The Crown's Entrapment

Surprisingly, dinner actually went well for Bella. She didn't feel awkward even though Osman was around, and it was more than enough for her to take it as a victory. Maybe it was because Osman didn't try to steal glances at her like before, but somehow, she still felt bothered about it.

Absently, she wondered if the man had just finally realized how much of a crazy woman she was. Maybe he was now having second thoughts on whether he should still pursue her.

'It'd be a pity if he would just give up this easily,' Bella thought with a shrug. She strongly believed that if a man truly liked or wanted her, then the small petty things she would show shouldn't matter that much.

But back to the dinner, the overall conversation they had been productive. The males engaged in the conversation more since they had pressing matters to discuss while the King was still unconscious. Meanwhile, Bella was just quietly sitting by, listening in on her brother, Bartos, Lord Gideon, and Lord Osman discuss some important things while they were eating.

As soon as everyone was finished eating, Jayra winked at Bella before then turning to Osman as she shamelessly said, "Lord Osman, would you mind walking my sister-in-law to her chamber? I believe that the two of you share the same path ahead, correct? I would like to retire early with my husband, so I'll be unable to escort her myself."

"But I can walk alone," Bella commented with a frown.

Clearly, her wicked sister-in-law was obviously playing cupid from the start. Instead of heeding her words, Jayra simply ignored her and continued, "Of course, you can walk alone, but you don't know where your newly assigned bedchamber is for you."

Her sister-in-law chuckled, "It just so happens that it's the bedcamber located opposite the Admiral's, so he can lead the way for me in my place."

Jayra then turned her gaze back to Osman and asked, "You wouldn't mind it, right? Walking our lady here to her bedchamber?"

"Of course, not, Lady Jayra. Thank you for asking me of this," Osman nodded with a gentled smile. "I would be glad to walk with Lady Bella. So please rest assured that she'll be in good hands."

[How adorable,] Poon exaggeratedly cooed. [I want him. Let's take this man already.]

[You're just too easy, aren't you?] Bella scorned.

[And you're too naive, waiting for a man in vain!] Poona struck back, hitting a nerve that made Bella frown at the reminder.

"Milady?" Osman called out.

With her expression still dim because of Poona, Bella turned and asked, "Huh?"

"Do you want to head back to your bedchamber now?" Osman asked with a gentle smile on his face.

[He looked so tame… But looks can be deceiving though,] Bella told Poona, who didn't bother answering her since her wolf quickly became way too busy swooning over Osman. She could feel it in her body… the tingles that ran through not only her heart but through her stomach as well.

"Lady Bella?" Osman addressed her once more, stopping her from spacing out yet again. Looking around, she noticed how everyone had already left including Gideon and Freya, together with her brother and sister-in-law.

"Right, let's go then. I'm sorry about that," she murmured with an awkward smile as she started walking out of the dining hall. "I was busy petting my inner wolf."

"How is it? Having an inner wolf?" Osman asked as he followed right beside her.

Right, Osman was a human turned into a Lycan by the King, so he didn't have an inner wolf like them despite having comparable strength and abilities of a werewolf.

"It's fun but annoying at times," Bella began. "It's fun since you'll be able to talk with your wolf at anytime whenever you're feeling bored or lonely, but it doesn't mean you two can always agree on the same thing. It's like having a twin hiding inside your mind."

"Do you mind if I ask what your wolf's name is?" Osman asked.

[Oh, tell him! I'm so glad to finally meet someone I like from all angles,] Poona excitedly burst out. [Ah, we should shift and show him our wolf form. My form. Come on!]

"Her name's Poona, and she's quite glad to meet you…" Bella murmured. Seriously, why was her wolf being so energetic whenever Osman was around? It was the first time Poona had acted like this since Calypso…

[Don't you dare think about him anymore,] Poona admonished her. [Jayra is right. It's just simple infatuation since we were still young at the time. Your heart is fine. It's only our ego and pride that were hurt.]

Bella could only sigh in silence because Poona had a point. She shouldn't bother thinking about Calypso anymore.

"I'm glad to meet and know her then," Osman gratefully nodded. "I'm also glad to have met you too, Lady Bella."

Letting the sentence linger on, they were almost near the stairs when Bella stopped in her tracks. Looking at Osman, she said, "I don't feel like going inside my bedchamber just yet. I would like to walk around and sit in the inner courtyard for a while."

She waved him off, "If you want, you can go on ahead, Lord Osman. I'll find my way through asking some of the servants."

Trying to turn away, Bella couldn't help but look as Osman gave her that gentle smile of his again… Absently, she wondered how handsome he would look too if he would show her more of those teeth of his...

"Would it be alright if I joined you?" Osman asked.

She squinted her eyes at him. She wanted to ask him so many things, and she found herself nodding as she accepted his offer. "Alright, join me then. It would be nice to have someone to talk to in this cold weather," she casually rebuffed. "Right, you offered me coffee before breakfast. I honestly haven't tried drinking it, but it would be nice to try it now…"

Upon her last words leaving her mouth, Bella suddenly blinked when she saw the sparks coming off of Osman's eyes as his lips stretched wide. Showing her his set of perfect white teeth, he nodded eagerly. "Oh, alright, I won't take much of your time," he said. "You can go to the first available seat and I'll follow shortly with your coffee, milady."

Watching Osman's retreating back, Bella murmured, "Is he going to prepare it himself? He can always just ask the servants to do it though."

[Hahaha! Maybe it's a special one that comes with a potion to make you obsessed with him,] Poona jested as Bella walked towards the inner courtyard. Choosing a good table, she sat down on the bench nearest to it, one that had been covered by the snowfall that she promptly pushed away.

"I think he's just too gentle for me," Bella murmured with a sigh. "I feel like we wouldn't click even if I tried."

[Oh, I'm sure you two will blend with each other just fine…]

Bella sighed. Poona was like her sister-in-law, always trying hard to play cupid. Not that she minded it, but she honestly had a valid reason as to why she was hesitating to give things a try with Lord Osman, especially if this man was indeed a good and genuine person, to begin with.

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