Chapter Seven: Playing Dead
1143 Words
POV: Melissa / Mary
The giant black wolf stared at me in silence.
Meanwhile, knights were rapidly approaching from the other side of the garden.
“Over there!”
“I saw movement!”
My heartbeat nearly exploded.
“Cassian,” I whispered urgently, “please trust me!”
For one terrifying second, I thought he would ignore me completely.
Then unexpectedly—
The massive wolf slowly collapsed onto the grass beside me.
My eyes widened.
He actually listened?!
Good wolf.
No.
BAD MARY.
FOCUS.
I immediately dropped to my knees beside him just as several knights rushed into the area.
Their armor clinked loudly as they stopped in shock.
“What in the world—?!”
One knight pointed his sword toward the wolf instantly.
“A beast!”
“No!” I shouted quickly, throwing myself in front of Cassian dramatically.
The knights froze.
“My Lady?!”
I grabbed my chest and pretended to breathe heavily.
“This poor creature suddenly collapsed near me,” I said dramatically. “I think it’s injured!”
Technically not a lie.
Mentally injured probably counted.
The knights exchanged confused looks.
One of them frowned suspiciously.
“A black wolf that size shouldn’t exist.”
Please stop observing details.
Thank you.
Another knight stepped closer carefully.
“It doesn’t appear aggressive…”
Because he’s trying very hard not to eat you.
I smiled nervously.
“Exactly! See? Very peaceful.”
The wolf remained completely motionless beside me.
Honestly impressive.
If I didn’t know better, I would think he was actually unconscious.
The suspicious knight narrowed his eyes.
“My Lady, you should step away from it.”
“No!”
Too aggressive.
I coughed awkwardly.
“I mean… it might panic if strangers approach suddenly.”
The knight looked unconvinced.
Then suddenly—
The wolf lifted his head slightly and growled very softly.
Every knight immediately stepped backward.
Cowards.
Honestly understandable though.
“See?” I said quickly. “He’s scared.”
The knights stared at me like I had lost my mind.
One finally lowered his sword.
“We should report this to the palace immediately.”
NO.
ABSOLUTELY NOT.
If the Emperor arrived, things might still be manageable.
But if anyone else recognized Cassian—
Disaster.
Think faster, Mary.
Then suddenly, inspiration struck.
I placed a hand dramatically against my forehead.
“Oh no…”
The knights looked alarmed.
“My Lady?!”
“I suddenly feel dizzy…”
And before they could react—
I deliberately collapsed sideways onto the grass.
Not fully.
Just enough for drama.
The knights panicked immediately.
“Lady Melissa!”
“She’s still recovering from the river incident!”
“We need a doctor!”
Perfect.
Complete chaos.
Exactly what I needed.
While the knights focused on me, I discreetly glanced toward the wolf.
Cassian was staring at me with what looked suspiciously like disbelief.
Yes.
I’m aware this plan is stupid.
Please cooperate anyway.
“I-I think I need air…” I whispered weakly.
One knight immediately rushed forward.
“We’ll escort you back inside immediately, My Lady!”
“No!” I grabbed his arm dramatically. “Please… don’t leave the poor wolf alone…”
The knight looked emotionally conflicted.
“I… what?”
“He looks lonely.”
Even I wanted to slap myself.
But somehow—
It worked.
One of the younger knights looked hesitant.
“It really hasn’t attacked anyone…”
The suspicious knight sighed heavily.
“Fine. We’ll contact the royal beast caretakers tomorrow morning.”
Tomorrow morning?!
Absolutely not.
Cassian couldn’t stay here until morning!
The wolf suddenly stood up slowly behind me.
Every knight tensed again.
But instead of attacking—
He walked calmly toward the darker part of the garden.
Then stopped briefly.
And looked back at me.
Those glowing silver eyes locked onto mine for one long moment.
It felt strangely human.
Strangely emotional.
Then—
He disappeared into the shadows completely.
The knights released relieved breaths immediately.
“…That was terrifying,” one whispered.
You have no idea.
A few minutes later, I was escorted back into the palace.
The moment I entered the ballroom again, every noble immediately stared.
Apparently disappearing during a royal ball caused drama.
Who knew?
Tiffany rushed toward me in panic.
“My Lady! Where were you?!”
“In the garden.”
“Why are your clothes dirty?!”
“…Nature.”
She looked deeply concerned.
Honestly fair.
Before more questions could attack me, another familiar voice spoke.
“You disappeared suddenly.”
I froze.
Crown Prince Ethan.
Standing beside him was Lucas, my brother, who looked equally suspicious.
Wonderful.
A double interrogation.
“I went for fresh air,” I replied carefully.
Lucas crossed his arms.
“At night?”
“Yes?”
“In the royal gardens?”
“…People walk in gardens all the time.”
Ethan studied me quietly.
Then his gaze suddenly lowered.
“To a garden with wolf tracks?”
My blood froze.
Wait.
WHAT?!
I looked down instinctively.
And immediately regretted it.
Mud marks covered the lower part of my dress.
And clearly visible beside them—
Large paw prints.
OH NO.
My soul began ascending peacefully into heaven.
Lucas noticed them too.
“…Melissa.”
I laughed nervously.
“Funny story actually—”
“Why are there giant paw prints around your dress?” Ethan interrupted calmly.
Think.
THINK.
Then suddenly—
“I was attacked by a puppy.”
Silence.
Complete silence.
Lucas blinked slowly.
Ethan stared at me expressionlessly.
“…A puppy,” he repeated.
“Yes.”
“With paws larger than a grown man’s hand.”
“…Very healthy puppy?”
Even Tiffany looked disappointed in me.
I wanted the floor to swallow me whole.
Then unexpectedly—
A low chuckle came from nearby.
Everyone turned.
And standing near the ballroom entrance—
Was Cassian Vale.
In human form.
Perfectly dressed.
Completely calm.
As if he had NOT been a giant wolf five minutes ago.
HOW?!
His sea-blue eyes met mine briefly.
And for one horrifying second—
I noticed amusement in them.
This man was enjoying my suffering.
Cassian walked toward us gracefully.
“Is something wrong?”
Ethan glanced between the two of us carefully.
“You arrived rather suddenly.”
“So did Lady Melissa apparently,” Cassian replied smoothly.
Traitor.
Absolute traitor.
Lucas frowned slightly.
“Melissa claims she encountered a ‘puppy’ outside.”
Cassian looked at me.
And I swear his lips twitched slightly.
He was trying not to laugh.
“I see,” he said calmly.
Then he added—
“Lady Melissa has always had a vivid imagination.”
Excuse me?!
But before I could protest, Cassian suddenly stepped closer.
Very close.
Then quietly, so only I could hear—
“Thank you… for protecting me.”
- Writer
