Gwen sat beside her husband, holding him closely as if he would disappear if she should leave him.

Walter and Kai ran inside the room, behind them was their father.

Fidelis opened his arms widely to welcome his grandsons. "Look at my little cubs," he smiled brightly.

"Grandfather, did you really go somewhere dangerous last night?" Walter asked, his curious eyes shining brightly.

Fidelis turned to look at Jasmine, who shrugged her shoulders. He then turned to his grandson. "What did I tell you about your grandfather?"

"That you’ve killed a boar with your bare hands!" Walter exclaimed, demonstrating with his hands.

The King nodded. "And that is right. It means nothing would ever be too dangerous for me. I just took a walk last night," he said, and Walter nodded with a smile.

Kai, who was listening, asked, "I was outside watching the sun flies. I didn’t see you, Grandfather."

Fidelis cleared his throat. "Yes, yes. I have a secret route I usually take."

"Can you take me with you next time?" Kai said calmly, looking at his grandfather.

Fidelis rubbed his forehead, where a headache was now rising. "Fine, I will take you," he replied, signaling for the maids to come take the boys back to their room. They were adorable, but they came with so much energy that could throw one off balance if not careful.

"I’m happy you’re in good health, Your Majesty," Caspar, Jasmine’s husband, said with a slight bow.

Fidelis made a grunting sound without replying to him. Caspar took it as a cue to leave the room.

Jasmine, who noticed this, chirped, "Father, what would you want me to prepare as a gift for your birthday?"

Fidelis hummed. "I want nothing much but to see my family happy. Even if I died, I’d be happy."

"Fidelis!" Gwen scolded. "Don’t talk like that. You’re not dying anytime soon."

The man nodded with a sigh. "I know," he smiled.

Adelaide pushed her gown gently, using her hand to remove the wrinkles on the side. Then she said, "Father, about Brother Adric’s coronation. Is it really going to happen after your birthday?"

Gwen glared at her daughter, as if warning her to shut up. Then she turned to her husband. "Your father must have been so stressed and shocked that he made that decision. I’m sure he needs more time to think about it. Adric just got married; I don’t think he is ready."

Fidelis shook his head slightly with a smile. "I don’t need more time. I already gave it deep thought. Adric has been taking care of the court since my health declined. Why not let him take full charge? So, yes. After my birthday will be Adric’s coronation, and I want each and every one of you to support him in every way you can."

"Mm," Jasmine hummed. "If you say so, Father, but maybe after your birthday you might feel very strong and change your mind after all," she remarked. It was not supposed to be over yet, the princess thought to herself. Her children had been preparing and getting ready for the crown. It shouldn’t pass them that easily.

Gwen adjusted her position on the chair, letting go of the king’s hand to stay on her own. "I suddenly don’t feel so well. I couldn’t sleep all night worried about you."

"You need your rest, My Queen," Fidelis said to his wife, patting her on the shoulder gently.

Gwen bowed and left the room, holding her head with one hand, the other holding her gown.

"Father, I should probably let you rest," Jasmine bowed before leaving the room, following her mother.

~~~

[Music Recommendation: Bulgasal ~ Nam Hye Seung & Jeon Junghoon]

Adelaide sat there without moving, still looking at her father.

"Is there something you want to say to me, Adelaide?" Fidelis asked, looking at his last daughter.

Adelaide sucked her teeth. "No Father. Do you have something you want to tell me?"

"I want to thank you. I heard from Adric that you were beside me when everything happened, and also you fought with the attacker," Fidelis said with a warm smile.

Adelaide chuckled. "Is that so? Brother Adric giving me all the praises. Anyway, thank you, Father." She bowed, standing up from the couch, and left the room.

Fidelis continued to look at the door where his wife and daughter had just passed, and after a few seconds, he heaved a sigh of relief like he had been holding his breath for too long.

Adelaide made her way straight to her mother’s room, her shoes clicking softly on the marble floor and her gown making a ruffling sound. She stopped for a second to look at the passage she had just left before she continued her walk.

Reaching her mother’s room, she pushed the door open, but as soon as she entered, a cup flew across the room straight for her face. Adelaide dodged it. The sound of the cup crashing to pieces behind her echoed inside the room.

"Mother, you need to calm down. You could have hurt her," Jasmine tried to calm her mother down.

Adelaide stared at the broken cup as if there was something interesting in it. Then she sighed. "To what do I owe this welcome?"

"You!" Gwen pointed at her daughter. "Why did you bring that up at that particular time? You just ruined all of my plans!"

Adelaide raised her face to look at her mother, she smiled. "You had a plan? That’s news to me," she said in a calm voice.

"Adelaide, you’re so insufferable! How could you talk to Mother that way, knowing how her pride was hurt today?" Jasmine tried to intervene.

Gwen touched her forehead, trying to calm herself down. "Adelaide, I need you to get out right now."

The princess didn’t stop walking further inside her mother’s room, despite the warning. "That’s the problem, Mother. Your pride. The reason why Brother Adric always moves a step ahead of you is that he doesn’t have any pride left. He goes all in just to make sure he gets the throne for himself. But not you. You have a fragile ego that must be fed."

"Shut up, Adelaide," Jasmine scolded, not appreciating the tone her sister was using with their mother. "We’re supposed to fight together not apart. If Adric should be king, he will cast us all aside, if not throw us out. We know very well how he hates Mother."

Adelaide nodded. "That I know. But do you think he will sit back and watch us take his birthright? Rightfully, the throne belongs to Brother Adric, and we are nothing but impostors."

"Adelaide!" Jasmine shouted her sister’s name in disbelief.

The younger princess raised her brows. "Why? You don’t want to hear the truth? Mother was raised from the lowest handmaid to become queen. Adric was already the sole heir to the throne. Walter and Kai, in your dreams, sister, will they take the throne," Adelaide fired back, staring unblinkingly at her mother and sister.

Gwen stopped talking. She staggered backward to fall on the couch, bouncing up in the process. The woman’s shoulders fell; she was really disappointed.

"We are impostors, yes, but that doesn’t mean we can stay back without a fight. I mean, even a mouse fights when cornered." Adelaide raised her gown, dusting the couch before she sat down.

"I have a better plan, only if you want to listen."

Gwen inhaled deeply. "I’m listening," she said with her eyes closed.

Jasmine turned to look at her mother, who was willing to listen after all the insults. "Mother?"

"Jasmine, shut up," it was Adelaide this time.

"Don’t you dare—"

Adelaide scoffed. "Dare what? If only you had married someone from a better family, our chances would have increased. But then who? A pervert was all you could think of, and yet he is not enough. You do not have any right to feel insulted."

Jasmine gripped her gown, her jaw tightening. "I won’t stay here and get insulted by you," she said, storming out of the room.

"One less dumb person," Adelaide muttered. "Mother, you need to push your ego aside. Now is not the time for it. Maybe after you get the throne."

Gwen nodded. "What do you suggest I do?"

"We have lots of plans to tap into, but the first is Adric’s wife. She doesn’t have anyone to trust yet. She needs a boat to join in the palace. I can’t suggest for you to be the boat because she would suspect. I’ll take care of it myself. You should handle Father’s birthday."

Gwen raised her eyes. "What will be my role?"

"First, lay low. Don’t torment Princess Oriana. I heard she took your slaves; let it be. Also," Adelaide went to sit close to her mother and whispered to her.

Gwen’s eyes widened with surprise. "Wow! When did you think of all this?"

"While you were sleeping, I guess," Adelaide replied, going back to her chair.

Gwen smiled, with a more relaxed expression on her face. "What about Jasmine?"

"Don’t worry, I’ll take care of her. Just do what you have to. But remember, Mother, I’m only in your boat until I see it’s not going to sink."