Chapter 17: A Stroll into Uncertainty
**Thelma Zane’s POV**
“There will be guests arriving shortly,” my father informed us during dinner. His tone was calm, as always, and I nodded absentmindedly, assuming it was another formal affair. Over the past few weeks, I’d accompanied my parents to meet many dignitaries, so I wasn’t particularly curious.
But the moment I saw Aldrich enter the room, accompanied by a tall, unfamiliar man, I nearly choked on my food. If I hadn’t grabbed my glass of water in time, I might have become the first princess to meet her end by choking at dinner.
The man walking beside Aldrich bore a striking resemblance to him. His composed demeanor and polished manners led me to deduce that he must be Duke Frank–Aldrich’s father. However, something about the atmosphere felt off. The air was heavy with formality, and no
one seemed inclined to break the silence.
Even Aldrich, who never missed a chance to tease or provoke me, stood rigid and solemn. found myself suddenly self–conscious, pushing my plate aside as if I had no appetite left.
Duke Frank and Aldrich bowed deeply in respect, and my parents reciprocated with equal gravity. The solemn exchange left me feeling awkward and out of place. If I’d known this was the kind of dinner I’d be walking into, I would have hurried through my meal and excused myself earlier.
“Thelma,” my father began, gesturing toward the guests, “this is Duke Frank, Aldrich’s father and one of my most trusted advisors. Many of the kingdom’s affairs would be impossible to manage without his help.”
Turning to Duke Frank, my father continued, “his is Thelma, the daughter I mentioned to you before. Though she has royal blood, she grew up in Europe and has only recently joined us here to prepare for her werewolf awakening.”
Duke Frank’s kind eyes and warm smile put me slightly at ease. “I remember Aldrich mentioning he would be training someone,” he said thoughtfully. “I assume that must be you, Thelma. The awakening process is a crucial period in a young werewolf’s life, and proper training is essential.”
“Yes,” my father agreed, pride evident in his tone. “She just began her training this morning. I’m confident she’ll continue to improve with time.”
Duke Frank turned to me, his expression gentle yet inquisitive. “How are you finding things here, Thelma? Have you been adjusting well?”
Though his question was simple, I felt a wave of nervousness. It wasn’t every day that I conversed with someone so esteemed. My mother’s tense posture, as if she were worried
about how I’d respond, strangely comforted me. If she could be nervous, then it was okay for me to feel the same.
Smiling tentatively, I replied, “Yes, Your Excellency. Everyone has been very kind to me, I’m quite happy here.”
“That’s
and
I hope you’ll take the time to explore. Familiarizing yourself with the land will serve you well in the future.”
o hear,” he said with a warm nod. “There’s so much beauty in this kingdom, so
“I would love that,” I said sincerely, relaxing a little under his encouraging gaze.
My mother quickly chimed in, “She only just arrived, and we’ve been so busy that we haven’t had the chance to take her sightseeing. For now, she knows only the palace and a handful of people.”
Duke Frank’s brows furrowed in thought. “That’s understandable, but children shouldn’t feel confined. She needs the freedom to experience the world outside these walls.”
My father nodded thoughtfully. “She’ll have the chance to meet others once she starts school. That should give her a well–rounded experience.
“True,” Duke Frank agreed, “but it wouldn’t hurt to let her explore a bit beforehand. Perhaps Aldrich could take her out for a while. They’re close in age and would likely have more to talk about.”
I froze, my smile faltering
Surely, he wasn’t serious? Spending more time with Aldrich was/ the last thing I wanted. I glanced at Aldrich, who maintained his stoic expression, though I could sense his mood darkening. Duke Frank, however, seemed completely earnest, leaving me with no reasonable way to refuse.
“It’s a wonderful suggestion,” my mother said tactfully, likely trying to shield me. “But isn’t Aldrich busy today? He’s already gone out of his way to join us here.”
To my dismay, Aldrich stepped forward and said, “Your Majesty, I’m on leave today. My duties resume tomorrow.”
“Well, that settles it,” Duke Frank said cheerfully. “Aldrich can show her around and help her get acquainted with the area.”
I sighed internally, resigning myself to the inevitable. Any hope of escaping this outing had just evaporated.
“You two should enjoy yourselves,” my father said, clearly amused. “Once school begins, you won’t have as much time for leisurely activities.”
As we left the dining hall, I could hear faint laughter from behind the doors. It was undoubtedly my parents, likely finding amusement in my predicament. They had a knack for pretending to be serious while secretly relishing my discomfort.
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Chopp 17: A Strull into Lincertainty
Duke Frank’s voice drifted through the doors as well, though his words were too muffled to discern. I suspected there was some matter of importance they needed to discuss privately, and sending Aldrich and me off was a convenient way to clear the room.
Outside, Aldrich fished a set of car keys from his pocket, twirling them with an air of nonchalance. “I thought you’d try to weasel your way out of this,” he said, his tone smug.
Rolling my eyes, I replied, “Do you think I’m as impulsive as you are?”
He smirked, unlocking the car. “I didn’t think you’d be so cooperative, that’s all.”
“Trust me, I’m not doing this for you,” I muttered, climbing into the passenger seat.
The drive was quiet at first, with neither of us particularly eager to break the silence. I gazed out the window, watching the scenery blur past. Despite my reluctance to spend time with Aldrich, I had to admit that the idea of exploring beyond the palace intrigued me.
As the car rolled down the winding roads, I couldn’t help but wonder what my parents were discussing with Duke Frank. It was clear that tonight’s dinner wasn’t just about introductions -it carried a weight I couldn’t quite place. For now, though, I set those thoughts aside and focused on the unfamiliar landscape stretching out before me.
It seemed this outing would be an adventure whether I liked it or not.
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