I woke up to find that night had fallen. I'd missed lunch, and I think it's dinner time now. I went downstairs to eat with the family while Jain had already gone to sleep.
Speaking of which, if I missed lunch, that means Jain missed one of the only three hours he actually sleeps.
Ugh… guilt… I hate being watched or being responsible for someone!
If I told Father, he'd say, "He's your guard. You're responsible for him," and that it's none of his business.
"By the way, Leon, what did you do with the werewolf you brought?" my sister asked while the family was eating.
"I made him my personal servant."
The conversation flowed under the watchful eyes of our mother and father, but they didn't interfere. They knew I was sensible and rarely got involved unless it was something important. They trusted that I'd tell them if it was.
"That was the first time I ever saw a werewolf! Father, I want one too!" said Eros.
"He's not a pet for me to get you one!" Father responded, clearly irritated.
Father is sensitive about these things. He hates racism toward other races.
"I'm sorry, Father," said Eros, lowering his head.
The mood turned a little tense, so I asked, "Father, may I go out again tomorrow?"
"Alright. But same as last time."
I nodded in agreement.
This time, we'll go get something to protect myself… against this insane story!
I woke up to find Jain standing silently, waiting for orders as usual.
I had breakfast and started getting ready for a new day. When I was done, the werewolf had arrived.
"Your first task as a personal servant is to accompany me to the shops. Of course, Jain will be with us — he never leaves me."
"So, Your Highness… where are we going?" the werewolf asked as we walked.
"Your Highness, may I say something to him?" Jain suddenly asked.
That surprised me — Jain usually only speaks when I speak to him first.
"Yes, go ahead."
Jain placed a hand on the werewolf's shoulder and said calmly — or at least it seemed calm to me "Speak respectfully to His Highness. Otherwise, your end will come soon."
The werewolf stiffened, then ran over to me.
"Did you see how he looked at me?! I told you not to let him get near me!!"
"No, I didn't. How did he look at you?"
I noticed Jain glaring at him while he was talking. So that's what he meant by 'that look.'
No matter how calm and rational Jain appears… he's still a fourteen-year-old kid at the end of the day.
"Right, werewolf — what's your name, and how old are you?"
"Oh, right. My name is Rilo, and I'm eleven. You?"
"I'm Prince Leonhart. You can call me Leon when we're alone. I'm ten."
No harm in making friends with a few sweet kids.
Jain looked at me, so I added with a smile, "You can call me Leon too, when we're alone."
"R-really? May I?" Jain stammered.
"Yes, it's fine."
And finally, we arrived at our destination… a weapon shop!
The place was filled with swords — the most common weapon here — along with daggers and spears.
I approached the man running the store.
"Do you have a bow and arrows?"
"Yes, we do. Do you want just one bow?"
"Yes, and fifty arrows."
"Isn't that a lot of arrows?" I whispered to the werewolf.
"Of course! That's going to be an expensive bill!" he whispered back.
"No, I didn't mean the money. I meant — can you carry them?"
"Oh. Yeah, I think I can."
I nodded to the man, and he went to get what I asked for while I browsed the other weapons.
I bought two daggers for my brother and sister, so they could protect themselves. I know they have guards, but we can't always rely on the future.
Of course, carrying the weapons was left to Jain and the werewolf — I think his name was Reylo.
As we left the shop, I saw Reylo looking toward a dark alley.
"I smell blood."
He ran ahead and found a boy lying on the ground, covered in blood.
Naturally, Jain and I were right behind him and saw the whole scene.
The werewolf looked at me, clearly hesitant. Don't tell me he wants me to take the kid in?
"Can you take him with you? He's covered in blood, and his wounds look severe. If we leave him here, he'll die!" Reylo said seriously, almost pleading.
I glanced at Jain, who also looked hesitant, then sighed.
"Just as I thought… Fine."
I carefully took the arrows from him and pointed at Reylo. "You're the one who wants to save him. You carry him."
"But the arrows…" Reylo said awkwardly.
"I have them now. I don't want you dropping and breaking them. Just focus on carrying the boy."
Reylo picked up the boy carefully, muttering, "Didn't expect him to be this heavy…"
When we returned to the palace, I ordered the servants to tend to the boy immediately.
"Clean him up and treat his wounds. When he wakes up, bring him to me at once."
I said firmly, then went to see my siblings to give them the gifts I brought.
"You're giving us gifts? Did something weird happen today?" said Eros suspiciously.
"Why? Can't I give gifts without a reason?"
"Yeah, this is literally the first time you've ever given us something," said Belle, sarcastic as usual.
"Maybe something weirder happened than you think," I muttered with a sigh.
"My little master, the boy has awakened," said the maid. He woke up earlier than I expected.
"Tell him to wait for me in my room," I said.
If what I'm thinking is true, then… I may have just changed the story in a really big way.