Uncertain 03

Cailina slammed onto Aris' chest. He supported the dazed Cailina with his hands on her shoulders. He looked at her with worry as he placed his palm on her forehead. 

"My Lady?" 

Cailina snapped out of her trance and dusted her dress. She cleared her throat, preventing her composure succumbed to embarrassment.

"Why don't we take a walk?" she said, walking away without a reply from Aris. 

Aris tilted his head but soon followed. He wanted to enjoy the remaining time with Cailina, as when they return to the mansion, he would be back to his post where he never had a close conversation with her. It was a suffocating arrangement.

The silence between them stayed for a while. Both were enjoying the comfortable warmth of the sun. It was past noon, and the heat was perfect for a walk. The light seeped through the leaves of the lively trees as it highlighted Cailina's features and her elegance.

Aris kept his eyes on her, and only her.

"You were fond of the outdoors since we're children," Cailina halted.

She faced Aris with a smile on her face, "Why are you still walking behind me?"

Aris bowed his head and said, "I am still your servant, my Lady. I don't dare overstep my boundaries."

Cailina frowned and walked away. She pursed her lips as she left Aris behind with confusion painted on his face. She only wanted to close the distance between them, but her puppy, no, Aris was the one drawing the line between them. 

A few steps away and she turned to see if Aris had followed her. To her disappointment, he remained where she left him. 

Frustration bubbled inside Cailina's heart, "Why aren't you following behind me?" 

Aris was uncomfortable with the looks Cailina was giving him. She would occasionally turn her attention to him and roll her eyes and puff her cheeks. Her actions were adorable, but Aris wanted to know what he did wrong. 

He struggled to find the reason of what annoyed his Lady that much, and his gaze wandered and saw a squirrel on a branch. 

He stopped his tracks and smiled at the small creature. Cailina looked at where Aris was so mesmerized and saw a squirrel with its cheeks puffed up.

She raised her brow at the small creature, "Do you want it?" 

Aris smiled; his thoughts wandered to his earliest memory of his Lady. The clear eyes that the younger Cailina carried. It was the same eyes that assured him that he was finally out of the misery he experienced. 

No other being gave him comfort other than the master he treasures the most. He remembered the nights he laid in fear of what is to come. 

His world was trapped in the four walls of his father's imaginations. It was until at that moment that someone attacked the house he stayed in, for he would never consider it as his home. He was somewhat glad that he was freed, but his innate connection to his parents made his heart and wolf saddened about losing them.

Aris turned to Cailina. He clenched his fist, resisting the urge to reach out to her. It was as if he approached Cailina; their relationship would disappear forever.

Their status differed greatly. He knew that he might be replaced by another at any time, depending on Cailina's wishes. The worst thing that could happen was if he was decided to be disposed of.

Like the maid that loathed him to the very core of her soul. Ria.

That woman had been with Cailina longer than him but was swiftly taken care of. It all happened while he was sick, and the maid was never again mentioned. 

He wanted to know what happened to the maid Cailina used to favor. The sudden disappearance of the respected maid of the Grandis. He needed to know. 

If he was bound to receive such fate.

"What happened to Ria, my Lady." 

His question caught Cailina off guard. She avoided his gaze and stared at the squirrel. The small creature leisurely bathed under the sunlight, with the occasional shadows of the leaves shielding it. 

"Dead."

The leaves danced as the wind howled. Startled with the change of the weather, the squirrel hid inside the hole of a tree. 

"Don't ask questions you aren't prepared for," She headed towards the rest of the camp was. 

Aris remained in place. His focus stayed on his Lady's disappearing figure. He reached out, but couldn't. It was suffocating. 

The world stilled as if Cailina was the only being in his world. Would he be able to stay by her side if he returned to claim his right? The distance between their status would vanish.

"Are you feeling well?" Cailina asked. 

Her attention now on Aris' defeated look. She closed her lips and waited for him to snap out of his trance. He looked like he was thinking of what he had already lost.

She approached and tiptoed to reach for Aris' face. Their height difference was noticeable that Cailina appeared delicate beside the well-built Aris. 

Aris retreated a few steps, his arm covering his mouth. With widened eyes, he broke the awkwardness around them.

"My L-lady…" 

Cailina crossed her arms on her chest, "How dare you show such a flustered look?" 

She huffed out the newly fueled frustration. Aris was only her servant, her puppy. He dared to display an appearance like she was interested in him that way. She was furious to the point she wanted to slap him.

"It's not…" Aris reasoned, "I— we shouldn't be close. You are the Crown Prince's fiancée."

Aris pursed his lips, words failed to explain his confusion. Cailina's mood became more and more complicated. She was no longer the one expression child that he talked to.

"Forget it. Don't be mistaken next time," Cailina patted sleeves and looked up, "Let's head back." 

-

Lai observed the approaching carriage. It was his Lady and the dog she loved so much. He uncrossed his arms and put on a smile while he waited for the carriage to stop. 

He was in charge of the male servants serving under the Lady and it was his duty to immediately punish those who taint Cailina's purity with their vile mouths and obnoxious words. 

Those beings without respect for the Lady deserve death. 

Lai smiled as he offered his hand for Cailina's support, but was flicked away by the puppy. His brows twitched in annoyance. Aris was the same status as he is, and the puppy still thinks that he was above him.

They were no longer different as they returned from the same place. 

Lai brushed off Aris' obvious protectiveness, but it was more of him being possessive of someone who would never be his. 

"How was your trip, my Lady?" Lai asked, walking beside Cailina.

Cailina gave her gloves to him and ordered Fione to fetch water, "It was alright."

"Is that so?" 

Lai gave Aris a smug look who was behind them, "Then may I recommend a place you might love, my Lady?"

Cailina gave a nod, her focus on the letters that Lai handed. She looked behind and saw servants following her. She turned to Lai with a frown on her face, "Didn't I tell you I don't need…"

"It's for my Lady's sake," He said and sighed, "Dismiss."

The servants bowed and disappeared before Cailina said another word of how much their presence isn't needed. 

"There's also a letter from His Highness, my Lady…" Lai paused and looked at Aris, "You may go now."

Cailina nodded in agreement, "The day was exhausting, you may rest."

She waved her hand and walked away with Lai. Aris waited until Cailina was out of his sight, his heart cold from the unfeeling dismissal from her. He placed his hand on his chest and sighed. 

He shouldn't be feeling like this. It was as if he was robbed of by someone who was meant to be his. 

Lai looked at Cailina in disbelief that his gaze interrupted Cailina's attention from the Prince's letter. She folded the paper and raised her brow at the gaping attendant.

"What is it?"

Lai pursed his lips and coughed, "It was nothing."

"The Duchess went out to attend matters, my Lady."

He opened the door and waited for another order of Cailina. She sat with grace and scoffed, "Yes, social gatherings are indeed Mother's important matters." 

Lai smiled. The Duchess has always stressed to her daughter how crucial having connections were, and keeping up the best appearance in front of high-nose nobles. 

Cailina took a sip of the tea. Her continuous sighs floated inside the room. It has been bothering her ever since they returned from the trip. 

She glanced at Lai; his silent state made her eyes narrow. She never understood what her attendant's mind works. Realizing that there was no need to stress over such trivial matters. Cailina dismissed everyone to retire for the night.

Steps echoed through the hallways. The moon shone with an eerie light as the stars gave way to the lone celestial. It was another quiet night.

A voice broke the still silence, "She must never learn of this."