The Crown's Entrapment

At Hindman Manor

Bella continued to sigh as she stared blankly at the empty canvass in front of her. She was near the balcony, watching the snow fall as she absently let herself relax. The view was beautiful, her spot overseeing the hills enough that she had the urge to draw and paint the spectacular view. However, somehow, she was quite distracted at the moment.

[This is so unlike you to act like this,] Poona commented.

Another sigh came out as Bella shrugged. “That Osman is annoying. Does he mean that he’ll still try to pursue me even after he already found out that I’m participating in the trial by combat?” She grumbled with a frown, “Was he not offended at all?”

[And why are you letting yourself be this affected by him being offended or not?] Poona laughed. [You’ve never been this affected by any man since Calypso.]

Bella sighed. Her wolf was right, and she was weirded out by it being the case. “Somehow, he’s intriguing me…” she murmured. “Maybe it’s because I’m curious about what he would do now?”

Standing up from her chair, Bella walked towards Calypso’s painting, removing the fabric covering it as she stared at her own work.

[Are you comparing who’s more handsome between the two?] Poona teased, making Bella chuckle.

Again, her wolf was right. Looking back, Osman had dark brown hair with cobalt blue eyes. He also has a clean-shaven mustache and beard as where Calypso had no facial hair.

[Well, we haven’t seen Calypso for about a century now,] Poona commented. [We’ll never know if he still looks the same as we last saw him.]

“Calypso had those hazel eyes that blended well with his burgundy hair…” Bella recalled with a smile, his charming smile coming back to his mind along with that one dimple on his cheek that added to his charm. “He was as warm as the sun…”

[I agree with you on that, but you must admit that Osman’s winter cold aura is very mysteriously seductive,] Poona added with a squeal.

Bella shook her head at the thoughts running through her head. She was utterly amused with how her wolf was currently enjoying herself.

“I still don’t like him though,” Bella snorted before she covered Calypso’s painting and went back to her chair to start her painting.

She was well into drawing out an initial sketch when her door swung open. Her sister-in-law Jayra then entered the room with a tray of hot tea and some snacks along with her.

“Mother is very happy, you know,” Jayra commented as she placed the tray of snacks and tea on the table. “She’s even humming while preparing all of this, and then she asked me to go up and share it with you…”

“Ah, those are my favorite cookies. They smell great, “Bella smiled as she immediately joined Jayra by the table. “Also, what’s up with Mother? She won’t usually prepare snacks like this before we’re about to have our lunch.”

“She’s obviously pleased with the Admiral’s words last night,” Jayra chuckled. “Somehow, the Admiral still seemed sincere in pursuing you after the trial by combat.”

“Don’t you find that weird though?” Bella snorted. “I mean, we just met for the first time yesterday, and I’ve been rude during most of the time we spent together during dinner. And yet even after all of that, he’ll still pursue me?”

“What’s so weird with a man who probably experienced love at first sight?” Jayra pointed out with a teasing smile, to which Bella simply rolled her eyes.

There was no way that was the case for her this time…

“What’s with that look anyway? Why can’t you believe it?” Jayra pointed out. “You’re so gorgeous and seductive, my dear sister-in-law. Any man would easily fall for you just from your looks alone.”

“Well that could be true,” Bella conceded with a pout. “But still, that Admiral probably has something more under his sleeve. He’s too stiff for me.”

“Tell me how you find him physically then,” Jayra curiously asked. “Aside from being stiff, of course.”

Bella’s lips curled upon seeing how keen her sister-in-law was being about the subject. Casually, she replied, “He’s good, I guess?”

“Just good?” Jayra burst out, her eyes rapidly blinking at her.

“I’m sure you’ll find him more than that from him, especially since you became speechless after he mentioned that he’ll still pursue you,” Jayra snorted. “I’m honestly waiting for your retort at him, but nothing came.”

[Haha! It seems like our sister-in-law already knows you well,] Poona laughed aloud. [Isn’t that what I’m saying too? I feel some connection with the Lycan, and I know you feel it too but you’re simply ignoring it. Then again, I also got your point, since we’ll never know what we would feel once Calypso returns.]

Again, Bella’s wolf was right, but there was no way that she would say the same to Jayra, especially when she herself wasn’t even sure how things would end between them all.

“Hmm… I guess I just don’t want to be rude, sis,” Bella casually shrugged. “Mother’s been sad because of me lately, and I noticed how she smiled so often while it was happening… So I guess there’s no harm in befriending the Admiral for now.”

Jayra simply nodded at her reply. She then changed the subject with an excitable smile. “Right, your birthday’s coming up, and we’ll still proceed with the Masquerade Ball theme,” she cheerfully declared. “I’ll start organizing the logistics for it now with Mother. It would be nice if you can come and join us as well, but I believe you still have a schedule for the tournament. I’ll probably just sketch you some gowns and have you tell me if you find anything you like.”

“That’s so nice of you,” Bella beamed. “Thank you, sis. Uhm… It’s so wonderful to have you as a sister!”

Jayra blushed at the complement. She was about to retort when she suddenly gasped. “Ah, I almost forgot!”

“What?” Bella curiously asked.

“Bartos mentioned to me last night that Calypso will be coming back soon,” Jayra relayed. “His Majesty had received a letter from him, informing him that he will be returning in the near future…”

Suddenly, Bella felt her heart suddenly skip a beat, her lips still parted as she blankly stared at her sister-in-law.

“How soon?” she murmured.

“He didn’t give an exact day, but it was written that he’ll probably be here before winter ends,” Jayra answered.

[Poona, did you hear that?] Bella excitedly burst out. [He’s finally coming back!]

[Yes, I heard it, and it’s indeed some good news,] Poona exclaimed in delight. [Let’s go and collect some men and see who’s the best for us!]