[Music Recommendation: Western Nights ~ Ethel Cain]

Nicholas sat in his work chair, where a dim lantern cast the shadow of his head on the parchment he was reading. He tried to concentrate on what he was reading but failed because every time he tried, all he could hear was,

"She said that to me!" Adelaide cursed, her body trembling with suppressed anger. "That low filthy-born! Sitting on the throne has made her think she’s one of us?" The princess scoffed.

The room became quiet again. Nicholas, thinking that it was over, raised the parchment to continue reading when Adelaide started again, this time with her hands on her waist.

"I knew it was going to be this way the moment she became Queen. I can’t wait to drag her down from that throne. Let me see her smile again," Adelaide paced back and forth inside the room. "You’re not going to say anything about her?"

Nicholas finally raised his face, a glint of disgust that faded almost immediately as he looked at the woman he had agreed to marry all because he wanted to have Oriana beside him. It was a matter of time before he would get what he wanted.

"This is a letter from the soldiers laying ambush for Adric and his men. They have only one path they will take since Valonia has been conquered and the route there has been covered with water. We lay ambush for them at that place," Nicholas raised the parchment he was holding, "They will be attacked soon, so wait patiently. Even if the attackers fail, I have someone working for me among the soldiers. We can’t suddenly try to dethrone a sitting king without reasons."

Adelaide raised her brows, her eyes shining with excitement. She quickly grabbed the parchment and read the words slowly,

"Then we kill the king-" Raising her face, she asked, "You want to kill brother Adric? That wasn’t the plan. I just wanted him to be injured badly so he can’t rule again, then we take over. Killing him is a bit-"

Nicholas’s brows creased together, a frown written on his forehead. "Was what you wanted not to punish Oriana for looking down on you? And you think you can do that with Adric alive? I guess you don’t know what your brother is capable of,"

Adelaide opened her mouth to talk, then closed it back. She knew her ambition for the throne was paramount, but her intentions didn’t involve killing Adric.

"He is still my brother,"

Nicholas tapped his finger on the table, "Half-brother and he exiled your mother shamefully. Why are you making me look like the bad person, Princess Adelaide? You wanted this. You asked for me to do this,"

After they had announced their wedding, Adelaide and Nicholas left the palace to meet a smaller kingdom. With the promise of sending them quality salt and silk when Adelaide becomes Queen, they were told to lay an ambush for Adric before he even gets to the battlefield. That way, the royal court won’t have any choice but to give the crown to Nicholas since he married a princess and Oriana his concubine since she didn’t bear an heir for Adric.

It was all a clean plan from the start, and Nicholas was the most excited for it. He couldn’t wait to have Oriana in his bed.

"I know. Well, just don’t tell me when it happens," Adelaide mused, "I mean, brother Adric had it coming when he cast his family aside just to protect that girl."

Nicholas nodded, "I will make sure the soldiers get proof that will be believable when shown to the ministers."

Adelaide chewed her lips thoughtfully. Even if the plan doesn’t work, she still had Nicholas to take the fall. All she had to do was accuse him of forcing her to go against her family. Either way, her hands were still clean in the matter.

"You’re right. We need something believable. I’ll be going to my room now." She reached for the door, pushed it open, and exited the room.

Nicholas watched as the princess left the room. Then he stood up from his chair. Making his way to the door, he locked it shut and picked up the parchment the girl had left on the floor.

"Always so predictable," he said to himself, a sly smile spreading across his face as he thought of Adelaide, who had foolishly believed all this while to be the master and him the puppet. He walked slowly towards the fireplace, his eyes fixed on the flames. "Your royal blood is nothing but a tool for me to exploit," he muttered, his voice low.

Nicholas watched with fascination as the brown paper succumbed to the fire’s embrace, folding in on itself like a fragile secret.

. . .

Meanwhile, far away from the palace, Adric and his men continued on their journey. With the arrival of dusk, the King gave orders for them to rest. A tent was built in the middle of the forest with soldiers setting a small fire that made crackling sounds at the center, casting its warm glow on the soldiers. Some stood watch while others reserved their strength by sleeping.

Inside one of the tents, Adric sat on the low chair with his eyes closed. He imagined Oriana’s smiles and her childish behavior every time she was around him. It was an image he would give anything just to see at the moment. He stood, taking a walk outside to see if the soldiers were comfortable. There he saw that some of them had already formed a group, roasting something at the fireplace.

"Your Majesty," the soldiers quickly stood up to bow the moment they saw Adric.

"As you were, it’s time for you to rest. So take your time," Adric suggested with a smile, and the soldiers bowed gratefully, going back to roasting the meat they had caught.

Adric looked around the area. The forest seemed peaceful, and the spot they had picked to rest was hidden from people’s eyes, which would give them an advantage in seeing any attackers. With a deep sigh, Adric raised his face, looking at the starry night sky, and a smile formed on his lips.

He remembered Oriana’s words, ’No matter where we are, our sky will still be the same.’

"I hope you’re safe, Ana," Adric muttered. Since he left the palace, he tried to push behind him what the ritual mistress had said earlier. Inhaling deeply the fresh night breeze, Adric turned to return to his tent when he saw Rowan and Malcolm walking in his direction.

The two men bowed in respect. General Malcolm was the first to speak, "We have scouted the areas and found nothing ahead. Before the first break of light, we’ll be on our way."

"What path are we taking?" Adric asked.

Malcolm turned to look at Rowan, then he replied, "The one we agreed on before leaving Avon."

Adric twitched his lips, his brows slightly furrowed. "And the path that leads to Valonia?"

"I met with one of the local hunters, and he said it has been raining for the past few days, so it’s only covered with water. If we take that path, then we can’t go with the horses," Rowan informed dutifully.

Adric tapped his finger on his lips, "I want you both to think like our adversaries now. If you’re my enemy and you know there’s only one path for me to take, what will you do?"

"Lay an ambush," Malcolm replied, raising his eyes in realization. "But the only ones who know the path we are taking are the soldiers."

Adric nodded, looking at the soldiers who were now resting. It broke his heart that he had to doubt his men even for a second, but that was the life of a king. He had to live every moment like it was his last, especially when he was out on the battlefield. That was the only way for him to return back to Oriana. Alive.

"General Malcolm, take the soldiers through the Valonian path," Adric whispered, his eyes scanning the surroundings cautiously. "Rowan and I will ride through the original route we planned, taking the horses. Let’s rendezvous at the border, just shy of the frontline. Keep this arrangement between us three, understood?"

Malcolm bowed his head, "Yes, Your Majesty."

As he did, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of admiration for the young King. The King’s wise decisions, some of which even Malcolm hadn’t considered, demonstrated a level of strategic thinking that belied his age. Despite being younger than many of the soldiers he commanded, the King’s experience and instincts put Malcolm at ease.

The general felt confident that his men were in capable hands and that the King’s leadership would bring them victory.