- Rich Lady's first encounter with Beast

A half-baked howl was not as loud or startling as a full one, but it shocked Adelynn no less.

She sprung up and fumbled as she quickly turned to face the sound. As expected, it was the monster she was searching for.

There was a big difference between the monster and her expectations, though.

What she imagined to be a huge, blood-thirsty-looking creature with a hideous face and murderous eyes, was small and strangely clean. It looked at her with dark, hollow eye sockets, but she couldn't sense bloodlust.

For a moment, Adelynn was stuck between fear and confusion.

A monster is a monster no matter the size, if it wanted to be violent, she would surely die. Then again, was this even a monster? 'Small' was an understatement. It was the size of an average purebred Chow-Chow/Cavalier mix; its height couldn't be more than 2 feet!

The monster Adelynn was looking for should be several yards tall, not smaller than her.

She stared at the monster, it did the same. There was silence in the air as the monster no longer howled, growled, or grunted, and Adelynn was stealthy looking for somewhere to run.

Even if she believed it didn't want to harm her, her gut told her to get away from it. What was the likeliness that this monster would want to be friendly? She wasn't taking the chance.

After a few minutes of this, Adelynn darted towards a bush of teal blue flowers that resemble bush poppies. She unhesitantly ran as fast as her little legs would let her, straight off the path.

She experienced a lot of firsts as she ran away.

This was the first time she's ever run in a dress; the first time she's ever run in a garden; the first time she's been chased by an animal, not to mention it's the size of a dog; honestly, this was likely the first time she's run in years, even before reincarnation.

There's also the tripping she stood back up from; she's never allowed her face to be within inches of the ground until now.

The new experiences were not fun, but neither was being chased by a dog-sized monster, so there was no time to complain.

She never went back to the garden's path, instead relying on what she memorized.

With a map in her head, she could twist and turn however many times she wanted, confusing the monster, while still running towards the nearest exit for help.

Sadly, although her plan was working, the monster also didn't let up. Its hollow eyes made it look blind, but it would not take its eyes off of her for two seconds. In addition, she was sure it was using its nose to follow her effortlessly.

It was irritating, and Adelynn was getting tired again.

Adelynn could feel her speed start to slow down as exhaustion caught up with her. She turned in a direction and saw the rosey entrance she could run out of. As soon as she saw it, she started shouting for help.

Soon, footsteps came from that area. Voices were worried and rushed, recognizing an incomparably light and lovely voice uncharacteristically panicking.

She could hear Mya, Bodie, Mr.Myi, and another man, the voice was familiar but forgettable.

There's was hope now—that the monster behind her wouldn't catch up and eat her whole. Or, in the best case, give her a wound with its claws.

Adelynn ran. The moment she saw Bodie dash into the garden, his hair a mess and eyes scattered, trying to search the entire garden at once, she jumped up. He quickly caught her in his arms, holding her tightly before looking around for a bruise.

Aside from the bruises on her legs from when she fell and her arms from pushing through branches, she looked fine physically. Her hair was a mess, her sundress was torn from being caught by a branch, and she was two seconds away from sobbing.

'What the heck!?! That was terrifying!'

She screeched in her heart.

She was still heaving in Bodie's arms, even shaking as she rested her head against his chest.

He was panicking himself, from the rapid sound of his heart, but calmly started soothing her.

"You're okay, I'm here. It's alright." He murmured to her ears quietly as he rubbed his hand up and down her back.

Adelynn did start to feel better, but not before another half-baked howl was heard.

She froze in Bodie's arms but didn't turn to look back. Instead, she slammed her eyes shut and squeezed him out of fear.

Maybe she, as a small child, couldn't do anything. But certainly, Bodie or Mr.Myi could, right? She hoped.

Contrary to what she thought would happen, Bodie was more relieved after seeing what frightened her.

He continued soothing her, then spoke to Mr.Myi about her condition as the monster became quiet.

Next, a man's guilty voice spoke from beside them. "Oh dear, I wondered where he ran off to. I'm so sorry, Addilyn. He normally behaves... Are you alright?"

Bodie sent him a glare but didn't get angered at his brother-in-law's mistake. He and Mr.Myi turned around to take Adelynn back home. "Put him on a collar, Jove. Otherwise, I'm chaining him."

Adelynn also realized the other man was one of her uncles, Laas's mentor. She had questions, such as if that confusing monster was his pet, but dismissed them for now.

She needed a moment to calm down. If she didn't, there would be nightmares in her near future.

***

It was quiet as they entered the mansion again. The only sound was Mya's steps from behind, not able to match the urgent pace of the elves in front.

Adelynn managed to relax in Bodie's arms, then fell asleep. Bodie wore a frown as he continued to rub her arms, trying to warm her cool limbs.

When she woke up, Bodie still had her in his arms, but now the scraps and cuts on her arms and legs were healed, the worst ones covered by bandages.

They were in the parlour, which was decorated for her birthday with bright colors, paper angels, and other delicate things. The parlour wouldn't be big enough for the main party, but it was where Adelynn would open presents and eat pie.

Bodie felt her wake up, so he pushed aside her long strands of hair and began to speak sternly.

"Addilyn, did Laas tell you not to go into the garden?" He looked at her with a hard gaze.

"No... She told me I could hide anywhere." She lied, then went on to recount what happened with the monster.

Bodie listened for a moment, then sighed.

He spoke with Mia, who said she put Laas in charge. After deciding what the maid's punishment would be, he went to find Laas, who was looking for Adelynn gloomily.

They were playing a game and she was getting tired of looking. Laas didn't know Adelynn wandered off. When he asked, she said she told Adelynn where not to go...

She could've been saying that so he wouldn't blame her. Since she's a child, even in this case, he wouldn't blame her.

After hearing Adelynn deny a warning, he decided only the maid would be held accountable and believed her.

"Okay, dear.. are you okay? You must've been very scared." His stern expression quickly melted into a concerned frown. His eyes that used to always look tired... well, they still look tired, but it's become one of his natural features now.

His hair was slicked back and there was a gentle and fatherly aura, Adelynn couldn't help but relax a little more in his comfort.

He was truly concerned, maybe she should be honest?

"I-I was terrified. I thought that monster was going to devour me!" She sincerely cried before stuffing her head back into the crook of Bodie's neck.

It was weird to admit she was scared, as 'fear' wasn't something she normally felt in her past life. Except for specific occasions, life was always perfect for her. Nothing to make her fearful; nothing to make her anxious.

When she was afraid, she'd cry to her father, or one of her big brothers when they were younger. Then, her father would make it so her fears disappeared, forever gone from the galaxy. Her big brothers would read her stories, sing a song, or anything else that would make it easier for her to sleep.

Those times were comforting, but it's still been many years since then. As of now, the only one she could cry to was Bodie, but she didn't want to.

His parenting has been admirable, but she'd never seen him as her father, nor would she treat him like she does.

In the crook of his neck, Adelynn was squeezing her eyes to hold back her burning tears. She succeeded after a few minutes.

Bodie knew his daughter was trying not to cry, all he could do was rub her back to help.

Anyways, today was not a day for panic and tears. The party would start shortly, in not even a few hours. He had to make her happy again.

As such, he started with an explanation. "I'm sorry, dear... Uncle Jove brought his familiar and her puppies... Beasts without partners are usually not allowed to enter homes, but I assumed he had them controlled."

He then offered, "If you wish, I can have them locked away until your day is over. You don't have to fear them escaping."

Adelynn only thought about it briefly, then shook her head to say no.

Okay... so she didn't like that monster– beast?–And, the bigger one she noticed.. may have been the mother?

No, if the mother was that big and went to the garden, she would've been seen. Unless she could use magic that makes her disappear.

Still, that means there are multiple of them.

Jove probably wanted to show off with them, or give Laas one as her 'familiar'. Locking them away would lock away more interesting things about this world. Plus, if they were out, they would be tied up, right?

Adelynn was a little nervous, but she also didn't want to miss the chance to learn something else important about this world.

In her current classes, there was nothing about beasts or familiars, only the types of animals you'd see in reserves.

Those animals were classified as "magicless", making them most often the companions of humans or those who can't use magic.

Beasts, if they can become familiars, must be the opposite?

If so, does that means they do have magical abilities? Is it like the capability to cast spells, ability received after forming a partnership, or an innate ability they get when they're born?

How do partnerships work; how are they made?

Is it a blood-contract type thing? That's how it's often shown in her world's game media. Though at the same time, most games make the familiar more of a slave, and that passes down to their bloodline.

Would it be similar or completely different here?

She had questions, questions that fueled her curiosity and overwhelmed her fear. She couldn't lock away the subject if she wanted to learn about them.

After shaking her head, Adelynn spoke, her soft voice resounding to swindle Bodie's ears. "Is it early for pie? I feel a bit peckish."

He smiled. "Yes, it's too early," Seeing her frown in response, he added, "but today you don't have to care about the rules. Let's get you a treat!" He shouted, kissing his daughter on the forehead.

"Bleh!" She mimicked a sound of disgust, turning away from his kisses.

Bodie laughed. He signaled for one of the servants in the room to get the snack, then let Adelynn move off of his lap.

She sat beside him with her small legs barely reaching the edge of the sofa. Aside from her scratches, her outfit was also changed.

Instead of the thin sundress, she now wore a pastel smoke-colored tunic going to her ankles, under a gray half cloak. The materials were soft and very warm, especially the fur inside the cloak's hood.

They were inside, but Bodie also put mittens on her hands and boots on her feet.

As Adelynn was admiring her pretty outfit, Bodie was looking at her nostalgically.