Episode 5

I decided to leave the balcony and go back to the safety of the house. I tried to retrace my steps and reach the living room, and it was there that I found the owners of the house. I realized that I hadn't introduced myself, and worse, I didn't know their names.

"Darling, I see the dress fit you." The woman said with a beautiful smile on her face.

"Yes, thank you very much! Forgive my lack of manners, I didn't say my name nor did I ask yours." I said, while that woman looked at me with kind eyes. "My name is Aurora Bellucci." I introduced myself.

"Very pretty and elegant name. It represents the sunrise." Said that man. "Aurora, I am Cadman Grannus, and this is my wife Bryana Grannus. We have 3 children: Paul, whom you helped, Logan, who brought you here, and the youngest, named Ayla."

"Now that the proper introductions have been made, let's go to the kitchen so you can eat something. Here we are always hungry as wolves." Which made me hesitate. Then she looked at me worried. "What is it, dear?"

"I saw something outside a few minutes ago. It looked like a huge wolf. I'm not in danger, am I?" They looked at each other, which gave me a shiver down my spine, until they started laughing.

"Wolves don't usually eat people, honey! They might even kill you, but you're not on their menu." Bryana explained, taking some trays out of the fridge and placing them on the table.

Seeing that cheese board made my mouth water, and my stomach growled, making them smile and leaving me completely embarrassed. At that moment, I didn't even remember the animal that was outside. Bryana served me a bowl of soup, placing several loaves of bread on the table, along with ham and jellies.

I believed that, at that moment, I was the one who was hungry as a wolf, and that made me smile. They also snacked on some of all that food and looked at me satisfied. Something about them gave me security, I know it was strange to think that way about someone I had just met, but I already felt welcomed in that place, which was comforting considering that I was sure I was far from home and in an environment completely strange to me.

"So, honey, how did you end up here?" Bryana asked, as Mr. Cadman watched me. I knew I could trust the truth to these people.

"I found out about a magical tree near where I live. I went there with the intention of making a wish, and after I did, I thought it was all nonsense. Nothing happened until I almost fell into the river and touched the tree. When I woke up, I was here."

"Your request needed to be very deep and true for this to happen." Mr. Cadman looked at me and then gave a slight smile. "The sacred tree does not grant just any wish. The person needs to have a pure heart to be heard by it." That surprised me. "Are you happy with your request?"

"I just didn't want to get married!" I said, putting another piece of bread in my mouth. Then I heard a movement behind me and when I looked, it was that arrogant man who brought me here, Logan, if I'm not mistaken.

"What happened? Wasn't Prince Charming enough for the princess?" He asked as he helped himself to a slice of bread and cheese. His parents looked at him disapprovingly.

"No! I just didn't want to get married!" I said, getting up from that table. I excused myself from the elders and even without permission I went to the room I had been in before. Why was that man picking on me so much? And what did I do for him to be so rude?

I entered the room and went straight to the bed. For a moment, I thought about my family. What will become of her now? Have I doomed my parents? I know they will be desperate with my disappearance. I didn't leave a letter, no explanation, because I never imagined this could happen. And, for an instant, I felt sorry for everything I had done. Tears rolled down my face as I felt my chest ache with guilt. All I wanted was not to marry without love. Was that too much to ask?

I deeply regretted everything I might have caused my family with my selfish attitude. The sobs were taking over my crying, while the longing for my family invaded me. My parents weren't bad parents. They were just part of a society whose rules I didn't accept or understand. And, being the firstborn daughter, she carries the burden of their most important rule, the only rule I truly hated. It was precisely this rule that brought me here.

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