Over the next few days, we got so busy that we barely had a time to relax.
Business is booming and our ice cream shop became very popular in the chiefdom. Ghost and I are very busy trying all sorts of flavors to add to the menu.
Not only the ice cream shop but soon, Sly opened a meat grill shop which is very popular with all sorts of predators. I suddenly feel sorry for all the prey that was killed.
They don't really have any rules about killing since this world is like the animals back on earth in which you either kill or be killed, the stronger you are the longer you live. I am grateful for the fact that the creatures here are more civilized and has reasoning with advance cognition, almost like they have the mind of a human.
The mirror business is still hugely in demand since it became popular with the higher ranked creatures. Higher ranked creatures are usually either those that have lived for a very long time, provided huge contribution in the world such as inventing something or being a scholar of some sorts, being a magic user and a leader such as a chief or the protector of the chiefdom.
Ghost refused to have copies of his telescope as he insisted that it is exclusive to him alone.
With businesses booming, pretty soon Lion became focused on improving the current inventions. I don't know what kind of work he usually did but I can tell that he didn't earn very well in his job.
Soon, the castle began to fill up all sorts of furniture and decoration. The workrooms began to have better magical equipment and even the library has several more cylindrical bookcases with more scrolls rotating around it.
I felt happy at the improvement but at the same time, quite sad at the change of Lion's behavior towards me. He is still kind to me but he doesn't spend much time being alone with me anymore. Usually when we are alone together, we have deep conversations and even share some random thoughts. He doesn't avoid me and still continues to talk to me but it sounded more like out of politeness rather than affectionately.
I don't know what should I do. Should I apologize? For what?
Should I explain my behavior? Why? And for what?
I'm torn. I wanted to explain my behavior and apologize to him but what if I just assumed his affection to me? I'm denying that there is SOMETHING but I don't know the depth of that SOMETHING.
I want a straight forward conversation. Years before, when I was younger, I usually try to deny (if I don't like the person), ghosted or avoid the person or worse, tried to make some sort a lie. I was terrible.
Now that I'm getting older, there are some things that needed to be straightened up with an honest conversation no matter how uncomfortable it may be. It avoids further misunderstandings and boosts your courage.
The question is, how do I do it with him?
I'm still a coward.
....
Lion approached me one day while I was busy improving the taste of the bbq meat. Ghost noticed the awkwardness between us and made some sort of excuse and left us.
Lion took some time scratching his hair while his tail is drooping on the floor. He looked quite nervous and his eyes refused to look at me.
He told me that there are several creatures who requested my help since they have an eye problem. He can't come with me this time but told me to bring Ghost when I get there. He will make a way that I can use a bit of magic if I needed to make something. He apologized for being busy.
Liar.
Before, no matter how busy he was or even if he lacked sleep, he always make sure to accompany me everywhere.
I feel hurt. I don't know why I feel hurt. I don't have the right to feel that. And for what?
Still it stings. It feels like he doesn't want me anymore. Though the question is, do I want him?
I couldn't answer that.
Still, I feel like my eyes started to tear up and I sighed and made some sort of excuse to go back to my room.
I could barely see where I was going and hurriedly went to the portal. I could hear Lion trying to say something but I refused to listen to it.
I'm finally back in my room and there I cried silently. I don't know why but my heart feels very heavy. I feel unwanted and was reminded that I'm a stranger after all. Pinky tried to comfort me and I held on to his trunk tightly. I cried for the fact that I'm still scared and don't know where I will go in case they don't want me anymore. Just imagine that you are in a strange land and you barely know enough about it and you don't have any person to trust. All my emotions flooded my mind and I cried some more. I cried until I don't have any tears left. I don't want to show anyone, especially Lion, that I was hurting.
I finally calmed down after some time and noticed that Pinky had an unusually large fruit on his branches. He took it and gave it to me. I ate it and I felt like being refreshed from deep within my soul. I continued to cuddle to him and fell asleep after several minutes.
I slept for a very long time. Morning and night passed until it is morning again. I woke up feeling very energetic and refreshed. Pinky felt happy as I continued to snuggle to him. I went to the bathroom and take a look at myself in the mirror. There are no signs of me crying my heart out and instead, my face looked better like I just put on an expensive face moisturizer. Whatever Pinky gave me it was the best fruit I ever had that had good effects on my body.
I took a bath and changed into a halter dress which I made using the magic notebook and pen. I feel good so I should look good.
I made myself a satchel bag in which I place inside some of my clothes. I don't want to go back to this place. I told Pinky to accompany me and he seemed delighted. So we went out and waited in the garden while I took some fruits and place them inside my bag.
Ghost soon joined us and began to curiously inspect my bag.
It looks quite useful, he exclaimed, since it is a magic bag, you can place a lot of stuff there without worrying the size nor the weight.
He continued to inspect the bag until Lion appeared. He looked apologetic.
He stuttered some instructions while continuing to look apologetic. I get the feeling that he wants to apologize to me about something but I tried to look unaffected.
He gave me a small box in which he explained that inside is full of his magic in which he turned into dust and that I should just sprinkle it on the objects I made using my magical notebook and pen.
I just nodded and kept a professional face.
Ghost ignored the awkwardness and carried me on his back while he carried Pinky on his arms.
Then he jumped.
I didn't look back.