Inside one of the rooms in the palace, Curtis fixed his shirt while brushing his hair back. Gwen was still on the bed, her body covered with the sheets. She stretched her hand forward, grabbing a pack of cigarettes. Taking one stick, she lit it and puffed smoke.

"Are you really going to let Oriana be the future Queen of Avon?" Gwen asked, placing the cigarette on her lips with her eyes on Curtis.

Curtis shrugged his shoulders. "We already made the mistake; we can’t admit that we lied. Remember when Oriana lied, she had to face extreme punishment. We just have to play along for now."

Gwen nodded. "It’s okay. I’ll see what I can do to make sure she doesn’t get married to Adric," she muttered. Not because she was trying to help her bedwarmer, but because she needed a puppet she could control, and Oriana wasn’t that.

Curtis turned after fixing his hair, a smile etched on his face. "You know it’s still to our advantage either way. We both will have enough time to be with each other, so there’s no need to worry about others. Don’t you think?" Gwen rolled her eyes and nodded.

"You’re right, but also we need to make sure Sophie becomes Queen too," she remarked, tapping the butt of the cigarette on the ashtray.

Curtis walked back to the bed. Leaning forward, he kissed Gwen’s neck. "I don’t mind as long as I get to enjoy this every time. And also, you’re becoming better, even younger," he muttered. After inhaling the scent from her, he stepped back.

Gwen chuckled. "Of course I am. Also, while you’re here, make sure you don’t touch that wife of yours." Curtis frowned as soon as his wife was mentioned.

"I regret even marrying her. I wish I had met you first," his voice sounded distant. Then, when he looked at Gwen, he started coming closer, but Gwen pushed him back.

"It’s okay for today. You need to go back to your room before someone notices your absence. I’ll try to stall the wedding so we can have enough time for ourselves," Gwen said, and Curtis nodded obediently before leaving the room. The woman sighed, resting on the bed. She puffed out another smoke, her eyes staring at the door.

"Idiot," was all she said.

Meanwhile, Oriana walked straight inside, heading to her room, but somehow she found herself standing in front of Adric’s door. She wanted to ask him if he was okay. She stood at the door for some minutes, wondering whether to go inside or just let him be. After standing there for a few seconds, she walked to her room.

The next morning was peaceful. The guests that had arrived yesterday joined the royal family for breakfast. This time, Adric joined in for the meal, and the table was arranged this way; Fidelis sat at one end of the table, and to his left was Gwen. Beside her were Jasmine and her two sons. Her husband was absent for breakfast.

On the right hand were Adric, and sitting beside him was Oriana, with Saline next to her husband. When the door opened, the two princesses, Adelaide and Sophie, walked inside, holding each other closely like best friends. Sophie paused in her steps when she saw Oriana sitting beside Adric. Everyone expected her to throw tantrums again, but she smiled and bowed slightly.

"Beautiful morning to everyone," her voice was sweet and calm. She followed Adelaide, sitting beside the princess. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

Oriana was a little surprised by Sophie’s behavior because it was unlike her to give up so easily. If she wanted something, she didn’t stop until she got it. Did something change last night? she asked herself.

"I’m glad to see that Princess Sophie is in a much better mood," Fidelis complimented with a small smile.

Sophie held her hand to her chest and laughed. "Your Majesty, please, I’m so ashamed of my display of irresponsible attitude yesterday. I hope everyone forgets about it," she bowed.

Jasmine, who was helping her first son place his spoon properly, raised her face to look at Sophie. "More like I’m preparing to do something crazier," she muttered to herself, but a few people heard it, including Sophie, who almost glared at the princess but held herself back.

"It’s true. Princess Sophie was with me yesterday, and she lamented how much she regretted her actions. She’s wishing both Brother Adric and Princess Oriana a happy married life," Adelaide chimed in with a small smile.

Oriana raised her brows. She didn’t believe any of that, but more importantly, she was wondering why Adric’s sister was involving herself with Sophie. She turned to look at Adric. He was yet to say anything to anyone but was calmly eating his breakfast.

Oriana’s eyes followed his movement. His hands looked like they were in good condition. Maybe she was just worried for no reason. She looked away from him, her eyes falling on Gwen and then her father. She wondered if both of them had met last night. Then she shrugged her shoulders and decided not to worry about anything. Oriana pushed her chair closer to continue eating, but then her hand mistakenly pushed Adric’s cup, and they both reached out to hold it at the same time. Oriana, in the rush, hit Adric’s hand and noticed a change in his expression.

"Are you okay?" Oriana asked, seeing Adric pick up the cup with his right hand instead of the left, which he had stretched forward. Without answering Oriana’s question, he continued eating.

When Adric finished eating, he dabbed his mouth with the napkin and stood up to leave the table, bowing only to his father before he walked out.

"Brother Adric is so quiet this morning," Jasmine said, chewing her rice slowly.

Fidelis nodded. "Yes, you know today is the Combat of the court between him and the ministers," the King replied.

Jasmine clapped her hands together. "That’s true. Let’s eat quickly so we can go watch."

"Combat of the Court?" Sophie beat Oriana to the question she was going to ask. Adelaide nodded. Dropping her spoon, she cleaned her mouth with a napkin.

"It’s a duel with ministers of the court to also train the warriors at the same time, showing the ministers why the Crown Prince is in charge. It used to be father, but since brother Adric will take over the throne soon, he’s now the one dueling with other ministers," Adelaide explained, her eyes on Oriana, who had a worried look on her face.

Oriana pressed her lips. Adric had clearly sustained an injury to one of his hands, and she saw it. He wasn’t able to use it to pick something up. What if he loses the duel, and it was all because of her? Oriana dropped her spoon, pushing her table back. She stood up and left the dining.

"Is the princess going to give Adric support or what?" Jasmine muttered, shaking her head. Using her napkin, she dabbed her son’s mouth.

Fidelis smiled. "That would be very thoughtful of her. During my days, I..." He paused, clearing his throat. It wasn’t Gwen who gave him support but Adric’s mother, and there was no need to talk about it.

Gwen, who noticed this, gave her husband a hard stare before picking up the cup of water to take a sip. "Let’s all head towards the duel ground since we are done eating and now reminiscing," her words were directed at Fidelis, who said nothing but just smile.