Royal Outcast

Chapter 10: [REVISED]

[REVISED]

Seri’s POV

“Are you leaving us, Riri?”

“Why are you leaving?”

“Did we do anything wrong?”

“Do you not love us anymore?”

“What will we do without you?”

My heart ached as the pups cried because of me. I felt like my heart was being squeezed inside my chest and I badly wanted to cry my eyes out with them, but I did my absolute best not to. I did not want them to see me being so vulnerable.

“We don’t want you to leave, Seri” one of the pups sobbed.

I held her face and forced myself to give them a small smile.

“I do not wish to leave either. If I had a choice, I would repeatedly choose to stay. I wish I could stay. Always” I told them as I tried very hard to not let my voice break.

“Then, stay. Please. We need you here. We want you here” another pup cried.

“I…can’t” I said as I started to feel like I was on the verge of breaking.

“I need to leave. I must come with his highness. I am not in a position to disobey him and put you all in jeopardy. I will never ever risk harming you guys. Never” I explained in tears.

“Why must his highness take you away from us? Did we do anything wrong? Did he not like us? Why is he taking you away?” another pup asked. I shook my head.

“It is not like that. His highness does not despise you in any way. He just… I just… we need to be together” I tried to explain.

“Then, can’t he just stay here instead of taking you away? Or maybe we can all come with you?” one more pup said.

“It does not work like that, unfortunately. I wish it was that easy, I really do” I said.

They cried even more, and I embraced them tighter as my heart broke into a million pieces.

“Will you ever come back? Will you visit us?” one pup asked as he sniffed.

“I… will try my best” I tried to assure them. They continued to cry.

This was the absolute worst feeling. I felt even more hatred for myself for making these pups feel this way.

I knew it was not completely my fault, but I still blamed myself. I wish I could have done something, but I knew very well that I wouldn’t be able to change anything even if I did everything. This was the only thing I could do for them right now.

If anything, doing something else might result in the worst possible scenario.

I didn’t want that to happen. I would never forgive myself if I ever became the reason for causing harm to the people in the orphanage.

I would rather die than do something that will harm them.

We remained in each other’s embrace for a while until I finally was able to calm most of the pups down and I even managed to put them to bed like I always do.

It was already 10 in the evening, and I felt more drained than ever.

I have been crying the whole day and I don’t think I had any more strength left in me.

“Seri…” Mr. Adams softly called my name as he made his way towards me.

As he was a few meters away from me, his highness suddenly came and stood between us.

Mr. Adams stopped at his tracks as his highness emitted a menacing aura.

“I only wish to speak with Seri, your highness” Mr. Adams said almost in a pleading tone.

“Why do you need to speak with MY mate?” his highness asked with gritted teeth.

“I wish to say my goodbyes to Seri, your highness. Afterall, I have watched her grow up all these years. She is family” Mr. Adams explained.

“Then, say your goodbyes from where you stand” his highness said.

“But your highness…” Mr. Adams pleaded.

“No” his highness growled.

Mr. Adams sighed.

“Your highness, maybe you can spare to give Mr. Adams and Ms. Seri some privacy. I can stay here to look after them” Mr. Dillon suddenly spoke.

His highness glanced at Mr. Dillon.

“I highly suggest this, your highness” Mr. Dillon added.

I saw his highness bawl his fists but did not oppose the idea. He glanced back at me with a warning look before walking away and leaving the room.

“You may talk now. If possible, stay in that position” Mr. Dillon said.

I bit my lower lip as I looked at Mr. Adams while my eyes watered with tears.

“Seri, dear…” Mr. Adams started as he forced a small smile. I stopped myself from crying right then and there.

“How are you feeling?” he asked softly.

A tear managed to escape my eye, but I quickly wiped it away.

“You should be happy. You found your mate. Rather, he found you” he said. I shook my head as I pursed my lips.

“I know you want to stay. I know you promised to stay and help us. But the circumstances have changed, precious one. I’m sorry” he continued as a tear fell from his eye.

“I understand. Everyone else will understand. Maybe not immediately but in time, I’m sure they will” he stated.

“I don’t want to go” I told him as my voice broke.

“I don’t want to go, Mr. Adams. I’m not ready to go” I said with a whimper.

“I know, Seri. I know” he said. My tears streamed down my face and I stopped myself from running to Mr. Adams.

“We aren’t ready to see you leave either” he added.

I sobbed harder and I kneeled on the ground as I felt too weak to continue standing up.

I cried quietly as Mr. Adams stood meters away from me.

“Seri…” Mr. Adams called out my name and I looked up at him as tears continued to stream down my face.

I saw Mr. Adams clench his jaw as tears streamed down his own face.

Then, I froze as I watched him ran to me.

I wanted to tell him to stop. To leave me be.

I was scared. Terrified even. I feared he would get hurt if he came near me.

I turned to look at Mr. Dillon from the side as he moved to stop Mr. Adams.

“Please! No…” I begged with a whimper.

Mr. Dillon met my eyes just before he could pounce on Mr. Adams.

Then in a split second, I was engulfed by Mr. Adams’ embrace.

I was unable to hug Mr. Adams back as I looked at Mr. Dillon with pleading eyes. I looked at him begging to not hurt Mr. Adams.

Mr. Dillon’s jaw clenched, and he looked away and bawled his fists.

I felt a sudden relief and I immediately hugged Mr. Adams back.

Our hug only lasted a few seconds before Mr. Dillon grabbed Mr. Adams away.

“That’s enough” Mr. Dillon said in a stern tone.

He heaved a deep sigh before gently dragging Mr. Adams away from me.

“If you wish to keep your life, let that be the last time you attempt such a thing” Mr. Dillon warned before letting Mr. Adams go.

I wiped my tears away and Mr. Dillon glanced back at me before sighing.

After that, I started to say goodbye to everyone else. Especially to Annie. She clung onto me until the last minute.

The clock struck 12 and I was ushered to a black vehicle. I was sat in the back with Mr. Dillon while his highness sat in the passenger seat with another guard.

I just stared at the window the whole time. I wasn’t even paying attention to the road. I was just… staring at nothing.

I felt so tired and dejected that I didn’t even realize that I had already fallen asleep.

When I woke up, the sun was almost up, and I had absolutely no clue where I was.

“Ms. Seri?” Mr. Dillon spoke beside me, and I looked at him.

“Are you feeling fine? Do you not feel sick?” he asked me politely. I shook my head.

“No, sir. I don’t feel sick. Thank you” I replied, and he nodded with a sigh of relief.

I saw his highness’ slightly turned head from the passenger seat. As I looked at him, he immediately looked in front without a word.

After a few minutes, the vehicle suddenly stopped and the guards except Mr. Dillon went out and I was left with Mr. Dillon, his highness, and the driver inside the car.

“We are stopping by to have breakfast, Ms. Seri. It’s still a long ride ahead before we reach the Palace” Mr. Dillon explained. I simply nodded.

After a while, the driver got out and opened the door for his highness. Then, Mr. Dillon got out and helped me afterwards.

I looked around. I wasn’t familiar at all with the area.

I stared at the diner in front of us. It seemed like a relatively old place but it did not look too shabby. In fact, it looked well maintained.

“Shall we?” Mr. Dillon said as he motioned for me to walk ahead of him. I nodded and walked towards the establishment.

As I entered, I was greeted with the smell of coffee and bacon.

I saw his highness and his men sitting in the far-left corner of the diner and Mr. Dillon led me to where his highness was sitting down alone in. There were 3 tables being occupied by his highness and company.

Mr. Dillon let me sit down in the corner and he sat down beside me in front of his highness who gave me a single glance before talking to Mr. Dillon and completely ignoring me.

I did not mind. I wasn’t really in a mood for chatter. In fact, if I was given a choice, I would prefer not having breakfast as well. I didn’t really have much of an appetite for breakfast or for anything at all.

After some time, big servings of pancakes, bacons and egg came. Each table we had occupied had 2 plates per person with multiple stacks of pancakes one plate and a mountain of bacon and eggs on the other plate.

I too had the same amount of food placed in front of me. It was quite the sight to see considering how we only ever had just enough food in the orphanage to feel each pup or wolf’s stomach. Just enough food to help in the growth of the pups and for the grownups to be healthy. We didn’t go hungry and that’s what mattered the most.

I do understand that it is a lot different for these men though. I’m sure they need more than just enough food to build their bodies and improve their strength to be able to fight if they need to.

Everyone started eating and Mr. Dillon gave me a fork and bread knife.

“Thank you” I thanked him, and he gave me a small nod before eating.

On the other hand, his highness simply started eating without a word.

I looked at my food and tried at the very least to eat.

I didn’t feel good as I slowly chewed the pancake. It was good but I wasn’t feeling hungry. All I wanted to do was go back to the car and just do nothing.

I was just completely out of it the whole time. I stopped eating even before everyone finished their food.

Mr. Dillon looked at my food and then at me.

“Are you feeling okay, Ms. Seri? You barely touched your food” Mr. Dillon asked.

“I’m sorry. I just… don’t have an appetite at the moment” I apologized.

Mr. Dillon looked at his highness and so did I. He was looking at me with a raised brow.

“What? Don’t tell me that you also need assistance in eating? What are you? A child? That’s just pathetic” his highness scoffed.

My jaw clenched as I gripped the hem of my dress below the table.

His highness shook his head and abruptly stood up before walking away and out of the diner. I looked down feeling embarrassed. Then, I heard Mr. Dillon sigh.

“Don’t mind his highness. It’s just that he’s not in a very good headspace at the moment. He isn’t always like this, Ms. Seri. If he was, her majesty would have long thrown him in the fault between Lunar and Halo” Mr. Dillon said with a slight chuckle.

I just pursed my lips and nodded.

“Are you sure you do not wish to finish your meal? We still have a long way to go. It would be at least 6 more hours until we can stop have our lunch” he told me.

“I understand. I’m just really not hungry at the moment. I apologize” I said, and he sighed but nodded in understanding before calling over the waitress and having her pack my leftovers before paying for all of the food that was ordered earlier.

“If you end up getting hungry or feeling like you want to eat, we’ll at least have your takeouts for you to eat” he stated, and I nodded in understanding.

“Thank you” I thanked Mr. Dillon and he nodded.

I asked to use the restroom and even then, I was guarded from outside of the door so I tried not to take too long so they wouldn’t get the wrong idea of me trying to escape when I was simply trying to relieve myself.

Mr. Dillon made me go inside the car again and I didn’t even see his highness when I got out of the diner.

What was I even expecting?

After some time, Mr. Dillon came back, and he was with his highness this time.

We sat down in our original seats and as usual, his highness seemed displeased. I knew it was because of me again. I didn’t have to be told anything to realize that.

I unconsciously sighed and just stared out of the window again. I just wondered how much longer it would take for us to arrive to the Palace. I just wanted to lay down somewhere and curl myself to sleep.

After who knows how long, I fell asleep again and I only woke up when I felt the vehicle stop once more.

I rubbed my eyes and looked out the window to see an actual restaurant this time around.

“Ms. Seri, it’s lunch time. Do you wish to eat something in particular?” Mr. Dillon asked me. I shook my head.

“Uhm… can I please stay here instead? I still feel quite sleepy, and I’d much rather sleep than eat” I said.

“But Ms. Seri, you haven’t consumed much since we left the orphanage. At this rate, you will starve” Mr. Dillon said.

“I really am not hungry, sir” I said.

“But---” Mr. Dillon was about to argue but he got cut off.

“Let her be, Dillon. If she wishes to starve herself, she can go on ahead for all I care. She’s not a child anymore. She can throw a tantrum for as long as she pleases but I have had it. Leave her here with Simon. He can handle her as we eat our lunch” his highness said before getting out of the car.

Mr. Dillon sighed before glancing at me and I simply gave him a small apologetic smile.

Mr. Dillon got out of the car, and I saw him talk to someone before walking away from the car. The man Mr. Dillon talked to got inside the shotgun seat and he just sat there not minding me.

I on the other hand, sighed and then I laid down on my side.

I just really want this to end so badly.