Chapter 212: Out Shopping

{Third Person}

The afternoon passed more quickly than Amara expected.

Not long after lunch, Mrs. Woods gently reminded her that it was almost time to get ready.

Before Amara knew it, she found herself seated before the vanity in her bedroom while Mrs. Woods and Sonia busied themselves around her.

Today’s preparations were much simpler. Even so, the two women insisted on putting a little more effort into her appearance than they normally did.

Mrs. Woods carefully arranged Amara’s hair into a graceful style that framed her face beautifully, while Sonia helped her change into a soft, elegant dress that was modest without lacking refinement.

A touch of light makeup followed, just enough to brighten her features without making it obvious she was wearing any.

As Mrs. Woods adjusted the final strand of hair behind her ear, Amara studied her reflection with growing uncertainty.

"...Isn’t this a little too much?"

Mrs. Woods looked at her through the mirror. "What do you mean, My Lady?"

Amara lowered her eyes. "I only thought..." She hesitated before speaking honestly. "I don’t want His Highness to misunderstand."

Mrs. Woods paused for a moment before smiling knowingly. "My Lady, you’re thinking too much."

Amara glanced back at her, so Mrs. Woods rested a reassuring hand lightly on her shoulder. "His Highness is the Alpha Prince."

She smiled gently. "And you are his wife." There was kindness in her voice as she continued.

"It is only natural that you present yourself well whenever the two of you go out together. Besides, you aren’t dressing extravagantly. You’re simply making yourself look presentable."

Sonia nodded in agreement. "Mrs. Woods is right."

Amara remained silent for several moments. Gradually, the tension left her shoulders. "...You’re right."

At least, that explanation sounded reasonable enough. Even though her heart still felt strangely restless, she no longer argued.

Once everything was ready, Mrs. Woods stepped back to admire her work. "There." She smiled with satisfaction. "Perfect."

Amara could only smile helplessly. At that moment, Ginger softly meowed from the bed. Amara quickly turned and said, "I almost forgot about you."

She walked over, bent down, and gently scooped the little cat into her arms.

Ginger purred contentedly as Amara stroked her back.

"Let’s go."

Together with Mrs. Woods and Sonia, she left her room and headed downstairs.

The moment they entered the sitting room, Amara noticed Alexander already waiting. He was standing beside one of the large windows with his hands loosely clasped behind his back.

Hearing their footsteps, he turned around.

His gaze naturally settled on Amara. For the briefest moment, something flickered across his usually composed expression.

It was so faint that most would overlook it—a subtle surface of surprise.

His eyes lingered on her just a little longer than usual.

The afternoon light streaming through the windows seemed to soften her appearance, and the quiet elegance with which Mrs. Woods and Sonia had prepared her suited her remarkably well.

Before either of them could speak—

"Meow." Ginger’s voice broke the silence.

Alexander’s gaze shifted downward. The faint surprise vanished, replaced by a slight frown that appeared between his brows.

Amara immediately noticed it. Her heart skipped. Did... he not like how I look?

She naturally lowered her eyes, suddenly becoming self-conscious. But before she could begin overthinking any further, Alexander spoke.

"Leave Ginger here. The cat isn’t coming with us."

Amara quickly raised her head, her lashes fluttering gently, and a sense of relief gradually appeared on her face.

So... that was what he had frowned about. Not her.

She smiled apologetically before turning toward Sonia. "I suppose you’ll have to stay with Miss Sonia this afternoon."

Ginger answered with another dissatisfied meow as Amara carefully handed her over. The little cat looked toward Alexander almost accusingly before meowing yet again.

Alexander remained completely unmoved. He simply looked away as though he had heard nothing at all.

At that moment, Jasper entered from the front entrance and bowed respectfully. "Your Highness."

Alexander turned to him.

"The car is ready."

Alexander gave a slight nod before looking toward Amara. "Let’s go."

Amara quietly nodded. "Yes."

Without another word, she naturally fell into step beside him as they walked toward the front entrance together, leaving Ginger behind in Sonia’s arms.

The little cat continued meowing pitifully after them, but Alexander never once looked back, while Amara could only cast Ginger one last apologetic glance before following him out of the house.

---

A black sedan was already waiting outside when Alexander and Amara stepped out of the house.

The driver held the rear door open for them before returning to the wheel, while Jasper took his usual seat in the front.

Once the car pulled away from the estate, Alexander picked up the day’s newspaper and quietly read through it. Amara, meanwhile, rested her gaze on the scenery beyond the window.

The Werewolf City was calmer than she had imagined. Though it lacked the towering buildings and modern development of the Human Kingdom’s larger cities, its broad streets, brick buildings, and bustling shops possessed a quiet charm that made the city feel warm and welcoming.

About twenty minutes later, the car came to a stop in front of a modest shopping mall.

After stepping inside, Alexander simply told her, "Take your time. Buy whatever you need."

At first, Amara felt hesitant, but as she wandered through the shops, she gradually relaxed. She picked up a few books, some writing materials, several personal necessities, and, of course, a handful of treats and toys for Ginger.

When they reached the cashier, Alexander paid for everything in cash without saying a word. Jasper collected the shopping bags while Amara quietly thanked Alexander.

Thinking they were returning home, she followed him back toward the waiting car. However, before she could get in, Alexander spoke.

"We’re going somewhere else."

Her curiosity immediately got the better of her. "Where?"

A faint smile almost seemed to touch the corner of his lips, though it disappeared as quickly as it came.

"You will see when we get there."

Amara looked at him for a moment before quietly climbing into the car, unable to stop herself from wondering where exactly he was taking her.