Facade

I lift her chin as I sit Precious up. After being gone for so long, I... I guess I craved her.

"Nigel..." She mutters. She's half-awake. That's a relief.

"Princess, you reek of poison..." My fangs can't help but bear. "Let me help you."

"Nigel, how much..." She's unable to complete her sentence.

"Don't strain yourself." 

She falls back to sleep, letting her head roll to the side.

I could smell the poison in her veins. What contaminated her pure blood? I carefully sink my fangs into her neck and begin to suck. Sweet blood turns bitter, I keep drawing blood until the bitterness go away.

Then I gently place her down. The poison makes me feel drowsy, I blackout.

The warm sun awakens me. Precious was still there lying beside me, but this time her breathing is steady.

It takes a good amount of sleep to rid of the poison in my body. My blood is immune to most common types of poisoning. I'm relieved I found her in time, but anxious to find out who did this to her. And does this relate to Nathaniel's sniper?

So many questions, so little answers.

I lift Precious into my arms, readying to carry her back to the zoo. Where everyone is crowding at the casino room, busy as it always is.

"Nigel... I can walk myself,"  Precious mutters and I place her on her feet. She stumbles a little so she caters to me for balance.

"Alright, I-" Nathaniel stops in his tracks upon seeing Precious. "I knew my visit here wasn't in vain."

Hearing his voice, she turns. "-... Niel?" She seems choked up on words.

He eyes our close proximity. "Precious~" He opens out his arms.

I could feel her heart racing, she seems frozen to move. But she lets go of me and slowly walks a few steps toward him.

"I'm sorry," she murmurs as he embraces her.

"For what? For running away or for hanging out with another guy?" He caresses her cheek.

"I didn't mean to upset you." Her voice just above a whisper.

"Then make it up to me... with a kiss."

"B-but..."

"I understand, don't want to embarrass you in public. We could go somewhere alone." He releases her but takes her hand.

"Actually..." I cut in. "Since there is a murderer on the loose, your sniper and her poisoner, you can't go anywhere far."

"That's fine, we could go to my room, I'll make sure there are no entryways." He leaves and Precious has no other choice but to follow.

I just wish I could do something to protect her.

Precious's POV

I could only watch as Nathaniel slides off his coat and unbuttons his shirt. Then laying on the bed, he signals me to lay with him.

"I'm not tired."

"What happened to you craving my touch?" I know that he wasn't asking and that if I don't go, he'll just make sure of it.

I sit on the bed beside him. He already locked the door and closed the window and curtains, I can't run away.

He sits me on him and removes my cloak. "What happened to the dresses I tailored for you?" He doesn't like what I have on.

"They burned..."

He slides his hands on my hips, caressing my fur as he inches his way up.

"Daniel, it hurts." I try to steady my breathing. "My body hurts..."

"I didn't do anything yet." He smiles.

How do I still get aroused by his touch? I don't like how I react to him.

He strokes my thighs. "I missed you, my love. Every morning, every night, it's empty beside me. How much did you miss me?"

I don't want to answer that question. "... I just want to be with Nigel." I didn't realize that slipped out my mouth until I notice his expression. "I mean!"

"Hmph, what does that spotted dog have that I don't?"

Loyalty, sympathy, protection...

He holds my arm, bringing me closer to him. "I should punish you."

"I'm sorry!" I exclaim as he unbuttons my shirt. "I'm sorry..." I sob.

"You don't need to cry. I won't do anything too harsh." He rolls over on top of me.

I could feel his stomach rubbing mine and his chest presses against mine. I am sure he could feel my heart pounding.

"Don't be scared, just a kiss and this'll all be over. Why do you always avoid it?" He caresses my cheek again. "I need to make our love official." He tries to pry my mouth open with his fingers. "We could go back to the castle. Emma is waiting there for you."

"Emm-" I immediately close my mouth as he tries to use that opportunity.

"Almost got you there." He smiles.

He thinks this is a game, but he doesn't know that this kiss will ruin my life forever. If only Nigel... kissed me.

I feel the heat ever so slightly rise.

Why am I wishing he was intimate with me? We're only friends, why do I need to be more to him than that? Why am I protecting my first kiss from someone who actually confessed his feelings toward me for someone who probably doesn't love me back?

... Because I love him... Maybe wishing is just enough, fantasizing our forever happiness, just being near him.

Nigel, I love you! I love you! I love you... I love you, "Nigel~"

I then felt like I was falling into darkness, I close my eyes. At least I don't see him anymore. I'm happy.

Then, it feels like I landed in warmth despite the drizzling rain.

"Princess." I hear a voice.

"Nigel, how much do you love me? As much as I do?"

I find a little shock in his expression. Maybe he doesn't...

He smiles. "I love you even more, then."

Then I close my eyes. Relief.

Mr. Hyena's POV

I wake up, it's morning.

"Is this déjà vu?" I look down at Precious, who was sleeping soundly.

"Hm." I carry her in my arms.

I wonder if what she said last night was authentic. She was sick... I can't assume she meant it.

At the zoo, it seems all the events from before plays again like deja vu. Everyone is in the casino room, Nathaniel enters, surprised to see Precious.

But as I try to put her down, she grips my neck tightly. 

This is different.

"Nigel..." She leans in.

I smile and cock my head.

Then without further hesitation, she delivers the anticipated kiss.

Very satisfying.