Sylvia, standing near the maids, listened to their gossip silently.

She didn't quite agree with their views as she knew that Mikel was different but she didn't bother to join in on their conversation and express her opinion. She knew it and that was all that mattered.

"Eh! Alright. Let's not talk about depressing things.

" Another maid chimed in.

"Did you see how charming Prince Mikel looked?

"

"I know! How can a man look so good! He is so charming and dreamy.

"

"Ahhhh! Even though I know I can never be with him, it still hurts!!!

"

"Lady Priscella is very lucky. I heard that the third Duke's daughter was also eying Prince Mikel.

"

"Oh. You mean Lady Raphel?

"

"Yes! Apparently, she is extremely depressed right now.

"

Sylvia suddenly found herself a little bit more interested in their conversation now and couldn't help but intrude.

"Umm… Did something special happen tonight?

" She hesitantly asked as she found the direction of the gossip a bit odd.

"Ah? Om my gosh! You nearly gave me a heart attack! I didn't even see you standing there!

"

Sylvia bitterly smiled and mumbled a weak apology, still waiting to hear the woman's reply.

However, the next instant her smile completely disappeared hearing the woman's few words.

"Prince Mikel got engaged to Lady Priscella. Don't you know? Everybody knows. The King himself personally made the announcement.

" The maid replied and then continued chatting with the others about the latest fashion and the dress which Priscella wore for the special occasion tonight.

Sylvia, on the other hand, silently walked out of the castle. She was no longer in a mood to listen to their pointless chatter.

She went back to the vast gardens where she had spent most part of the day and sat down in a secluded corner where she was sure that no one would be able to see her or spot her easily.

She then silently laid on the fresh-smelling grass looking up at the moon and the stars.

"Damn it.

" She bit her lips, her eyes almost glistening. She knew that everything that was happening was probably a farce.

He must surely have his reasons or perhaps he was scheming something. After all, how could killing the entire royal family of a Kingdom be achieved so easily?

So she didn't exactly doubt him. However… it still hurt… just a little…

"Arghhh. I should be more supportive damn it. Why am I crying out here like a helpless little girl?

" Sylvia shook her head and rubbed her eyes.

Even against all her logic and reasoning, she couldn't help but feel a bit lonely as if she was all on her own.

She let out a deep sigh and opened her eyes again to stare at the stars when suddenly a low growl sounded beside her.

Sylvia instantly jolted, sitting up straight and as she turned around, she somehow found herself face to face with a huge snow white wolf with blue runes covering its entire body.

The beast was almost as big as a human being and was definitely bigger than Sylvia who weighed next to nothing.

Its piercing blue eyes were locked onto her body and it glared at her as if it was trying to peer into her very soul.

Sylvia was completely paralyzed, unable to take even another breath. It was like without the permission of the beast in front of her, she would never be able to move again. She was frozen still!

Saliva dripped from the huge domineering canines and the wolf took another step still glaring at Sylvia.

A powerful ancient and violet aura rippled from the beast sending shivers down her spine. Her entire body trembled.

"Ig… Ignis.

" She weakly muttered, clutching the grass with her hand, digging into the soil with her nails.

However, the wolf merely snapped its jaws at her, and the small sparks of fire that had materialized completely disappeared.

It let out another low growl and took another step forward, now standing right in front of her, its nostrils flaring and a thick bloody stench wafting from its mouth.

Sylvia was shocked to her very core. She wanted to scream and she wanted to run, get the hell out of there, but weirdly, she was unable to even move an inch.

Is this wolf even a normal beast? She shuddered.

I should have never come out of the castle. I should have never come here all alone to cry about something so stupid and insignificant. She whimpered, her mind and heart filled with regrets.

But it was already too late. This was probably her end.

Her life was at the palm of the beast in front of her and it would only take 2 seconds for it to end her, erasing her entire existence off of this world.

Why was I so stupid… Sylvia cursed herself and tears started streaming out, but weirdly enough, she was not even sure why she was crying anymore.

She felt alone. She felt weak and more importantly, she felt as if a big chunk of herself had been missing lately…

Even when she was with Mikel, even when everything made sense, there was still something that was lacking and she didn't know why but in the presence of this wolf, that feeling became exceedingly clear.

Sylvia clutched the patch of grass with her hands clenched tightly and sobbed uncontrollably, completely breaking apart.

She did not even care about the fierce beast in front of her anymore. She was sad and she wanted to cry and let it out.

And just as she sobbed desperately, all of a sudden, the wolf which was standing still until now, moved. Its big animal head leaned towards her and licked the tears falling from her cheeks.

"Ahh…

" Sylvia gasped in shock and moved away as she felt a bolt of electricity course through her body as soon as the wet sticky tongue of the animal licked her cheeks, coating her with its saliva.