Chapter 8

A hundred needles pricked Cailina's heart. Aris' tears made her helpless, she never felt pity when someone cried in front of her, but when confronted by his weeping face; her world seemed to crumble down.

She awkwardly reached to pat the puppy's head. Cailina did no comforting, she was used to her wishes granted, her orders obeyed, and the only thing she knew was to bully a certain Prince and when he cried, she would laugh at his face for being a crybaby.

Now, she couldn't take it. Cailina offered her handkerchief, "There, there. Don't be afraid, I will protect you from now on." She comforted him with a smile.

"Promise?" Aris gestured his pinky.

Confusion flashed on Cailina's face as she stared at Aris' soft white little finger, "Lady when saying a promise; the person must do this gesture..." Aris lifted her small hand and closed her four fingers, "Here, this is a pinky promise." He clasped his finger with hers and shook it three times.

Cailina remained motionless as they intertwined their fingers. 'It's so soft.' She blushed in delight, like a child that was given a reward.

"It's a promise. No matter what happens, my Lady will be with me forever." Aris grinned, his eyes formed into crescent moons.

Cailina nodded and tightened her gripped onto his finger. She vowed in her heart that she will let nothing corrupt him.

As the sun hid behind the clouds, it shadowed the duo. The wind softly blew, and the scenery was somewhat peaceful. It was a moment that will eternally remain within their hearts.

Warmth engulfed Cailina's heart. She glanced at Ria, and the latter bowed and fetched her present for the puppy she pampered. Ria returned with a golden cage, inside of it was a squirrel, it was the same furry thing that Aris swore to get for his Lady. The servants cleared the table and placed the cage in front of her master.

The squirrel was snow-white, with its chubby stomach that it couldn't hide. Its eyes were dark enough to lose oneself if they stared too long. Its cheeks puffed up as it chewed its pouch of seeds. The squirrel was satisfied with its cage, it has all the comfort it couldn't have when it was in the wild. Cailina saw Aris as the little furry. They were both cute and loved to eat, and harmless.

Aris' eye sparkled. It delighted him to see the squirrel. He enjoyed seeing something smaller than him, and perhaps weaker. He poked his finger inside the cage out of curiosity. The squirrel retreated far from him. It trembled as it focused on the unknown children in front of it.

The rejection of it didn't extinguish Aris' eagerness to squish the weak thing. He suppressed his urge to poke it endlessly. He must remain calm and collected in front of his Lady!

Cailina caught the little reactions of Aris. It was amusing to see her puppy enjoyed her gift. Pride emerged from her as she inwardly nodded her head. She did a splendid work of raising her playmate.

"You're quite amazing, my Lady! You caught the squirrel. Oh..." The furry thing bit him and blood trickled down his porcelain finger as it couldn't take any longer of Aris' pestering, "Look Lady, its courage is large!"

Aris beamed and nibbled his finger. Cailina panicked and glared at the squirrel. The poor thing sensed that it offended a scary person and instinctively made itself smaller. It only defended itself, but why was it being stared at like a criminal. Before she swung the cage open and squash the vermin, Aris grabbed her arms and diverted her attention to him.

"I'm alright!" He showed his finger. Without the presence of a wound, Cailina's anger subsided. If Aris was truly injured, she won't hesitate to have that thing killed.

"You told me you liked this thing, so I have Ria fetch it for me." Cailina sneered at the cage. She would've never bothered if that thing remained obedient.

"I liked it! Thank you, my Lady." Aris hugged her with a smile. He noticed that his Lady's attention was being stolen by the annoying squirrel, so he quickly made his presence known. He wanted to have all of Cailina's attention to him. Forgetting the behavior one must act when with someone, even if he considered it as a close friend.

The servants made their existence as low as possible. They dare not interrupt the warm interactions of the children, yet Ria thought differently. She coughed and caught the two's attention.

Cailina saw her maid's reminder. She stabbed daggers with her glare, but Ria was firm with her stand. Not only was she her Lady's maid, but His Grace picked her to monitor Cailina's behavior and remind her to act with decorum at all times. Cailina distanced herself from Aris, and it made him unhappy. He hated the person who intervened with his moment, with his Lady.

Aris' mind thought of ways how to deal with Ria. He immediately brushed off his thoughts and concluded that she was only doing her purpose. Aris happily stared at his Lady, but eventually, a grudge must be felt.

"Do you still wish to keep this?" Cailina pointed at the squirrel. It trembled as a response to her attitude that exuded coldness. "I expect that you will report to me if ever it becomes rebellious."

"Yes!" Aris nodded like a chicken pecked its grains, "I will raise it inside my room."

"Hmm, take it away. Make sure this thing doesn't cause trouble." She ordered.

The two chatted until it was time for Cailina's next lesson. The warmth of summer that brought comfort to the pair turned cold as they separated from one another.

••

The trees shed their leaves, and the weather grew colder. Fall swiftly came. The Duchy of Grandis were all occupied with their only young lady's coming of age. Amid the servants that busied themselves with the preparation. A pair of children were enjoying the warmth of the indoor garden.

"Lady, how many will attend your celebration?"

Aris asked as he swung his legs; the chairs towered him and his short legs failed to reach the floor. His gaze never left Cailina's indifferent face, yet in her eyes carried a hint of fondness for the puppy in front of her.

"Hmm, maybe hundreds."

Banquets of nobles had always been the definition of bragging of one's wealth. Events that also forged connections. Cailina drank from her cup and smirked. She looked forward to her party. Memorable moments were present during these kinds of events. If one wants to witness a good show, gatherings such as banquets wouldn't disappoint a noble's taste.

"Lady, I heard that tomorrow will be the start of the Fall Festival. Can we go?" He pleaded, "We should also go to the circus! The servants said that animals would be displayed."

Aris' childish tone shot Cailina. She pinched his cheeks, "Sure."

"Okay! Let's wear matching clothes!" Aris added. She hummed in agreement while her fingers clasped Aris' fluffy face.

'So cute.' Cailina nodded.

The festival is a five-day celebration. The entire nation observed all rituals to show gratitude for the Gods and Goddesses. It thrilled Aris as it was his first time attending such an event.

"Why do you look like you've never been to a festival?" Cailina asked. Aris' excitement was something a noble shouldn't have. He acted as a common child.

"Um, I usually stay at home during festivals... I mean, I don't find it fun." He said while looking down.

Cailina furrowed her brows. It was odd for him to say that. Nobles should first spoil their children before exploiting them. She failed to relate with his circumstance, but with the best of her abilities, she will do anything to wash away his sufferings.

"Alright, you can take anything you fancied tomorrow." She assured him and placed her small hands on his head. Cailina fully took on the role of being an older sister, and it gave her a sense of accomplishment.

"Will there be varieties of candy, my Lady?" Aris asked with enthusiasm, "Sweeter than Sir Chef's candies?" Cailina knew well that her puppy has a sweet tooth, there is always room for sweets as Aris' life principle.

"Yes, fruit candies and the sweetest sweets are popular during the festival."

Aris' eyes twinkled in delight. He could only imagine the rows of sweets. He gulped and one could visualize a wagging tail behind him. Cailina chuckled, his cuteness would always light up the room. If he behaved well, then his Lady will reward him.

"A famous troupe will perform on the third day, do you want to see it?" Cailina said and placed a crumpet in front of Aris, in which he happily munched from his Lady's hand.

"Yes!" He nodded and took a bite again, "Can we attend all the festival's events?" He flashed his signature puppy look in which Cailina couldn't refuse.

"Alright, we'll go." She wiped his mouth. Aris enjoyed this level of coddling. He finally found someone who cherished him like he was her precious family. He knew that when he wanted to be loved, he must obey.