Royalty

I watch as Mr. Fox drops to the ground, clenching his leg, and the faces of the eager zoo animals shift to fear. It was all happening in slow motion to me.

My heart rate inclines and my breathing unsteady.

Was this the right choice? Gunning someone down? I haven't hurt someone with my own hands for so long. Then, an unusual calm washes over me.

I've hurt so many people before, how does one dog make a difference?

I chuckle, then I laugh. "You can threaten me all you like, Mrs. Lion, but Kayate, here, is not at fault. After you sent Precious and I away, I decided to bring Kayate with me just in case. And I was right to be suspicious. When Kayate told me Mr. Fox was sniping on us, Precious got frightened and ran away, assuming she can't trust me anymore, while Kayate goes to protect her by fighting him."

"Wha-! My fault?" Mr. Fox exclaims.

"You were too busy trying to kill my associate, you wouldn't know..." I dismiss him. "That shot was just a warning."

I return the gun to Mrs. Lion, enough time to whisper to her, "you can lie, but both of us can play that game. You're only lying to yourself, because we both know what will happen soon, in my favor."

She scoffs, then grits her teeth. "You'll have to get rid of me, first."

I raise a brow. "Oh, really?"

She stiffens, but tries to keep a relaxed composture. "Release him."

Her guards then snips the rope bounding Kayate to the tree. And upon release, he stands.

"Do what you want, Hyena, you'll be still the same as you once were."

In the hall of casino, I lean against the wall, panting as I try to fight against the cold blood within me.

"Everything alright?" Kayate approaches me.

"I told myself I won't fire a bullet anymore..."

"You were trying to protect me."

I draw out my gun from my coat pocket. "Guns only make things worse; they're cursed." I clench the handle tightly.

"It would've been worse if you listened to me. I should apologize for being... pessimistic."

"You're always pessimistic, but it doesn't bother me. These are dark times, it's natural. But if you think about it, everything always turns out on the bright side in the end." I stand up straight, facing him. 

"And shouldn't that solve your problem, as well?" He smiles.

"I guess it does." I smile a little, but it fades. My troubles aren't over yet. "I want you to make sure the princess makes it safely."

"I thought the Victoria Express was in charge of that."

I avert my gaze to the ground.

"I understand. But if she means this much to you, why don't you ever confess?"

"Being with me would put her in danger, even knowing would just sadden her. I just want her to be happy."

"Of course, Nigel. Just take care of yourself"

It's morning, everyone is up earlier than usual for this important day.

Sitting at a casino table, I listen to all the commotion happening all around me.

It's a relief the princess had already left, for the next stage of Mrs. Lion's agenda is going to happen today. But would the plan work correctly if Precious isn't there?

"Attention all animals!" Mrs. Lion stands in the center of the room. "Everyone brace for the arrival of the royal family of Boutielette. But because our Domino ran away, she won't be here to help us end them once and for all."

The crowd murmur to one another, anxiously.

"But worry not, I have an ulterior plan for our enemies."

Precious' POV

Kayate had been silent, sitting in one of the seats that were in a row along the wall.

I've also reflected the silence, to my thoughts, at the back seat of the bus.

"You know, Precious." He breaks the silence. "I'll need your answer. Choosing your future companion is a major decision."

I frown. "It's hard..."

"If life was easy, everyone would be living it."

"I don't want to leave you all alone..."

He sighs as he stands to sit beside me. With his left hand, he directs my head to face him.

"Is this what you want?" He leans in, but carefully examining my expression.

My heart races. I've never kissed anyone before. Yet, I'm frozen. Scared to reject him but this kiss will mark my decision. But is this what I want? 

Then in that split second, our lips lock into a french kiss. But despite how sudden it is, it quickly feels rather calming. The way his tongue dances in my mouth, my tongue naturally plays along. But as he leans in more, he flinches and withdraws.

Then, as if a cold front washes over me, I shivver and jolt.

"What happened?" I come back to my senses, finding Kayate sitting in the same seat he was before moving.

I touch my lips. That felt kind of... good...

"That was a hallucination. It wasn't real."

"Oh..." 

"Did you want it to be real?"

I feel at the mercy of many love relationships. Yet, I don't know who to choose.

"If it were me, I'd say you should choose Nigel. If I may remind, you cried for him once. Love shouldn't be based off pity."

"I don't want you to leave."

"Then I'll stay, even if you choose Nigel, I'll rejoin the Rabbit Hole."

But does he really love me as much as I do? "It'll be great to see him again, but he requested I shouldn't go back..."