Royal Outcast

Chapter 7

Seri's POV

I watched over the kids as they entertained themselves enthusiastically while we waited to be called for the visitors’ arrival.

I couldn't help but smile automatically as I observed them. Their laughter and playful chatter filled the air around us, creating a joyous atmosphere that was impossible to ignore.

It was incredibly heartwarming to see them so happy, especially considering how much some of them had endured at such a young age. Each smile reminded me of the resilience they possessed, and it made me grateful for the fleeting moments of joy they could experience.

“Seri.”

I turned around at the sound of my name, and to my surprise, I saw Mr. Adams making his way toward us.

“Yes, Mr. Adams?” I replied, offering him a polite smile that came naturally.

“We’ve received news that His Highness is almost here. Are the pups ready to meet them?” Mr. Adams asked, his voice serious yet calm. I nodded with a small smile, feeling confident in the preparations we had meticulously made.

“Yes, sir. They’ve been ready for a while now. I’ve properly briefed them about the situation and reminded them to be on their best behavior for the visitors today,” I informed him.

Mr. Adams nodded in response, his face showing a look of satisfaction and approval.

“That’s good to hear. I knew I could count on you, Seri. As always,” he remarked, giving me a friendly pat on the back. I couldn’t help but smile at his kind words, feeling a sense of pride in the trust he placed in me.

“Thank you. It's also a pleasure to have you here too, Seri,” Mr. Adams added warmly, his expression genuine.

“It’s nothing, Mr. Adams. I’m always glad to be of help,” I said humbly, feeling a wave of warmth wash over me. Mr. Adams smiled back, clearly content.

“I’ll head out now to wait in front for the visitors,” he announced, and I nodded in understanding.

Before Mr. Adams could leave, he turned back to me, a thoughtful expression crossing his face.

“Is there anything else, sir?” I asked attentively, wondering if he had anything more to share.

“You look very beautiful today, Seri. I’m sure our visitors will be pleased to meet you as a precious and important member of this family,” he suddenly remarked, catching me completely off guard.

I felt my cheeks flush, and a smile formed on my lips as I processed his kind words.

“Thank you, Mr. Adams,” I said shyly, experiencing a warmth spread across my cheeks. Mr. Adams gave me a genuine smile before he turned to leave.

We waited for a few more minutes before another staff member from the orphanage came to get us, signaling that it was time to proceed to the garden, where the visitors would meet the kids and the rest of us.

I held the hands of the two youngest pups in the orphanage as I, along with other older members of the staff, guided the excited children outside.

Just as we reached the garden, Kate, one of the younger members of the orphanage, stood beside me.

“Hi, Kate,” I greeted her with a warm smile.

“Hi, Seri,” she chirped back, returning my smile before both of us turned our attention to the kids, who were now starting to fill the garden, eagerly anticipating the arrival of the visitors.

“Thank goodness it’s pretty calm here. The kitchen staff seems more stressed out in the back,” she blurted out, and I looked at her, slightly confused.

“Why? What happened?” I asked, a thread of worry starting to rise within me.

“They just found out that His Highness dislikes the dish they cooked up, so now they’re scrambling to come up with something else for the prince to eat,” Kate explained, her tone reflecting the anxiety that accompanied her words.

I bit my lower lip, feeling uneasy at the thought of the unnecessary stress and potential conflict this situation could cause.

“Could you please watch the pups for a while? I’ll take a look at the situation in the kitchen; if I can be of any help, I’d really like to do something,” I suggested, feeling a strong desire to assist in any way I could to make things easier for everyone involved.

“Sure, Seri. Go on ahead,” Kate agreed, taking the two youngest pups from me with a reassuring smile.

I rushed to the kitchen and immediately saw the staff gathered in a tight circle, seemingly in a heated discussion as they tossed ideas around, each suggestion more frantic than the last.

“Uhm… hello?” I called out, trying to get their attention.

Everyone abruptly stopped talking, and all eyes shifted to me.

“Seri, what are you doing here?” Mr. Baines, the head cook and Annie’s father, asked with a puzzled expression on his face.

“I heard that you were having a difficult time back here. May I be of help?” I offered, hoping to provide some sort of solution to ease their worries.

Mr. Baines smiled and motioned for me to come closer.

We discussed the situation for a moment, and I suggested a few dishes that I thought might be a better fit for the prince’s tastes. Working together, we moved quickly and efficiently, and it took us about half an hour to finish preparing the new dish, which left us with ample time before lunch would be served.

“This seems more than good enough. I thank the Gods that you decided to come here, Seri. What would we have done without you?” Mr. Baines exclaimed, his voice filled with relief and gratitude.

“You flatter me, Mr. Baines. I’m sure that even without my assistance, you would have come up with something else to satisfy His Highness,” I said, attempting to downplay my contribution.

Mr. Baines shook his head, a serious look replacing his previously cheerful demeanor.

“I don’t think so, Seri. We were all in a state of panic and couldn’t think straight. We were overthinking everything before you arrived and helped us refocus,” he explained, his gratitude evident in his voice.

I smiled shyly, feeling a bit embarrassed by his praise. Mr. Baines gave me a reassuring pat on the back, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment.

“Thank you, Seri. You might have just saved all of us from the embarrassment of serving an unworthy dish to the prince,” he added with a grateful tone.

“Anytime, Mr. Baines,” I replied, my voice warm with appreciation.

After that, I informed Mr. Baines that I would step outside to rejoin the kids in the garden, and that’s exactly what I did.

As I walked through the hallways, the sounds and bustle of the kitchen behind me slowly faded, and I returned to the garden where I saw the kids still playing and enjoying themselves with pure joy.

As soon as I stepped back into the garden, Kate spotted me and approached, carrying Sachi, the youngest pup from earlier.

“Seri! How was it? Did everything get settled in the kitchen?” she asked, her expression filled with concern and curiosity.

I nodded, offering her a reassuring smile.

“Thankfully, yes. Everything has been settled and is on track,” I confirmed as I took the young pup from her arms.

Kate sighed in relief, clearly glad to hear the good news.

“Thank goodness. The visitors are actually making their way to the kitchen now to meet everyone else. You literally just missed them,” she said with an excited grin.

“Did I?” I asked, swaying side to side playfully as I embraced the little pup in my arms. Kate nodded enthusiastically, clearly thrilled at the thought.

“Yeah! You should’ve seen His Highness. He was so dreamy, charming, cool… ugh! He’s so very Prince-like!” Kate swooned dramatically, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

I chuckled, amused by her animated reaction.

“Was he?” I asked, raising an eyebrow, and Kate nodded eagerly, her voice filled with enthusiasm.

“Yeah, I’m telling you! You would’ve been just as captivated as I was,” she exclaimed, still starry-eyed and obviously taken with the prince's presence.

Kate continued to happily talk animatedly about the prince, and I couldn’t help but find her utterly adorable as she swooned over him after their first encounter.

I learned from her that His Highness’ name was Prince Lucas Alaric-Grey.

She also mentioned that he came with seven royal escorts—four royal guards and three royal warriors, each imposing and dignified.

“And oh boy, if you had seen the prince’s right-hand man! He was such a hunk,” Kate said, her eyes gleaming with excitement and youthful adoration.

I chuckled, shaking my head at her enthusiasm.

“You better not let anyone else hear you say that, Kate. You’re only fifteen; it might not be very appropriate for you to be swooning over someone like that,” I teased with a playful smile.

Kate pouted slightly but then nodded in understanding, keenly aware of the boundaries.

I smiled and gave her a gentle pat on the back before we were told to proceed to the food hall.

“Kate, go on ahead and help the others guide the younger pups. Sachi is asleep, so I’ll take him to the quarters first,” I instructed her.

“How about you? Aren’t you planning to join us for lunch?” she asked, sounding surprised that I would divert from the group.

“Maybe later. I’ll eat once Sachi wakes up from his nap. I’ll feed him and join you then. I’ll be perfectly alright, so go on ahead with the others,” I assured her.

Kate nodded, a soft smile on her face.

“See you later, I guess,” she said, and I nodded in reply, hoping the time would pass quickly.

Kate and I parted ways as she made her way to the food hall, while I headed toward the sleeping quarters with Sachi nestled in my arms.

Upon arriving at the sleeping quarters, I carefully laid Sachi on my bed, surrounding him with fluffy pillows to ensure he was comfortable. After that, I sat down beside him, picking up a book from under my bed, hoping to pass the time while waiting for him to wake up.

After a while, Sachi stirred and began crying softly. I immediately picked him up and tried to comfort him, although my efforts didn’t seem to help much.

“What’s wrong, Sachi?” I asked gently, knowing very well that he could barely say a few words, much less provide me with a proper answer.

I sighed and decided it might be a good idea to step out to the back of the orphanage with Sachi in my arms, but before I headed out, I grabbed my beloved ukulele, thinking that perhaps playing some music might help to soothe him.

Sachi and I made our way outside, walking toward the fountain where I sat down, holding him comfortably in my arms.

Sachi continued to cry, so I carefully set him down on the grass in front of me and took out my ukulele.

“Hopefully, this works,” I murmured to myself, taking a deep breath before I began to play.

As soon as Sachi heard the music, he started to calm down, his little eyes locking onto me with curiosity.

I smiled and continued playing, humming softly as he began to smile and giggle at the soothing tune, his mood visibly shifting as the music enveloped us.

I continued to play, my focus solely on Sachi, and midway through the song, I suddenly felt a strange tingling sensation deep within me. I chose to push it aside for the moment, deciding to ignore it and concentrate on the calming effect the music had on Sachi.

When I finished the song, Sachi giggled in delight, and I couldn’t help but smile widely, leaning down to pick him up once more.

As I stood, preparing to go back inside with him, a sudden awareness of someone else’s presence washed over me. A man.

As soon as our eyes met, I felt an intense pull, an unexplainable connection that drew my attention like a magnet. His eyes gleamed a golden hue, and in that instant, it felt as if all the oxygen had been sucked out of my body.

I suddenly felt light headed for reasons I couldn’t quite understand.

My heart raced in my chest uncontrollably, each beat echoing loudly in my ears.

What is happening to me?

What is this feeling that's bubbling deep inside of me?

"Mate..." an echo rang out in my mind.

"Mate..." I echoed silently in response to the overwhelming realization, my mind swirling with thoughts as newfound feelings surged within me, igniting a spark I had never experienced before.