What Lies Beneath His Pelt?

CHAPTER 19: A BREAK FROM THE CHAOS

When I went out, I followed the scent to the front yard and I couldn't help but smile as snow fell quickly. Lils, Victor, and Edmund were throwing snowballs at one another while Grace and Ciara were on the ground making snow angels. Callan was on the front porch watching them and as I was about to approach, a snowball flew in my direction. I wasn't quick enough and got hit in the chest.

"Bull's eye!" Ciara grinned triumphantly and I smirked.

"Oh, you asked for it!" I shouted as I scooped up snow and threw it her way. With a wave of her hand, it melted and I was pelted by more snowballs.

"Ciara! You just recovered! Don't use up your-" Callan started but he too was pelted by snowballs.

Victor, Edmund, and Lils laughed as they aimed for him again.

"You dare gang up on the Crowned Prince? You shall pay!" And I watched as snowballs rose from the ground and it flew towards their direction.

Another snowball hit me on the shoulder and I saw Ciara and Grace grinning.

"Don't just watch, Wolfman, join in the party!"

"No way. You cheat and I don't play with cheaters." I grinned back.

"Join us join us join us!" They chanted and I rolled my eyes at them.

"Come on Wolfman! This is phase two of your initiation!" Ciara's voice rose above theirs and I sighed.

"Fine! You could have said that earlier!"

Cheers erupted from them and even Calan cracked a small smile but only a small one before his face was an emotionless mask once more.

I didn't know how long we were out but I was surprised because I didn't feel cold as we played. We had our dinner outside courtesy of the servanuli and we only went in when a church bell from a distance chimed twelve times signifying that it was already the twenty-fifth of December.

“Wait, it’s Christmas already?” Edmund asked as he stomped off the snow on his shoes.

“Yeah. I was looking for time to sleep before the festivities but well, this was more fun.” It was Victor who replied and we nodded in agreement.

“So then, shall we go in? The servanuli should be done preparing our food by now.” It was Callan who replied and with a flourish of his hand, his clothes appeared dry. Victor and Ciara did the same to the rest of us.

When we entered, we were greeted by the scent of roasted meat. They hurriedly went into the dining hall while I stood gazing at the huge lobby that was dressed for the occasion.

Banisters of the grand staircase were decorated with poinsettias and green wreaths with accents of white cyclamens. The huge floor-to-ceiling window was now draped with red and gold curtains and I noticed that the indoor balconies didn't have the glass covering them anymore.

"I just love it when we decorate the castle. As you know, we don't welcome visitors but at least this gives a sense of Christmas yeah?" She said as her gaze went to me.

“Hey, what’s with that expression? You look like a kicked puppy.” She teased and I rolled my eyes.

“You said a lot of lies didn’t you?” I started and it was her turn to roll her eyes.

“Little white lies never hurt anyone.”

“You’re right, but how can I pledge loyalty to someone who lies? My loyalty doesn't come cheap, you know.”

She sighed and I was waiting for her to get mad or defend herself but I was surprised when she admitted it.

“Look, I know that what I did was wrong, but it was needed. I had to make sure I could gauge your personality without letting you know who I am. I’ve been the Princess for twenty-four years already and I know how people act around royalty. They show their best versions to gain the favor and once they have it, they’ll pull out a knife and stab you in the back.” Again, her expression told me that she was speaking through experience.

We fell quiet as I tried to figure out what to ask when I remembered something.

“Hey, I remembered a conversation we had a few hours ago.”

Her vivid grey-green eyes grew wide.

“Damn. I never should have mentioned that earlier.”

I grinned.

“You’re the one who told me to remind you.”

“Urgh fine, but after we have our Christmas Feast. I don’t want to tell a story with an empty stomach.”

And as if on cue, our stomachs rumbled and red colored her cheeks. I felt heat rise to my cheeks as well.

“Well then, my lady, shall we grace the dining hall with our presence?” I mused as I offered my arm to her.

“My, my, my, you are such a gentleman, Prince Calum.” She looped her arm around mine, her hands resting on my biceps.

“Just Calum, your highness. I am not affiliated with any Regno besides you and your family.”

Her grip tightened and I winked at her.

If this is the place where I’ll find a sense of belonging, then who am I to let go of this opportunity?