I really didn't think I was going to finish this chapter in time.
I had a meeting with Lilla and Brimley, I wasn't anywhere near the word 'happy'. Lilla made Sapphire lock herself in her sewing room because she screamed in fear about Sapphire's face.
"Any luck, sire?" Brimley asked in a calm voice.
"No," I answered in a foul mood, "she's so embarrassed...no thanks to Lilla!"
"I'm sorry, sire!" Lilla quickly said, "I know this is my fault, but..."
"NO buts!" I boomed. "If you hadn't screamed about her face, we wouldn't be in this mess!"
"So that's what happened." Brimley remarked.
"Yeah, and until she feels better about this whole mess, she won't come out of her sewing room."
"How were you able to do it, sire?" Lilla asked.
"I told her what happened with me and the curse." I answered.
"You told her, sire?" Brimley quickly asked.
"Yes, but...I didn't tell her that I was royalty. She doesn't need to let that get in the way between us while I'm in this form."
"Very well, sire." He said.
"I don't know how Sapphire will be willing to come out now that everyone here knows about her face!" I said, still very upset. I wasn't sure on what to do in this situation.
"It...really was an accident, sire!" Lilla pushed.
"Don't tell me!" I pushed, "Tell Sapphire!" I turned and left Lilla and Brimley. I was too frustrated, Lilla needs to tell Sapphire that she's sorry, not to me!
'Sagittarius!' Oh no, not you again! 'She's a monster just like you!' I stopped in my tracks when the Werewolf said that. If you weren't inside my head, I would've torn you to pieces for saying that! 'Sagittarius, think about it! If you weren't stuck in this situation, you would've yelled out in fear as well!' I would not! 'How would you know?' I knew the Werewolf had a point: I didn't know the answer to that, but it was the one thing I was going to keep out of my head. 'You see, I told you!'
"Oh, Shut up!" I yelled.
"Sagittarius?" I heard someone say. I looked around and saw that I wandered over to Sapphire's room. She opened her door when I opened my mouth. I didn't realized that I said that out loud. I saw her with her hood over her face once again.
"Sapphire..." I stalled, "I swear on my life that those words weren't pointed at you!"
"Hmm." I heard her groan. I knew that was a groan of sadness...like she had been crying lately.
"Sapphire...I know this is something Lilla needs to tell you," I told her slowly, making sure the Werewolf doesn't try and scare her. "But...I'm at least...sorry about what happened."
"I know you are." Sapphire said, still very sad. "So...who got you mad this time to yell out 'shut up'?" That's when I started to groan.
"The...Werewolf...living inside of me." I answered slowly.
"I'm sorry that you're suffering, Sagittarius." Sapphire said coming completely out of her room.
"I don't know what's worse." I said, "Being in this wolf body...or the wolf living inside me."
"Well...at least he hasn't come out of you lately. I don't know when was the last time he came after me."
"When I tried to apologize to you." I answered.
"Ah, that explains it." She said; I looked at her with a little confusion. "Considering how kind you were being before, it's hard to believe such words came from you."
'Kind? Now see here...'
"I know." I managed to say without the Werewolf interfering. It was interesting on how easy it's being to keep him out of my conversations with Sapphire. "But...it's easy to see how kind someone like you can be...despite what happened to you."
"I know you're trying to make me feel better, Sagittarius...and...I do appreciate it." I just smiled at her, not showing off my monster teeth. I felt my face dropped as I ended up sniffing the air. "What's wrong, Sagittarius?"
"Lilla." I answered.
"Sorry, sire...Sapphire." Lilla spoke; Sapphire pulled her hood closer to the center of her face. "Sapphire, I came to apologize."
"What for?" She asked in an angry tone...with sadness mixed in it.
'Here's your chance, Lilla! Don't screw it!'
"About...me screaming about your face." Lilla admitted; I saw Sapphire turn her head...like she was trying to look at Lilla's face. "I...didn't mean...to hurt your feelings like that." Lilla continued, "I know you'll have a hard time accepting my apology, but...I wanted you to know that I really am sorry." Sapphire didn't say anything after that. She just nodded her head up and down as she turned back into her room. Before she closed the door, she looked back at me. I didn't need to see her face...to know that she was smiling.
Over the following days, my mobility slowly improved. Brimley had claimed that he had never seen anything like it. Injuries that should have laid me out for weeks were healing in a matter of days. That didn't mean that I was completely cured. I still had to be very careful about my movements; my arm was still held in a sling, but my energy was returned, albeit slowly. I was now capable of taking walks around the halls with Sapphire to support me. I was also totally dependent on her for even simple things like eating. Hunting was out of the question for me...and the Werewolf. I noticed that I haven't been hunting animals since Sapphire had arrived. I couldn't believe it. Ever since I saved Sapphire's life, it seemed like I was able regain control of myself despite the Werewolf trying to break through. I wasn't sure on what caused that, but...I'm glad that no one had to experience the Werewolf again.
A strand shiver shook me as I started to think that...the Werewolf can't break through because Sapphire managed to bring me out of my hole of darkness. She changed me for being bitter to someone who had hope...and I realized it. I just hoped that this change was for the best. I also chose to look at my, and the Werewolf's, inability to hunt as a good thing. It forced me to try to eat cooked food again—to feel...human again. It also gave me an excuse to invite Sapphire to dinner a second time. Throughout the whole time Sapphire helped me with my movements, I noticed that her hood is off her head and her sleeves are rolled up...probably because I sometimes cause her to do that, knocking her hood off and sliding her sleeves up whenever she throws my arm over her shoulders. She gave up on hiding herself...not just because of that reason. It was because I was beginning to feel her confidence rising whenever we're together. So when I cautiously asked her if she would join me for dinner a second time...she graciously accepted.
Now, I found myself worrying that I wouldn't be good enough for her. I had attempted to brush my fur...and had wasted time have to pick the comb's teeth out of my coat, as well as tried to smooth the fur along my spine that always stuck up. I pulled out some fancy clothes that Sapphire so happily made for me. I was still surprised that she made, not just the fancy clothes, but also other clothes she had made for me. When Sapphire found out that all my old clothes from before were now too small for me, she graciously made clothes that fitted my wolf body and odd body parts. I never met any girl as kind as her.
A green and white suit and dark silver pants had covered my furry body. There were little holes in the suit so my spider legs could be free to move, but dressed up or no, the tact remained: I was still a Werewolf, a werewolf in a prince's clothing. Surprisingly, the thought made me smile. After all, it wasn't too far from how I was starting to view myself.
'How could you be smiling about your body? You should be disappointed!' Your words are having no affect on me. 'And why is that?' Why should I tell you when I know you're going to ruin it? Figure it out for yourself! A quiet throat clearing from the doorway caused me to turn from my thoughts.
"If you'll pardon the interruption, sir," Brimley said, "the table has been prepared, and if I may say, you certainly look the part, very dashing." I made a wry chuckle at his words.
"Dashing and furry." I added.
"I'm sure it'll be more than enough to catch the young lady's attention." He said, "You'll be fine." I smiled to myself, trying to calm my nerves. Brimley was right: this was as good as I would ever look.
As an after thought, I reached up behind my head and fumbled with the knot in the sling. Since I wasn't left-handed, it was a bit of a challenge, but I finally managed to slip off the sling, wincing a bit as I stretched my stiff right arm. I would leave the bandages on, since there was still a lot of healing to do, but I felt as if I had allowed myself enough rest that one night wouldn't do much damage. It was, after all, a very special night.
"Pardon me, Sagittarius," Brimley said, "but are you sure that's a good idea?"
"It's only dinner, Brimley; one night won't hurt me. Besides...it's hard enough trying to use silverware with claws without having to do it left-handed."
"Good point." He said, after thinking about it. "Well then, if you're ready, sir, shall we?"
"I suppose it won't get much better than this." I said as I looked over myself. "All right, let's go."
"After you, your Highness." Brimley said; I made a small groan.
"I know you said it to give me confidence, but I'd rather you didn't call me 'Your Highness' right no. It's only stressing me out further."
"I only said it to remind you who you are...Prince Sagittarius."
"I know. I just don't need any pressure right now." I said. I decided to hurry down to the dining room. I wanted to get there before I had a chance to change my mind and back out of this arrangement. I still tried to maintain a dignified pace, however; it wouldn't do to go sprawling into the dining hall. The steady click of Brimley's shoes on the tile told me that he was right behind me, as always. No one had ever been more loyal than he had...except...maybe...Lilla.
Brimley hurried ahead of me the last few paces, wanting to reach the doors first and open them for his prince. He seemed to pause for dramatic effect before swinging open the heavy oak doors with as much flourish as he could manage. I stopped and stared, unable to fully comprehend what I was seeing.