***Daniel***

Dan grinned widely as he watched his brother and Rose walking away. His senses tingling and if he had his tail right now, it would be swaying back and forth in excitement.

By the looks of Ren, he seemed really serious about something. I need to know what it is! Dan thought.

"Um...I have some errands to do so I'll see you guys later." He told them and quickly made his way to the back of the castle where he suspected they would - he means- where he knew they would be because of his senses.

He made his way to the opposite side so they wouldn't notice him following them. He made his pace and steps as light as possible knowing fully well that his brother could hear him if he was not careful.

"I-I 've noticed something about my brother lately." He paused when he heard them talking.

Ren sounded really serious about this! Dan thought in excitement.

Hurriedly, he made his way to the edge of the wall and he peaked. He saw them standing there with Ren's back facing him.

"The way he acts when you are around me. He becomes so...quirky and cheerful. And he always has a goofy grin on his face when he sees us talking."

Wait, is my brother insulting me!? He thought.

"Doesn't he always do all that?" And then there goes Rose agreeing.

If this is a talk about insulting me behind my back then I no longer want to hear any of this! He turned his back at them furiously and started to leave. The backstabbers!! After all I -

"No. It's different this time. It was as if he was passing on a message. I wasn't sure what it meant at first but I do have an idea though."

He stopped abruptly and went back to listening. His heart pounded in excitement at what he had just heard. Is Ren finally realizing it?! I mean, he is, right? Tell me that he realizes it please!!

"Danielle, is that you?" He almost jumped in surprise when someone grasped his shoulder. He turned around to see his mother and father giving him curious looks. He frowned at them and placed a finger to his lips to be quiet before he pointed towards where Ren and Rose were talking.

They exchanged confused glances at first so he motioned for them to take a peak. Together, they spied at the little love drama unfolding right in front of their eyes.

"And it all made sense today when he spoke privately with mother and father. It finally became clear to me."

Dan heard his mom gasp so his father and him quickly placed a hand over her mouth to silence her.

‘That is Ren, right?’ His father asked me through their alpha link.

‘Yeah.’ He confirmed.

‘Is he confessing!? He is right?!’ He could hear the excitement from his mother.

‘I think so. This is great! If the girl accepts then the wedding shall be held two days from now!’

‘Will you both shut up!? And dad, don't you think you are pushing it a little?’

"What the heck are you talking about?" Rose asked with a confused look on her face.

‘Wow. The girl is dense. Just like our boy.’ His mother said in amazement.

‘Well that makes them perfect!’ Said his father. ‘Now....about the names of our grandchildren.....’ Trailed his father.

"The way my mother and father acted after the whole conversation proved it. How could I have been so blind all this time?"

Dan nodded in agreement to what Ren has just said. Yes, brother. How can you be so blind all this time!

"You mean they really wanted to adopt me?"

‘Dense just like Ren.’ Said his mother. ‘I like her.’

‘I wonder if they will have a girl or a boy? Well, gender doesn't matter. I want lots of grandchildren. They better give me at least 10!’

"No." They watched as Ren started towards Rose and held her by the shoulders. He pulled her towards him and it was enough to make them restless that they had to cover each other's mouths to prevent them from screaming and ruining this wonderful moment.

‘I feel like crying.’ Dan told them. ‘After all my sacrifices and hints, he finally realized it!’

His father patted his back as his mother hugged him. ‘You did well my boy. Very well indeed. I am proud of you.’

‘My little boy is growing up! Uhh! I can't take it.’

"R-Ren?"

They snapped out from their train of thoughts as they brought their attention back to them.

"Rose, I-I....."

‘Say it boy! SAY IT!’

‘Come on, brother. You can do it!’

"Ren? W-What is it?"

They held their breaths in anticipation as they watched Ren. He is gonna do it! He's going to say it!

"I think Dan likes you and he doesn't even realize it."

‘...’

‘...’

‘...’

‘...what?’

‘What?’

‘WHAT!?’

Dan's mother started to cry while his father drew her close to him and tried to comfort her. His eyes glistened like he was also about to cry but he was just suppressing it.

Dan doesn't know what happened to him at that moment, but he remembers laughing a bitter laugh while his mother and father looked at him like he was crazy.

‘Dan?’

Without even thinking, he picked a fist sized rock and played with it for a bit and measured its weight. He grinned darkly and took a glance at his brother. He drew his hand that was holding the stone back and took aim. His nerves getting excited as he imagine the rock making contact with his idiotic brother. He was laughing like a mad man.

Just as he was about to throw the rock, a hand grabbed his wrist, stopping him from his evil and good natured plot.

‘Father let go. I am doing us a favor!!’ He grunted.

‘My boy, I know you are upset. Believe me I am devastated. To think that my son would be such a fool!’ Dan could hear the anger and disappointment in his father's voice. He suddenly looked him in the eye. ‘But, Daniel, no matter what happens, no matter how much of a fool your brother is, he is still your brother.’

He's right. Even though his brother is a retarded fool - no scratch that he is worse than a fool - he is still Dan's brother.
He suddenly felt numb. His hand fell to his side and dropped the rock that he was holding. He looked up at his father.

‘Father, I am sorry. I tried. I tried to make him understand.’ He said.

‘I know you did.’ He placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. ‘You did your best and I am very proud of you, my son.’

Dan let out a sigh and ran a hand through his hair in frustration. ‘Thank you, father. I promise to keep on supporting him.’

‘Good. That's good. Just don't tell him, alright? Make him realize it for himself. Lock him up and the girl in a cell for a month if you have to!’ There was a dark maniac look on his father's face as he said it.

Dan scrunched his face at the idea. ‘I have no idea if you are serious or not, father.’ Dan said before he mirrored his face with his own devious look. ‘But I like that idea.’

‘So.....’ My father trailed off. ‘Okay?’

‘Okay.’

Then they both rubbed their hands evilly at the sudden plan.

"Your highness?" They were so hung up on their evil plan that they jumped in surprise and whirled around to see PRINCE Ace and Nate standing before them.

PRINCE Ace looked at them with a stone expression that was clearly hard to read while Nate was trying to suppress a laugh by covering it up with his fist. From the looks of things they knew - or heard - of what happened to Ren and Rose's conversation. The only difference is that PRINCE Ace knows how to mind his own business by not showing anything.

Dan grew tired of seeing the amused look on the vampire's face that he kicked a pebble from the ground making it fly to Nate's forehead. The impact made Nate stop and point a glare at him.

Dan's mother was the first one to break the silence. "Yes, Prince Ace? Do you need something?" She smiled warmly.

"Yes, your highness." Said PRINCE Ace and bowed respectively - always the formal one. "I would just like to ask your permission to look around your borders. I am interested to see how your people are doing." He said.

His mother nodded. "Permission granted. Would you like a few escorts to the town?"

"None, your majesty. I would like to be unrecognized if possible."

"And if I may. I would like to go along with PRINCE Ace." Added Nate.

"Very well." Nodded his father.

"Hey, can I come along too?" Dan asked.

All of the sudden, all heads turned to him like he was crazy or something. "No." They said in unison.

***ROSE***

I really really think that Ren ate something bad because what he's saying is absolutely ridiculous. "I think you are being delirious, Ren." I told him.

"What are you saying? Don't you see or notice him? He likes you." Ren urged.

"And he likes you too. And Fred, possibly PRINCE Ace, but not Nate. What's the point?"

Ren sighed. "Rose, I am not talking about liking someone in a friendship or platonic kind of way. I am talking about the romantic way. You get me?"

I shook my head. I refuse to believe it. Even if it were true, then what? The queen probably poisoned him with a potion just so she can have her romance fantasy.

"Geez. You are hopeless when it comes to love." said Ren in exasperation. "Dan, likes you Rose. In a romantic way."

"In a romantic way?" I tried to imagine Dan being romantic and all and found myself cringed. "Blech no. I just don't picture it. But seriously, Ren. Dan having romantic feelings for me? That is absurd. Crazy even."

"But the way-"

I held my palm up, cutting him off. "I just don't think it's right, Ren. Just picture it, Dan and I a couple? No offense to your brother but he isn't my type nor can I picture him being romantic and all."

Ren pulled back and looked up ahead as if he was picturing Dan and I as a couple. A second later and a frown was drawn at his forehead. "N-No. I guess not." He stammered.

"See?" I said and placed a hand on my hip. "And besides, if you think about it, I think his actions are more related to you than to me."

Ren looked at me in confusion. "What are on to?"

I took in a deep breath as I looked at Ren seriously. "I think the reason that he acts that way is because he's jealous that you are spending more time with me than with him. I think he's having a fit." I explained.

Ren looked like he really thought of my words. "I see." He nodded and started to rub his chin. "So that's what it is. He's jealous because of my lack of attention to him. It all makes sense now."

While Ren was busy pondering over my words, I caught a slight movement to my left. I turned towards it. The kingdom of Sanver is surrounded by trees that for a moment, my eyes scanned the bushes looking for something that moved. My eyes then locked onto the same wolf that I saw in the ruins of Gija. It's head poking by the bushes and when it saw me staring, it locked eyes with me and started to emerge from its hiding place.

"Rose?"

"Ren, look." I said in awe as I approached the little brown wolf. I kneeled before it and grinned as it made small cautious steps towards me. I looked back at Ren, who now regarded the wolf with a grim expression. "It's the wolf at the ruins. I saw it earlier. It must have followed us here."

I returned my gaze back at the wolf and reached my hand out to touch it. It looked at my hand curiously, sniffed, and was just about to make a contract when Ren suddenly appeared beside me. He let out a feral growl that made the little wolf scamper away in fear. It disappeared behind the bushes and never appeared again.

I got up and whirled towards Ren in anger. "What was that all about?!" I burst out. "You scared him!"

He snorted. "It was no wolf." said Ren, still looking at the spot where the wolf vanished. "It's scent was distinctive and not like that of a regular wolf."

"What do you mean?"

This time, Ren turned to me. His eyes were cold and ready like he sensed a threat. "It was a spirit. I don't know why it followed us here, but I suggest you stay away from it or call me when you see it again." Having said that, Ren started to turn away and leave.

As soon as he left did I realize something crucial. I have no idea where I am supposed to go. That jerk.

It didn't take me awhile to find my room. As soon as I entered the castle I immediately asked one of the maids where I would be staying. They were really eager to help me especially when they learned that I'm 'princess Rose'. They rushed me into my room and I didn't even have time to have a good look since they started to usher me into the bathroom telling me that I need to wash off the filth on me. I would have taken that comment as offensive but since I was too tired I let it slide.

Heck, I didn't even have the strength to fight them off when they started to strip me(Really since they have werewolf strength). But anyway, I didn't mind it either since being pampered also feels good.

I was dressed in a fine silky pale yellow tube dress that ends just 3 inches below my knees. I found it really comfortable and easy to move. When the maids sat me in front of the vanity table and started brushing my hair and giving me massages, I noticed something.

They were friendly. Too friendly for my liking. They keep looking at me like I was someone special and kept attending to me even though I don't call for them. It is making me uncomfortable.

"Um...." I started. My eyes going back and forth at the three maids at my aid. "Is there going to be a party tonight because really. You guys have done enough."

"Princess, we don't mind." Said the first maid.

"We are honored to be at your service." Said the second.

"Especially for the future of this kingdom." Added the third.

At the last statement, I looked at the third maid from the mirror. "Future? What future?"

The first maid glared at the third before looking at me with a kind smile. "It's nothing. Please forget about it, princess."

I gave her a weirded out look. "Alright." Was all I said after that as I let her continue brushing my hair. These guys are hiding something and it's creeping me out. I remember the king saying to have maids on standby in case we needed something. Are Ace and Nate also being pampered like this or is it just me because I am a girl? Either way, I don't like this. Is this a beast man thing? To be really clingy?

The brushing suddenly stopped. "Princess, I am done brushing your hair. Would you like something to eat? I'll have someone bring food here and then we'll feed you."

Feed me? "Uhh...I'm not. Thanks for the offer."

"Princess, are you tired? Would you like me to carry you to bed?" The second maid asked with a serious face.

Now things are really getting creepy here. They are treating me like a child. Surely the maids back at Thalia aren't this clingy. Heck, just thinking about it now makes me want to run back to Thalia and lock myself in my room.

Assuming that the nymphs would let me.

"Would you like new clothes? I'll have someone shop for you."

"Princess, I made your bed."

"Princess, would you like me to style your hair?"

I felt like I was suffocating with the amount of pressure and attention these maids are giving me!! I need some time out! Anything! Anything will do!

There was a knock on the door and I could not explain the surge of relief when I suddenly found my escape.

"Princess, I will-"

"No, I got it!!" I said quickly and made my way to the door before they could protest. But as I opened the door, all hope vanished when I saw Nate standing there. His face and white polo shirt covered in blood. Shock and horror filled me.

"P-Princess." He stammered and wobbled forward.