Royal Outcast

Chapter 10

Seri's POV

“Are you leaving us, Riri?” one of the little pups asked, her innocent eyes wide with fear.

“Why are you leaving?” another inquired, his voice trembling as he looked up at me.

“Did we do anything wrong?” a third pup asked, confusion evident in his tone.

“Do you not love us anymore?” yet another piped up, tears brimming in her eyes.

“What will we do without you?” one of the youngest whimpered, clutching a worn-out toy tightly to his chest.

My heart ached unbearably as the haunting cries of the pups filled the room, their voices intertwined with sorrow, confusion, and desperation. It felt as if an invisible force was crushing my heart within my chest, squeezing out every last bit of resistance I had left.

I wanted nothing more than to collapse onto the floor and weep alongside them, to allow my emotions to wash over me completely.

Yet, I knew I couldn’t. I had to hold myself together, no matter how insurmountable the task felt. I didn’t want them to witness my breaking point. I didn’t want them to see me at my most vulnerable.

One of the pups sobbed harder, her tiny arms wrapping around me with a fierce grip, as if letting go of me would mean losing me forever. “We don’t want you to leave, Seri,” she cried, her voice thick with grief.

I reached out gently, cupping her tear-streaked face in my hands, my trembling fingers brushing away her tears. I forced a smile—however small and feeble it may have been—because that was the least I could do for them in that moment.

“I do not wish to leave either,” I whispered, my voice hovering just above a quiver. “If I had a choice, I would choose to stay, over and over again. I wish I could stay. Always.”

I could feel my throat tightening as I fought back my own impending sobs, my lips quivering as I struggled to keep my voice from cracking further.

“Then, stay,” another pup implored, his tiny hands grasping my arm with a desperate urgency. “Please. We need you here. We want you here.”

I shut my eyes briefly, inhaling sharply as I fought to regain control over my swirling emotions.

“I… can’t,” I choked out, feeling the threads holding me together slowly unraveling.

With a great effort, I swallowed the lump that had formed in my throat and took a shaky breath before continuing, “I have to leave. His highness has ordered it, and I cannot disobey him. Disobeying him would only endanger all of you,” I explained, my tears finally beginning to slip down my cheeks, despite my best attempts to contain them. “I would never risk harming you. Never.”

A small pup sniffled beside me, her tiny fingers clutching onto the hem of my dress as though it were a lifeline. “Why must his highness take you away from us? Did we do something wrong? Does he not like us? Why is he taking you away?” she asked, her voice breaking my heart.

I shook my head immediately, wanting to assuage their fears. “No, no, it’s not like that,” I assured them, my voice tinged with desperation. “His highness does not despise you. He does not wish to harm you. He just… I just… we need to be apart for now.”

“Then, why can’t he stay here instead of taking you away?” another pup cried through his sobs. “Or maybe we can all go with you?”

I bit my lip, my heart shattering even further at their innocent questions. If only things were that simple. If only there was even a possibility of that happening.

“It does not work like that, unfortunately,” I replied with a weak, sorrowful smile. “I wish it was that easy. I really do.”

Their cries became more intense, and all I could do was hold them closer, as if that embrace would somehow lessen their pain—or my own. But it didn’t. If anything, it only amplified the heartache I was experiencing.

“Will you ever come back? Will you visit us?” a pup asked hesitantly, his voice filled with so much hope that it shattered me once again.

I hesitated for a brief moment as I pondered the weight of his question.

“I… will try my best,” I whispered, though I couldn’t help but doubt the sincerity of my own words.

The room echoed with the sound of their cries, their sobs reverberating through the air, and all I could do was hold them close, allowing their tears to flow until their little bodies grew tired.

This was the worst feeling I had ever encountered. It was unbearable. It was suffocating.

I hated myself even more for being the cause of their suffering.

I knew it wasn’t entirely my fault, but that knowledge offered little solace. I wished there was something—anything—I could do to change this situation. But deep down, I understood that no matter what I did, no matter how fervently I wished for things to be different, nothing would change.

This was the only course of action I could take for them now.

If I attempted to resist, if I fought back against the inevitable, it might lead to an even worse outcome. And I vehemently refused to let that happen. I would never forgive myself if my actions led to harm coming to those in this orphanage.

I would rather die than be the reason for their suffering.

We remained entwined in each other's embrace for what felt like an eternity, until, eventually, most of the pups began to calm down. Their exhausted little bodies grew heavy in my arms, and one by one, I managed to tuck them into bed—just as I had always done.

By the time I finished, the clock read 10 PM. I had never felt more emotionally drained in my entire life.

I had cried throughout the day, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that I had nothing left within me.

“Seri…”

I turned to the sound of the familiar voice, finding Mr. Adams’ kind yet sorrowful gaze meeting mine. He approached me with slow, tentative steps, as though unsure if he should come closer.

However, before he could reach my side, his highness suddenly appeared between us, his presence both overwhelming and unyielding, casting a shadow over the fragile moment we had begun to share.

Mr. Adams halted immediately, his body stiffening as his highness projected a menacing aura that filled the room.

“I only wish to speak with Seri, your highness,” Mr. Adams articulated, his voice gentle yet firm, holding an undercurrent of desperation.

His highness, however, remained unmoved. His jaw clenched, and his expression grew dark.

“Why do you need to speak with my mate?” he asked, irritation and possessiveness lacing his tone.

Mr. Adams let out a quiet sigh before responding yet again. “I wish to say my goodbyes to Seri, your highness. After all, I have watched her grow up all these years. She is like family to me.”

His highness’ expression remained cold and unyielding. “Then, say your goodbyes from where you stand.”

“But, your highness—”

“No,” his highness growled, cutting him off with an authority that echoed in the room.

Mr. Adams looked visibly distressed, his shoulders slumping ever so slightly as he absorbed the refusal.

“Your highness,” another voice suddenly interjected. It was Mr. Dillon.

He took a step forward, glancing back and forth between his highness and Mr. Adams, assessing the tension in the air.

“Perhaps you can spare them a moment of privacy,” Mr. Dillon suggested carefully. “I will remain here to supervise.”

His highness turned his head slightly, narrowing his eyes at Mr. Dillon with a mix of skepticism and annoyance.

“I highly suggest this, your highness,” Mr. Dillon persisted.

An uncomfortable silence settled in the air before his highness finally relented. Although visibly displeased, he chose not to oppose the request. Instead, he shot me a sharp, warning look before pivoting on his heel and striding out of the room.

“You may speak now,” Mr. Dillon remarked, his tone neutral. “But if possible, try to remain where you are.”

I bit my lower lip, my eyes already brimming with fresh tears as I turned back to Mr. Adams.

“Seri, dear…” he began, his voice warm and filled with sorrow, as he managed a small, bittersweet smile that did little to ease the gloom surrounding us.

I clenched my fists tightly, fighting against the wave of emotions that threatened to spill out.

“How are you feeling?” he asked softly, his concern palpable.

A tear broke free and escaped down my cheek before I could stop it, but I quickly wiped it away, determined to hold it together.

“You should be happy,” he asserted gently, his voice barely above a whisper. “You found your mate. Or rather, he found you.”

I shook my head vigorously, my lips pressing into a tight line as I refused to accept the notion.

“I know you want to stay. I know you promised to stay and help us. But circumstances have changed, precious one. I’m so very sorry,” he continued with a heavy heart.

Tears began to gather in my eyes once more as he continued, his own voice shaking under the weight of unspoken emotions.

“I understand,” he said, his words laced with empathy. “Everyone else will understand, too. Maybe not immediately, but in time… I’m sure they will.”

At that moment, I could hold it in no longer. My voice cracked as I whispered the undeniable truth that had been weighing heavily on my heart since earlier.

“I don’t want to go.” I sobbed.