Two servants entered the room. They brought Alea a change of clothes at Arzenio's request.
Alea remained on the bed. She didn't move from under the blanket she was wearing. The two servants wanted to help Alea change her clothes, but Alea asked them to leave instead.
"They must be werewolves too. I'm really scared here now, especially Arzenio. He's very handsome, but it turns out he's a huge white werewolf. Oh God! What should I do? What should I do so I can return to my normal world?"
Alea was still comfortable under her blanket. She was still looking for a way to return home.
"The pond? Yes! The pond, wasn't it the pond that I first entered here from?"
Alea took off her blanket and walked towards the sacred pond. For a few minutes, Alea stared at the pond in front of her.
The water was clear.
Flowers like lotuses, only purple in color, bloomed beautifully on the surface.
"Should I go into the pond again? Who knows, maybe I can return to where I came from," she thought.
"Do you really want to go home, Alea?"
"Ah!"
The voice came so close, too close.
Alea gasped. Her heart seemed to leap into her throat as she turned quickly. Arzenio was standing just a few steps behind her, his gaze sharp but with something else there. Something that made Alea unable to look away.
"A-Arzenio?" her voice trembled.
Alea took a step back without realizing it, panic mixed with nervousness gripping her entire body. Her heel hit the edge of a slippery rock at the edge of the pool.
"Don't—!"
It was too late.
Alea lost her balance and fell backwards, splashing into the water with a sound that broke the silence.
Alea's body broke the surface of the water, the cold air stinging her skin. She panicked, trying to climb out, but before she could move, a strong hand grabbed her wrist.
"Alea!"
The pull was quick and strong. Arzenio managed to pull Alea out of the water, hugging her waist to stabilize her trembling body.
Alea coughed, her hair sticking to her face. Her breath was ragged, the cold creeping from her toes to her bones.
"What were you doing?!" Arzenio's voice sounded angry, but his eyes were full of concern.
Alea looked down, her teeth chattering. "I-I just wanted to..." Alea paused for a moment. "I thought if I went into the pool again, maybe I could go home." Alea's voice trembled.
Arzenio was silent for a moment, his fingers still clutching Alea's arm as if she would disappear if he let go. "Home?" he repeated softly, his voice heavy.
Alea nodded slightly. "I want to go home to my world."
The cold night wind crept in, making Alea's body tremble again. Arzenio immediately noticed this, and with one swift movement, he pulled Alea into his embrace.
"Cold?" Arzenio asked coldly and deeply.
Alea suddenly froze, but not because of the cold, but because Arzenio's body felt warm. Very warm. The warmth enveloped her entire body, as if she were being hugged by a furry blanket. Arzenio's steady breaths touched the top of her head.
"Are you cold?" Arzenio hugged her tighter, his broad arms completely enveloping Alea's body. "Stay here."
Alea swallowed. She could hear Arzenio's heart beating fast. The heat from Arzenio's body flowed into her. Alea's cheeks grew warm, either from Arzenio's body heat or... from something else she had never felt before since arriving in this world.
"A-Arzenio..." she whispered softly.
"Hm?"
"Why are you so warm?"
"Because I'm a wolf."
Alea was speechless again. Her question seemed to make her forget for a moment that Arzenio was a wolf.
"You're not going to eat me, are you?" Alea asked softly.
A faint, cold smile appeared on Arzenio's face.
"Alea, do you really want to go home?"
Alea was silent for a moment. Her desire to go home was very strong, but for some reason, she now felt strange.
"Actually... I'm not ready to stay here for good."
"I don't mean to make things difficult for you," he said softly. "I'll find a way for you to go home."
Arzenio pulled Alea's body slightly away.
Alea's heart was pounding. There was something in Arzenio's eyes—something she feared and at the same time made her stomach flutter.
Alea looked away. "I… still have to go back," she said, more to herself than to Arzenio.
Arzenio didn't answer. Only the warm embrace remained, as if he wanted to say: If you can, don't go.
And for the first time... Alea began to wonder if she was really sure she wanted to go home so soon.
***
"Alea, come with me now." Arzenio took Alea's hand and led her somewhere.
Arzenio led Alea through the palace corridors, his steps quick but careful to ensure Alea didn't trip. In Alea's hands, Arzenio's black cloak was still tightly wrapped around her, keeping her warm and giving her a strange sense of security. A
feeling that only made her heart heavier.
"Where are we going...?" Alea finally whispered.
Arzenio did not answer immediately. "To someone who can help you get home."
Alea fell silent. Her heart felt like it had been pinched.
They stopped in front of a large stone door covered with ancient symbols. As soon as Arzenio touched it, the door moved slowly, revealing a round room with a floor covered in glowing circles.
In the center stood an old woman with silver hair, her eyes white as if she could see through to another world. She was the Grand Oracle of the Kingdom.
"Ah..." murmured the oracle. "So this is the human girl whose heart you protect, Prince Arzenio."
Alea swallowed hard. Arzenio looked uncomfortable with the comment.
"Open the portal for her," Arzenio said softly but firmly. "She must return to her world."
The Grand Seer nodded, then looked at Alea. "When the portal opens, your memories of this world will be covered by a fog. All visitors must be like this, so that balance is maintained."
Alea shook her head quickly. "No. I don't want to forget. I don't want to forget anything about this place... or about him."
Arzenio stared at Alea in silence. There was something trembling in his eyes.
The Grand Seer watched the two of them with an understanding gaze. "If that is your wish... I can do it. But there will be consequences, little girl."
"Anything," Alea replied firmly, even though her voice trembled slightly. "As long as I don't forget..."
Her eyes shifted to Arzenio.
"Him..."
Arzenio held his breath. For a moment, Alea saw the human behind the wolf. A fragile human, longing and afraid of loss.
The Great Seer began to draw shapes in the air with his staff. A bluish-purple light appeared, forming a small vortex like a portal. The wind swirled, lifting Alea and Arzenio's hair.
As the vortex grew, Alea felt her heart being squeezed.
"Alea," whispered Arzenio.
Alea looked at him. "I... I'm going home, okay."
The distance between them was only one step. Yet, it felt like thousands of worlds apart.
Arzenio swallowed the feelings that threatened to burst from his chest. "If this is what you want, I won't hold you back."
Alea smiled weakly. "Thank you for everything. For protecting me."
The wind from the portal grew stronger.
Alea stepped closer and Arzenio spontaneously grabbed her hand.
"If in your world... something scares you," Arzenio's voice trembled slightly, "call my name in your heart. I will feel it."
Alea held back her tears. "I'll miss your voice."
Arzenio moved a little closer, just enough for Alea to hear his breathing.
"Me too, Alea."
He slowly let go of her hand.
With heavy steps, Alea turned away.
The portal glowed brightly.
As she slowly stepped into the light, the tears she had been holding back fell.
Arzenio stood there, letting himself break down in silence, only able to watch Alea's shadow disappear from his world.
And when the portal's light closed.
Arzenio closed his eyes.
His heart felt like half of it had been taken away.