[Music Recommendation: 6.6 Gigue ~ Peter Gregson & Richard Harwood ]

Adric walked towards his father’s room, where he knew his old man was waiting for him.

"Son, come share a drink with me," Fidelis said, sensing his son’s presence.

Adric pushed his cup forward, his father filled it wine. Adric raised the cup and took a sip. "Heard your chest hurts more these days," he said, placing the cup on the table.

King Fidelis chuckled, "And you have refused to visit me? Was that why you decided to get married without even informing me?"

The young Crown Prince smiled, "You already have your wife giving you all attention. I didn’t want her to feel I was trying to take not just the throne but also her husband from her."

"I know you hate me for taking another wife after your mother. But with time, you’ll get to understand the decisions I made," Fidelis remarked, taking another sip from his drink.

Adric hummed, reclining on his chair. "It should be nothing deep. You needed to keep your bed warm at night. I understand that much," and his father laughed, shaking his head slightly.

"Always straightforward. Just like your mother. You know, even on her sick bed, she asked me not to choose a wife prettier than her," Fidelis commented, remembering the days he spent with his first wife. Those were the happy days of his life.

Adric nodded. "Mother can say that," he replied. "You should stop drinking now," he took the cup of wine away from his father.

"Do you love her?" Fidelis asked his son, his voice now sounding distant.

Adric stared at his father for a minute. "Since when did we get married around here for love?"

"I promised Charlotte. I told her you wouldn’t be forced to take a wife just because it was convenient for the kingdom. She said she wanted you to experience true love. That was why I didn’t bother you all these years because I wanted you to make the right choice," The King said, trying to inhale when a cough that shook his whole body erupted.

Adric stood up quickly, pouring water in a cup before giving it to his father. He waited for him to drink before he placed the cup back on the table. "Mother should know that it was only a daydream if we marry for love. That she fell in love with you was only her luck." Adric said with a small smile.

"Oriana is the right choice when it comes to someone stable enough to fight for the throne with me. All she needs is a little push,"

Fidelis sighed, "You don’t have to fight for the throne. It’s always been your birthright and it’ll be here for you. No matter what Gwen does, the throne is yours."

"If you had said that when your health was great, I would believe." Adric smiled, "Don’t worry about me father, I don’t think love is something I’m worried about right now,"

The King stood up from his chair, walking towards his bed with the help of his son. "That’s fine, as long as I get to see my grandchildren before I meet your mother. I need to tell your mother something when I go to meet her, else she might send me back," both father and son laughed.

Adric tucked his father in bed, "You’re not going anywhere. Rest well," he blew off the candle before leaving the room where his personal guard was waiting outside. "I’m listening,"

Rowan bowed, "I have asked all the maids, nobody knows who picked out the dress for her," he informed.

Adric nodded, there were a lot of persons in the list who would have made that dress available for Oriana. It was the first step to humiliate her. Earlier during dinner, he noticed Jasmine’s husband looking at Oriana; that was when he noticed the nature of her dress. Though Oriana was hungry, he couldn’t let her be a feast for the lecherous in-law. A move was already made on Oriana on her first night. Adric smiled. He didn’t need to know who it was; he just needed to be ready.

"What about what I asked for?" Adric asked.

Rowan pointed, "I left it in the kitchen," the crown prince walked towards the kitchen where the tray of food was placed. He carried it himself to the room Oriana was in; he knocked two times, but there was no answer. He opened the door and walked inside.

Oriana laid there, sleeping soundly with her body curled up like a small ball on the bed. She slept almost at the edge of the bed, making Adric wonder who she left the rest of the space for.

Adric placed the tray of food on her table, then he walked towards the bed where the princess was now sleeping. He stared at her for some time; the girl needed to be strong for what she was about to face. Adric’s family could go to any extent or level just to bring him down, and now she was a target. Standing there for a few more seconds, he turned and left the room.

----------

Far away from Avon, inside the great palace of Orion, the royal family sat in their dining room, enjoying their breakfast.

"Oriana should be with her husband now, right? After all, their wedding night is already consummated." Sophie asked, thinking about how Oriana would react with that old man.

Saline glared at her daughter, "I won’t say this again, shut up Sophie." The woman warned. She already felt bad that she gave up her child like that; she didn’t want a reminder that she was a bad mother.

"We should get ready. If Valonia invites us for the wedding, we need to be prepared and make all the necessary arrangements," King Curtis said, chewing his food slowly.

Sophie nodded in agreement, "What about me, now that Oriana is officially married? It’s time for me to settle down, don’t you think so mother?"

Saline exhaled. She hadn’t been able to touch her breakfast. A part of her was feeling torn; how could she let her own daughter marry someone older than her father? It was for the kingdom, but still...

"Good morning Your Majesty, Princess Sophie," Bessie walked inside the dining room, bowing deeply.

Sophie smiled, "Bessie, a fine morning to you," she chirped.

"A letter from Avon just arrived at the palace this morning," the maid stretched her hand forward, revealing the sealed letter from Avon.

Sophie pushed her chair back, with a loud shriek, "I knew it! The Crown Prince won’t be able to sleep peacefully after seeing my face." She ran to take the letter, placing it on her chest. She looked up, muttering a prayer of happiness.

Saline and her husband turned to look at each other. Then the Queen asked, "What does the letter say?"

Sophie tore the paper that held the letter, then she took out the brown parchment.

’It’s an honor to invite the entire royal family of Orion. To properly discuss the marriage between The Crown Prince of Avon and the Crown Princess of Orion. Please honor this invitation as a family discussion would be needed before the wedding proper,’

Sophie couldn’t contain her excitement, "A wedding proper, Bessie am I dreaming?"

"No, My princess, you’re awake," The maid replied with a bow.

"I am getting married to the Crown Prince of Avon!!" Sophie shouted, raising the letter up with great happiness.