Royal Outcast

Chapter 4: [REVISED]

[REVISED]

Seri's POV

"Goodnight, Seri" one of the pups said to me as I laid them down for bed. It had been a long day for everyone.

I smiled.

"Goodnight, everyone" I said.

I made sure that all the pups were all tucked in before I finally turned off the lights and got in my own bed to sleep.

I tucked myself in and closed my eyes waiting to drift off to sleep.

It was a long and tiring day, but it was really nice and wholesome. It was… special and I liked it. I liked it a lot.

In just a matter of minutes, I fell asleep.

Once I fell into slumber, I ended up finding myself in a forest.

I looked around as my brows furrowed a bit.

Where am I?

I've never seen this place before.

I have been to a certain forest where I would usually see my wolf, but this one is different. It’s not the same place where I would meet Aoife, my wolf in my dreams.

I started to walk and look around.

It was a pretty forest; I’ll give it that.

I kept looking around and trying to figure out what place this was.

Then, suddenly, I heard rustling, and I looked back.

There was no one behind me.

I kept looking around and tried to find where the noise came from.

I got further and further away from where I first found myself.

I knew deep inside of me that I shouldn’t be wandering around but for whatever reason, I felt like there was something in this forest that was pulling me to it.

Then, I found a river and a platform above the river.

For whatever reason, I felt the need to go there to so I did.

I carefully walked over and went on the platform and continued walking over to the edge.

As soon as I did, I heard another rustling sound. This time, it came from the other side of the river. In the bushes.

"Is anyone there?" I asked.

Then, a light gray figure started to come out of the bushes.

My eyes slightly widened when I saw it.

It was a big light gray wolf.

Its eyes were golden and its fur shone like silk. It was beautiful.

The gray wolf looked at me with it fierce golden eyes.

But they weren't threatening.

If anything, I felt like I was drawn to it.

I gulped and looked around as I then felt a cool breeze of air hit my whole body and I picked up a unique scent. One that seemed too familiar but at the same time it felt…strange?

When I turned to look at the wolf again, it was already gone.

Where did it go? It was just there a second ago.

"Hello?" I called out hoping that the wolf would come back. Hoping I’d see it again.

I kept looking around, but it was nowhere to be found. I even considered jumping to the river and swimming to the other side to look for the wolf.

I kept wondering who that wolf is and why is he in my dream? But most importantly, why do I feel drawn to it but I also feel very distant from it?

"Hello?" I shouted once more as I walked even closer to the edge of the platform.

I sighed when I realized the wolf was really gone. I pouted and sighed in disappointment.

Then, I hastily turned around and as soon as I did that, I tripped, and I found myself falling back first into the deep dark river water.

I immediately gasped awake and I looked around as I tried to catch my breath. For a moment, I really did feel like I was sinking and drowning.

I heaved a deep sigh of relief. It’s just a dream.

I continued to look around.

It was dark and everyone was still asleep.

I sighed and looked at the time on the clock.

It was 3:33am. I held my head in frustration and massaged my temple.

It's way too early to be awake but I don't think I can even sleep more at this state.

I huffed and just got out of bed. Whatever; I thought.

I went ahead to the common shower area, and I took a long cold shower and I ended up wearing a beige long sleeve turtleneck top paired white sweatpants afterwards.

I let my wet hair down and let it air dry then proceeded to grab my precious ukulele from under my bed.

I then quietly went out of the orphanage, and I made my way to the garden with the fountain in it.

I then sat down by the fountain as I started practicing with my ukulele.

I moved my body to the beat as I played every song I knew. I had memorized some songs from my childhood and some more from the music books that Mr. Adams let me borrow along with his ukulele from before.

I just played and played. I did that until the sun rose.

I continued to play as I watched the sun rise from where I am.

I smiled and continued humming along with the sound of my ukulele in the air.

I closed my eyes and continued playing as I enjoyed the warmth it brought me. I felt… less miserable.

"What an amazing performance"

I stopped and turned around to see Mr. Adams smiling at me as he clapped.

"Mr. Adams" I said as I abruptly stood up while my face flushed red.

"You're up early" he pointed out.

"I had a… strange dream last night and I couldn't really fall back asleep, sir" I explained.

Mr. Adams nodded in understanding.

"So, you decided to practice with your ukulele?" he said and I nodded in response.

Mr. Adams smiled.

"I'm glad you're enjoying my gift, Seri. I knew you’d like it but I was still pretty nervous before giving it to you. Now, I’m just glad" he said.

I smiled and nodded.

"I really am enjoying it very much, Mr. Adams. Thank you" I said

Mr. Adams smiled even more.

"Good" he said.

"Maybe you can you even perform for our guests later on. What do you think? It’d be nice to share your talent with such important guests" Mr. Adams added.

My eyes immediately widened, and I immediately shook my head to the idea.

"Oh ghad, no. Please no. I can't. I really can’t" I immediately declined.

"Why not? You were really good earlier. It would be amazing if some more people could appreciate how talented you truly are" he told me.

I shook my head vigorously.

"I’m not. I really really am not. Please don't make me perform in front of strangers, Mr. Adams. I'm afraid I will ruin it and do something dumb or embarrassing. Or worse. I might faint. Like faint FAINT" I said.

Mr. Adams laughed.

"I honestly believe you'll do well but I do understand why you wouldn't want to perform in front of our guests. I don’t want to push you too much. If you’re really not comfortable with it then I won’t make you do it" he said.

I gulped and nodded nervously.

"It's a shame but I'll respect your decision. Maybe some other time.” he told me.

I sighed in relief and bit my lower lip anxiously.

Mr. Adams chuckled.

"Everyone else must be awake by now. Why don't we come and help out in finalizing everything before our guests arrive. What do you think?" Mr. Adams suggested.

I nodded in agreement.

Mr. Adams and I walked back inside the orphanage and I went back to my room first to hide my ukulele under my bed.

After that, I went to the kitchen and I started helping out our kitchen staff.

We already prepared majority of the things yesterday so it wouldn’t be too hectic today.

Everything was well organized already so we were also able to move in an organized manner.

I helped in cooking some of the dishes and then cleaning in the kitchen first.

Afterwards, I helped in cleaning and setting up the hall so it would look presentable for the guests.

I made sure everything was in their right places. I didn’t want to miss a thing and ruin anything.

Today's guests are very important as per Mr. Adams and so it's a must to make a good impression to them.

It will be good for the orphanage.

As I was setting up, someone jumped on me with a squeal.

When I turned around to look, I realized it was Annie.

Of course. I chuckled and smiled.

"Today is the day, Riri! Today is the day! Omg!" she said excitedly.

She was all dressed up in a short red dress and her makeup was also all done up.

"Today is the day" she said once more and she held my shoulders while looking straight into my eyes.

"The prince is coming"