Chapter 11 Love's Lessons and New Horizons

[Afternoon]

Ovelia's POV

I lie on my bed, staring at the ceiling. I just finished lunch a while ago, but Ace is still not here.

Suddenly, there's a knock at the door. It opens to reveal Ann, her presence, a comforting warmth.

"Ma'am Ovelia, it's time to tend to your wounds," she says gently, her voice calm and reassuring.

She approaches me, her hands deftly beginning to treat the gashes on my left arm. The touch is soft yet firm, sending a wave of comfort through me.

"Ann? What is love?" I ask, curiosity bubbling within me.

She pauses, glancing at me with a mix of surprise and contemplation, then a warm smile blossoms on her lips. "Love? It's like moonlight on a dark night, illuminating your path, even when the way seems unclear." With that, she resumes her task, the atmosphere filling with a sense of serenity.

"Moonlight? How can something so intangible be so powerful?" I ponder, sensing the depth of her words.

"It's more than a feeling," Ann explains, her voice vibrant with emotion. "It's a connection, an instinct. Like the bond within a pack, it draws you close to others, creating an unbreakable circle."

"But can it hurt?" I ask, the edge of vulnerability creeping into my voice.

"It can. Loving deeply exposes you to pain. It's like a wild storm that can leave chaos in its wake, but it also brings growth," she replies, her eyes reflecting a wisdom earned through experience.

Does this mean the pain I felt upon seeing Ace kiss Eliana stems from my love for him? Or am I hurt simply because I believe he should be mine, as my husband?

"So why take the risk?" I press further, my heart aching with every word.

"Because the joy that follows the storm is unmatched," Ann responds, passion igniting her gaze. "Love fills your heart, makes you feel alive. It's worth every vulnerability, every scar."

"How do you know when you love someone?" I asked, my voice trembling slightly with uncertainty.

"It's in the little things," Ann replied, her gaze steady and warm. "Wanting to protect them, sharing your secrets, feeling their happiness like it's your own. It's instinctual."

I furrowed my brows, a wave of doubt crashing over me. I hadn't felt that with Ace, which meant I probably didn't love him after all.

"But what if they don't love you back?" I pushed, the thought gnawing at my insides.

"That's a possibility," Ann acknowledged, her tone softening. "Yet love is selfless. Sometimes, just caring for someone deeply is enough. We learn, even from heartache."

"It sounds... overwhelming," I admitted, tracing the fabric of my sleeve with trembling fingers.

"It can be," she said, her voice a soothing balm. "Like transforming under the full moon—exhilarating yet terrifying. But without it, life feels hollow, empty."

"So love is both chaos and beauty?" I pondered, feeling the weight of her words settle into my heart.

"Exactly," Ann smiled, her eyes lighting up. "It teaches us about ourselves, our strengths, our weaknesses. It's the most vital part of being alive."

"I think I understand... but it sounds so complicated," I confessed, glancing away, anxious yet hopeful.

"It is, ma'am Ovelia. But that's what makes it special. Embrace the journey. Love will find you when the time is right. By the way, it's done." Her matter-of-factness pulled me back to reality.

"Thank you, Ann," I said, stepping closer and wrapping my arms around her in a grateful hug.

As I held her, I felt a bittersweet ache in my arm where the wound throbbed, yet I could move it a little more now. Maybe understanding love was the first step to healing my heart too.

"Ma'am Ovelia, aren't we going to bake a snack for Sir Ace?" Ann asked, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.

I glanced at Ann, contemplating her question, then replied gently, "Not just yet. By the way, Ann, could I request a mini fridge in this room? It's not allowed for you to join me in the dining area for meals. I thought it might be nice if we could enjoy the snacks here together when we bake, without anyone watching. Plus, any leftovers can be stored in the fridge."

"Really, Ma'am Ovelia? Of course! I'll tell the head maid right away," Ann exclaimed, her face lighting up with excitement.

"And if it's just the two of us, could you call me Ovelia instead of Ma'am? It feels more friendly that way," I suggested, hoping to bridge the gap between us.

"But Ma'am..." Ann hesitated, concern flickering in her eyes.

"Maybe you won't mind if I say it's an order?" I replied, my tone playful yet sincere. "When it's just us, I want you to see me as a friend, not a master."

In truth, I had never had a friend in my life, but I had always longed for that connection, a feeling nurtured by the tales I read as a child.

She smiled at me, a warm, genuine smile, before wrapping her arms around me in a brief embrace, saying, "Okay, Ovelia."

I hugged her back, the warmth of the moment enveloping us. After a few seconds, we reluctantly pulled away from each other.

"Ovelia, I'm going to the maid's office to speak with the head maid about your request," Ann said, her tone tinged with urgency and happiness.

"Alright, thank you, Ann," I replied, feeling grateful.

With one last beaming smile, Ann exited my room. As soon as she left, I stepped out as well, making my way to the terrace of the palace. I needed to breathe in the fresh air; I'd been cooped up in my room for too long.

As I walked, memories flooded my mind, bringing the familiarity of Ace's office closer with each step. Just as I neared it, the door swung open, and my heart raced with hope. Perhaps it would be Ace who would step out. But my anticipation quickly turned to disappointment when Eliana emerged instead.

Eliana approached, her smile bright like the sun. As she got closer, she leaned in, whispering "Loser," followed by a soft, mocking laugh. Her words pierced through me, a sting I tried to brush off. I continued my stride toward the terrace, determination masking my hurt.

•Palace Terrace•

I was taken aback and filled with delight as I gazed upon the breathtaking view. There was nothing like this back in Timberline Village. From this vantage point, I could see almost the entire expanse of the Silverhowl Kingdom. Small houses and shops appeared like tiny specks in the distance. Yet, what intrigued me the most were the figures moving around down below. It was difficult to tell if they were people or werewolves, as they were in human form, seamlessly living their lives. It was the first time I had seen the kingdom bathed in the warm glow of the afternoon sun, and I felt a longing to step outside, to explore. But fear gripped my heart; I was afraid there might be another werewolf lurking, eager to harm me.

"What are you doing here?"

I turned at the unexpected voice and found Ace standing there, his expression a mix of surprise and concern. He reached for my hair, but I instinctively stepped back, a reaction that caught him off guard.

He let out a deep sigh, as if the weight of the world rested on his shoulders. "This morning, King Alpha Raymond spoke to me. He reprimanded me for what happened to you. He also told me to forget my feelings for Eliana because you are my wife now."

The weight of his words hung heavily in the air. I could see the conflict swirling within him, but deep down, I sensed the truth—his heart still belonged to Eliana. It was painfully clear that he found more joy in her presence than in mine.

"I saw Eliana leave your office earlier. She even called me a loser," I said, trying to keep my voice steady.

A soft chuckle escaped Ace as he replied, "Are you jealous? Don't worry, she tried to seduce me, but I held back. If you don't believe me, just ask Ray; he was right there in my office."

I turned away, gazing once more at the houses and shops. I wanted to believe him, but trust was hard, especially knowing he didn't love me.

Suddenly, Ace wrapped his arms around me from behind, catching me off guard. My cheeks flushed with embarrassment. "Wait, let me go!" I said, shyly.

"I don't want to. By the way, why didn't you bring me snacks earlier? Didn't I tell you yesterday to find a way to make me fall for you?" Ace teased, a playful spark in his eyes.

"My left arm hurts," I lied, but the truth was, I just didn't want to bake. It felt pointless to compete against Eliana.

"Oh really? You've been staring at the houses and shops for a while. Do you want to get out of the palace?" Ace asked, curiosity lighting up his face.

I turned to face him, gazing into his eyes as I felt his warmth enveloping me. "Really?" I asked, my heart racing with excitement. "But I don't have any money…"

He laughed softly, cupping my face in his hands. He pinched my cheek playfully, saying, "It's on me! Isn't that how it should be? The guy pays for the date."

"Date?? Hmm, you mean, a friendly date!" I corrected him, tugging at his hand to lead him out of the palace.

"What friendly date? We're practically married! Wait, that's not the way," he chuckled, directing me gently.

I paused, my face burning with embarrassment from my excitement. I glanced at him and smiled, making his cheeks flush in response. I couldn't wait for what was to come.