted sense, it felt like my wolf’s way of punishing me for my foolish decisions, a constant reminder of the price I had paid for my mistakes. “What?” Prince Lucas replied, his voice tinged with a mix of confusion and concern. “I... uh, I have a strained relationship with my wolf, Your Highness,” I confessed, my gaze sinking to the floor as I anxiously played with my fingers, hoping to distract myself from the weight of my reality. The sense of guilt and embarrassment washed over me, overshadowing my thoughts. I felt physically weakened as it was, but to admit that my relationship with my wolf was even worse was another layer of humiliation altogether. Then, an immediate silence filled the room, marked only by the soft sound of our breathing. Ironically, it was overwhelming—so loud and deafening in its stillness that I wondered if I had made the right decision to tell him about my relationship with Aoife. “Since when?” His Highness abruptly broke the silence, surprising me. I raised my head and met his gaze once more, the intensity of the moment pressing down upon us both. “Since when have you been disconnected from your wolf?” he questioned again, the earnestness in his tone striking me. “Since two years ago,” I replied, a shiver of vulnerability passing through me. “Why? What was the reason?” he continued, his expression neutral yet inquisitive, making me feel naked under his scrutiny. I gulped, my throat suddenly feeling dry, and I tightened my jaw as I prepared to unearth a painful truth. “I tried to end my life,” I confessed, my voice barely above a whisper. As I spoke, I felt the atmosphere shift, his expression darkening and his jaw tightening in response to my revelation. “What?” he exclaimed, disbelief and concern etched across his handsome features, as if trying to reconcile the person he had just seen with the weight of my words. “I didn’t want to live, Your Highness. I was miserable and depressed. I wanted to end everything. I wanted to just… end it all. The pain, the loss, the suffering. Everything” I stuttered, my voice shaking as I struggled to articulate the depths of my despair. I caught a glimpse of His Highness’s hands curling into fists, the tension radiating from him palpable. Before I could offer any further explanation or just say anything at all, he suddenly turned his back to me, cutting off the moment. “I need to go. I’ll have someone attend to you in a moment, so don’t go anywhere without them,” he instructed, his tone firm but filled with an undercurrent of urgency. Before I could find the right words to respond or to do anything, he walked towards the balcony. My breath almost caught in my throat as I watched him suddenly leap down from it, his figure disappearing from my sight in a heartbeat. What just happened? The whirlwind of emotions left in the wake of his departure left me feeling lost, confused, and worried. As the silence enveloped me, I couldn’t help but question the journey ahead. Would I have the courage to face my current situation—and would I have his support when I did?
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