14 Big White Wolf

Melva's face was still red as a tomato when the coachman opened the carriage's door for Vance to enter. She was embarrassed for having such an improper thought and unable to lift her head to meet his eyes for fear that he would notice what was in her mind. He took his seat next to her in the carriage and commanded the coachman to return home.

She stole a glance at him while he was opening the curtains to stare out the window. His hair was disheveled and the clothes were wrinkled, probably because of his haste in putting them on. He was wearing the same clothes he had been wearing this morning. Did that mean he had taken off his clothes first and put them in the carriage before shifting and pursuing her into the forest?

"Why did you run off by yourself like that?" asked Vance as the carriage departed.

His tone was calm and he didn't sound angry, however, it was clear that he was not pleased with what she had done from his stoic expression and his furrowed brows. He might look calm, but he was livid inside, seeming only a second away from exploding in rage.

"I didn't," retorted Melva, defending herself. "I was just taking a walk to the forest and going to return after a short while. I must have lost track of time."

"I told you to ask for my permission, did I not?" Vance raised his voice, slowly becoming impatient while dealing with her stubbornness. "If it is reasonable, I will permit it. You were lucky you had my scent on you. If you continue to behave this way, I will be forced to scent you whenever I have to leave your side, whether you like it or not."

Melva sighed in exasperation. Why did Vance get so worked up about her walk in the forest? He was trying to be patient because part of it was her fault for losing track of time, but this man was getting on her nerves. "I was only strolling in the forest. Do I need to ask for your permission for something so dull as that? You made it sound as if I was walking into a lion's den unarmed."

"The forest here is unlike the forest you are familiar with, Melva," warned Vance. "You might as well have the lion's sharp fangs around your neck."

"Alright. Do whatever you want. Scent me—or whatever that is—in exchange for letting me go into the forest," said Melva persistently.

Melva had no idea what Vance had meant with scenting her. The word was foreign to her ears. She guessed that it was probably a process of leaving his scent on her, so he could track her from her scent like he had just done. Although, she didn't remember when he had done so.

"Why do you want to go to the forest so bad? Don't you cherish your own life?" Vance raised a brow, giving her a questioning look. His patience was evidently running thin, for Melva was persistently pushing his buttons.

"I love forests," answered Melva honestly. "Also, I would like to be permitted to go buy bows and arrows for my hunting sessions."

"Hunting?" Vance widened his eyes incredulously. "Didn't you hear a word I just said? The forests here are dangerous for humans, because the ones who live there are not only animals."

Melva was determined to go into the forest again now that she had a taste of how beautiful the forests were here. She would be driven to madness if she stayed holed up inside the manor without being unable to hold a bow again. "I don't care. Give me bows and arrows and I will be fine."

"Is that how you ask for permission?" Vance folded his arms across his chest and stared down at her, one corner of his lips curving in amusement. He was clearly enjoying this while one second ago he had seemed to be ready to eat her alive in his rage.

"Please allow me to hunt in the forest, Your Grace." Melva bowed politely, her fists clenching in frustration at her own helplessness. She hated to massage his pride, but what else could she do?

"Fine. If you insist, I will go with you into the forest." Vance took out his pocket watch to look at the time. "It is still noon. We will have lunch in the town and visit a friend of mine for your bow."

"Thank you, Your Grace," said Melva curtly.

"See? It is not that difficult, is it not? As long as you behave, I will give you permission. Because there is no harm caused, your misbehaviour this morning will be overlooked. There will be no such tolerance next time."

Melva opted to remain silent, because she had nothing to say other than spiteful remarks that would only spark another quarrel between them. Vance didn't try to say another word, therefore the rest of the ride was quiet. She opened the curtains on her side and stared out the window, admiring the scenery before her eyes. One would never think that the world of demons could be this beautiful. There was something captivating and magical about it that was different from the human world. Something she was unable to explain.

The peaceful silence stretched on until they arrived in front of a tavern in a busy town. The coachman stopped the carriage and opened the door for them. Vance climbed off of the carriage first and held out a hand for Melva to grab on, but she couldn't be sure whether he was asking for her touch or he had to put on a gentleman facade for the townspeople to see. For certain, it was not out of sincerity to help her, because this man was not capable of it.

There was a sign with 'Silver Moon' written on it hanging on the front of the establishment. The establishment seemed old, but was obviously maintained very well, for it was still in a good condition. There were a lot of carriages parked nearby and the stables were full of horses. The tavern was having a lot of patrons, thus it must be favoured by many people.

Vance walked ahead to hold open the door for Melva. "After you."

'How pretentious,' thought Melva as she walked through the door. He was trying so hard to impress people it was getting annoying for her to see. Moreover when she knew it was all nothing but an act.

"Welcome to Silver Moon, Your Grace." A young man who must be the worker there walked over to greet them. "Let me escort you to your seats and then I will get the owner."

The young man led them to the second floor of the tavern and eventually stopped at the table for two by the railings which overlooked the first floor. Vance told the worker their orders and let him go do his job afterwards. After taking her seat, Melva finally had the chance to look around.

The tavern was very lively and crowded even if it was only noon. There was a bard singing songs on the first floor and there were people dancing in front of him. Some others in their seats were singing along to the song while holding a glass of ale in their hands. It was only noon and yet they were already drinking irresponsibly as if it was in the middle of the night. Did they have no job? Why were they not working?

"You don't like the tavern," commented Vance, paying close attention to Melva's expression. "You have been frowning since we arrived."

"I was just thinking. The tavern is too crowded, considering it is only noon," said Melva, sharing her opinion. "I cannot imagine a man of your social rank who loves this kind of place, Your Grace. There must be plenty of lavish inns out there to eat from."

"I love watching the townspeople having fun without a care in the world. I always sit by the railings, so I can silently watch them from upstairs. If they can have fun at this time of the day, it means they either have their own businesses or missing a day's work would not matter. It is proof that many residents of Nightwind are not suffering from poverty. Nightwind's prosperity is all I care about."

Melva wanted to roll her eyes at his long explanation. Of course, he was bragging about his success in ruling Nightwind. What else could it be? Why would she even provoke him in the first place?

"There is another reason why I keep coming here," continued Vance, even if Melva was not keen to hear more of his boasting. "The owner of this tavern is an old friend of mine. One who has been fighting alongside me since the dark times."

A young man who had a buff, tanned body and his hair tied in a messy bun on top of his head walked over towards their table, a wide smile on his face. "Ah, I was wondering who my guest was. A pleasant surprise, it is. Our favourite big white wolf. Very nice to see you coming back here again. And who this beautiful lady might be?"