A Lycan of Her Own

The Search for a Gift

Reed looked up to me once Prince Zidane was out the door, her eyes thin.

"Was that on purpose?"

I swallowed. "I am sorry. The dress is..."

"Then wear it shorter!" She said, her eyes wide.

Mother gave a small sigh. "Let it be. You will be married to him soon. No evil eye or darkness can come between you both then."

I swallowed, tears stinging the back of my eyes as they walked past me, mum not saying a word more.

Father sighed, then without a word, turned away. I watched him as he walked away to his room before I slowly sat down on the stair case, my hand coming up to my hair.

At times like this, I wished I had drowned in that lake when I was ten. Or maybe I was just never born.

I went up slowly. Reed's room was closed, but not locked, and I knocked twice. It took a bit of time before she opened it. Her eyes thinned immediately she saw me.

"What do you want?"

I swallowed. "I thought you...would want me to start on your dresses immediately. I mean, for the bonding and..."

"You are to make three dresses," she said, her eyes steely. "Come in."

I nodded and then followed her. Her room was decorated in light pink colours, merging with white.

I sat on the edge of her bed, as she seemed to think for a while.

"His Highness said I would have to do a formal introduction in the palace a day before the bonding. So I need a dress for that. And then, the dress for the bonding. And then, my wedding dress. I am not sure if I should trust you with that one, though..." She trailed off, then looked at me a little skeptically.

"Don't worry, Reed. I will make it as beautiful as it can be."

She merely shrugged, then turned away, giving me instructions about the dresses. I grabbed a notepad and pen and wrote everything down, scribbling as fast as she spoke.

Soon enough, she was done, and I had her specifications for three dresses. I gave her a small smile and walked away, leaving the room.

Time went faster than I thought, especially since I spent most of it working through the fabrics and trying to get Reed's dresses ready. But I wasn't the only one getting ready.

The entire kingdom was. A day after Prince Zidane's visit, a special group came with large gifts of gold, silver, and silk to be given to the bride.

Reed was undergoing a very strict diet and skincare routine, with help from one of her human friends whom I have no idea how she met, but she was doing a pretty good job.

Her skin glowed more than ever, and her hair had grown even silkier too. Prince Zidane never came back, however, but we knew he wouldn't. It wasn't of his status to keep coming.

I stood by the side of the door, my parents all dressed up by the foot of the stairs as they waited for Reed to emerge with the dress. It was one day to the bonding, and the entire house was decorated.

Music blared from the single speaker in the house, even though I didn't see the point since the celebrations would be at the palace.

Reed slowly emerged, her smile bright. It was a floral deep pink dress, one that hugged her upper figure, then fell into a loose cascade of silk down to her feet.

"It is beautiful," my mother said, glancing at me. "You did a good job with this one."

I smiled as Reed walked down carefully, arranging the dress around her. The royal entourage of cars was already waiting by the door, and I watched as they walked away, leaving me alone in the house.

Once the door closed, I felt a bit of the heaviness in my chest disperse. At least now, I could be free.

I walked back to my room and sat by my usual seat in front of the window, my eyes taking in the scenery in front of me.

It was all beautiful, decorated to celebrate Prince Zidane's wedding. I gave a small sigh as his eyes flashed before me, the feel of his arms around me.

I knew it was wrong, but for this moment, I let myself indulge. Indulge in the man who was soon to be my sister's husband.

With a small sigh, I leaned back, my eyes closing. I would only get even more addicted to him if I kept it up, and I swallowed, praying I wouldn't.

I heard as they returned towards the evening, but I didn't bother standing. I doubt my face was the first thing any of them would want to see after such a joyous occasion.

Suddenly, the door of my room opened, and I turned swiftly. Reed was standing there, a rather confused expression on her face.

"Reed?"

She stomped towards me, a small sigh escaping her lips.

"I have a small problem. And you will have to help me."

As if I have a choice.

"What is wrong?" I asked, my eyes thinning.

"I overheard a few of the palace women speaking about a certain tradition. I am supposed to present Prince Zidane with a gift. It is to show interest since the woman is mostly taken with or without her approval."

My brows furrowed. "What do you want to gift a man who has everything?"

"Exactly!" She said, leaning back on my bed. She gave a small sigh, then raked her fingers through her hair. "I will have to go to Lake Dimur."

My eyes widened. "Lake Dimur? But that is a four hour journey just to go there, and it is already sunset and..."

"Not today. Tomorrow."

"Reed, what are you saying? Tomorrow is the day of the bonding. You know what they said about time. You can not risk not going on time or..."

"I also can not risk not having a gift for him. What if he mistakes it as me not being interested in him?"

"We can think of something. I could help you sew a custom shirt or one of the sort of robes..."

"Do you know how many of those he has? And I heard he sometimes goes to Lake Dimur just because of the black roses there. He will appreciate this bond more if he receives them as a gift from me."

"You don't understand," I said, shaking my head, my hand coming up to my forehead.

"Stop it. I will wake up extra early and leave. I would be back just in time. A few more minutes wouldn't hurt anyone."

"The auspicious hour, Reed!"

"Oh, damn it. The moon goddess can allow a few minutes, can't she? I will go in the morning."

I swallowed, unable to say a word as she stood up and walked out, determination set in her eyes. I sighed, my hand raking through my hair and shaking it, like if I did, it would let all the tension go away.