When I got back to Gija, I was greeted by not only my sister but also by Chace. Custard and I barely got out of the carriage when the two of them came rushing at us. Rose, who obviously ordered Custard to tackle Chace, got to me first.
“Ha! I win - I mean - I miss you, baby sister!” I could see the victorious smirk on her face just before she pulled me in for a hug.
I know that she’s always been competitive with Chase and Kellar for some unknown reason since I was a kid, which is why I never found the situation weird.
“It’s good to be back. I have nothing against King Ren, but he and his siblings can sure make a racket.” I thought back to how they were chasing each other around the palace, pulling pranks. We were eating breakfast when that happened. Judging from how Liliana was acting so calmly and feeding her son, I can only guess that this isn’t the first time that this has happened.
Rose laughs. Her gaze suddenly looked a little distant, like she was recalling a pleasant memory. “Yeah, those two always cause such a racket back in the days. It seems like they have not changed a bit.”
Chase suddenly coughed loudly to attract our attention. “Your highness, excuse me, but your wolf’s weight is on my chest.” He sounded a little breathless as he finished his sentence.
Rose pouts. “Fine. I wouldn’t want the crown prince to die because of me.” She grumbles. “Custard, let him go.”
At her order, Custard licked Chace’s face before he went back to run to my sister’s side. Rose laughed and petted his head like he has done a good job. “I should go and check on the kids. Don’t stay too long. If you want, you can throw him out. You don’t have to worry if he will get angry or not. I’ll just tell Ace about it.” She winks before heading back to the castle. She passes Chace, giving him a warning glare before heading off.
“Um…” Because of what happened, Chase walks up to me awkwardly. “It would seem like your sister still doesn’t like me, huh?”
I stared at Chace before crossing my arms over my chest, making him rethink his question. “You should know why.”
“Hey! I stopped sending marriage proposal letters!” He protested.
“Yeah, but coming here this early in the morning is kind of sending that vibe. At least in the common noble’s gesture.” I was merely teasing him, but what I am saying is the truth. It is common for noble suitors to come and visit the woman they want to marry.
Chace looks a little guilty as his cheeks burn red. He briefly turned his head away to gather himself and clear his throat before coming back to face me. “I was worried, of course. I heard that you were attacked in Sanver and found unconscious. I know that you kept hearing this question, but, are you sure you’re okay?”
“Yes.” I smirked and placed my hands on my hips. “I am possibly the only winter fairy who was able to control her powers at an early age.”
“Boast all you want, but you were still found unconscious.”
I took that as an insult and hit his shoulder. “Don’t make me consider my sister’s offer and chase you out. Even though Ace and I are not on the best of terms right now, I am sure that my sister would be able to persuade him.”
Chace looked genuinely frightened, and I was almost convinced that he would go home on his own. I give credit to him for standing his ground as he goes to accompany me.
“So what really happened? Do you remember anything?” He changes the topic.
Unlike my sister, Chace is more familiar with my facial expression, so I had to hide behind my hair when I answered him. “Sorry, Chace. I really can’t remember anything.”
I felt his hand on my head, like he was searching for something. “There doesn’t seem to be a bump, so I don’t think that they hit your head. So that must mean that your brain chose to not remember because you witnessed something traumatic.” His last statement made me look up at him because his face started expressing something... dangerous.
Something that wasn’t like him at all.
“Stupid rogues. We gave them refuge, and yet they still cause trouble. They’re a waste of space in this realm.”
“Chace!” I slapped him on the arm once more to snap him out of those ominous thoughts in his brain. “Be careful with your words because others might hear you and misinterpret what you’re saying.”
Chace looks at me with a raised brow. “I don’t know what you think, but I am not in the wrong, you know. They hurt you.” His gaze starts to narrow dangerously. “You’re a princess. You’re part of the royal family. Whoever lays a hand on you should receive the death penalty as a form of punishment.”
The look in his eyes suddenly reminded me of how coldly he murdered one of my attackers when we were in the graveyard. The look of no regret in his eyes at that time just reminded me of what he could and would do with his powers if he wished to kill someone with it.
For the first time in my life, I have come to ask myself if I have made the right decision to teach him most of my tricks when it comes to our winter magic.
I shook my head. “Chace, no!” I moved in front of him so I could look at him properly in the eyes. “Don’t ever take away a life just like that. It’s not right.”
“But, Stella, you’re-”
“Don’t decide whether a person lives or dies just because of their status!” I never thought that I would be arguing with Chace about this matter. I was so disappointed that I stepped back and shook my head. “You should go back, Chace. Cool your head.”
Chace looks confused. “Wait. Stella, are we fighting?” His expression changed to worry. “If I offended you, I’m sorry.”
What he said just irritated me more. Does he not comprehend that he should be sorry for saying the things that he did and not because he made me mad?!
Every minute I am glad that I have not told him about Kellar. And judging from what I just saw and heard, I am keeping this a secret to myself. Friend or not, I do not know what he’d do to Kellar if he found out that it was him that left me in the forest.
“Let’s continue this some other time, Chace. Right now, I am going back to the human world. I am going to be late for class.” I turned my back on him and started to head back into the castle, wondering if I made the right decision of kicking him out.