NOVEL NEXT Chapter 6: Chapter 6: Consequences
Fenrir bounced on the bed, his paws sinking deep into the soft covers. Excitement bubbled inside him as he wagged his tail furiously. "I did it! I used magic!" His heart raced, overwhelmed by the sheer thrill.
But then, a voice pierced the silence. "You can talk?"
Fenrir froze mid-bounce. His ears twitched, and he slowly turned his head. Rose stood at the edge of the bed, her wide blue eyes locked on him in disbelief.
"Uh… meow?" he replied, unsure how to react.
Rose's breath caught in her throat. "My god, you can speak!" she gasped, her hands instinctively reaching to lift Fenrir off the bed.
Before she could say anything else, the door to her room swung open with a loud crash.
"Good heavens, what's going on here?" Oswald's voice thundered as he stepped into the room. His eyes immediately found the gaping hole in the wall, and he froze. "My goodness, what happened to the wall? It's completely destroyed!"
Rose dropped Fenrir back onto the bed, raising her hands in defense. "It wasn't me, I swear!" she exclaimed, her voice frantic.
"Rose," Oswald's tone turned sharp, "what did I tell you about practicing magic at night!"
Tears welled up in Rose's eyes as she looked down at Fenrir. Her shoulders trembled with emotion.
Fenrir's protective instincts kicked in. He barked and growled, standing between Rose and Oswald, his fur bristling.
Oswald's frustration softened as he noticed his daughter's distress. He sighed deeply, but before he could speak, Aria, his wife, stepped forward and placed a calming hand on his shoulder.
"My dear," she said gently, "don't be angry. It wasn't her—it was Fenris. I can sense it. The magic he used… it's holy magic."
Oswald blinked, taken aback by her words. "You don't mean…"
"Yes," Aria replied, a soft smile appearing on her face. "It seems our son has found a wolf blessed by the gods. And now, Fenris is protecting Rose from you. How sweet."
Wait… I'm blessed by the gods? And holy magic? So that warmth inside me… that's holy magic? Fenrir paused, confusion flickering in his mind. But what about the darkness? He shook his head, brushing the thought aside. Yeah, I'm not touching that. I literally blew a hole in the wall.
Rose's tears gradually stopped as she gazed down at Fenrir, a faint smile curving her lips. She pulled him closer, whispering softly in his ear, I won't tell anyone you can talk.
Fenrir let out a relieved sigh, thank goodness.
Oswald's expression softened as he watched them. "I'm sorry for yelling, Rose. Please forgive me."
Rose tilted her head slightly, her gaze thoughtful. "Only if you call off the engagement," she said, still holding Fenrir in her arms, her voice steady despite the whirlwind of emotions.
"Honey, you know I can't do that," he sighed, rubbing his temple. "But how about this? You can spend some time in the capital this summer. Take Fenris with you, get to know the Duke's son, and become friends before your 18th birthday. If, by then, you don't feel anything for him, I'll break the engagement."
Rose's eyes widened in surprise. "Wait, really?"
"Of course," he said, a soft smile tugging at his lips. "I want what's best for you. The Duke is a great man, and his son is as well. This isn't just about an alliance between our houses; it's also about your future."
Rose slid out of bed, carefully leaving Fenrir resting on the covers. She walked over to her father, her arms wrapping around him in a hug. "I forgive you," she whispered softly, a genuine smile on her face.
Aria, with a flick of her finger, muttered, "Reparare." In an instant, the shattered wall and broken windows mended themselves, returning to their original state. She turned her attention to Fenrir, who stood by the bed, looking up at her curiously.
"And as for you," she said, her voice playful but stern, "you've been a very naughty boy." Her gaze softened slightly. "The barn. Now."
Before Fenrir could react, Aria swept him up effortlessly, his paws kicking in surprise. "Fenris!" he heard Rose yell as Aria carried him down the long hallway, past the stairs, and into the expansive backyard of the estate. The scent of purple flowers lingered in the air as they passed a shimmering lake, its surface sparkling in the moonlight.
Aria didn't slow her pace, heading straight for the barn at the far edge of the yard. The quiet of the moment contrasted with Fenrir's racing thoughts as they neared the barn, the heavy wooden doors standing tall and imposing in the distance.
The barn loomed larger than Fenrir had anticipated, its massive wooden doors creaking as Aria dropped him inside. Her gaze softened for a brief moment, but her steps remained firm, unshaken. With a swift motion, she slid the heavy lock into place. The sharp click echoed through the silent night, sealing him inside.
Aria's voice was steady as it reached him, calm but firm. "You'll stay the night here."
Fenrir blinked, his eyes widening as he surveyed the interior. The barn stretched far beyond what he had imagined, the wooden beams high above him and the ground covered in soft hay. An open window let the cool moonlight spill in.
Despite its vastness, he felt a sharp sting of confinement. The silence was oppressive, and the distant rustling of the wind outside.
He paced the barn, his paws scraping softly against the hay, each step feeding his growing restlessness. He couldn't help but wonder—Can I not blow a hole in this place? As he moved deeper into the barn, his fur brushed against the wooden door, and a strange, tingling sensation surged through him.
He stopped, his ears perking up. Wait…
His eyes narrowed as he focused on the subtle pulse of energy around him. So this place has some kind of enchantment… He couldn't suppress a spark of excitement. That's so cool!