20 Should've accepted the offer

If there's one thing I'm gonna miss about these kids the most, it's their ears and tails.

You can clearly see if they're excited, just like now.

Their tails are wagging like crazy and their ears are pointed high.

But Aiven only wags his tail when he's laughing, which is kind of cute but boring at the same time.

"Amy! Let's go shopping! We'll buy looooooooots of dresses and dolls!" Ordelline said as she extends her hands to show how many things she'll buy.

Nevic shook his head while putting Ordelline's hands down, then he looked at me, "We'll buy lots of books! Then we'll buy swords!"

I just nodded with what they say, since from what I know we'll all stick together.

That means, wherever we go no one's separating.

When we reached the village, I immediately pulled my hood down.

Justif helped me go down, while the kid's butlers assisted them.

The moment I set my eyes on the street, I saw almost a hundred guards walking around, holding my MISSING paper.

They were inquiring people if they saw me.

I groaned when I saw my image, even if they see me now, I'm far from how I look like in that paper.

"Let's go to the clothing shop first!" Cassidy said as she pulls me.

The other follows while Cassidy dragged me through the crowd, I pulled my hood even lower when I get to pass by one of the guards.

I saw him watching me walk, but when he saw Cassidy, he turned around and left.

He must've thought I'm connected to the Unzter family.

"Here we are!" Cassidy smiled and jumped towards the clothing shop.

I saw Justif and the others following us, while Nevic was pouting. I'm sure he wanted to go to the bookshop first.

The triplets and even Nevic was in awe of the newest style for the upcoming winter clothes.

They tried the clothes and bought them right after.

But when we were about to go out, Cassidy pulled me back with her other siblings and they bought me the winter collection of the ladies, composing of four dresses, cloaks, jackets, and gloves.

"Wait, aren't those expensive? You don't have to buy me clothes," I said, as I was imagining my closet in the mansion full of clothes.

"But this is our parting gift!" Says Ordelline.

I sighed, but I sure lack thick clothes, I only had a pair of dresses fit for this temperature.

I smiled at them then patted each of their little heads, "Thank you," I said and took the shopping bag.

We then proceeded to the bookstore where Nevic loves to buy his storybooks.

Surprisingly, these kids love what each of them adores, they just don't realize it.

Even though Nevic was the one who thought about the bookstore, all four of them are now searching for a book individually.

Nevic and Cassidy are in the fiction section, Ordelline was on the science section, while Janette was in the romance section.

I, on the other hand, followed Justif, "Hey, what's your favorite book?" I asked him as he was looking through a series of novels.

"I love anything that has a nice story, but I prefer non-fiction."

I nodded with his answer since I am more of a manga reader, I'd say I love romcom and mystery.

"Justif, what's Aiven's favorite book?"

I ran my fingers through the books, sniffing its relaxing weird scent.

"He loves romance, Miss. You may not notice it, but Master Aiven's a romantic person."

I looked back at Justif who's reading a novel's summary, "Really?"

"Can you remember when he told you to go back? He kneeled and held your hand, didn't he? He read that in a romance novel. It said that women can get persuaded when a man does that."

I raised my brow, "Wow. I didn't even notice that what he did was romantic in a sense. I was occupied with the thought of going back."

Justif nodded, "Yes, we noticed that you weren't swayed by his action. You might not believe it, but Master Aiven is famous amongst the females."

I giggled while pulling a novel titled, 'If'.

"I won't say I'm not believing that since I know Aiven is a really beautiful person. But why is he still single?"

Justif looked at me then he returned the book on the shelf, "Miss Katrina was his first love, Miss. And he still hasn't moved on."

I felt my whole body stopped, is that why he was so devasted when we were talking about Katrina?

He looked like she died just yesterday the way he acted earlier.

"I see," I whispered then I put the book I was holding back to the shelf.

The kids were all done with buying the books they fancied.

We went out with a chilling breeze greeting us.

And surprisingly, it's only me who felt it because I again forgot to wear gloves.

I'm not used to wearing those, that's why I always forget them.

I was about to put my hands in my pocket but this cloak doesn't have a pocket! Why! Why create such a monstrous design?

I groaned and folded my arms to hide my hands.

"Miss, should I take the gloves from the clothes from the bag?" Asked Justif while carrying the shopping bag.

I nodded my head and stopped, "Yes, please." I said.

Justif also stopped walking and put his hands inside the bag, searching for the gloves, but when I raised my head, I saw a face staring directly at me with a wide surprised gaze while the guards with him also stopped walking.

I froze for a second, and before Justif can hand me the gloves, I sprinted away.

Without a second thought, I run away... again.

"Amy!" I heard him call.

I looked back and saw Justif bowing before him, "Your highness," he said.

I looked forward with my eyes fixed in front.

Why am I running away?

I shouldn't run away from him.

But for him to after me, is telling my brain to run faster.

I can feel my whole body burning with nervousness.

My heart won't stop racing, and my feet won't stop running.

"Amy! Wait!" I hear him yell.

Why is he walking around with the guards?

Shouldn't he be in the mansion spending time with the bride or in the castle working?

Why is he here? Why now?

I closed my eyes and run faster, I heard him call the guards to run after me, which made me run even faster.

But when I opened my eyes, I was about to bump into some tall scaly man.

"Watch where you're going, Miss. That's dangerous," said the man as he passes by.

I can see the Prince, on the other side of the street, which is already surprisingly far.

Did I run that far?

Maybe it's because of my adrenaline rush, I shrugged, then I saw a shack on the right street, I looked back to see if he's still running, then I run towards the shack.

It took me a minute of a run before I can reach the old shack near a bunch of lily-of-the-valley plants.

The white bell-like flowers look so sophisticated. Its beauty made me stop and admire the view.

Next to it are a bunch of winterberries. Its red small berries hanging by its branch takes my breath away. Imagining it surrounded with snow will be a marvelous view.

Seeing such magnificent flowers amongst the withering plants was such a fantastic scene.

I looked back, but I can't see Prince Forest or guards running after me.

I entered the old shack, but all there are inside are dried woods, baskets, and a fireplace.

I don't know what this place is, but it looks like this is where the people stack woods.

I looked around, but the dust made me sneeze. I can feel my nose getting itchy.

I feel so heavy, especially that I got a bit sweaty while the temperature is freezing.

I'm not going to be surprised if I get sick after this.

"AHHH!" I shrieked when I turn around to leave, but I saw Prince Forest standing by the shack's entrance.

He was catching his breath while leaning on the doorway.

His eyes were narrowed as he gazes over me, as if he can cut my throat.

I took a step back while biting my lips.

I feel so nervous right now. I want to hide under the baskets scattered around here.

I took one beside the stack of woods, and it looks like it's large enough to hide a small human like me.

"What are you doing?" I heard him say.

But I didn't turn to look at him. I can't face him.

This basket looks so tough. I'm guessing this has been used hundreds of times, but it still looks so new.

"Amy!" Prince Forest yelled.

Gosh, please don't scream. It's making me flinch in fear.

"Don't pretend like you didn't see me, Amy."

His voice was hoarse and low, and for the love of apples, it's making me shake.

Is he angry? Will he kill me?

God, Amy, he won't. Please stop looking at Prince Forest like a dangerous man.

"Amy," his voice became soft and faint, "Where have you been?"

Hearing him this way is making me weak. Why do you have to sound so worried? I want you to worry, and here you are, showing what I wanted to see.

I turned around, and I instantly dropped the basket when I saw him frowning as if he'll tear up any minute.

Why is everyone crying today?

I can't bear to look at his expression. It hurts.

I don't know what to say.

He already saw Justif with me, which means he already knows that I'm with Aiven.

I intertwined my fingers while looking down on the ground.

I feel so embarrassed right now.

I feel so bad.

Can the ground just open and pull me down to the core?

"Amy, please speak."

I took a step back but I felt that the wall's just an inch away from my back.

"Why are you still running away?"

He took a few steps forward slowly.

Please, stop talking. If you keep asking, I might just burst out and cry because I can't answer you.

"Amy? Have I done something wrong?"

I bit my lips harder. I can't take this anymore.

I can feel his pain, I can feel his fear and his worries.

Why are you like that?

You're only making me fall for you harder.

There was no one who felt that way just for me.

Why are you like this?

"Amy---"

"Because I like you!" I screamed on top of my lungs, making me bend my back.

I didn't raise my head with my eyes closed as I grip my skirt tightly.

I feel like I'm going to fall down any minute. I can't take this anymore.

"I got so scared because I know I am falling for you. I know I shouldn't feel that way because you have a lot of other candidates waiting for you. I was scared..." I took a deep breath, "... of my emotions for you, of this world, of everything. I didn't want to see you, that's why I chose to have an adventure. To understand my emotions, and to understand this world."

I finally fell on my knees, but I didn't see him walking towards me.

He must think I'm crazy now.

He might just leave me alone.

He must be disgusted.

He might not even believe this stupid reason of mine.

Ah, Amy, you should've just accepted his offer to send you home that day.