~Aurora~

　　The footsteps, they were heavy and slow. I realized it was Prince Emeric, standing tall over my hunched and curled up body pathetically statued to the ground.

　　My hands hastily, agitated and quickly wiped the tears from my face. My skin was red from how harsh I've been with myself.

　　"Good evening, Prince Emeric." Greeting him shortly, I attempted to flee away from his sight. It's embarrassing and infuriating to stay in the presence of someone who brought me to feel this way in the first place.

　　"Wait," as I attempted to flee away from him, his deep voice commanded me to halt in my position. My foot was half on the ground, and I slowly turned around, revealing a rather slacked posture than a respectful one towards the majesty.

　　Majesty, my ass.

　　"May I know the reason behind your tears?" He asked rather politely.

　　"No." And I answered much arrogantly than his tone. He raised an eyebrow, but i didn't care.

　　"May I know why I can't know the reason then?" He was downright annoying at this moment. I grit my teeth, finally looking up to him and locking our gazes together.

　　"Because...you're the reason for my tears, Prince Emeric. You're the reason why I'm here in the first place! You brought me here, but you know what? With the power you had, you could've just spoken up and given me my rightful position back! Why are you hesitating to play the role of a Lycan Prince!? This whole game of trials and shit, it scares me! Yes, I'm coming out and saying this to you. It scares me! If there's a reason why I'm crying in your premises, then it's you, Prince Emeric." After my rant, a small part of the burden was lifted off my chest.

　　I blinked thrice, not understand why the Prince wouldn't snap back at me.

　　All he says, after a significant and awkward silence is, "Okay."

　　Okay?

　　Okay!?

　　"You're way too calm for someone who heard a nobody like me speak ill about you."

　　"Have you calmed down?" I blink awkwardly again.

　　"Yes." Yes, I did calm down genuinely.

　　"I think you lack understanding for the reason of conducting these trials. These aren't mere games, let me tell you that." I sucked my lower lip into my mouth.

　　"Listen. The trials are a purposive assignment and training inductive program to induce role and responsibility to contenders. These contenders are ones who shall be chosen as victors will be given future positions in Whispering Pines Lycan Kingdom's territory. Besides, you as a person shall grow as you spend time analysing your strengths and weaknesses. I hope you understand the significance of trials now."

　　My head processed only half of his words. The words he speaks are out of my little diction.

　　Slowly, as I processed whatever he said, I came to realize I know very little about governance and handling tough jobs like these.

　　These are skills required to run a pack, isn't it?

　　I lack them dangerously...

　　It was all connecting to me, but I chose to stay ignorant towards his help and contribution towards building me into a better person for leadership.

　　Whatever he said, is true. My lack of negligence shouldn't be affecting my people as well. The people whom i love and cherish with all my heart.

　　Everything he said was fogging my little head. I have no clue what my strengths are. What my weaknesses are. What's my threshold for everything necessary to lead a pack.

　　I could go on and on about my weaknesses at this moment I guess. Lifting my head to face him, he took a deep breath in. I noticed the warmth beginning to clearly show up on his face.

　　Despite me throwing words that probably pierced his chest, he stood composed and spoke words inclined to my understanding.

　　"...Why are you being nice to me?" I asked him.

　　"Because I tend to help whoever is in need of strength. You have potential. You're the daughter of infamous Den Fangborn. I expect performance parallel to the stories of bravery and victory I've heard of your father. It's alright even if you cannot by yourself. But pushing yourself to become the best version hurts no one. Time will teach you, but you have to have eyes and ears open to learn from time."

　　Words of wisdom flow out of his mouth like fluid. My ears and heart felt assured to listen to him. He was motivating me without realizing. It's in a nature of an alpha to lead people in need. I guess this is what he means by that as well.

　　I sense nothing but goodwill and probably consolation from his words. There was no feeling of fake or riling me up for good or bad. Just genuine words of advice from someone much powerful.

　　It felt great to be acknowledged for once. The way he had a rough idea about dad and his valor impressed me. I wish I had more people like him in my life.

　　As a woman, I came to realize how attractive genuineness is a trait in a man. In fact, it's attractive for everyone in general. Prince Emeric is also an orphaned man, just like me.

　　I can refer us as orphans, because we're still too young. Prince Emeric might be a strong, governing wolf from the exterior. But deep within, I just know he's been suffering from all the pain he had been put through. The same kind of pain of losing your family overnight. Fate snatching away what's so intense as a bond from you.

　　"We're very much alike. You and I, Lady Aurora. If I could overcome the situation you're facing at the moment, then so can you. If not, even more gracefully than me. Because you're blessed as a woman. You have resources you have no idea could build you into the best version of yourself. The first resource being...freedom to show your emotions fearlessly. I hope you get what I mean." I nodded at him curtly.

　　With one last sniffle, I fixed myself. My stance was much better now, and I gave him a tight lipped smile.

　　"I have no words to express my gratitude to you, Prince Emeric. I will surely work on your words and show you I'm capable of change. Goodnight, Prince Emeric."

　　What I didn't observe was his hand behind his back that shook in excitement. The man was way too in love with me already, despite me being a bad person towards him. And before I could say few last words to him, he left in a haste which left me extremely perplexed and conscious about myself.

　　What the hell was that…?