Page 142 of A Silent Prodigy for the Lycan Princess
*LÉNA*
“How much time do you think has passed?” Coralie mutters.
There is no natural light in the room, just the dim one from the lamp, and we both lost sense of time a while ago.
“I don’t know,” I say. “Do you think they are looking for us?”
“They are certainly looking for you,” she says.
“Coralie—”
“We both know it’s true,” she says. “Neither Arden nor Princess Aurelia, not even Prince Eric have any reason to look for me. And why would they want to? They hate me.”
“That’s not true,” I say. “Arden will look for you because that’s the person he is.”
“Yes,” she says quietly. “Because he is kind and smart.”
“Boys are dense sometimes,” I whisper, not sure if I should really talk to her about it, but then we are already on the subject. “I… I know how you looked at Arden.”
Coralie turns her head away, her cheeks flushing.
“You liked him, didn’t you?”
“It started as a game,” she mutters. “I wanted him to boost my social standing and thought he would be easy prey because he was bullied, and I know his father has shunned him. I thought with his disability, he would be happy to have a girl like me paying attention to him. Pretty fucked up, huh?”
“Certainly not nice,” I say.
“That’s putting it kindly,” she admits.
“So, what happened?”
“He was nice and kind and so attentive,” she says. “And he treated me with respect. I don’t have much going for me, and maybe that’s my own fault. I know for most guys I dated I was just a quick fuck, but not worth their time, but Arden actually paid attention to me. He liked talking to me even though we didn’t share much. All of a sudden, I just found myself wishing he would be my mate. Pretty pathetic, isn’t it?”
“No,” I say. “You just fell for Arden. It makes sense.”
“You know, he is the type of guy that really sweeps you off his feet once you know him better,” she tells me, sounding pumped up all of a sudden. “He has a fine sense of humor, too, and he is so intelligent without ever showing off.” She pauses. “Sorry.”
“You should tell him,” I say. “When we are out of here, promise me you will tell him.”
“Why would I? It’s over anyway, and he despises me.”
“No, he doesn’t,” I say. “But you hurt him. And I think knowing that it wasn’t just a game for you will give him the closure he deserves. You will both get it. I think you owe it to him and yourself to do it.”
“What makes you think I would like to do that?” she asks, sounding annoyed.
“I don’t think you are a terrible person,” I say bluntly. “But there is room for improvement, and I think you know that. You prefer to stay the villain instead of coming clean to Arden, just because your pride doesn’t allow you to admit your feelings?”
“That’s not it,” she says defensively.
“I thought by all your mistakes, you were actually pretty brave. Don’t tell me you’d chicken out of such a simple task,” I dare her.
“Fine!” she groans, much to my surprise. Who knew that calling out to her ego would help? “If we get out of here…” sheagrees. “I will talk to him.” She gazes at me. “Damn it, for a child you are pretty annoying.”
“Who are you calling a child? You are just two years older than I am.”
“Two years that mean a lot,” she argues. “My brain is much more developed than yours.”
“Says the girl who can’t even apologize to the guy she tricked,” I huff.
