~Aurora~

　　I've had just enough of this. If he has a problem with me, then he should better man up and talk to me about it. I firmly believe all his actions are driven by revenge. His gaze towards me as he talked to other guests this evening strengthened my suspicion that Emeric is definitely doing this to get back at me. Ugh! This is way too frustrating!

　　Besides...

　　Why did he even have to announce the names of contenders to the world? As we speak, I've become a whole unit of laughingstock...for the entire continent!

　　I spoke around and heard about it. Last year, during the same acceptance ceremony of Trial of Heirs, Prince Emeric didn't announce the names out loud to the media! This year, every news channel across the world have switched their cameras on, all pointed towards me. Their new topic of bloody interest.

　　I grit my teeth as I sat in the middle of my bed. This isn't going to solve by itself. I have to go talk to him, find out why he's doing all of this. How can a man of such stature be so stupid? Driven by grudges against a broken woman like me? Couldn't he forgive and forget? This speaks lengths about his character as a person. Many people believe falsely about Prince Emeric. They praise him for the mask he puts on for the world. But now, I've got a gist of his true nature. Thank god it is hidden and he shows it to the minor and insignificant population like me.

　　My legs walked me over to the east wing by themselves. The anger and embarrassment to face all contenders tonight killed my appetite. Yet again, I shall sleep without supper. I've gotten used to it.

　　My fists banged on the door to his office room. His guards of delta warrior rank looked at me, giving me the side eye.

　　"What?" I snarled at them.

　　"Yes?" The door opened from within. I was, in fact everyone is allowed inside only when he opened the door by himself. If it was locked from within that is.

　　"Can we talk?"

　　"I'm afraid I do not have that kind of time—"

　　"It's urgent." I insisted, gazing deeply into his eyes. He turned back to look at his desk piled with paperwork. With a sigh, he says,

　　"Five minutes." I nodded.

　　"But we have to go somewhere secluded."

　　"Can be arranged." He answered formally without looking at me. Prince Emeric clicked his fingers and the guards took us to where it all started. Back to the equipment storage room between the garden and outside training grounds.

　　"Please proceed." Stuffing his hands in his pockets arrogantly, he gestured for me to speak.

　　"Let me get straight to the point. Am I being a bother to you? Why do you have such a grudge on me?" My eyebrows were crushed into each other as I asked. He took a minute to process my words, as if he didn't have a clue about it himself. I was growing agitated with the wait.

　　"Could you elaborate?" Gosh. Why is he speaking to me like I'm a bloody student and he's a teacher?

　　"It's way too obvious that you're holding a grudge on me for how I behaved with you last week. Even before that, you're making me go through this because I refused to be a part of Trial of Heirs in the first place. Why are you trying to get back to me?" I asked with my voice filled with anger. He went silent for a moment again.

　　Oh gosh, this is frustrating as it is.

　　"I still don't get it, Aurora Fangborn. What is making you think I'm holding a grudge against you?"

　　"...I can't believe you'd be this arrogant, Prince Emeric. Well, let me break it down to you then.

　　Today, at the ceremony. You stuttered my name on purpose. You were holding your laughter back and made me a laughingstock all over the continent! Apart from that, you're holding many grudges against me for rejecting you not once, but twice for a dance whenever we met! I remember that day, two years ago. That doesn't mean you have the right to—" He lifts a hand up to my face.

　　"Whoever told you I was laughing at you, that's why I've mispronounced your name, is trying to create a rift between us. I don't have that kind of time to plan and ruin your life furthermore. It's already ruined, by your own hands." I gasped loudly at his response.

　　"But—" and swiftly, he turned on his heel and began walking out of the area. Once again.

　　He left me hanging, scoffing to myself.

　　I thought we could resolve this tonight once and for all. But this only escalated. The misunderstandings between us have never seemed to come to an end.

　　However, I later learned that Prince Emeric had no such intentions with me. I was assuming all of it, projecting my thoughts onto his and blaming him for my misunderstandings and ill situations. Apart from that, he later conversed in such a manner with his wolf,

　　'See. This is what i mean when I say she's arrogant and irresponsible. She can't even take responsibility for her own actions, Marrok!'

　　'It's not her fault entirely that she seems so frustrated, Emeric. She's just learning about the world and how it can tear everyone apart. It's alright. Give her some time. She'll adapt and maybe ask you for forgiveness.'

　　'What a rude thing of her to say!? I could never plan against her. Like I said, I don't have time for that bullshit. She's been assuming too many things about me. I think I should reject her and free her from this—' Suddenly, his wolf Marrok growled loudly within Emeric's chest.

　　'Don't you dare do that to us, Emeric. I've imprinted on her. She's mine.' Emeric stood in the middle of the hall, surprised and shocked. The guards in front of him kept moving as he had a battle with his wolf in his head.

　　'Besides...she smelled awfully good today. I'm thankful you walked away. Or I'd have made you pounce on her and devour her raw.' Marrok spoke disgustingly, but that is how a wolf would feel~

　　'That's also a reason I walked away, genius.'