Royal Outcast

Chapter 2

Seri's POV

"Happy 18th birthday, Seri," Mr. Adams greeted me with a warm smile, his voice brimming with genuine affection.

I responded with a small smile of my own, deeply touched by his thoughtful gesture and inherent kindness.

"Thank you, Mr. Adams," I said softly, and he ruffled my hair affectionately before flashing me another smile and walking away to attend to other tasks.

I returned to my food, eating quietly, but my attention was split between my meal and ensuring that the younger pups had everything they needed.

I couldn't help but keep a watchful eye on them, even as I tried to finish my breakfast.

After a while, I finally finished eating and moved to help the orphanage staff clean up in the dining area.

As I was diligently wiping down the tables and stacking the plates, I suddenly heard someone calling my name.

"Seri!"

I turned around, startled by the sound, and before I knew it, Annie had pounced on me, nearly knocking me off balance as she enveloped me in a tight, enthusiastic hug.

"Happy 18th birthday, bestie!" she exclaimed, squeezing me so tightly that it felt like I could barely catch my breath.

I managed to chuckle a bit despite the snug embrace.

"Thank you, Annie," I managed to say, gasping for a bit of air.

Annie finally released me, but only long enough to dig through her bag with excited fervor.

I watched her with a curious expression as she pulled something out and handed it to me.

"Here," she said, thrusting a neatly wrapped box into my hands. I looked at it for a moment, glancing back at her, a sense of guilt beginning to creep into my thoughts.

"Annie, you shouldn’t have," I said, my voice immediately tinged with guilt.

I knew Annie loved giving me gifts, but I never felt like I could properly return the favor. She had been incredibly generous to me for as long as I could remember, but I always felt as though I could barely offer anything in return.

Most of the time, I only managed to give her small, homemade gifts or the occasional item I barely purchased with the meager earnings I made from doing odd jobs around the orphanage.

"This is a very special day. Of course, I have to give you a special gift," she said, nudging me with a playful grin.

"But I won't be able to give you anything back. You know that, right?" I pointed out, my voice full of regret.

"And so? What about it?" Annie shrugged as if it didn’t matter at all.

"Our friendship is more than enough for me. I don’t need or want anything else. You are my best friend, and that’s more than sufficient for me," she added with a radiant smile that made my heart swell, even though the guilt still lingered in the back of my mind.

I bit my lower lip, feeling a mix of flattery and guilt, unsure how to respond to her heartfelt words.

"Come on now. Open it," she urged, her excitement evident in her voice.

I sighed, feeling defeated yet also deeply touched by her insistence. I carefully began unwrapping the gift she had chosen for me.

As I pulled the paper away, I was surprised to find a soft, white cloth nestled inside the box.

"Take it out already, Ri! I am so excited for you to try it on!" Annie squealed in delight, her voice high-pitched with anticipation.

With steady hands, I reached into the box and gently lifted out what lay within, unrolling it slowly.

My eyes widened in awe as I beheld a stunning white dress.

I was left utterly speechless, my mouth opening and closing without any words escaping.

"Isn’t it absolutely gorgeous?" Annie said, her enthusiasm shining through, her eyes shimmering with excitement.

I nodded, still unable to find my voice as I continued to stare at the dress in sheer amazement.

It was undoubtedly the most beautiful piece of clothing I had ever seen, and quite possibly the most expensive as well.

"Annie, I..." I started to protest, intending to decline her lavish gift because it felt way too much, too extravagant for someone like me.

"You're welcome," she said before I could express more, and once again, she was enveloping me in a warm hug.

"But—" I tried to argue, but she gently cupped my face, shaking her head at me with a tender smile.

"No buts. Just accept it. You deserve it," she said firmly, her words soft yet insistent.

I bit my lower lip, feeling a tear beginning to well up in my eyes.

I hadn’t anticipated receiving something so generous. I was completely taken aback by her kindness and thoughtfulness.

"Thank you," I said softly, my voice barely a whisper as I hugged Annie back, my arms wrapping around her tightly.

Annie held me just as closely, gently caressing my back as she whispered sweetly into my ear.

"Happy birthday, Seri. Thank you for being you," she murmured, her voice imbued with deep emotion.

A tear slipped down my cheek before I could fully contain it, and I quickly wiped it away, feeling a swirling mix of gratitude and sadness wash over me.

I was overwhelmed by her kindness and everything she had done for me.

After a moment, Annie pulled back, her bright smile radiating warmth. She helped me finish up the last of the cleaning, and then, as if she had planned it all along, she practically tugged me out of the kitchen and toward the garden.

Once we were outside, Annie and I located a quiet bench and settled down, the peaceful atmosphere of the garden a welcome contrast to the whirlwind of emotions I had been experiencing.

She immediately began to tell me all about what had been going on in her life over the past few days.

I listened intently, my eyes fixed on her as she animatedly recounted her stories. She had such vibrant energy, always filled with life, and I couldn’t help but be pulled in by her enthusiasm.

Annie...

Annie is my best friend. In fact, she is my only friend.

She’s the daughter of the head cook at the orphanage, and I’ve known her ever since I arrived here, when I was still just a little pup.

Back then, I wasn’t very sociable, and even now, I’m not much of a talker. But Annie didn’t care about that. Not one bit.

I remember it vividly.

I can clearly recall the first time I came to the orphanage, feeling utterly lost and terrified.

The memory of what had happened to my pack, and to my parents, was still so fresh in my mind, and I didn't want to engage with anyone.

I didn’t approach anybody, not the pups my age nor even the adults. I kept my distance from everyone, choosing to remain in my own world.

Several others tried to talk to me, attempting to offer comfort, but I never acknowledged them. I couldn't. I was too afraid.

I was terrified of everyone and everything.

I stayed curled up in my bed for days, hardly eating and never speaking to a soul.

Not even Mr. Adams could coax me into opening up.

But then... Annie came.

She saw me sitting there, alone, and walked right up to me with the biggest, most welcoming smile plastered across her face.

I remember the first thing she said to me.

"Hi there! My name is Annie. Do you want to be my friend?"

I remember looking at her, taking in her bright, clean face that radiated life and optimism.

I didn’t say anything that day. I just stared at her, too shy and too frightened to respond.

But Annie? She didn’t give up.

She kept talking to me, sharing everything about herself—her age, where she lived, and the things she enjoyed doing.

She talked and talked, while I simply listened. I didn’t utter a single word.

The next day, she returned.

And the day after that. And the day after that.

On the fifth day, I woke up early and decided it was high time I took a bath for the first time since my arrival. I hadn’t given much thought to grooming myself before, but that particular day, I wanted to feel clean again.

I dressed in the clothes they had given me upon entering the orphanage and then returned to my bed.

Soon after, Annie came in again.

"Hello! How are you?" she greeted me with that same bright, enthusiastic smile.

For the first time since I had arrived at the orphanage, I spoke.

"My name is Seri," I said, my voice soft and uncertain.

That marked the beginning of everything.

From that moment forward, Annie and I spent nearly every day together.

Initially, everyone at the orphanage was taken aback that I had opened up to Annie—let alone to anyone at all. It was shocking to everyone, even to me.

I had never imagined I would open up to anyone after everything I had endured.

I figured I would always remain isolated.

But Annie, through her unwavering patience and persistence, helped me rediscover the courage to engage in conversation once again.

Every single day, she would come to me after school, eager to share the details of her day, the people she had met, and the experiences she had encountered.

I always listened, and in return, she would ask about my day, even though I rarely had much to share. But she never minded.

Annie was always patient with me, and I would be eternally grateful for her presence.

She was one of the few bright spots in my life after everything that had happened, and I couldn't envision a life without her.

"Oh! Has Mr. Adams informed everyone else yet?" Annie suddenly asked, pulling me out of my reverie.

"Told everyone what?" I asked, feeling confused.

"Oof! I guess he hasn’t, has he?" she said with a mischievous grin.

"What? Annie, what is it?" I inquired again, my curiosity steadily growing.

Annie leaned forward, looking conspiratorial, and whispered in my ear.

"There’s a very important person coming here tomorrow," she said excitedly, her eyes sparkling with intrigue.

I furrowed my brows in curiosity.

"A very important person? Coming here? To the orphanage?" I repeated, curiosity evident in my voice.

Who could it possibly be?