"What the hell!" She pushed me away on my forehead, and the bed caught me. "You're too heavy!" she complains. And then the laughter is with me. "We're going to an exclusive hot spa here and they will provide us with new clothes before the free breakfast," she said.
"Where—"
"We're in the palace of Plandreas," she responds in advance like she knew my question beforehand. "It's the deal. I've defeated the two snivels and these are their payment, free room, free foods, free clothes, and spa," she brags. But she's holding her hands for some reason. "Thanks to your power, by the way. We made it out from the cursed building and reproved them."
"It's your power, not mine."
"For the initial escape, yes. But it was purely your power when we escaped that inn. You're stronger than anyone can imagine. That forbidden spell helps a lot. Can you still remember your past?"
I tilt my head. "I can't. But I can still remember what happened."
"There are left side effects, your body unwraps its real image, and your power to shift remains."
"My image?" I stood in front of a mirror right away, then removed my coat. It seems like looking at someone else in front of this mirror. My skin turned fair and white, my hair is as white as snow with a few strands of silver underneath, and my eyes are crystal blue when the sunbeam hits my face through the tall window.
"Forbidden spells have negative and positive effects that vary. You're fortunate to have a good effect. Or, it was just the spell fading by itself." She had already stripped her clothes and covered herself with a towel. "Let's take a bath now," she dictated like a fur-mom to me. But instead, I wrap my arms around her waist and spin her around, screaming buoyantly.
"I can't believe this! We have the same delicate skin!"
"How dare you compare your skin to mine!?"
I put her down and bent down a little to match her face. "Check out my eyes! It changes color when light hits it."
"Oh, really?" She raises a finger and the tip shines light. She drags her face closer and beholds my eyes. The circled shape of her lips is silent amazement. "I can't believe it, too. I'm seeing the eyes of a pureblood silver wolf. The rumor's definition is accurate after all."
This isn't the first time, but the closeness of her face brings light to my chest. Day after day, she's getting more beautiful while nothing actually changes. She notices the way I review the details of her eyes, then presses my face with her hands.
"But you look cuter in little-wolf form," she insists.
"Wait, we'll take the spa at the same time? together?"
She answers with the power of confidence, "I just thought about it to make the bath time merrier. Like how we run half-naked inside the inn. I'll still give you the choice."
I can't tell her how tempting it is to behold her body. For someone as asexual as her, this isn't fair! "I'll just wait here after you."
She shrugs. "Okay."
☪ ✧ ✧
I roam around the vast room to entertain myself while she's taking her time for one hour, already. I shift into a big wolf in front of the mirror and stare at myself. My clothes, including the coat, disappear whenever I transmute. The mixed color of my fur shows when refracting light. White is dominant and with a touch of the galaxy pigment. I'm sitting like a polite dog when Dandeline finally comes out and tackles me with a tight hug!
"You're like a huge teddy bear~!" She's sinking her face in my fur again. She's wearing a white robe and a towel is wrapped in her hair. I'm bigger than her than an ordinary wolf in this form. She's brushing my fur with her fingers, unable to resist a dog just by setting sight of it.
["Dan, I'm overdressed with laces."]
"You're concerned about your fashion now?"
["Of course. I am the guardian of my own skin."]
She laughs at me. "Don't you like the lace? I think it looks cute on you. And besides, it's a token of my possession," she declared like a boss. She walks towards the bed after burning the beat of my heart! I crawl underneath her, then toss her behind. She screams when her butt hits the floor. I ran away promptly toward the bathroom and locked myself. "Hessuel! What was that— Get back here!" She sounds pissed off but I'm laughing soundlessly.
The bathroom emits a lukewarm atmosphere with a leftover smell of Dandeline. My time to soak here became more satisfying. After the bath, new clothes are laid on the bed. For mine is a half-colored bottom down of white and blue long sleeves, pants, and good-for-traveling winter boots.
"The palace provided this for free?" I confirm.
"Awesome, no?”
A maid knocked on our door to inform us about the breakfast with heavy meals waiting for us.
I wore the coat and took Acro before leaving the room. The maid took us to the outside garden where the foods are exclusively served under a floral pavilion just in front of a calm pond, and fountain, dressed with lilies. The plating, especially the way this juicy turkey tempts my appetite is worth drooling, but not as long as I'm in front of Dandeline and the servants of the palace. She's sitting in front of me like the queen of this palace since everyone obeys her.
"Don't be timid, Hessuel. I asked them to serve this meal for you," she said then we started digging in. As a boy who lived on the farm, I can't pull back the excitement from this luxurious food! However, Dandeline is the one acting timidly. She's holding the spoon tight while eating and staring blankly at the plate.
"Dan, is something wrong? Are you nervous?"
"Do I look like it?"
I narrow my eyes on her. I've only known her for a few days, but today's inner emotion is different from those days. "Are you scared that I might harm you?" I asked. Her answer is a silent stare in my eyes. I drop the spoon and fork on the plate. I was about to assure her that she's safe with me when she answered,
"No! Part of it, yes. But the thing is I failed to walk the talk I've told you." She leans her back. "I've seen how affected you were. To make Tanya meet her condemnation was my eager short-term plan but the possibilities made me think twice. If we lift this case to the court, the whole pack will mark their attendance including you as the victim. First, there are no rules defending the silver wolves. Second, Tanya didn't derogate a human. Third, I can't let you meet the Alpha, yet.
"And because of that, I concluded that the best way for her to pay for her faults is to treat us like this in the palace and leave the place as soon as possible. I don't think this will suffice for what she has done. That's why I'm afraid of how much it'll hurt you... or... infuriate you. I'm sorry if I resolved something I cannot fulfill."
"It's okay!" I showed her an imperturbable smile. "If those are the possibilities then I understand. You know what's best for me and I trust that." I picked up the utensils again and ate.
"... How could you..." she murmurs.
"And speaking of court, what happened to Mraz's court hearing?"
"Oh, that was easy. The evidence against him is broad and eminent because of slavery. He harmed humans which caused his downfall from the government. But he's still the Delta in the pack. I believe he's lingering alongside the Alpha. And I'm certain he won't harm you again."
"That's great! But I thought the Moon Goddess punished him to be the slave in the pack or something." I pluck a grape served on the table. "Also, can we have some take-out?"
I ate the majority of the served foods, especially the turkey before we requested the maids for take-out. We're ready to leave the palace after. While waiting outside the kitchen, an unexpected occupant approaches us.
"Silver babe~!" It's Tanya. When I saw her coming, I hid behind Dandeline. She's wearing a floppy hat again, a slim long dress that exposes her back, cleavage, and leg.
Dandeline crosses her arms. "Tanya, you look lively and horny today."
"Are you leaving? Can I have some spare time with the pureblood first?" My bristle chills when a finger of hers crawls on my arm upward before cuddling it with her arms and breast! Dandeline slaps Tanya's hands away from me.
"Stop flirting with someone who'll never flirt you back!" she deems as if she's telling Tanya to flirt wisely rather than deducting the habit. I hold on to Dandeline's arms and shift into a tiny wolf, carrying me like her own dog, making Acro perches on her shoulder. "See? You're just frightening him."
"How lovely~!” Then her reaction suddenly swung. “But… how certain are you that this silver wolf will not devour your helping hand?”
"I have my own reasons to accompany this guy. Whether I'll be wasting my life or talent, it doesn't affect you."
“What we're doing is wiping any signs of threat for peace. You know how much it alarmed the wolf race from the news that a silver wolf is alive. You're traveling for a purpose? Are you helping the villain? Are you a traitor?"
The maids with the packed take-out came out in the middle of contention. They gave it to Dandeline and she sank it inside a freezing portal. "Thank you." Then the maids left awkwardly. She's about to walk away when she says, "We're leaving. And to answer your questions briefly, I'm a loyal servant of the moon, what I'm doing is for unlocking an even more peaceful generation for the wolf race. I may not be doing it according to your expectations, but it's because I'm not biasing a pack." Then she finally walks away.
I didn't hear any response from her. I hop out from Dandeline's arms and shift into a human. "Ms. Tanya. I heard about your past," I said straight to the point. Her eyes suddenly turn cold until I say, "I'm sorry for what silver wolves had done to you. I suffered the same abuse because of slavery. A law enforced by your pack. I understand your pain. It's none of my intention to make it happen again."
"..." She avoids my glance. "My~ You're too soft. I might kiss you!"
"Hessuel," Dandeline pulls me behind her, "let's go."
We rode a carriage up to the courtyard of the airships. Upon arrival, Dandeline told me to double time but I did otherwise. She looks back at me and puts her hands on her waist.
"What're you doing? Let's hurry!"
"Dan, just tell me where I can find this friend of yours. I'll go there on my own."
"What?"
"They might be telling the truth. I'm a living threat to their peace. What if I hurt you too? I don't know who I am, so maybe they're giving a clue—"
"Stop there." Her steps toward me are intimidating. "They can't tell you who you are nor who you should be. Can you still remember why you traveled all the way to my house? You want to know who you really are. The choice is yours eventually if you want to be the enemy because that's what they think about you, or if you want to use your strength to save them from the trauma," she reprimands. Yet those words removed the yoke that burdens me. She presses a finger on my forehead. "Don't let your humbleness demean you!"
I touch my forehead. Then I watch her walk away. And how crazy it is for my heart to beat vigorously!