Her Trail

15

After that night, I felt that my bond with brother and father became stronger. Months passed and brother went back to the academy, Papa is busy as ever, I heard that it's about the kingdom in the middle of two empires. While I was left with Bella and Shane together with some Knights.

In those months, I asked Papa about the situation of the public hospitals. They lack healers when it should be the one who needs them the most. Public hospitals are for the poor, and the quantity of the poor is larger than the nobles of the country.

Thankfully, he already did something for that, he also sent some from different kingdoms.

One day, in the afternoon with the cold breeze from the heavy snow outside, I am in the library with Sir Adalius and we are talking about healers.

What peaked my attention is the fact that they didn't have the power in birth, but it just randomly appear, it can be in childhood, or teenage days, or adulthood of someone. They will never know if they are chosen to be one of the front liners when it comes to the simplest to the deadliest illnesses.

"Then does it mean you have the chance to be one? And me also?" I asked, excited that I may become one.

He nodded after he fixes his eyeglasses.

"Yes, but I don't think I will be a healer, you have a greater chance though," said he.

I pouted. I wish I will be a healer someday. I don't know what's the process of being a healer, but I'm rooting for myself to be one of them. The scarcity of healers is very obvious so I wanted to be part of them to help them heal, rich or poor... I know for a fact that some of those who lack wealth rarely go to hospitals because it cost too much, just like in my past life, the pills here are expensive, and sometimes they would rather not go at all.

The cold breeze became a hot touch of the rays of the sun until it became neutral, and then, just like a blink of an eye, a year passed... I am already sixteen years of age.

I never really go out because Papa told me many wanted to meet me especially the suitors. They are all waiting for a chance, I saw gifts flooding, at first I really felt excited but now, I got so used to it. They don't really know me, so perhaps, all are for connections.

I stayed inside the White Dragon House for the past year, my world revolves around studying, reading, and painting. Papa and I also had some moments when he's not busy because I noticed how hectic his schedule became.

As for brother, he is busy with school, he always sends me letters though, we are exchanging it from time to time especially on the times that boredom strikes me too hard.

And Amara... I'm grateful that I haven't met her again... I know I'm mean but no, I don't want to involve myself with her, that goes the same with Donovan.

Few times, he visited the White Dragon's House but every time, I'm hiding inside my room, refusing to see even his shadows.

Now, because of boredom, I have decided to learn something, and I needed Papa's approval first.

I heave a deep sigh before knocking on the door of his office, when I heard his deep voice, I enter the place.

Oh gosh, of all days, why do I have to see Donovan now? I know my face right now screams what I'm feeling deep inside. I revert my eyes away from him and I steady it on Papa who is waiting for my concern.

I didn't know that Donovan will come! I mean... usually, Bella and Shane inform me about it but now I didn't hear anything from them!

I was reluctant to fully enter Papa's office, but I realized that I shouldn't be afraid since I can avoid him with all my heart.

When I reach the front of Father's table, I tell him my concern, "Papa, I wanted to learn how to ride a horse..."

I never really learned it even though I am the Duke's daughter because I'm afraid to take a fall and hurt myself, but now, I realized that it will be fun to have a stroll riding that! The House is huge and I still don't visit some parts, especially the Harem since I am not allowed to... but now, I'm kind of curious.

I saw his eyebrow raise, "I thought you don't want to? Bored again?"

Pouting my lips, I nodded, "Yes..." it was almost a whisper because I can sense the stare of the man beside me.

From my peripheral vision, I can see that he became taller again.

"Fine, tell Matt or Marco about your request, then. Be careful, Elora Ember."

I almost jump in glee, "Yes, of course! Thank you, Papa! I love you so much!" if only the table is not between us, I will hug him!

"I don't have anything to do, I can teach her, Duke Dallas, you know my skills."

But my happiness faded when I heard that, I eyed Donovan who is beside me looking seriously at my father, waiting for his reply.

That's just ridiculous! I mean, oh my goodness gracious, I am avoiding him and now he wanted to teach me instead?

I look back at Papa who is also seriously looking back at Donovan, father's forehead is crease, it seems like he is weighing his decision.

Oh no, refuse it, Duke Dallas Caspian Fleyr!

I almost groan when Papa nodded his head few moments afraid, when I look at Donovan, he is already smirking.

The hell?

If only I can place an angry emoji right in my face I would do it!

"I don't approve of anyone for my daughter," Papa said that, out of topic.

Donovan made a manly chuckle, he look briefly at me before eyeing my father again.

"She'll be safe with me, rest assured, Duke."

After that, he looks at me, raising an eyebrow, "Let's go?"

With no other choice, I bid goodbye to Papa and I go out stumping my feet a little, pissed off that Donovan intruded.

When we go out, I turn my body to face him, because he is just following me while my steps are really heavy because of my frustrations with him.

"Why do you have to do this?!" I can't help to raise my voice.

I know that he is the crown prince but does he really need to...

I heave a deep sigh, frustrated while looking at him. He just stands not so far from me, looking at my expressions with those dark eyes, dark, curly, and long lashes, thick and dark eyebrows, and even darker orbs.

"Are you mad?" all that he replied.

Oh gosh, isn't obvious, your highness?! I wanted to shout those words so much but I refrain myself.

"Just go, I'll just let Matt and Marco teach me... please," the last word was almost a whisper.

"You're still mad because of what happened a year ago?"

And now I became madder because he bring that up. I already forgot about that and now he refresh it on my mind!

"No! I just don't understand why you are doing this, and really? The busy Crown Prince will teach me? That's ridiculous, your highness."

I can feel my eyebrows almost meeting each other. Why does he have to do this... entering my life when I don't want him there.

"If it's about that, I wanted to clear things out now. I only stopped you then because many are watching and they might be misunderstood and gossip about the situation, that will taint your name. But when I saw you crying, I immediately regretted my actions, I visited here many times but I didn't saw you even once, I realized that you were avoiding me, but I'm thankful that I came here now unannounced because I was able to meet you here like this, mad but still beautiful..." he sighed, his gazes became even deeper, "I'm sorry for what happened, will you let me teach you now?"

I close my eyes and I have another deep sigh, when I open it, he became nearer so my eyebrows furrowed.

"Where's the barn? Let's go there."

Now that he said those words I don't know how to refuse him, my lips protruded as I walk beside him towards the barn.

When we reach it, I go towards my horses, brother gave them to me, I choose Ricca, the one in the middle, and I go up to her back without the help of the Prince. I just know how to do it but riding her while she's running terrifies me, I felt like I will fall any second and my head will hit a stone and I'll die eventually due to blood clots.

My eyes widened when Donovan went up to sit behind me, I almost screamed because of his sudden action.

"Are you going to teach me like this?!" my voice is rising again.

He chuckle near my right ear so I felt him breathe, it gave me shivers that I wanted to go down and refuse all of these things that are happening between us.

"Gently pull the reigns..." he whispered on my back.

I did what he told me, "Lean on me."

I turn my head to look at him but I immediately regretted it because of our nose touch! I didn't notice that he is this close to me!

"W-Why would I lean on you? I-I that even part of it?" I let my head face in front while slowly getting pinkish because of embarrassment.

What the frigging hell, Elora Ember?!

Why did you even put yourself in a situation like this?!

He whispered the step-by-step procedures to me and I did it like a stiff branch of a tree every time! Oh gosh, oh gosh, I wish this will end right away!

When I was able to let the horse walk, I suddenly felt happy that I didn't my his arms embracing my waist.

"I did it!" I said happily.

"Yes, you did," another breathy remark from him.

I make sure I am careful enough because I'm just a beginner, I didn't let Ricca run because we might die... or rather I'll die of a heart attack when she goes berserk so I did it very carefully.

My eyebrow furrowed when another arm embrace my waist... I look at it and my face immediately heated.

If someone sees us, they will get the wrong idea!

"I-I thought, you're going to teach me? Why are you..."

"Hmm?"

I close my eyes, frustrated that he seems like he doesn't care at all. I wanted to see his expression so I twisted my body a bit, when our eyes met, I saw his sleepy eyes as they look down on me. His mouth is slightly gape, but he closed it, he didn't remove his stare at me.

Suddenly, I forgot what I'm about to say.

"What it is?" he asked, looking at my eyes down to my lips, I noticed how his eyes became sleepier.

"N-nevermind!"

I forgot it, you i***t!

I slightly lean on him to let the horse walk again, but I think I shouldn't have done that...

I just... I just felt something on my back when our bodies crush closer.

What the hell, Crown Prince?!

His embrace on me became tighter that I realized that the atmosphere is really sensual, and s**t! I now know why his eyes are sleepy like that!

Oh goodness, Donovan Gaige Elias!

I wanted to lecture him so much but my heated face and the fast beatings of my heart won't let me.

I sigh while trying to let the horse run in a slow way, but that wrong idea made everything worse! My back and his chest just kept on crushing!

"I-I think we should go down."

"Hmm?"

I think he can't hear anything right now!

I slowed down the horse until she finally stops from running.

I calm myself down, because I swear, I'm painting from all the frustration I'm feeling for this man!

"I'm sorry..." it seems like he felt that I'm mad.

I felt his head on my other shoulder, "I'm sorry, I'll calm it down so please, just stay for a while..."

I sighed and nodded. I won't let him teach me again!