~Aurora~

　　I gulped pretty loudly, before saying...

　　"I...I can explain, Prince Emeric."

　　Oh Goddess...I could feel his minty breath fanning down on my face from this position. I gulped down nervously, once again.

　　Out of the blue, Prince Emeric moved his gaze from me and looked behind himself.

　　"I will be counseling her right now. I don't want any disturbances. We are going to my chamber." My eyes widened almost two times bigger. To his chamber!? Does he mean...he wishes to 'counsel' me in his room?

　　This couldn't be any more comfortable for me!

　　It was as if Prince Emeric could understand the distress in my head and body. That's why I was on a run like that.

　　"What happened here?! Oh Goddess...I swear, Emeric— I mean, your majesty, we tried to catch her but she's too damn fast!"

　　"She's been training for the trials, Beta Roman. What else did you expect from a contestant?" I just kept looking at Prince Emeric from my angle. His jaw was so sharp...his piercing eyes almost grey and translucent under the sunlight of our afternoon...

　　Our afternoon...?

　　When did I start getting so poetic!?

　　"You. You're coming with me." I started nodding my head desperately. This was more than enough of a signal that I wanted to talk to him. Prince Emeric catches onto little details so greatly. I admire a man who focuses on little...details...

　　What the hell is wrong with me!?

　　'I admire a MAN who focuses on little details!?'

　　Good Goddess...

　　Prince Emeric turned around and had my little hand in his hold. He was practically dragging me around as I followed his long legged walk with my tiny ones. I didn't notice the incredible height difference we had until today. He is almost a foot taller than myself.

　　Prince Emeric was always a big man. I was just too blind to notice this, I think.

　　There was something about this moment, the way he was holding my hand that was making me blush profusely. My cheeks feel irradiated. My whole body has never felt this heat, the feeling was almost similar to getting a fever.

　　There was thankfully no audience to view my idiotic blush-show. I would be embarrassed by tenfold if I ever had an audience! Oh! If Odin saw me in this position right now...he'd keep teasing me about my tomato cheeks for the rest of my life!

　　"Calm down, Aurora Fangborn. We will only be talking about Alexia's treachery and your wellbeing. I hope you have eaten." He said while taking a turn towards the main diner hall.

　　"I- I've just woken up, Prince Emeric." Humming softly at my response, he stood outside the diner and talked to a guard who was on duty.

　　"Bring her a light meal. Ask who is the dietician assigned for Contestant Aurora Fangborn and get her food to my chamber. As quickly as possible."

　　"Y-Yes, your Highness." The guard was distraught as well. He must be wondering...

　　'Even the top commanding and authority figures of this Kingdom weren't allowed inside the Prince's chamber. How come a mere contestant was given access to entering his chamber!?'

　　"Calm down, Aurora."

　　Whoa.

　　"Y-Yes, Prince Emeric." Shit! Why was I revealing that I'm indeed panicking!?

　　After the guard sprinted back into the diner hall, Prince Emeric couldn't help but bring a chuckle out. It was probably because of my stupidity!

　　After walking into his chamber, the food came in almost too quickly.

　　He sat on the couch of his chamber, not quite his bedroom, but I could see the royal king sized bed that he must be sleeping on. Or if he ever sleeps, even. He's such a hardworking Prince...

　　This is awkward now. There is no one here except for Prince Emeric and I. He is watching me eat while I'm pretty sure I look like an elephant right now. I've never felt so self conscious until now. My face is swollen, my eyes are droopy. I can feel lethargy all over my body.

　　But...isn't that a good thing?

　　I was restless after I woke up a few moments ago. Now, I'm almost at peace. I feel like sleeping again, despite having been knocked out for one whole night! 

　　"Oh—" Suddenly, I choked on a piece of bean while gulping the warm soup. Almost immediately, Prince Emeric pat my back as the piece flew out and fell awkwardly on the table!

　　Silence...

　　"It's alright. I hope you're okay."

　　"I- I'm done. I'm full, Prince Emeric."

　　"Okay,"

　　"No, wait—"

　　While my hands were ready to move the table that was adjusted to my height, Prince Emeric was already drawing the table out to the door. The helpers took it away, and I watched all of it unfold in silence.

　　"Ha..." Prince Emeric came back to sit beside me, a heavy sigh rumbling out of his chest. He had closed the door back again. As if following precaution to avoid any strangers looking at us.

　　Strangers? All of them are his pack members. If anything, they're a big family. Just not to me, I guess.

　　"So? Will you start speaking?" There was no crudeness attached to his tone. Even if the words might seem like it. I blinked rapidly, not knowing where to begin!

　　"Prince Emeric...I- I know you're very busy regarding the cancellation of Trial of Victors, but there is something that I've discovered. A hidden memory had resurfaced." His eyebrows crushed into each other.

　　"A hidden memory?" I nodded. Very slowly.

　　After that, I explained the scenario I've dreamt of, the exact location of the tree which harbored the artifact, as well as getting reassurance that he shall keep my secret safe with him.

　　"Well. I'm glad you...you've begun to trust me."

　　"I would always trust you, Prince Emeric. You bear no ill-will towards me." I was trying to be as formal and polite as possible. However, a moment of silence loomed in the air around us. I could feel the shift in the mattress beside me, my hand slowly lifted up as he puts it on his lap.

　　"Prince Emeric..."

　　"No. Just...Emeric."

　　My eyes widened at the proximity between us. He was far too close to my face, his minty breath was fanning over my lips.

　　I swear I didn't know what prompted me to follow his advances, but the man was slowly inching towards me. Our eyes have closed, putting trust in each other like lovers do.

　　What are we?

　　Last time he tried kissing me, I gave us both a nightmare by slapping him. My own contradictions about men and their 'love' got the best of me.

　　Whoever had said third chance is the lucky chance...was wrong.

　　Because the fourth chance...exists.

　　In our case, his fourth attempt to get closer to me was no dismissed nor rejected this time. My whole body and heart were functioning as one.

　　Heartbeat was increasing, my head felt light, almost spinning because of how much at peace I was as he inched closer and closer.

　　And then...our lips met.

　　He sucked in a breath, as if he was holding it all up until now! His hand held my jaw with such tenderness, that I almost forgot how this feeling even...feels like.

　　I've had no experience, I bet he didn't either.

　　This was our first ever kiss.

　　Individually, as well as one together...

　　Upon parting, he must have expected me to get upset once more! But this time...

　　"...That smile suits you a million stars altogether, Aurora Fangborn. You're beautiful."