"It's such a beautiful day," Serenah mused to herself as she walked the castle grounds. The concept of four seasons was foreign to her. In the old world, the weather or season depended on the location. The North was a desert land, the South was a winter land, the East had springtime and pleasing weather, while the West had a more fall-like atmosphere. She much preferred Earth with its changing seasons.
She stopped in front of the stables, grinning at Lael, who was dressed for riding.
"Your Highness, your horse is ready."
"Thanks, Lael." She took the reins and stroked Swift's nose. He was a beautiful gelding with a dappled hide and intelligent eyes. Sometimes she felt that he was more than a mere animal.
Serenah swung herself up into the saddle and waited for Lael to get on her horse. Once Lael was ready, Serenah urged Swift toward the forest path, and they took off.
They rode in silence. She was fine with that. Her mind was on so many things: Romeo, the mythical beasts, her family, and the upcoming Winter Ball. She also worried that the gift she'd gotten for Romeo would not be to his liking. She had not bought gifts for anyone in a long time. The last time she did so was a disaster. She had no desire to repeat that humiliating experience again with anyone in the castle.
She was sure that Romeo wouldn't treat her that way, but it still didn't stop her anxiety from rising. She took a steadying breath. There was no reason for getting worked up over something that hadn't happened yet.
"My Lady, are you alright?"
She turned to look at Lael. "I'm fine. Just a lot on my mind."
"Do you wish to speak about it?"
She thought about it for a second before replying. "I'm worried about Romeo not liking my gift. I'm also worried about the Winter Ball and about Father and Amanah doing something to ruin it for me."
Lael gave her a thoughtful look. "I'm confident that Romeo will love the gift you gave him."
"Why are you so sure?"
"I say it with confidence based on how he acts and reacts to things that happen to you. He genuinely seems to care about what you think and feel. He is not like your father and sister," Lael pointed out.
"True. He is nothing like them at all. I think I'm in love with him," Serenah stated and blushed. She had not said the words aloud before today. But, thinking about it, she knew it was true. It wasn't just because of her fated mark. She truly loved Romeo for the person he was and for how he treated her.
"Oh my!" Lael gasped, a pleased grin on her face. "This is great news, Your Highness."
Serenah felt her cheeks heat even more at her friend's happiness with her news.
"Have you told him?"
Serenah frowned. "No," she whispered, clutching Swift's reins tightly. "I'm afraid to say the words. What if he doesn't feel the same way?"
"Your Highness, it is normal to feel that way in a relationship. However, you need to pay attention to your partner's actions more than his words. They speak more eloquently than any platitudes of love ever could."
Lael was right, Serenah knew this. It didn't stop her anxiety. Her father and sister told her often that she was useless and didn't deserve love. She was afraid to believe. The pain of Romeo not loving her would break her if that were true. Absently, she stroked her fated mark. She shook her head. She needed to think positively. Everything would be alright. She was overthinking things.
"You are right, Lael. I'm just insecure. This is my first real relationship. I don't want to mess it up."
"You're doing fine, Your Highness. I can't wait to meet Romeo in person. Such a good young man for my lady is someone I need to get to know."
Serenah laughed. "I'll have to make sure you don't tell him any embarrassing stories about me."
Lael chuckled and they spent the rest of the ride chatting happily.
Once they returned, Serenah went to her room and started on Amanah's homework. In between subjects, she would pause to munch on the Thanksgiving food Lael had brought her from the kitchen. She sighed. Her thoughts turned gloomy while looking at the plate of food. Lord Hulight had taught her about human holidays in the United States.
Thanksgiving was supposed to be a family holiday. Emphasis on the "family" part. However, she knew her family didn't care for her or want her near them during such an important holiday. She knew they were dining in the main dining hall while she had been restricted to her room. A pang of hurt bloomed in her chest. Why couldn't they love her? She just didn't understand it.
No matter what she did to gain their love and have them acknowledge her, they always trampled her good intentions underfoot. They reduced her to nothing with their hateful words and the blows of their physical punishments. Tears stung the corners of her eyes. Angrily, she wiped them away and stood up.
Serenah went outside to her balcony and watched the setting sun. Moodily, she stared at the trees in the distance and thought about the mythical beasts she was supposed to find. She had a working theory of what might have happened. She believed that the beasts were wearing human skins, much like the Poten were. Otherwise, someone would have spotted them and it would have made the news.
The best strategy was to hide in plain sight when in enemy territory. That made finding them harder. She also had no way of knowing if they were together or in different places. It was a little frustrating to have so few clues as to where to start. It was moments like these that made her get angry with Autem's little missions for her. Why couldn't he find someone else to harass?
She ran her fingers through her hair, trying to soothe herself. Getting upset wouldn't bring her help or make her feel better. She had other things to worry about, like the Winter Ball. She needed to plan, too, for what she would do once she finished high school. If she didn't find the beasts right away, she wanted to go to college and become a doctor in this world. She wanted to use her healing gift and knowledge to save lives.
She didn't want to think too deeply about what Autem would do if she did find the beasts. What if he forced them all to return to their old world? Leaving Romeo behind would break her heart. She'd rather remain in the human world. Her father and sister were welcome to go back and rule without having to suffer her presence. That would be for the best.
Serenah stood, stretched, and with another sigh returned to doing Amanah's homework. She couldn't wait for the break to be over so she could go back to school and see Romeo.