[Music Recommendation: Castle of Glass ~ GnuS Cello]

"I’m sure they’ll be okay. I trust General Malcolm; he always returns victoriously." Louis patted Oriana gently on the back. His expression was a mix of pity and worry as he watched the young queen, who had just bid farewell to her husband.

Oriana pressed her lips, struggling to muster even a shred of faith. Something felt off, especially after the ritual mistress’s ominous gesture. She didn’t want to jinx Adric’s mission with too much worry, so she kept her concerns hidden. With a small sigh, she turned to enter the palace.

Freya and Louis exchanged a concerned glance. They wanted to lift Oriana’s spirits, even if only for a moment.

"With the Queen’s army, I’m sure everything will end quickly, and we won’t lose any men. Isn’t that right, Pa?" Freya nudged her father.

Louis nodded, "Yes, that’s exactly what I said. The King will return before sunrise tomorrow."

"I wouldn’t be so sure about that," a voice replied to Louis, but this time it wasn’t Oriana. Even Oriana paused in her steps, turning her face to see who it was.

Adelaide smiled, walking gracefully towards Oriana. The smile on her face dripped with malice. "I mean, I have heard about the warriors of Eridor. They’re not ones for you to write off lightly."

Oriana raised her brows, confused for many reasons. Firstly, Adelaide had left the palace with Nicholas after announcing their wedding, and there was no news of her return.

"Princess Adelaide, you were not present for the war rituals, and here you are, not giving support to your own kingdom. Who are you trying to instill fear in?" Oriana asked, her lips set in a thin line.

Adelaide chuckled, waving her hands dismissively. "You? I mean, our soldiers are all gone now. So if anyone feels that I’m instilling fear, then it’s you, Your Majesty," she gave Oriana a small bow, while still looking at her straight in the eyes. There was nothing respectful about the bow; the princess made sure Oriana saw it. She continued,

"And as for my husband and I, we left the palace to get some air. We only just returned not long ago, and my brother knows how I always wish him well."

Oriana clenched her fists at both sides, knowing fully well the princess was trying to strike a nerve with the manner in which she spoke to her, but she was not ready to get angry when Adric had just left the palace.

"Congratulations on your wedding. I’m sorry we couldn’t celebrate you; everyone in the palace needs to stand on their toes until my husband and the armies return safely." Oriana’s voice had authority as she spoke, and she made sure her shoulder was raised with pride while looking at the princess in the eyes.

Adelaide rolled her eyes, putting her finger in her ears as if clearing out what Oriana was saying, "When you talk like this, it makes you look like a real Queen." She muttered to herself but her words were clearly delivered and heard.

"How dare you talk to Her Majesty in such a manner!" Freya stepped forward trying to defend the queen, but her face met with a slap that made her lose her balance. Louis quickly rushed over to his daughter to help her stand.

Adelaide inhaled deeply, pushing her head back, "This is what happens when you let people with tainted blood sit on the throne. Rats like you dare to speak to a royal princess?"

Oriana’s eyes moved from Freya, who was still getting her balance, and she noticed the pink finger imprint on the girl’s face. She raised her eyes to look at Adelaide, knowing fully well the princess was talking about the story behind her birth.

The urge to drag Adelaide’s hair and rip it apart, making sure she had her fill of the sand, raged in Oriana’s mind, but she found herself smiling calmly.

"Princess Adelaide, it’s a surprise to see this side of you. It is not up to a day since Adric left and what? You’re calling his wife so many names. Makes me wonder how long you’ve been looking at me like that." Oriana walked towards Freya. Helping the girl stand properly, she removed the dust on her dress.

"I mean, considering you were the first to offer your hand in friendship to me in the palace. Does that make you a two-faced princess? I mean, that would be shameful." Oriana raised Freya’s face, moving it to the side as she examined the mark on the girl’s face.

Adelaide gritted her teeth. She had expected Oriana to come at her with a fight. It was the only way to prove to the ministers that the queen was behaving crudely because of the commoner’s blood running in her veins. Oriana’s action at the moment worried the princess.

"Princess Adelaide, I shall overlook your behavior today, attributing it to the euphoria of the wedding night, which can cloud one’s judgment. However, let this be clear; I will not tolerate any form of disrespect from you, whether it be your sharp words or laying hands on the servants. You will conduct yourself with the dignity and decorum befitting your status." Oriana turned to look at the princess, taking a step closer to her. She raised her hand to fix her sleeves then paused,

"Adelaide," Oriana’s voice turned low, she leaned in closer to the princess’s ear and whispered, "I’ve always known you to be cunning and calculating in your schemes, but when you behave impulsively like this, you remind me of a queen who was exiled for her rash decisions. Oh!"

Oriana covered her lips, which curled up into a sinister smile, "It’s a queen you know so well, one who shares a close familial bond with you. So I’m sure you know the tale well. Next time, make wiser choices, dear." Taking a step back, Oriana’s smile fell from her lips and she turned to Freya and Louis.

"Let’s go."

Adelaide was beyond stunned, standing there as if ice had been poured over her head. This was not the Oriana she had intended to meet. She was expecting the Oriana who would lose her cool without thinking and act carelessly.

All Adelaide could think about was how mistaken she was about the queen. Adric didn’t just choose anyone as his wife; he chose someone who could switch up perfectly for the sake of survival. And that was Oriana. There was more than meets the eye. Oriana was not just an easy queen.

As soon as Oriana was inside the palace, far from the princess, she closed her eyes and inhaled deeply. She was never one to act this level-headed, especially when someone was openly poking her.

"That was amazing." Freya raised her thumb up. "I was so happy to see the princess get thrashed with just words."

Oriana turned to look at the girl, "I’m so sorry, Freya, I couldn’t protect you." And to Louis she said, "Sorry you had to watch your daughter get hit."

Louis, who had been quiet all along, shook his head. "I understand, and it wasn’t your fault. I’m just worried, Your Majesty. That princess worries me."

Oriana chewed her lower lip, "Me too. If she’s acting this bold, that’s because she has something up her sleeves. I need to prepare if she tries anything." Oriana didn’t want to bother Adric as he had just left.

"You two, be careful. I’m sure her target will be people that work for me. Just stay low and return to me if you hear anything."

Freya and Louis bowed, "Yes, Your Majesty."

"Go ahead with your duties," Oriana said with a faint, reassuring smile before she turned and walked away towards her own chambers. The day had barely reached its midpoint since Adric’s departure, yet the air was already thick with tension. This weighed heavily on Oriana’s mind.