I Don’t Need the Prince! 20

"What happened!" In an instant, Hector appeared next to Ariel. He was about to touch her wound, but Ariel dodged his hands. Hector looked anxiously at her rejection but did not force her to reveal the injury.

"Then come inside," he slowly reached for her hands, and when making sure she did not reject it, he guided her inside. Their parents were worried upon seeing Ariel, but Hector calmed them down asking them to not scare her anymore.

Instead of asking Ariel and frightening her more, he asked his most trusted servants to find out what had happened. Once he received his information, he fell into deep thought. Although he warned her this morning, he did not expect it to be thugs. He held high suspicions to the Mary House and their new lady, but he never expected them to hire thugs!

Out of speculation, he ordered his servants to compile a file of their misdeeds. He could not have these people wandering around a second longer and harming his sister!

In her room, Avina relaxed. If anything was taught to her as a kid, it was to be resilient. It was okay to have fear, but it was more important to get over that fear when it is most needed. Overcome the fear before it overcomes you.

The moment she no longer saw the detestable red, she had already started to get back on her feet. Now, it was time to gather today's info.

Calling upon Mary, she waited while staring at the necklace. It was beautiful but sad. Avina did not need to wait long. Mary soon knocked at her door and greeted her.

"Miss, I have done as you instructed." Despite feeling puzzled, Mary did as she was told and did not question her master. Lifting her head, she was even more surprised by the bandaids. She wanted to ask but dared not against Ariel's composed but cold face.

Avina instructed Mary to send out news of a famine nearby as well as her outing. If Mary did a good job, George would receive news earlier, arrive earlier, and meet earlier with them too. But most importantly, the aftermath would be that he would investigate the news and find the trail of Amanda's plans.

"Good job," After hearing Mary's report, Avina sent her away. She thought long and hard about the day and felt the pain stab her innermost soul. Just as this necklace was decorative, it was also useless. But it was this useless thing that was valued and caused today's trouble.

Somewhere in the world, there was a lonely Ariel sitting patiently for love to knock on her doors. However, she will only find that there is none. Instead, someone else who came would receive it. Someone else would also show her that if only she was open with her love would it truly bloom.

The myriad of thoughts spiraled within her mind and for once, she cried. Not of physical pain but the realization that the world was not a peaceful place. For she was summoned her for none other than to simply fulfill wishes but realized that she was too learning the ways of the world. That the world was not so beautiful.

5025 stared at its host fluctuating emotions. It rose, it fell, but it never stayed happy. It recounted the events of the day and it could not pinpoint the exact reason why. All it knew was its host was sad and needed comfort. Softly, the ball showed itself and gently snuggled in her arms.

Comforted was in the rare moments of peace and quiet

During Ariel's rest, there were plenty of visitors and letters. Some were heartfelt, some were less so. Avina read none of them. She would constantly stand next to her window staring out into the open fields with 5025 in her arms.

Over the next couple of days, her parents, brother, friend, and fiance started to worry more. The more depressed Ariel appeared, the more they worried. If anything, it only stabbed their hearts even more. This was a bright bubbly child, and she was reduced to nothing in a single day.

Avina took the time to be alone to contemplate all that happened to her. Her coma, her transmigration, her missions, her tasks, her everything. It felt surreal, so far fetched. So different from what she had ever experienced. It was nothing like what she had ever thought she would ever live to feel, but it was exactly that. She was living, she was feeling, and this was real.

The days ticked away and finally, Avina found her answer. She was going to do her best. This was her resolution. Doesn't matter if she failed, doesn't matter if she stumbled along the way, she was going to do her best. No matter how suffocating it was, she was going to survive and return. This was her final day being sad. No more would she submit to her fears, no more would she tremble at the thought of failure. No more.

Looking through all the letters, it was all filled with concern. But the ones she knew were filled sincerely with concern were from Jane and George. These two who accepted her despite the false allusion of Ariel were genuinely worried. She looked between Jane's and George's and decided to accept George.

That evening, the royal carriage arrived at the Devera House. Stepping out without haste, George rushed to the gazebo. There, he finally saw Ariel. At the sounds of his footsteps, Ariel turned her head and warmly smiled.

Instead of a pure without worry smile. Ariel's were filled with maturity. In a span of a couple of days, it felt as if she had experienced years of lessons. George felt a little lost and confused but more importantly, he was relieved. She was okay.

"How have you been?" trembling, he sipped his tea. No matter what words he spouted, he didn't seem to know which words were right. Every single one of them seemed wrong.

"I have been doing fine." Ariel lowered her eyes staring at her reflection in the cup. In it were two eyes staring back at her - calm and composed. The liveliness that exploded in radiance a couple of days ago seemed to disappear into nothingness.

George awkwardly hummed in response before continuing to sip his tea. The two never conversed again through the whole session. It was completely submerged in silence and stilled the thoughts of those lost.

As the sun set and the moon peaked, George could no longer stay. The teapot had been refilled many times but it could not be filled once more. It remained empty as George bid farewell.

Avina looked at the moon and the moon looked at her. Solidary and peaceful. Tomorrow would be the ball. There was no time for regrets, sadness, or hesitation.