The doorbell sounds a little tune when I touch it.“That must be your sister, Derek. Go get the door. I’m almost done wrapping her dinner,” I hear Sofia say from the living room. Sofia’s my best friend and while I’m away at work, she’s the only person I trust to watch my younger brother whenever he gets back from school.“Finally,” Derek’s breaths a low sigh as he spots me from the window. He’s mad at me. This is the fourth time this week that I’m coming to pick him up late at night. The door opens a while after, revealing an eleven-year-old boy in a black top and a matching pair of khaki trousers- Derek. “You look sad?” I ask, taking his backpack off his shoulders. “Didn’t you have fun with Scott?”“You’re late. Again,” he mutters, maintaining the annoyed look on his cute little face.“They had fun,” Sofia informs, joining us outside. “Thank you,” I smile.“And by the way, you look terrible.”I look at the blue short-sleeved gown I have on and can't help but agree with her. It has

The ride to Meldonis was long and tiring, but I didn’t mind. This was one of the few times I had left the castle, not to mention my first time leaving the kingdom. The village was as peaceful as always. Everyone cheered as the carriages passed by.We passed by a forest on our way out of the kingdom. I saw animals I had never seen before and the cool air current going in and out of the carriage carried the scent of so many flowers. Valerian laughed at several things I asked him. He didn’t seem so in awe as I was of nature. Why would he? The crown prince had the power to go wherever he wished.“Are those werewolves,” I questioned Valerian, gawking at some wolves whose furs had stripes of white and red. The big one sat on the grass, and the smaller ones were playing with her tail.His face turned serious for a moment but went relaxed when he looked out to see them.“No, Those are actual wolves. Nothing special to worry about,” he chuckled, pulling his head back into the carriage.“How ca