[Music Recommendation: Pulling A Thread ~ Kerry Muzzey, Andrew Skeet & The Chamber Orchestra Of London]

Gwen sat on her couch sipping tea from a very small cup. When she put down her cup, she smiled. "Jasmine left the palace?" she asked her other daughter who had come to visit her.

Adelaide nodded, "She was getting ready to leave when I was on my way here, so I’m sure she must have left by now. And father left with her," the princess informed.

Gwen threw her head back and laughed out loud like something was funny. When she stopped, she looked at the teacup in front of her. "I must have thought Adric was stupid when he took that girl as his wife. He had it all planned out, throwing me out, Jasmine. Getting his hands on the army. He was never a minor player to start with. He beat all of us."

Adelaide hated to agree with it, but she had no choice as it was obvious that they had lost. This time she didn’t know any comeback plan, and it was really eating her up inside to watch Oriana happy and comfortable.

"We won’t back down easily. We will need to do something, but this time a long-term plan, not something rash," Gwen started, "But before I start, I want to ask you something. Adelaide. Do you have a hand in what happened to your sister’s husband?"

Adelaide raised her face, looking at her mother, "No!"

"Truth, Adelaide. If I will help you, I need the truth," Gwen said, looking at her daughter with seriousness.

Adelaide exhaled, "Mother, Caspar was never the one for Jasmine. I just helped her by making him leave. He was sleeping with other women while married to Jasmine, but I wasn’t the one who killed him. Nicholas did, on my orders."

"The prime minister?" Gwen asked, and her daughter nodded. The woman smiled, "Then that’s beautiful. We have something against him. Adelaide, you’re going to get married to the prime minister."

Adelaide stood up, "What? No! He is just for fun, and I won’t marry him."

Gwen scowled, looking at her daughter. "You used to be rational and wise," she lifted her teacup and took a sip. "If Adric is to be dethroned, who do you think would have that power?"

"The prime minister," Adelaide muttered.

The former Queen nodded, "Good. Now, what do you think would happen in the case when a royal blood is married to the prime minister? Let me make it clear for you, daughter; the throne automatically becomes yours, and as for Nicholas, you can control him with this little secret of his."

Adelaide sat down quietly, contemplating the words her mother had just said, which were starting to make sense. "But what if we never dethrone brother Adric? We can’t deny that he is very capable."

Gwen tutted, "I did say it, losing has made you weak. Good thing that I am here to think properly for us. What do you think is a king’s greatest weakness? It’s distrust from his people. Adric not only married a girl with no class, but he brought to Avon thieves and bandits to terrorize the kingdom."

"But the soldiers are not-" Adelaide paused as if having a moment of awakening. She snapped her fingers, "And they are called the queen’s army. Oriana brought her kind to Avon after seducing Adric. This makes Adric look incapable of ruling the kingdom." The princess nodded.

Gwen smiled, "Now my daughter is back," she nodded before she continued, "Once the entire kingdom doubts his method of ruling, that is when you and your husband step in as saviors."

"Mother!" Adelaide exclaimed, "These few days of solitude have really helped you in a lot of ways."

Gwen relaxed her back on her couch, "For now, all you have to do is stay low, be on your best behavior, and always be seen in the village doing good work. But most importantly, keep your eyes on this new army. If anything, try to get close to them and know their routine, then report back to me. I will let you know when you should announce your wedding, but also talk to Nicholas about it."

Adelaide nodded, rubbing her palm together. She couldn’t wait to see the look on the face of Adric and Oriana when she takes over the palace. The mere thought filled her whole body with energy and she grinned.

Meanwhile, at the palace, Adric went to the base camp where the soldiers were training. He saw the general practicing with some of his men. When Malcolm saw the king, he dismissed the soldiers and went to greet Adric.

"Your Majesty," General Malcolm bowed, "Welcome to our session. Please come inside."

Adric followed the man inside the tent. He sat down on a small chair where he could see what was happening outside. "I see your soldiers still train with their old weapons. I made some new weapons ready for them."

Malcolm bowed, "Thank you so much, your majesty, but my men are used to their old weapons. But I will let them know about your kindness."

Adric hummed thoughtfully. Just by looking at the general, he could already see how wise and well-versed the man was with everything concerning war. "I would also want you to train some of the soldiers of Avon. I’ve seen you fight, and I know you’re capable, I mean if that’s not going to be a burden."

"You flatter me so much; I have heard of you too and how skillful you are on the battlefield," Malcolm praised. "I will do my best in training the soldiers of Avon. Your Majesty."

Adric pointed at the map on the table, "I hope we both use our skills to fight for what we wish to protect, hoping not to lose any of our men."

"Hoping not to lose any of our men," the general agreed. As they were talking, they heard a cheering noise outside the tent as the soldiers celebrated.

Adric, being curious, stood up to see what was happening, "What is going on?"

Malcolm pointed, "That? We usually have this game during our training. Anyone that wins gets to visit the village and explore all parts, doing whatever they want. It’s just something I do to encourage them, but not to worry. I make sure they don’t cause trouble. My men are well trained."

"Hm, I see." Adric watched how the men looked excited with the simple idea of going out to the village, but something about it just didn’t sit well with him. He decided to let it be so as not to ruin the men’s happiness as they needed to be satisfied to fight for the kingdom.