The next day, I woke up feeling sore and completely bedridden. I really didn't want to think about the encounter from yesterday. I couldn't even begin to imagine what happened with the prince yesterday was he ill or something?? A strange feeling lingered in my chest… as if he had been jealous of me and Lukas. But I brushed the thought aside.
There was no way someone as high and mighty, arrogant, stubborn, and cold as him would ever fall for a human like me. We're two different species, after all. And he probably still thinks I'm some neighboring spy from the human community.
There's no doubt about it.
I'm just seeing things.
"Calm down," I muttered to myself, trying to convince my spiraling thoughts that everything was fine. These kinds of paranoid ideas would only lead me to my own grave if I let them grow.I can't see what's coming. But if anyone else is reading this… I hope we can all get along well as an audience.
Sigh.
It can't be helped.
I have to get ready for the day.
A very interesting day, at that.
The prince had mentioned yesterday that he was going to take me out on some kind of outing to explore the vampire realm a little more. He claimed it was so that if he ever needed to send me on an errand, especially when Lucas wasn't around, I wouldn't get lost.
He said he didn't want me being gullible or stupid and getting myself into irrelevant trouble.
He made it very clear.
Apparently, I was a complete idiot in his eyes.
Just great, isn't it?
He will always see me as a lower-class being...something beneath his feet. And how did he give me these instructions?
Through a note slipped under my door.
He didn't even bother delivering it himself. He sent one of the maids, along with clothes for the outing.
My first thought when I saw the letter and the neatly folded garments was, Is this man serious? He couldn't even be bothered to hand them to me personally? That's royalty treatment for you, I suppose. Being a prince certainly has its perks. He must be such a lucky man….
That vampire, I tell you. I shook my head as I stood before the mirror and slowly dressed myself. I was never the most presentable type. I never thought I had a good physique…or at least, that's how I always convinced myself.
So I pretended.
Not to care
Not to laugh
I always got teased for being the outcast, so it doesn't matter if I try to feel pretty in a dress that doesn't belong on me. I sometimes feel like the ugly duckling in my own story, but in this one I don't get a high upgrade; I will always be the same old green Grinch, and yes, I still believe even a little that someone will call me pretty for once. I'd like to feel special in my life. This may sound random out of nowhere, but I'm in my room right now, so I let my thoughts loose. I look and sound confident sometimes, but it's only to erase the shame and pride I feel deep down.
"Okay. Time to start the day."
With forced cheerfulness, I ran down the stairs—only to slam directly into a hard, broad chest.
A very familiar scent
I looked up.
Of course.
That arrogant, smoke-faced jerk again….
He brushed off my touch as if it were some kind of bacteria. Adjusting his clothes, he looked down at me coldly.
"OII!!! You should watch where you're going next time, human," he said. "If I weren't here, you would have tumbled down the stairs and broken your leg. And I already have enough problems on my plate. Please don't add to them. And I see you're wearing the dress I sent to you; that's good. At least now you won't drag me down with the old raggedy clothes you had on. Now you look like a princess."
Did he indirectly just say the dress suits me? I almost couldnt believe my ears as
He narrowed his eyes to cover his tracks with a cold remark.
However, it's rather tight on you; don't eat anything more, or I'll tear that dress, or I'll tear you in half, human filth. Your presence is an eyesore to me. I dont think it's a very good idea to give you breakfast anymore with how catching your fat is
My breath got caught in my throat for a moment. After complimenting me, this asshole just called me fat???
HOW DARE THIS-
.
"And I told you specifically to be on time for breakfast. Yet you're two minutes late. Don't you have common sense? Honestly, you humans are something else."
He turned away dismissively.
"Let's go. Eat. I don't want you fainting during our journey. We have a long way to travel. And I don't want to hear any whining like you always do."
With that, he walked off.
I stood there, mouth slightly open.
I wanted to speak.
To question him.
To argue back.
That was the meanest thing anyone could say so casually. It was as if he thought I was some slow snail who understood nothing about time or decency. I don't understand him.Yesterday he seemed warm… almost gentle. And now he's like a block of ice I can't break through.
Oh well.
I'll ignore it.
Like I always do.
I made my way downstairs and sat at the breakfast table. The food… it was incredible, I tell you…. Better than anything I had ever eaten in the human world.
It wasn't ordinary. Or maybe it was just because I grew up poor. My family didn't have much money to buy food. We lived mostly off fruits and vegetables. But when my parents managed to get anything remotely good but not too expensive, I'd thrive in my seat no matter how small it was. If one of the foods was fish and the price was reasonable and not too expensive, it could feed all three of us, including my big sister and older brother, making five. But now?
There was a massive piece of juicy steak placed before me.
I didn't care who stared.
I didn't care who judged.
I was starving.
The food tasted like something from a five-star restaurant, the kind only nobles or wealthy elites could afford. I devoured everything within minutes. The maids stared.
The servants whispered.
But then I heard it was it real?.
A small laugh.
And then I looked up.
It came from the cold prince.
A faint smile curved at his lips—the same lips that had insulted me earlier. Can you believe that??. It was as if his rudeness earlier had vanished or been forgotten. For a moment, I felt a slight relief. Maybe he didn't hate me after all. Maybe I wasn't completely resented. And maybe, just maybe, he doesn't see me like a total germ he should scorn. And the whole time He watched me chew so eagerly
So hungrily
And not exactly in a ladylike manner at all.
"Someone seems to be enjoying herself," he remarked lazily. "Be careful. Don't eat too much… or you might cause an earthquake with that heavy weight of yours."
"YOU—"
His eyes darkened.
"Do I hear a complaint? Or would you prefer having no food on your plate at all?"
My anger dissolved instantly.
"Yes, sir," I murmured quietly, avoiding further conflict.
After breakfast, the maids swarmed the table, clearing everything away in a blur. With a single snap of his fingers, they moved at inhuman speed.
Vampire speed really is something else.
I wonder if the prince is even faster.
No.
No, don't think about that.
He can read minds.
He's probably reading mine right now.
Don't think, Hina. Don't think.
Focus on the day ahead.
And that's exactly what I did.
He led the way out of the palace, Lucas walking beside him.
And suddenly…
I didn't feel so alone anymore.