Something flickered in Cedric's eyes when she uttered a different opinion in case of this needle. His face contoured in question marks. Getting closer, he reached out to snatch the needle back from Ayra's hand. But she dodged his hand, shifted away and began to observe the needle with deep curiousity.
Cedric growled jumping on other side impatiently. His voice laced in worry as he asked Ayra anxiously,
" Princess, give it back to me. It can be harmful."
Ayra refused trying to figure out the reason of smelling two different smell,
" I am just looking into it."
Cedric was afraid that she would bring any trouble on her. He snatched the needle back forcibly and warned glaring at her,
" This isn't any plaything, Princess. I can't take the risk of hurting you. You get my words?"
Ayra blinked twice before nodded looking away. Everytime he mouthed such concerned words, her heart wrenched wavering for something that she never understood.
The man who petted those wolves in Dixon Palace stepped forward to speak after bowing at their king and queen,
" Your Highness! Do you mind if I check on the needle just to quiest my curiosity?"
Cedric allowed passing him the needle and at the same time, he questioned to other commander,
" Do they have pups?"
The commander nodded letting out a mournful sigh for their loss,
" Yes, Your Highness! This pair has a twin pups. This was the female wolf."
Ayra's brows knitted in concern. Without mother, those pups could be bullied by other female wolves easily. They are cruel and animalistic naturally. Before Cedric could figure out a solution to raise those pups, Ayra spitted out her thoughts pleadingly,
" Your Highness! If you allow me, can I raise those pups in the palace? Please?"
Cedric sent her a bewildered look. He appreciated her intention mentally but wolves are very cruel in nature. The history had numerous incidents that happened between wolf and master. There was even times when the wolf killed their master out of hunger. Cedric had an excessive amount of powers to control those wolves. But regarding Ayra, he was little frightened.
He reasoned in a patience voice,
" Princess, listen to me. They aren't cats and dogs. Besides you aren't very accustomed with wolf's nature. I can't risk your safety."
Ayra shot him a cold glare. He always made up an excuse like she was a little toddler who couldn't control herself. Ayra went through a drastic mood swing. Approaching forward to look through Cedric's eyes, she scowled stubbornly,
" I wasn't asking for your permission. If I said that I want to raise them, I will raise them. You can just sit back and watch me."
Cedric was speechless for a while. His guards raised their head to look at their Lord's helpless expression and bit back a grin. If someone else had showed such temper in front of him, they would have been ripped off twice already.
Cedric sighed out helplessly. With a forced smile on his face, he permitted ordering one of his guard,
" Send those pups to the palace and ask a maid to look after them until we return."
The guards around them were speechless. Ayra smiled excitedly and shot a pitiful look to the dead wolf down there. She swore silently that she would take care of those pups as her own children until her last breath.
The guard who took the needle was done inspecting the tiny weapon in his grip. His expression puzzled when he vaguely understood what was the material of that needle. He spoke regaining attention of Cedric in a loud voice,
" Your Highness! This is..I think, I know what is it made of.."
Both Cedric and Ayra glanced up at his way curiously. Cedric replied furrowing his brows together into a tight frown,
" What is it?"
The guard answered with unsurity,
" Your Highness! If I..I am not wrong, this needle is made of wolf's bone."
Everyone gasped in surprise including Cedric whose face darkened instantly in rage. Cedric charged forward, growling at the man furiously,
" What do you mean by that? Bone's wolf? Someone is killing my wolves with their own bone's wolf."
The guard nodded his head nervously. Pulling his fearful eyes to stare at Cedric, he murmured feeling a fear running through his spine,
" This..This incident can only have one meaning. Someone is digging the graves of dead wolves."
Ayra was shocked after his words. Stepping forward, she spoke in a voice of disgust,
" Who is such monster to dig out a grave? Seriously! What do you guards do then?"
Cedric clenched his teeth together and shouted at his guards whose heads were hanging low in guilt,
" If this words turn out to be true, prepare your own graves before I come back."
Cedric turned around to face Ayra whose face was full of wrath. It was a hemnious crime to dig out a grave which despised Ayra a lot. Cedric suggested offering her a worried glance,
" Princess, I don't think that it is good idea to stall with me today since I have to look after the graveyard. Why don't you stay in the palace?"
Ayra refused shooting him a look of determination,
" No! I have to know why did I smell different. I still don't know a lot of my powers."
Cedric understood her worry. Having not proper knowledge about your own power could be dangerous for any creatures. He suggested taking her hand to lead for the way,
" Why don't you ask your brothers? They are same as like you. Aren't they?"
Ayra replied letting out a frustrated snort,
" No! We four have different sort of powers. Sometimes we don't even completely understand what can we do or what we can't. By the way, I have written letter to Alexander already. He should be coming by tomorrow. Ummm..do you mind if I invite another guest with Alexander?"
Cedric gave her a displeased glare. Coming over to his favourite horse, he replied shurgging his shoulders off,
" Of course!! This is your home. You can call whoever you want unless it isn't Seth, your useless Ex."
Ayra "..."
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Update Schedule For Calendar Month September = 2 Chapters per day. Time: Utc+4( depending on Author's availability). Hope, you are enjoying the story and ready to go for another long journey. Btw Happy One Year Of " LOVED BY A VAMPIRE KING". I can't believe that we have spent one year already and I still see my familiar readers here. This is my biggest acheivement as an author.