The Fox Princess And Her White Dog

24: A Personal Question

"You're right, that was fun," Snow said, as she and Chow Chow strolled side by side towards the forest in the Hidden Realm.

"I've got more things lined up, if you do well for your next few lessons," he said, walking with his hands behind his back.

"Things that I never got to do during my childhood?"

"Perhaps," he said with a mysterious smile.

She turned to look at him. You know so much about me, but I know so little about you, she thought. From as early as I could remember, you were always there for me, in your little dog form. There are so many things I want to ask, but first. . .

"Ah, can I ask you a personal question?" she said, coming to a stop under a tree.

"Sure."

"What's your real name?"

"Why do you suddenly ask?" he said, his round eyes growing wide.

"I know I named you Chow Chow, but that's because you were my pet dog. It can't be that a good-looking guy like you would have such a, err, cutesy name, right?"

He laughed heartily, his shoulders visibly relaxing. "Does that mean you find me good-looking?" he asked with a cocked brow and a cheeky grin spreading across his face.

Good Heavens! She wanted to smack her own forehead. I've forgotten that he's such a vain pot. If I tell him what I truly thought, I'll probably never hear the end of it.

"Err, you're easy on the eye, at least," she lied.

"Only?" He pursed his lips in mock disappointment. "I'm so saddened by that. I don't want to answer your question," he sulked as he turned his head away.

Snow drew in a deep breath. Fine! she wanted to say. She had half a mind to just forget about it, but curiosity always got the better of her. If she didn't find out what his real name was, the question would gnaw at her for the whole day and night.

"You're. Very. Good-looking," she conceded, staring hard at the chiseled curve of his jaw beneath his ear.

"The way you've said it with your teeth clenched like that, makes me doubt your sincerity," he said haughtily.

What! I don't want to do this anymore! she thought. But since she had already started, she couldn't leave without getting any answers. She tongued a molar, swallowed her pride and affected a forced smile.

"You're so devastatingly attractive that when girls see you, they go delirious, and fling themselves at your feet, begging for your attention!" she said in a syrupy, flattering tone.

Yuck! I got goosebumps saying that! She hoped he wouldn't press her for any more compliments.

"Hmm! I won't say that hasn't happened before."

"Huh?" Snow said, scrunching up her nose. What do you mean? Have girls been throwing themselves at you?

"I'm appeased by your answer, so I shall tell you." He had such a self-satisfied look on his face that Snow considered punching him. "I'm extremely shy about my real name though, so I shall whisper it in your ear," he said, leaning towards her.

"But it's just the two of us here," she said, her eyes going to the left and right of him. Her heart beat faster when he came so close that she could smell the faint rose scent on his robes.

"My real name, is. . ." He paused, and she felt like she could curl up and die from either the suspense or the sensation of his warm breath tickling her ear.