🦊 🦊 🦊
THE next day arrived. I was still a fennec fox. Once everyone had finished ruffling my fur in the morning, I started to feel slightly fatigued. Around that time, Embert picked me up and invited me on a walk. When I nodded vigorously to convey my agreement, Embert brought me to the garden with a delighted smile. The garden boasted a modest-sized maze. A rose-covered arch stood at the center, leading to a gazebo. In any event, separate entrances were on the east and west sides of the maze. Thus, Embert and I agreed to start on opposite ends and meet in the center.
“Well then, Ally, you start here,” Embert said, stooping down to meet my gaze. “Call for me if you get lost.” When I nodded, he grinned and stood up. “Splendid. Let’s do our best to reach the goal, shall we?”
As he walked away, a shrill voice called out to him.
“Prince Embert!”
Looking in the direction of the voice, we found a woman approaching us from the castle. Embert’s expression changed instantly upon seeing her. His smile might as well have been a mask plastered onto his face.
Whoa, scary.
I shuddered slightly in response to his unfamiliar expression. He hadn’t even worn this smile when confronting Celette. What kind of person could cause such a reaction in Embert? I narrowed my eyes to get a better look at the approaching woman. As she ran towards us, her brown eyes sparkled, and her orange hair fluttered in the wind. Overall, she bore a passing resemblance to Julietta.
Who’s that?
I suddenly found myself floating in midair. A moment later, Embert cradled me in his arms.
“That’s Julietta’s cousin,” he whispered.
The woman spread out her arms, preparing to leap towards Embert. However, she halted when he signaled her to stop with one hand.
“Why did you stop me from hugging you, Prince Embert?” the woman asked with a cutesy huff and doe eyes.
Please no. I can NOT with this kind of girl.
Instinctively, I knew she and I would never get along. Even her gestures gave me goosebumps. Wait, could I even get goosebumps with all my fluff? At any rate, the woman’s eyes landed on me as I fidgeted inside Embert’s arms.
“Oh my, how cute!” she squealed.
Her shrill voice echoed across the garden, causing a pulsing sensation behind my eyes.
“What is this little creature, Prince Embert?” the woman asked while reaching toward me. “My goodness, how darling!”
I stiffened and hid inside Embert’s arms.
Ugh, I don’t want this lady touching me.
“My apologies, Lady Damiana, but my fox seems frightened,” Embert said. “Would you please refrain from touching her?”
I stared at Embert in surprise. He sounded so monotone, after all.
“Seriously?!” Damiana cried, refusing to back down. “How come?! Let me pet her just a little!”
Embert sighed. “Like I said, she’s scared. If you touch her against her will, she might bite you.”
I looked at Damiana and growled softly, feeling obliged to comply.
“Eek!” she yelped, feigning terror and trying to grab Embert’s upper arm. “How frightening!”
I growled at her again.
“You shouldn’t touch me either,” Embert said, his monotone voice returning to normal. “This little fox gets cross when other women try to touch me. That’s how much she loves me. Adorable, isn’t it?”
Yeah, I might get angry, but I wouldn’t bite anyone, I thought as Embert ran his fingers through my fur.
Fortunately, Damiana gave up on touching Embert. That said, she showed no indication of leaving. Rather, she started fidgeting while still looking up at Embert.
“It’s been a long time, hasn’t it?” she asked.
“It has indeed,” Embert replied, returning to his monotone voice.
Wait, have they known each other since Embert’s study abroad trip?
“You’ve grown even more handsome,” Damiana said. “The sight of you made my heart race.”
“Is that so?” Embert responded.
“Yes. You were quite dashing during your study abroad trip, but you’re even more handsome now. I’ve been longing to see you again all this time. You can’t imagine how lonely I’ve been since you left.”
Embert laughed. “Flattery will get you nowhere.”
“Come now, Prince Embert. You’re well aware of my feelings by now, aren’t you?”
“I’m not entirely sure.”
The secondhand embarrassment is killing me. Could you try being a little more conversational, Em?
Either way, Damiana didn’t seem the slightest bit discouraged or even bothered. What was going on here? To my astonishment, she continued staring at him with doe eyes, her cheeks flushing slightly.
“You remember, don’t you?” she asked.
Once again, I erupted in goosebumps at her cloyingly sweet voice. Actually, the question remained: Could I get goosebumps with all my fluff?
“What are you referring to?” Embert asked, his expression unchanged.
“Three years ago, you promised to marry me when we met again,” Damiana said. “I’ve been waiting for you to come back for me all this time.”
What the hell?!
Sure, Embert and I hadn’t been in a relationship three years ago. I was in no position to complain, regardless of whether he’d made such a promise.
Then why am I so miffed? I wondered while glaring at him. Did he really propose to this pouty little tease? I’m disappointed in you, Em.
Embert grinned down at me momentarily, tightening his grip on me. Afterward, he turned his mask of a smile back on Damiana. “As I recall, you offered to marry me,” Embert said. “However, I gave you this firm but polite response: Forgive me, but I must decline your offer, as another girl captured my heart long ago.”
Damiana’s shoulders twitched for one split second. “Ah, yes, you did say something of the sort,” she answered with a titter. “Well then, may I ask what happened with that girl?”
“We’re engaged now,” Embert responded without skipping a beat. “Thank you very much for asking.”
Damiana stared back at him dumbfoundedly. “W-Wow,” she said, the corner of her mouth twitching. “I, um, suppose congratulations are in order. Even so, have you considered the matter carefully? No matter how high-ranking this woman might be, I’m royalty from your neighboring kingdom. In terms of political alliances, I’m much better suited to be your wife. My father is the king’s younger brother, and as such, he’s first in line for the throne. I’ve received numerous marriage proposals over these last three years. Nevertheless, I’ve turned them all down because of my feelings for you.”
Embert grinned in response to Damiana’s monologue. His beautiful smile caused her cheeks to flush bright red. Even my heart skipped a beat.
“Political alliances, you say?” Embert responded with a chuckle. “I love my fiancée regardless of such considerations. If I must speak frankly, however, you don’t hold a candle to her in terms of status. After all, she’s a holy woman.”
“A holy woman?” Damiana repeated, her smile fading. “The one who summoned a dragon?”
Yowzers, am I famous? It sounds like stories of me have reached Bragioga.
“That’s correct,” Embert said. “Therefore, no other woman could ever compete with her, no matter how high-ranking she might be. Besides, I have no interest in anyone else.” After making himself as clear as possible, Embert turned and walked away, leaving Damiana alone in the garden. “Let’s save the maze for another time,” he whispered to me. “I’ve lost my enthusiasm.”
I glanced up at Embert. Should he have spoken to Damiana so harshly? Regardless of her personality, she was still royalty.
It’s frustrating not being able to speak at times like these.
Embert laughed as he patted my head. “You look worried, my dear, but don’t fret. Lady Damiana won’t lose heart over what I said.”
That’s another problem in itself.
Embert’s next words erased Damiana from my mind. “Even as an adorable little fox, you couldn’t hide your jealousy back there. Heh. You’re too cute for your own good.”