Not Alone

Holly almost spat out her breakfast. It had been a day since she became a Queen, but nothing had happened. She had a dull day in her room while Felix worked out his strategy.

Suddenly, this morning Felix invited her to do the most impossible thing for her. Return to the village.

"Don't worry, we can disguise ourselves so no one will recognize you."

There was no guarantee the citizens won't recognize Holly. As a Reloux, she was very famous.

It wasn't just Holly who was surprised to hear that. The whole room suddenly fell silent, with everyone's faces in shock.

"What are you going to do, Your Majesty?" Gilbert asked worriedly.

"I have to see how our kingdom is doing with my own eyes."

Visible from the look on their faces, Felix's idea sounded dreadful. "Too dangerous," Cass said curtly but got everyone's nods.

"You doubt my abilities?" Felix raised his voice. Instantly the atmosphere became tense, but Cass nodded instead. Felix's bluff meant nothing to her.

"You can't die, but they can catch you. Don't make us lose the King again." Cass explained with a severe face. Her gaze was cold and piercing.

"Humans are no threat to me, Cass."

Cass laughed mockingly. Holly gulped in scare. How could she dare to be so reckless in front of Felix? What if Felix gets angry?

"You think there are only humans there? You don't know what you might find. Don't be too confident, Your Majesty." Cass said sarcastically.

Felix just laughed. "That's right because we don't know what's in there, we have to see it in person. When was the last time you visited our kingdom?"

Cass and everyone else there couldn't answer. They had not seen the kingdom for years.

Often times they just peeked secretly at the Dark Forest. Visiting a village full of humans was the most unpleasant thing. If their whereabouts were discovered, the war might break out. Without Felix, war with humans only cost them.

"Then let me see how things go first," Cass said.

Felix shook his head. With a calm face, he replied, "That's my duty as a king."

Cass wanted to argue again, but Felix immediately raised his hand to silence them. "Holly knows more about the nearby village here than you guys. I'll take her."

Holly bit her lip, unsure if she wanted to go with Felix. If the villagers found her, she could be dragged to the capital and executed.

Felix held her hand. He could feel the doubt in Holly. "Do not be afraid. I'm with you, and I won't let them touch you again."

Holly saw the sincerity in his eyes. Yes, right. Isn't Felix much stronger than anyone? If werewolves were afraid of him, let alone an ordinary human.

***

"This is a bad idea."

Cass had been nagging since morning. It had been five days since Felix asked Holly to accompany him to the village. During that time, Holly just stayed in her room.

She didn't feel like a Queen because all she did was daydream in the room. There was nothing she could do in this small area because Felix forbade her to meet his people without him.

Finally, today they were going to the human village. Cass visited Holly with a frown on her face. She asked Holly to persuade Felix not to go.

"If you can't persuade him, how much less can I," answered Holly with a shrug.

Holly and Felix would go alone so they wouldn't attract attention. Of course, Cass didn't let that happen. She had already ordered several knights to follow them quietly, without caring if Felix would scold her.

"There may not only humans there. What if there's another dangerous creature," Cass said, fanning herself with a fancy fan. With Cass's graceful appearance, Holly had to remind herself that she was a commander.

"I've never seen a strange creature there," answered Holly. In her life, there were only humans living with her. Holly had never seen a werewolf or other magical creatures.

"You must not know that some of us disguised ourselves as humans and lived with you, right?"

Holly froze. That's right, Holly couldn't even tell what was human and what wasn't.

"You have to be careful. If you get caught, I'm not sure I can help you."

Cass only scared Holly even more. "I think Felix is ​​strong. Is there any other being stronger than him?"

Cass stood up from the sofa. She helped Holly put on the cloak and then seriously looked her in the eye.

"The only ones who can beat Felix are fellow werewolves," Cass said, giving Holly goosebumps.

"Well, although until now, I've never seen anyone strong enough to beat him," Cass added.

Holly was a little more relieved. So no one can match Felix's strength.

"But we still have to be prepared for all eventualities."

Holly was still undecided. She wanted to stay here and let Cass check the kingdom's situation, but she couldn't refuse Felix's request. Especially if what Felix did affect his plans to take over the capital.

Besides, Holly couldn't stay here forever. Sooner or later, she will face the humans who once looked down on her.

Holly had no other choice. She took another cloak and followed Cass to meet Felix downstairs. Holly brought two cloaks on purpose. Who knew if Felix would need it again like last time. Holly blushed at the memory.

Felix nodded his head when he saw Holly's appearance. Holly's face was covered by the hood. If she looked down, no one would be able to see her. She also chose the most ordinary dress in a dark colour. It would not attract attention.

"We have to disguise ourselves so we won't attract attention," Felix said. He looked proud with his clothes, which did look ordinary.

But Holly frowned. There was one thing that was too conspicuous. His face.

Never in Holly's life saw a man with a handsome face like Felix, not even her brother. Once Felix stepped foot in the village with such a face, all attention would immediately be focused on him.

"You can't wander around with that face, Your Majesty." Holly gave Felix her cloak.

"Please excuse me." Holly smoothed Felix's hair with her fingers, making bangs that covered his forehead. Holly also pulled up Felix's hood to cover his face a little.

However, Holly was still not sure if that was enough. Felix's body was taller and bigger than the average human.

Hugo came with two bottles of blue liquid. Felix took one and then gave the other to Holly.

"Scent suppressants. You should drink it too because you have my scent on yours."

Holly took it. This drink helped her not be caught if she met a wolf disguised as a human. But, this thing didn't look good.

Holly drank it once upright. It tastes bland like plain water but has a jasmine-like aroma. Not bad for people who have drank dirty water like her.

"Are you ready?" Felix held out his hand. He smiled at Holly, as he had promised a week ago.

Holly seemed hesitant. It was not too late to back off. Holly could run into her room and hide. There was no need to go back to the hell that torments her.

But she wasn't alone anymore. She was with the beast.