[Music Recommendation: For Whom The Fire Burns (Winterscape remix)~ Phildel]

Rowan knocked twice on Adric’s door, and it was opened. He walked inside with a tray that had a jug filled with alcohol and a small cup beside it. He placed it on the table in front of Adric.

"Your Highness," he bowed, taking a step back.

Adric waved his hand. "I don’t need my guard but friend now now. Sit, let’s share a drink," he muttered with a small sigh. Rowan sat on the other couch.

"Let me pour you a drink," Adric said, raising the jug. He poured the wine into two of the cups, taking one before Rowan proceeded to take the other. In silence, both men sipped their wine without saying anything, Adric’s eyes staring at nothing in particular. When he finally blinked, he asked, "What about the King?"

Rowan cleared his throat. "He has retired to his chambers. I made sure everything he would need is made available."

Adric nodded. "That’s great," he said, taking another sip from his drink.

"Do you think His Majesty isn’t aware?" Rowan asked, taking the jug to add extra wine to his cup.

The Crown Prince smiled, relaxing his back comfortably on the couch. "You mean about Gwen’s promiscuity?" His brown eyes moved lazily from the cup to the dim lantern that was burning slowly, giving little light to the room. "He is, in fact, very much aware. But he just doesn’t talk about it; he takes it as a punishment for marrying another woman."

Rowan nodded with a low sigh. "I saw the Princess on my way here," he informed Adric, having seen Oriana speaking with the prime minister earlier.

"Did he now?" Adric drawled after listening to what Rowan said. He rubbed his temples gently.

"Give me the orders on what to do, and I’ll carry it out," Rowan bowed, but Adric shook his head.

"Oriana isn’t one to tame that way. I know exactly how to handle her. She’s still too overwhelmed and unsure how to handle everything happening in her life. I’ll help her with directions." Adric replied, standing up and starting to walk to his bed.

Rowan quickly stood up. He noticed how Adric wasn’t able to move one of his hands properly. "Are you sure you can use your hand for tomorrow’s training? I can cancel it until you feel better."

"I’m good, no need to cancel it. It’s been long since Nicholas and I sparred." Adric pulled off his shoes and rested on the bed with his hand over his head and his eyes closed.

Rowan stared at the Crown Prince for a moment. He always appeared to be someone carefree, who didn’t bother one bit about his family. But most of the time, all the prince worried about was his father and how to make sure the throne didn’t leave their lineage. He did everything in his power to ensure the dignity of the family was never tainted, with so many persons out to take the crown away from the Galgani.

"About the princess," Rowan started, "why did you choose her to be your wife?"

Adric opened his eyes, moving his hand down, and smiled. "Why? You’ll see," he replied.

Seeing that Adric was no longer in the mood to talk, Rowan bowed, blew out the lantern, and left the room quietly.

Outside, on the other side of the palace, Saline sat all alone, with tears streaming down her face. She was so lost in thought that she didn’t notice someone walking up behind her until the person cleared their throat.

"Ah!" Saline gasped, holding her chest. She quickly used the back of her hand to wipe her tears.

The princess who had come to join the woman bowed. "I’m sorry if I scared you. I was surprised to see someone here. This is the spot I usually sit to get my thoughts together."

Saline raised her brows. She didn’t know who the person was, but the young girl was dressed like a royal.

"I’m Princess Adelaide. I was there with my family earlier, but I guess you didn’t notice because of the little commotion," Adelaide said with a sweet smile that softened Saline’s heart.

"Nice to meet you. I didn’t know there was another princess. I only met the other one with the little boy," Saline replied.

Adelaide nodded. "Yes, that would be my elder sister, Jasmine," she replied, sitting beside Saline. "You look like you have a lot on your mind."

Saline sighed. For sure, she had a lot she wanted to talk about, but it wouldn’t be to a princess of another kingdom. Though for some reason, she felt comfortable around this princess. "I’m just feeling a little under the weather. I’m sure it’s the change of environment or the long journey to Avon."

Adelaide nodded in agreement. "That is why I hate leaving my home. I would never go to a place that isn’t my home," she chimed.

Saline chuckled. "You’re a princess; definitely, you’ll be getting married someday," the princess nodded.

"Definitely, but it doesn’t mean I have to leave my home. I will just make sure my roots are deep enough so that I can’t be pulled out," Adelaide smiled brightly, so much so that Saline didn’t know when she joined her in smiling.

"That’s a strong theory," Saline said, holding her chest to stop herself from coughing.

Adelaide stood up immediately. "I should get you something warm. I’ll be right back."

"You don’t have to; I’m fine," Saline tried to stop the girl, but she shook her head.

"I insist." Adelaide walked back inside the palace, her steps poised and steady.

Saline sighed. For a moment, she wished the girl was her daughter. Her presence gave her a sense of peace and security, which she longed for. Unlike her other two daughters, where one was dumb and the other was just trouble.

"Mother!" Sophie’s voice was heard, and Saline exhaled. Speaking of the dumb one.

"There you are. Since you have refused to give me my husband, I have decided to play the last card I can use," Sophie said, with her hands folded on her chest.

Saline touched her neck, trying to relieve her stress. "What is wrong with you, Sophie? Now, what card are you talking about?"

"The card just you and Father know about. I’m going to tell everyone the secret behind Oriana’s birth."

Saline stood up. "You wouldn’t dare!" The woman gripped her hands tightly at her sides.

"You know I will because I can. So, unless you don’t want the whole world hearing such, make sure I get to be the one marrying Prince Adric," Sophie threatened.

Filled with rage, Saline raised her hand to slap her daughter just as Princess Adelaide arrived with the tea. Not knowing someone was behind her, Saline knocked over the tea.

"Are you okay, Your Majesty?" Adelaide shouted, her voice laced with worry.

Saline waved her hands dismissively. "It’s okay, I’m fine." She turned to her daughter, "Look, Sophie, we will talk about this tomorrow. Don’t do anything stupid," Saline warned, walking away from there.

Sophie scowled. "You better do something about it!"

Adelaide turned to look at the princess. With a smile on her face, she sat on her knees to pick up the cup. "It seems you told your mother something that had her startled," the princess said gracefully, picking up the teacup from the ground.

"Of course," Sophie smirked. "I have a secret that could bring all of them down! All of them!"

Adelaide raised her face. "Is that so? You must be the most loved to have such a secret in your keep."

Sophie raised her shoulders high. She loved to hear her own trumpets sound loudly. It didn’t matter if she knew who was blowing it. She smiled. "Definitely the beloved. Why do you think my mother does everything I tell her?"

Adelaide nodded in agreement. "I mean, I even noticed it. If you ask me, I think being brother Adric’s wife suits you even better," she finally stood up, dusting the sand from the cup.

Hearing that she was more suitable to be Adric’s wife made Sophie’s head roll on a wheel. "I know that too, which is why I wouldn’t hesitate to bring them all down if I don’t get my rightful position."

"Indeed, the position only belongs to you. And if I may ask, who would this secret of yours affect the most? I’m not really interested to know," Adelaide threw the hook, the line, and the sinker!

Sophie sneered. "You deserve to know. Someone like you with the eyes of knowing a true queen. It’s a secret concerning Oriana’s birth..."

"Princess Oriana?" Adelaide asked with a wide smile that reached her eyes, causing her brown eyes to shine. "If it’s not too much trouble for a sweet soul like you then, let’s hear this secret."