From Now On, I’m My Own Princess

Chapter 2

The next morning, before I was even out of bed, Mom came in with 2 workers.

As they lifted the bookcase, one corner scraped the wall. Mom immediately rushed forward.

"Careful! Don't damage the paint."

When she saw me come out, she casually pointed to the guest room at the end of the hall.

"Erin, your sister has too many clothes. Her current dressing room isn't big enough. Your room gets good light, so we're knocking down the wall and turning it into a new dressing room for her. You don't have much. Squeeze into the guest room for a few days."

I watched the workers toss my drawing board onto the floor. Sheets of artwork scattered everywhere.

"The guest room doesn't have heat."

Mom waved impatiently.

"The weather is already warming up. What do you need heat for?"

Lily emerged from her room in silk pajamas and yawned.

"Mom, what's all the noise so early in the morning?"

When she saw me, she gave me an apologetic smile.

"Sorry, Erin. I just have so many clothes. If you're upset, I can give you a few of the old gowns I don't want anymore. You can wear one on your blind date."

I crouched down and picked up my drawings one by one.

"No, thanks. I'll move."

I packed all my belongings into a few cardboard boxes.

There really wasn't much. Apart from a few changes of clothes and some design books, there were pitifully few signs in that house that I had ever belonged there.

The guest room smelled musty from being shut up for so long.

I opened the window. A cold wind swept in, carrying the chill of early spring.

I shivered.

My phone vibrated. Aiden was calling.

"What are you doing?"

It sounded as though Aiden was in a meeting. Voices murmured around him, but I could still hear the gentleness in his voice.

"Packing."

I looked around the empty guest room.

"Do you have a lot?"

"Not much."

I lowered my eyes.

"A single suitcase will be enough."

Aiden went quiet for 2 seconds. Then he told me our place in Glenhaven was ready, and he'd put a table beside the window.

"Does it get good light?"

"The sun comes in during the afternoon. I'll send you a picture in a moment."

"Okay."

"There's a forest near the compound outside the city. I went for a run there last time. I'll take you when you arrive."

"How far can we run?"

He laughed.

"As far as you like. When you get tired, I'll walk back with you at whatever pace you need."

I laughed too. I'd once told Aiden that whenever my family went to the woods, the moment Lily complained she was tired, Mom made all of us go home. I always felt as though I'd barely stretched my legs. I never expected him to remember.

"Then I'm looking forward to it."

After we hung up, my door opened. Mom walked in carrying a bowl of stew.

Before she came close, I smelled carrots.

"Mom, I'm allergic to carrots."

She paused, her smile stiffening.

"I forgot. It's fine. Just pick them out. The beef is very tender."

I stared at her as though what she'd said were perfectly reasonable.

"I'll still have an allergic reaction even if I pick them out."

Her smile vanished.

"Erin, I went out of my way to bring you dinner. How long are you going to sulk about the room?"

"I don't want it."

"So ungrateful." She turned away with the bowl. At the door, she suddenly added, "The relatives are coming tomorrow night, and we'll need help in the kitchen. Come home early. And stop walking around with that long face. The family will laugh at us."

The door slammed shut.

I locked it and drew the curtains. After stripping off my clothes beside the bed, I shifted into my wolf form.

I curled up on an old blanket. The guest room was so small that my paws hit the wall when I stretched out. I shifted around until I was finally somewhat comfortable.

Across the hall, I could still hear Mom asking Lily whether she liked her new cabinets.

I closed my eyes and buried my muzzle in the blanket. By the time I woke, the house was quiet.

I shifted back, put on my coat, and picked up my phone. Aiden had sent me a photo. An empty wooden table stood beside the window, sunlight spilling across its surface.

Aiden: Will this do? If you don't like it, we still have 2 days. I can have anything changed.

I sat on the edge of the bed and stared at the picture for a long time.

Erin: It's perfect. I love it.