Weeks later.....
"My beautiful Nora, sorry your godmother wasn’t there to hold you first," Sophie said, carrying the little girl who was giggling and bouncing. "And I even heard they were fighting over you," she added, not looking at anyone in particular.
Madame Rosalie and Freya, who stood in the corner of the room, scoffed, trying their best to remain calm.
"Don’t you think you’re doing too much? And it looks like Nora wants to sleep. A godmother would know that much, right Freya?" Madame Rosalie asked, turning to look at Freya.
Freya nodded in agreement, flipping her hair. "Of course, those are the little things a godmother should know. Nora is giggling loudly, which means she wants to sleep."
Sophie finally turned to look at them, still holding the little girl, whose red hair was now growing out in curls.
"Why? So I can leave the room and you both can start fighting again?"
"Fight?" Madame Rosalie chuckled. "Do I look like- me and Freya would never think of fighting over little Nora. We love her just the same, right?"
Freya raised her shoulders and nodded. "Yes, and we would never fight. Madame Rosalie and I are like mother and daughter. Just pure love and nothing else." She hugged Madame Rosalie closely to prove her point.
"They were fighting, I witnessed the whole thing firsthand. You can ask me later for more details," Jasmine chimed in. When she noticed the glares sent her way, she cleared her throat and turned her face away.
Madame Rosalie narrowed her eyes, pulling Freya closer. She whispered, "I’ve never seen a betrayal like this before," glaring at Oriana, who was laughing happily with Adric and Galen.
"Let’s run away," Freya suggested with a serious face. "We can plan our revenge on the way, but let’s get out of the palace."
Madame Rosalie sighed. "Freya, I’m the king’s advisor, and you’re set to get married soon. Rowan will find you no matter where you run to, so let’s not even try."
Freya nodded, remembering the man she was engaged to marry. If Rowan found her, she knew the consequences. "But we can’t let this betrayal slide."
"I have a plan. We’ll have our own children and let each other be their godmother. No one else is accepted." Madame Rosalie nodded at her own suggestion, waiting for Freya to agree.
Freya clapped her hands happily. "I should go and beg Rowan to get me pregnant then. The sooner, the better. Haven’t you heard the phrase? Revenge is best served hot."
"We have a plan," Madame Rosalie smiled, giving Freya a handshake.
"Did you two form a temporary truce or alliance?" Jasmine asked, laughing at them. "You were enemies not long ago."
Freya leaned closer to Madame Rosalie. "What about her? What are we going to do with her? She keeps talking when nobody asked."
Madame Rosalie narrowed her eyes at Jasmine, then smiled. "Princess Jasmine, I hear Walter’s voice. Did he- oh my! It seems he’s crying. What happened to him?"
"Walter?" Jasmine’s eyes filled with terror, and without waiting to verify, she ran out of the room.
Freya covered her mouth and giggled, giving Madame Rosalie a high five. "What do you say we go outside and enjoy this fine weather?"
"Sure, sure, Freya darling." Madame Rosalie and Freya locked arms and left the room.
Oriana, who had pretended to be immersed in the conversation, finally raised her head and inhaled deeply. "They took it better than I expected," she muttered, rubbing her temples gently. She had been hiding because she knew Madame Rosalie and Freya would tear her hair out after they found out that neither of them was her daughter’s godmother. They had fought tooth and nail for the role, and in the end, it was neither of them.
Turning to her sister, Oriana sighed. "Sophie, I told you it was a secret for now!"
Sophie laid the child on the bed. When she stood up, she first used her hand to smooth out the wrinkles that had formed on her dress. "Why? It was fun watching both of them plot against me," she said, touching her golden hair, which she had now cut short, making it look almost like a man’s.
"I’m happy to have you back, sister," Oriana said with a smile, pulling her into a tight hug. She had thought about how to maintain their relationship and strengthen their bond. As much as Freya and Madame Rosalie would have made the perfect godmother for her daughter, Oriana wanted to bring her sister closer, and she knew everyone understood.
"Thank you for making me Nora’s godmother. I’m not the best, but I’ll learn, I promise." Sophie said, holding Oriana tightly with her eyes closed. "Also, I’m sorry for not arriving earlier. We had to make stops at two different kingdoms before getting to Avon."
Oriana nodded with a smile. When they pulled back from the hug, she turned to look at Galen. "Why did you let her cut her hair?"
The young man rubbed his hand nervously. "Your Majesty, I asked her not to, but she wanted to do it for a change."
Oriana smiled, looking at him. She knew how many times she had tried to get him to call her by her name, but the man wouldn’t.
"Galen, come over and look at my little niece," Sophie said, dragging the man away, leaving Oriana and Adric.
Oriana smiled as she watched them. She was so happy for Sophie. The changes that had happened in her sister’s life had been a turning point. Just as fate had intended, Sophie moved away from the palace life, a life that had almost ruined her. Not everyone could handle power and still retain their humanity. Sophie had almost lost her conscience while staying in power, and if it wasn’t for Galen, she might have gone far beyond redemption.
Like everyone else, Sophie found her salvation, and she atoned for her past by traveling and helping people wherever she went.
"They really look good together," Oriana muttered, watching how Galen smiled every time Sophie did. She was happy that the man genuinely liked Sophie, and it wasn’t just because of her title. She waited for Adric to reply, but there was none. She turned and saw him staring at her, his eyes blank as if lost in thought.
Oriana snapped her fingers, trying to bring him back to reality. "What were you thinking?"
Adric shook his head. "What I was thinking? I just remembered something."
"What is that? You were thinking about something else when your wife is standing in front of you?" Oriana asked, folding her arms with a little frown.
"That’s the point," Adric nodded. "Come, follow me." He tugged Oriana’s hand as they quietly left the room.
The hem of Oriana’s dress made a soft rustling sound on the smooth marble floor as they walked down the dimly lit palace hallway. Stopping in front of a room, Adric pushed the door open, letting Oriana walk in first before following her.
"This..." Oriana frowned, recognizing the room she smiled. "This is your mother’s music room?"
Adric nodded with a smile, looking around the room, which was still covered in white silk. He remembered coming in as a boy, even after his mother had passed. He never let anyone inside to touch or clean it, but he made an exception for Oriana.
"I should have realized that I was falling for you when I let you inside this room," Adric said under his breath, but Oriana heard him and smiled.
"Was that what you remembered?" Oriana asked, thinking about the time Adric asked her to clean the room, and the harp string had caught her dress, almost tearing it. She laughed at the memory, which seemed like it was only yesterday, back when Adric was just her mortal enemy and nothing more. "Why did you act so mean back then? If you had been nicer, maybe it wouldn’t have taken so long for me to fall for you."
Adric turned her around, leaning forward, and pecked her lips, then gently ran his fingers along her face. "Did you ever think that I was never nice, and that’s what you loved about me?"
"Really?" Oriana tried to think, then she smiled. "I guess I love you in every form, nice or not," she said, placing her hand on Adric’s chest. 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮
Adric smiled, the corners of his eyes crinkling. "I’m glad you think of me that way. It means you’ll love me despite anything that’s about to happen." He said, slowly stepping back.
Oriana narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "What are you planning on doing?" Her eyes fell on his feet as they shuffled backward.
"You remember?" Adric said, holding the door knob. "You promised to do anything I asked if I helped Louis and his daughter."
Oriana shook her head, having an idea of what he wanted to say. "Adric... no... no."
"My sweet Ana," Adric grinned. "You were supposed to clean this room that day, and you know how much I love settling debts." Before Oriana could run for the door, he dashed out and locked it.
Oriana banged her hands on the door. "Adric, open this door. If I get out, I’m leaving the palace with Nora."
"Where is a queen going, abandoning her king?" Adric asked, his ear pressed to the door.
Oriana cursed under her breath. "Love, shouldn’t we put the past behind us, hmm?" She softened her voice, trying to seduce Adric.
"There’s water and a rag inside," Adric couldn’t help but laugh at his mischievous plot.
Oriana’s teeth clenched as memories of Adric’s past annoyances flooded back. She must have lost her mind to think he has changed.
"I’m going to tell Father... Adric, open this door." She continued knocking. "Adric!!!"
"I love you, Ana," Adric said, holding the door. "But all debts must be repaid. Don’t worry, before you’re done, I’ll make sure Nora is fed and your dinner is ready. Enjoy!" He raised the key, laughing mischievously as he walked away, thoroughly pleased with his plan.
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