[Music Recommendation: I See Red ~ Everybody Loves An Outlaw]

The next morning in the palace was so bright with morning rays that warmed the entire room. Breakfast was served with most member of the royal family present.

When Oriana arrived at the table and Adric wasn’t there, she turned her head to look at the door every minute to see when he would step in.

"Princess Oriana, how are you doing this morning?" King Fidelis asked as soon as he entered the dining room.

Everyone stood up and bowed to the king until he was seated before they all sat down.

"I bet she has gotten the hang of all of it now. Right?" Gwen didn’t raise her face to look at Oriana. She continued with her food.

Oriana nodded. "I feel better now. I’m sorry if I had everyone worried." Her words were directed especially to the King, who gave her a warm smile.

"So, Father, she feels better now. Can we go ahead with the hunting game today? We can’t stop it all just because she almost drowned, which was her mistake," Jasmine dropped her spoon harshly on the plate.

Oriana raised her face with a furrowed brow. She had been trying to stay calm around here because she had nobody to trust. But then, she didn’t like the way this princess spoke to her like they weren’t the same age.

"It wasn’t my mistake."

Everyone stopped eating when they heard Oriana speak.

Jasmine cleared her throat; she wasn’t expecting a reply. The princess looked clearly like someone who could be pushed around with a few words.

"What do you mean it wasn’t your mistake? Hold on, are you saying—"

"Yes," Oriana interjected. "Someone startled my horse from behind, and now you brought up the conversation. I would like to know who it was."

Fidelis relaxed in his chair, the corner of his lips tugging in the process. He had never seen this part of the princess before; now he understood why Adric chose her. She wasn’t a pushover at all. The girl could take care of herself anywhere, but she had been stressed these past few days. Now that she was getting comfortable, she was being herself.

The same reaction came from Gwen’s side, but she was shocked. She raised her face to make sure it was still the princess who was talking.

"Father!" Jasmine exclaimed, "She’s clearly accusing us of doing something to her horse."

Oriana chuckled. "Us? Do you mean to say you saw something but didn’t do it? Because sincerely, you’re my first suspect. You’ve never liked me since I entered the palace."

Jasmine pushed her chair back and stood up. "I never liked you, but that doesn’t mean I’ll do something to hurt you. I’m not someone like that."

"Then do you know someone like that?" Oriana fired back, cornering the princess. Adric had promised to protect her, but when he wasn’t there, she needed to take care of herself too. She was a survivor.

Nicholas, who had been quiet, cleared his throat. He didn’t know this side of the princess existed, and it came as a surprise.

"Princess Oriana, maybe you’re still stressed from yesterday’s ordeal and need rest," he intervened.

Jasmine nodded in agreement. "Yes, maybe she did hit her head somewhere."

Oriana covered her mouth to stop her laugh from echoing in the dining room. "Was that the plan? Princess Jasmine, to have me hit my head somewhere. Tell me more."

"Mother!" Jasmine turned to look at her mother for help, "Can you help me out here?"

Oriana exhaled. "Was that what happened yesterday? Did she help you out yesterday?"

"What rubbish!" Gwen dropped her spoon. "Fidelis, are you seeing the reason why I asked for her not to be married into this family? She clearly had to pretend all this while, but now that she’s fully married, her true colors are out in the open."

Fidelis nodded; he couldn’t agree more. Somehow he loved these new true colors that he was seeing. It was the princess he met back at Orion, the sly smile, and the glint of mischief was back in her eyes. They had woken Oriana up.

"What true colors? I’m going to say the same for the royal family. I had high regard... or wait, that was only for the King," Oriana turned to Fidelis and bowed with a smile. "Your Majesty."

"Father! Mother!" Jasmine shook her head in disbelief.

Adelaide stopped eating her food to now look at the princess very well. This wasn’t what she expected. She chuckled, remembering that Adric had his reasons for choosing this particular princess.

"Princess Oriana, I think you should—" Nicholas tried to be an intercessor again, but Oriana cut him short.

"Lord Nicholas, when you put it that way, it’s almost as if you don’t want to find the culprit. Do you not know the saying that once you find an attacker, your pain reduces to the minimum?" Oriana raised her brows with a serious look on her face before it disappeared, turning into a smile.

Nicholas stopped talking and brought his hand down. Meanwhile, Caspar, who was also at the table, was intrigued and captivated by the princess. He was almost grinning from ear to ear.

"Father, we should go ahead with the hunting game. The princess is fine," Jasmine suggested, still fuming with anger that she was accused of something she didn’t do.

Oriana nodded. "I agree, but this time Princess Jasmine should be put in charge of my safety. If anything should happen to me, then I was correct all along. I’m fine with the hunting being today; we can agree to that."

"Me? I barely even watch over Kai and Walter. I have maids feed them. Why would I do that for you?" Jasmine pointed out.

Oriana shrugged her shoulders. "Isn’t it obvious? I’m teaching you how to be a great mother."

"Heavens!" Jasmine shouted, ready to curse at Oriana when the lady-in-waiting announced.

"His highness has arrived."

Oriana gulped, bringing her legs together when she heard that Adric was coming inside. She had started talking because she thought he wouldn’t join for breakfast. He always skipped breakfast with his family.

Adric entered the room and noticed the tension. He turned to look at Oriana; she was calmly eating her food while Jasmine looked cross.

"Am I interrupting something?"

Fidelis shook his head. "You’re not, son. Please come sit." He called his son to sit beside him.

The moment Adric moved his chair to sit beside Oriana, she bit her lips. Her palms turned sweaty as her heart started beating fast again.

"Brother Adric, do you know the type of woman you got married to? She has been disguising herself to be calm all this while," Jasmine reported. "Tell him everything you said now."

Adric hummed, turning his face to look at Oriana. "What did you say?"

Oriana dropped her spoon, trying not to look at Adric’s face so she wouldn’t stutter. "I was explaining to the princess that someone tried to hurt me yesterday, and I don’t trust anyone with the hunting today."

"That wasn’t how she said it. Everyone was here. She clearly accused me of—"

Adric waved his hand, stopping his sister from speaking any further. "It’s okay, Jasmine. Princess Oriana really had a tough time yesterday, and she’s not feeling so well. I’ve already pushed the hunting to tomorrow until she’s better."

"She is better! Look at her face; she’s better," Jasmine turned around looking for help, but nobody said anything to her.

Adric turned, moving Oriana’s face to the side. "She’s red; how is this better? I think you stress her a lot, Jasmine. She can’t even eat her food."

Oriana held her breath when Adric touched her face. His fingers were so warm and comforting that she wanted more of it. Her face flushed, sending blood to her cheeks. It was broad daylight, so she couldn’t hide it. She coughed to prove that she was sick.

"Sweet holy lamb!" Jasmine held her chest in total shock.

Adric turned with his lips set in a thin line. "Enough, Jasmine. I know you don’t like her, but please, that’s enough." Turning to Oriana, he stretched his hand forward to take hers.

"You don’t have to eat here if it makes you uncomfortable. Let’s go."

Oriana pushed her chair back and followed Adric. Before she turned to leave, she gave Jasmine a small smile.

"Did you all see that? Mother!" Jasmine shouted, touching her head to stop the headache that was now rising.

Gwen sighed. "Shut up and sit down, Jasmine."