Royal Outcast

Chapter 4

Seri's POV

"Goodnight, Seri," one of the pups said to me as I finished tucking them snugly into their beds. It had been a long and busy day for all of us, filled with excitement and those little moments that made the day truly special.

I smiled warmly at the little pup, my heart brimming with affection.

"Goodnight, everyone," I replied gently, my voice soft as I made sure each of the pups was tucked in comfortably and securely.

Once I was certain they were all settled, I turned off the lights, making sure the room was as cozy and tranquil as possible.

I slowly made my way to my own bed, feeling tired but content from the day. The soft, warm blankets beckoned to me, and I slipped into bed, pulling the covers up around me and curling up comfortably.

I closed my eyes, my thoughts still swirling as I tried to let the events of the day fade away while I awaited the gentle embrace of sleep.

It had indeed been a long, tiring day, but there was something about it that felt right and meaningful. It was one of those days that, in hindsight, seemed wholesome and fulfilling.

It was special—a rare kind of day that I knew I would remember for a long time. I really liked it. I liked it a lot.

As I began to drift off, I could feel my eyelids becoming heavier and within a matter of minutes, I slipped into the depths of sleep, my mind finally slowing down enough to allow me to rest.

However, once I found myself submerged in slumber, I discovered I was in an unfamiliar place. I looked around, trying to make sense of my surroundings, my brows furrowing in confusion.

Where could I possibly be?

This was not like any place I had ever visited before—not like the familiar forest where I usually met Aoife, my spirit wolf, in my dreams.

This forest felt entirely different. It was uncharted terrain for me. I didn’t recognize the trees, the winding path, or the crisp scent of the air.

I cautiously began walking, my footsteps soft against the forest floor as I took in the beauty around me.

Towering trees loomed above me, their leaves whispering gently in the breeze, and the soft murmur of distant wildlife filled the ambiance, creating a symphony of nature.

It was indeed a beautiful forest, without a doubt. I couldn’t deny that.

Yet, despite its beauty, something about it felt deeply foreign, remarkably out of place. I couldn’t shake the feeling that there was something in this forest that I was meant to find, something intangible calling to me that I couldn't yet grasp.

As I continued to walk, attempting to make sense of this unfamiliar place, I suddenly heard a rustling sound behind me. I froze and turned around, but to my dismay, there was no one there. Now, the forest had taken on an eerie quietness.

I scanned the area, searching for the source of the noise, but found nothing at all. Only the shadows of the trees and the soft whispering of the wind filled the air. My curiosity propelled me to keep walking, drawing me deeper into the forest's embrace.

As I ventured further, I stumbled upon a serene river, its waters flowing gently, and a platform hovering elegantly above it.

There was something captivating about it, something that called me in a way I couldn't resist. It felt as if I had to go there—like something profoundly important awaited me.

I carefully made my way over to the platform, stepping tentatively onto it. The sound of the water rushing beneath me was soothing and almost calming.

I approached the edge and peered down into the river, the moonlight reflecting off its surface like scattered jewels.

Then, out of the corner of my eye, I saw a movement. Another rustling sound came from the opposite side of the river, hidden behind some bushes.

"Is anyone there?" I called out softly, my voice quiet yet filled with curiosity, hoping for a response.

Then, slowly, a figure began to emerge from the bushes on the far side. My heart skipped a beat when I recognized what it was.

A large, light gray wolf, almost silver in color, stepped gracefully out from the shadows, its magnificent fur glowing beneath the moonlight. It was truly a sight to behold; its coat shimmered with a silky sheen.

Its eyes—golden and intense—locked onto mine. I could feel its penetrating gaze deep within me, as if it were looking into the very core of my soul.

The wolf didn’t seem threatening at all; instead, it felt as if I was drawn to it, pulled toward it by some invisible force. My breath caught in my throat as I stared at it, my heart racing for reasons I couldn’t fully comprehend.

An unusual mix of emotions washed over me: awe, wonder, and a strange sense of familiarity. Yet simultaneously, something about the wolf felt distant and unattainable, as though it existed both close and far away at the same time.

I swallowed hard, my throat feeling dry, and looked around, trying to grasp what was happening.

A cool breeze brushed against me, carrying with it a peculiar scent. It was both familiar and strange, as though it were a memory lingering just out of reach, like a word on the tip of my tongue.

When I turned back to the wolf, to my shock, it had disappeared. Vanished without a trace.

I blinked in confusion, my heart racing. Where had it gone? It had been standing right in front of me just moments ago.

"Hello?" I called out softly, my voice trembling with a mixture of confusion and longing. Deep down, I wished to see it again, to understand what its presence had meant.

But there was nothing.

The forest stood still and silent, except for the soft rustling of the leaves. I searched frantically, my eyes darting around in desperation, hoping for a sign that the wolf might return.

I even considered leaping into the river and swimming across to search for it, convinced it might be waiting for me on the other side.

But no matter how much I called, no matter how hard I searched, the wolf was gone. I didn’t know who or what it was, or why it had appeared in my dream, but it felt significant. I felt as though this meeting had been preordained, something I had been meant to experience.

"Hello?" I shouted again, walking closer to the edge of the platform, my voice tinged with growing desperation.

I sighed in frustration.

The wolf was indeed gone. There was no point in lingering here any longer. I couldn’t shake the sense of disappointment, as if I had missed out on something crucial.

I shook my head, pouting slightly, but as I turned around to leave, I suddenly lost my footing. My foot slipped, and before I could regain my balance, I found myself toppling backward into the dark, cold river below.

My body tensed, and I gasped awake, my heart pounding in my chest as I struggled to catch my breath. The sensation of sinking, of plunging into the water, had felt so tragically real.

For a brief moment, I truly believed I was drowning.

I let out a sigh of relief as I looked around and realized I was back in my own bed. It had all just been a dream. Just a dream.

I lay there, attempting to calm my racing heart. The room was dim, and everyone else in the orphanage was still fast asleep. The soft sounds of the night filled the air around me. I glanced at the clock beside my bed. It read 3:33 AM.

I groaned and rubbed my temples in frustration.

"It’s way too early to be awake," I muttered to myself.

"But I don’t think I can sleep anymore," I added with a hint of resignation.

With a heavy sigh, I threw the covers off and climbed out of bed. It seemed pointless to lie there trying to force myself back to sleep.

I made my way to the common shower area, feeling the cold tile floors chilling my feet. I decided to take a long, cold shower to wake myself up fully.

Afterward, I dressed in a beige long-sleeve turtleneck and a pair of white sweatpants, letting my wet hair air dry. I reached underneath my bed and pulled out my precious ukulele, the one Mr. Adams had given me.

The memory of him and his kind smile filled me with warmth as I held the instrument close to my heart.

I quietly left the orphanage, wanting to disturb no one, and made my way to the garden where the fountain stood. It was peaceful there, and I felt as though I could get lost in the serenity of the moment.

I sat by the fountain, the soft bubbling of the water providing a calming backdrop as I began to play my ukulele.

I strummed the strings, moving with the rhythm, my fingers dancing over the fretboard as I played the songs I had memorized—some from my childhood, others from the music books Mr. Adams had allowed me to borrow.

I played for hours, fully immersed in the music. I didn’t mind the passing of time, the sun slowly rising as I continued to play. It felt right, almost as if it were a way to soothe the restless thoughts swirling in my mind, a means of connecting to something deeper that I couldn't articulate.

The warmth of the sun began to rise, its golden light filling the garden with a soft glow. I continued to play, humming along, letting the melodies transport my thoughts away.

For a fleeting moment, everything felt less heavy. The music brought a sense of peace, and for the first time in a while, I felt… less miserable.

"An amazing performance."

I froze, startled by the sudden voice. I turned around and saw Mr. Adams standing there, a warm smile gracing his face as he clapped his hands together.

"Mr. Adams," I said, my face flushing with embarrassment. I quickly stood up, surprised to find anyone else here.

He chuckled softly, his eyes filled with kindness. "You're up early," he remarked, a hint of amusement in his tone.

I nodded, feeling a little sheepish.

"I had a… strange dream last night and couldn’t fall back asleep, sir," I explained earnestly.

Mr. Adams nodded, his expression understanding and compassionate.

"So, you decided to practice with your ukulele?" he asked.

I smiled, feeling a bit awkward yet grateful for his encouragement.

"Yes, sir," I replied, nodding sincerely.

"I'm glad to hear you're enjoying my gift, Seri," he responded, his voice warm with sincerity.

"I knew you’d like it, but I was still a little nervous before giving it to you. Now, I’m just glad you’re happy with it," he said, pride shining in his smile.

I returned his smile, my heart swelling with gratitude.

"I really am enjoying it very much, Mr. Adams. Thank you," I said again, feeling the weight of my appreciation for him.

Mr. Adams’ smile widened.

"Good. Maybe you could even perform for our guests later on. What do you think? It would be wonderful to share your talent with such important visitors," he suggested, his enthusiasm infectious.

My eyes widened in horror at the mere thought. "Oh, goodness, no. Please, no. I can’t. I really can’t!" I immediately declined, shaking my head in panic.

"Why not?" he asked, raising an eyebrow inquisitively. "You were really good earlier. It would be amazing if more people could appreciate how talented you truly are," he said, genuinely encouraging.

I shook my head vigorously, firmly opposing the idea.

"I’m not. I really, really am not. Please, don’t make me perform in front of strangers, Mr. Adams. I’m terrified I’ll mess up or do something embarrassing. Or worse… I might faint. Like, faint faint!" I pleaded, the thought sending shivers down my spine.

Mr. Adams laughed, clearly entertained by my anxiety.

"I honestly believe you’ll do wonderfully, but I understand your hesitation about performing. I don’t want to push you too hard. If you’re truly uncomfortable with it, then I won’t press the matter," he said with a gentle sigh, respecting my wishes.

I let out a shaky sigh of relief, my heart still racing in my chest.

"Thank you, sir," I said, my voice filled with gratitude, slightly shaky from the tension.

"It’s a shame, but I’ll respect your decision," he replied, a small smile lingering on his face.

"Maybe some other time," he added, clearly hoping I would reconsider.

I sighed again, but this time, it was with relief rather than anxiety.

Mr. Adams chuckled softly.

"Everyone else must be awake by now. Why don’t we go and help finalize everything before our guests arrive? What do you think?"

I nodded in agreement, feeling ready to tackle the day ahead.

"Sure, sir," I responded earnestly.

We walked back inside the orphanage, and as I entered my room, I quickly hid my ukulele under the bed.

Afterward, I headed to the kitchen, joining the kitchen staff to assist with the final preparations.

Most of the work had been completed the day before, so things were moving along smoothly. I helped with cooking and cleaning in the kitchen, then lent a hand in setting up the hall, ensuring that everything looked absolutely perfect for our esteemed guests.

It was essential that everything went well today because Mr. Adams had mentioned that our guests were very important. It was a significant day for the orphanage, and we desperately needed to make a positive impression.

While I was adding the final touches, someone suddenly leaped onto me from behind, letting out an excited squeal. I turned around and found Annie grinning from ear to ear, her energy bubbling over.

"Today is the day, Riri! Today is the day! Oh my goodness!" she exclaimed, her excitement contagious.

She was dressed up in a lovely short red dress, her makeup done to perfection.

"Today is finally the day," she repeated, gripping my shoulders with her small hands, her eyes wide with anticipation.

"The prince is coming!"