Chapter 3

Apologizing is not in Azure's nature and demeanor. But this time he felt a bit sorry and guilty because he had just ruined the Lycan King's daughter's scarf. He was aware that creating seems difficult.

He let out a sigh. "Sorry, I didn't want to damage the scarf you were working on," even Azure was taken aback by what he said.

Royce clenched his teeth "Hmm. I had no idea you knew the word sorry. It's a good thing you apologized to my sister. Because if you don't, you'll have crooked teeth now."

Azure clenched his teeth at him as well. "Of course, it's your fault. This would not have happened if you hadn't irritated me."

"And you truly blamed me? Why don't you just admit your bad behavior?"

Zeke took a step between the two men. "Royce, Azure, stop fighting.  We are currently eating,"

Zeke consoled his daughter. "Francine, I know how much time and effort you put into sewing me a scarf. And I appreciate that, my princess. But don't be sad. Everything was an accident. Azure had no intention of ruining the scarf you were working on."

Francine knew that everything had been an accident. And she's not upset with Azure. She wasn't sure either, but she figured she couldn't be furious at Azure. She can't blame her elder brother Royce either, since Azure is too snobbish.

 

The important thing is that Azure apologized, even though she knew it was not in Azure's vocabulary to be soft and accept his mistake.

Except for his father, they continued to eat their dinner without speaking.

 

 

 

***

Francine spotted her eyebags the next day. She had trouble sleeping. She still can't believe a stranger slept in their house the night before.

When she looked down at her round glasses, she became aware of her puffy eyes.

"Oh, no! This has never happened to me... what should I do... what should I do?"

She opened her drawer in search of skincare that might help her eye bags. She walked to the restroom to wash her face. She brushed her teeth as well.

She used to not care what she looked like when she went downstairs for breakfast. But now she's at a loss about what to wear.

 

She grabbed practically all of her lovely dresses from her closet. She powdered her face and combed her long hair. She also trimmed her brows and applied lip gloss on her lips.

After a few moments, she decided on a white off-the-shoulder dress. Her outfit isn't too revealing, and her vibes remain innocent.

When she glimpsed her reflection in the mirror, she was pleased with her appearance. But she still had the feeling that something was missing. She happened to see her favorite perfume. Francine sprayed it behind her two ears and on her wrist.

She was stunned before leaving her room.

 

Why is she acting this way? What is going on with her, and is she too concerned? Is it because of Azure?

Certainly not! Her subconscious thought was adamantly opposed.

She sighed and walked out of her room. When she reached the dining room, she saw her mother placing meals on the table.

"Good morning, Francine. You look so lovely today, sweetie," her mother said with a smile.

She made a pouting motion with her lips. "Are you saying I'm just beautiful today, mom?"

Beatriz laughed. "I'm not saying that, dear, but why are you so dressed up today?"

Francine's cheeks reddened, and she couldn't tell her mother that she desired to be attractive in Azure's eyes.

 

"You know me, mom. I always want to look presentable," she said in the safest way possible.

Her gaze wandered. She couldn't find her brother or her father. And of course, Azure too. 

Beatriz recognized the question on Francine's face. "Are you looking for the boys?"

"Royce was summoned to the council, although he would most likely leave before lunch since today was supposed to be his rest day."

She helped her mother in setting the table. "Your father went out with Azure; he didn't mention where they were going, but I'm sure they won't be out there for long," 

 

She was overcome with an unexplainable sadness. Her efforts to look pretty today are futile. Azure is not around.

"What the hell are you attempting to do? Are you truly trying to make yourself beautiful in Azure's eyes?" her decent subconscious thinking asked her.

"Mom, should we wait for dad to get home before we eat breakfast?"  Francine avoids mentioning Azure's name since she does not want her mother to doubt her.

"Maybe we should eat first. We don't have to wait for them. I'm starving,"

Francine followed her mother's command and ate breakfast with her. Despite the fact that she was looking forward to having Azure with her for breakfast.

"Are you going to school today?" her mother said between eating breakfast.

 

She has a lot of activities on campus. She aims to be an honor student. She is an active student who is well-liked by many school organizations. She enjoys studying and believes she is intelligent. She is a high achiever. She is also popular at university.

"I'm not leaving the house right now, mom. I'm too weary, and I just want to sleep all day," she said.

"I think you deserve a long break," her mother said, nodding. "Your daddy and I can see that you are working too hard, and we are concerned about you."

"Thank you for being concerned about me, mom," Francine laughed. "But I'm all right. Don't be alarmed."

 

Because of Azure's presence in their lives, she thinks she will remain at home. She had a lot of questions she wanted her father to answer. Yet she knows that her father would soon explain the true circumstances and who Azure is.

Francine went to the garden after breakfast, taking her laptop from her room. She will read her emails and school reports there.

Francine, on the other hand, realizes she is merely fooling herself. She went to the garden so she could see her father and Azure as soon as they arrived. She didn't even realize it, but she was ecstatic to see Azure again.

 

She hadn't even finished the project she planned to work on her laptop when she smelled Azure. He has a strange scent. Her nose was like his fragrance. The man smells fantastic. She believes Azure is the only one whose scent she can't stop sniffing. It's appealing. He has a manly scent.

Her heart began to beat again. Her heartbeat appears to be abnormal since it is so strong that she appears to lose consciousness.

She wasn't mistaken, for she saw her father and Azure enter the yard just a few seconds later.

She believes her father and Azure get along great. Her father seems fond of him.

 

Her father noticed her. "Oh, thank goodness my daughter is already here. Francine, come here,"

Francine bit her lower lip unconsciously, her palms were pale, and her legs shook with apprehension.

"Good morning, dad, Azure," she said as she approached the two guys.

Azure was still dressed in the same clothes he had worn the night before.

"Francine, Azure has something for you," Zeke said, his smile almost reaching his ears.

Francine was concerned that her father and Azure might hear her heart rhythm.

"S-Something for me...?"

"What are you waiting for, Azure? Go. Give it to Francine," Zeke said as he tapped Azure on the shoulder. Cheering for him.

 

Azure handed her a paper bag. It's not heavy.

"What's in this paper bag, Azure?" she dared to ask the stranger.

 

The truth is, a lot of boys on their campus give her a lot of gifts and chocolates. She knows a lot of them are looking forward to being her fated mate once she reaches eighteen. But none of those boys sparked her interest. This is the first time she loves the idea that someone is giving her a present, even though she knew it was just a replacement for her ruined scarf.

Azure did not respond, but her father did.

"How about you open it and see what's inside the paper bag?" Her father pursues her.

Her fingers are trembling with anticipation. She opened the paper bag, giddy with delight. She saw a gray scarf. Crochet made. It's beautiful.

Francine exclaimed. She doesn't know what to say. She's at a loss for words.

 

"I told Azure not to be concerned about the scarf you were making for me. But, I believe Azure is bothered. That's why I told him that if he wanted, I'd accompany him to get a ready-to-wear crochet scarf. Azure agreed, and we walked to the cloth shop. Azure chose that scarf. I believe he loves the color gray. I'm sure he's sorry for what happened."

Francine dislikes ready-to-wear crochet scarves; she prefers to make them for her father, but this time she seemed to want to keep the scarf rather than give it to her dad. She thought this sweater was particularly special. She also thinks that this gift is something she will treasure as long she's breathing. 

 

"What a beautiful scarf you choose, Azure. Thank you," she said gratefully.

 

Damn. Now, she doesn't want to give this scarf to her father!

"I know it's incomparable to the scarf you're sewing for your father, and I also know it's not as good as your masterpieces," he shrugged, his voice too deep, like a bedroom voice. His voice crawled on her skin. 

 

She wondered how old is Azure. But for sure in the next coming days, she will know it.

Her cheeks were flushed. He is literally speaking to her right now!

Francine had no idea she was hugging the scarf Azure had chosen as compensation for her scarf. "No, Azure. Actually, I really like this scarf now, and I think I'll use it instead. Thank you,"

 

"I'm not sure what are you thanking me for,"

Her father invited them into their house. "Azure, let's go inside; I'm starving," He said.

Azure did not respond. Yet he moved towards the house. She goes for a walk with her father and Azure.

Azure then realized he was staring at her. "Tell me if you want to say something. I don't like that you are staring at me," He said in a cold tone.

Her cheeks flushed, but she took advantage of the situation to express the question on her mind.

"Azure... who are you and where are you from?"

Azure came to a halt and gazed at her. She doesn't know what's running through his mind!