~Aurora~

　　What happened, had happened. I need to find the strength to move on and set myself back into the path from where I've emerged as a person. This emotional prison I've been locked in makes no sense to others, other than myself.

　　After waiting for several hours yesterday, an attempt to speak with Prince Emeric, I realized I've been wasting a lot of time. As promised, I got back to Odin and met him at the dinner hall for lunch. The ceramic plate of mine was filled with meat this time, and his with greens. Unlike last time.

　　"Wow. Meat." The way Odin said it made me chuckle.

　　"Where did you run off to this morning? I've been told by your dietician that you missed your breakfast! She was really, really pissed at you. She even claimed that you don't ever eat on time! She will be reprimanded for YOUR behavior, did you know that?" Odin lectured me as I rolled my eyes in response!

　　"Ugh! She always does that. Anyway, I just went to Prince Emeric to let him know about my incident with Mr. Kraken."

　　"Mr. Kraken. I like that." With a snort, he repeated quietly to himself. I opened the disposable sachet of a spoon-fork and popped the can of juice.

　　"Are you going to hit the library today?" Asked Odin. I thought about it for a second.

　　I've been neglecting my library studies and research for more than two days now. It's about time that I reconnect with my research. But at the same time, I'm way too lethargic and occupied with events that happened to me. I shouldn't be like this. Especially when my goals are heavily inclined to the way I make use of opportunities around me. Make us them...fairly.

　　"Fine. I'll come with you!"

　　"Good."

　　After concluding our lunch, I was feeling extremely sleepy. The heavy meat and juice was way too filling and made my stomach and soul happy!

　　"Odin, can I go re—"

　　"No." Odin immediately held my wrist and started dragging me back on the path where I had halted. He was dragging me, and people were giving me nasty gazes in the corridor! They've already assumed I've done something wrong and that 'Odin is trying to punish the outcast'.

　　Yes. I've assumed that's what these people are thinking at the back of their minds. That's because in their eyes, I'm a totally weird kid who is still the spoiled self. Can't people accept change once in a while?

　　"Fine! I'm coming! Stop dragging me. People are watching."

　　"As if I care if they're watching, Aurora." Oh Goddess. I'm too tired to argue, and too tired to analyze the gazes as well. So, I just let Odin drag me all the way to the library while I was forcing my feet to match his pace. That long-legged creature.

　　"Here,"

　　"Whoa!" In a split second - while my attention was somewhere else - a tower of books were shoved into my hands as I almost stumbled backwards!

　　"That's a lot, Odin." I warned him about gaining too much knowledge.

　　"You don't get to say that. You've already borrowed the best books, leaving us this bulk of material to study."

　　"Hey! That's very rude to assume! I don't keep the books forever with me and I'm not that foul to hide them in my room to discourage other contestants from them! I do return my books!"

　　"Oh yeah. And which one of your 'returned books' are applicable for the upcoming fourth trial?"

　　"Well...uh...hehe."

　　Odin found us a seat as he made me walk around like his assistant, carrying the pile of books. It was also an assaying factor for my growing strength. To others, it might seem I'm carrying something slightly more than my own weight. But for me, they weighed like feathers.

　　"Here." Odin finally helped me put the books down in a neat order.

　　"Oh! And I heard there will be an important, tactical announcement by Prince Emeric today evening."

　　"Alright. The fourth trial is day after, right?" Arranging the books in front of us, categorically distributed to each one of us, Odin replied.

　　"Yup,"

　　After having read the scriptures for more than three hours, without a break, I realized I should leave the matter of Prince Emeric aside. That's been causing me a lot of emotional turmoil, which I can't afford at the moment. Also, added to the turmoil was the rift felt between my main goal that I need to fulfill. Getting my rights back, getting my position back at my pack: The Darkforest pack.

　　Odin chuckled at the way I heaved a heavy sigh, he closed his book along with me.

　　"That's enough reading for today, I bet." I said, stretching my body a little. My arms were in the air when Odin folded his arms over his chest, leaning back against the chair.

　　"As if I'm going to believe you. No one in this room is going to believe you when you say you're 'done' with reading books. We all know the truth, you deceiving woman." A silent, yet hearty laughter came out of me!

　　"Wow, thank you for not trusting me, I guess." I joked as well. After the little break we gave for ourselves, I anticipated the official announcement for our gathering at the common hall. There are speakers in the library as well, for us contestants could be literally anywhere in the palace.

　　Few minutes passed by. Meanwhile, I was talking about banal things with Odin who seemed to be matching my energy. Survival tactics, what's needed for a team to get the optimal formation, what is truly the most dangerous time in a forest. We discussed everything under the sun about survival, if I can say so myself.

　　"You see, some things come from the heart. It's not what we opt, our locus of control goes to God, sometimes."

　　"Hmm. I get it now," I replied to Odin. He has been claiming that not everything has to go in a certain order, or at least in a direction that we want in life.

　　I wonder...

　　Sitting in silence, we heard the pre-announcement signature sound before the voice of Beta Roman was heard. The speakers were loud and clear in the library, but the sound was slowly increasing as a measure to not jolt the silence of the atmosphere.

　　"All contestants of Trials of Heirs, please assemble at the common hall in 15 minutes."

　　"That's our queue, Aurora."

　　"Yup. Let's get going." Saying that, we saw two more contestants walk out of the library along with us, at the same time. Reaching the common hall, I stood at my position and took a stance. Hands behind my back and a straight posture.

　　"Attention! Prince Emeric is taking over," hearing that, my eyes widened slightly and I looked up to see him.

　　Finally,

　　After hours and hours of waiting to talk to him, or at least...see him.

　　No...Aurora.

　　You promised yourself not to spiral into this turmoil. You are completely aware of the source. Acting nonchalant about it is way better.

　　Having convinced myself, I brought my gaze back to look at Prince Emeric. He had taken over his role as host of Trials of Heirs gracefully. It was almost as if he's forgotten about last night. It can only add to my advantage if he doesn't remember the incidents of last night.

　　With that, his announcement for the fourth trial was about...