Earlier, after Adric read the letter sent by Madame Rosalie, Oriana was back at the palace, and this time she was getting married. From what he read in the letter, the girl wasn’t aware of the marriage, as it was arranged by her family. It was suspicious because the Crown Princess was still unmarried; if a pact was to be made, it always started first with the first daughter. Seeing that they picked Oriana only meant that her sister rejected the marriage.
And most importantly, Oriana’s life was at risk. By societal construct, a maiden, except one who is a courtesan or openly serves men, isn’t supposed to be seen or touched by another man except her husband, and any maiden who goes against this shall be stoned to death or, worse, decapitated. This was set to ensure that women had self-control and kept their modesty for one man.
"From my insider source in the palace, it says she’s getting married to the Kingdom of Valonia," Madame Rosalie said in her letter.
Adric knew the kingdom very well, but there was no Crown Prince, just a corrupt king who was more of a tyrant and had subjected many maidens to live as his wives. Folding the letter, Adric quickly took his own seal and left the palace.
"Where are we going?" Rowan asked, walking faster to keep up with Adric’s pace.
Adric raised his eyes to look at the gentle hue of the sun. "To Valonia...wait, that would be too late. If a marriage is being held between Orion and Valonia, where do you think the chest would be exchanged?"
Rowan hummed, "At the border of Orion," he replied, and the Crown Prince snapped his fingers.
"No need for a carriage, bring Kato." Adric ordered.
Rowan ran to the royal stable. He flung open the door, and a majestic black horse, Kato, greeted him with a nod. Rowan quickly saddled him up, his hands moving with practiced ease. As he led the horse back to where Adric was waiting.
"Good girl," Adric moved his face closer. He patted the horse’s neck, and Kato nickered softly, her ears pricked forward. With a final check of the saddle, and Rowan back with his own horse.
"Let’s go," and soon they were out of the palace, racing with speed. Adric was far ahead of Rowan, who followed through a shortcut he was very familiar with. The hooves of the horse collided with the small stream along the way, making splashing sounds.
"Ha!" Adric spurred Kato forward, and the horse surged into a gallop, his hands holding the reins firmly. Adric saw the Valonia kingdom carriage, but he was still far. He paused for a second, breathing heavily.
"Shh..." He tried to calm his horse by patting its neck. Adric looked around; if he could see the carriage on a straight line, it would be too late, and once the chest was exchanged, Oriana would be officially married. Close to Adric was a wider stream, which led to a small forest. If he could cut through it, then it would be faster.
"Can you do it?" Adric touched his horse gently, "Let’s take the leap, my beauty," he encouraged the horse, which took two steps back before taking the jump.
"Your highness!" Rowan, who had just caught up, shouted, but Adric and his horse were already flying high, and they made it before racing through the forest. The personal guard looked down at his own horse.
"Let’s not do that," he muttered before taking the normal route.
Before long, Adric intercepted the carriage, jumping down from his horse. He walked straight to the carriage that was decorated the fanciest. He knocked on the window; when one of the guards tried to stop him, Adric sucked his teeth.
"Who- Adric?" The king furrowed his brows, "What are you doing here?"
Adric grinned, "Hello old friend, I heard kingdoms are now collecting their debts. I have come to take mine,"
The man touched his beard, "Adric, we are good friends. You don’t need to worry about what I owe you; I will definitely pay back. The lands I have given to Avon are the best of Valonia; we have nothing else." Adric nodded understandingly; the man thought he was on his side.
"We shouldn’t be having this discussion outside. Come by to Valonia later, and I promise to do something about it. Okay?" the man smiled, and it was returned with a brighter smile from Adric.
Adric sucked his teeth, "I would have accepted that offer if you were a dedicated king, but instead of getting your kingdom together, I heard you’re getting married,"
"Oh, that. It’s part of the plan. Orion is a small kingdom; if I can have their crown princess, waging a war against them would be very easy. I’m sure with a few lands there, I can pay off everything I owe Avon. What do you think?" The king smiled at his great idea, touching his beard in a way that annoyed Adric, but he still kept a smile handy.
So this was it; Oriana’s family had told Valonia that she was the crown princess. Adric heard from a distance more horse hooves; Oriana was getting close.
"King Levi, I have a way for you to clear your remaining debt." Adric said, looking at the side of the road where the flag of Orion was now sighted.
The King became interested in the mouth-watering offer, "What? There’s a way?"
"Of course," Adric nodded, "First you need to get down from the carriage and join the next one, I’ll take it from here,"
King Levi raised his brows, "What do you mean, are you trying to?"
"Yes, I’ll be taking the marriage chest from the crown princess and your remaining debt would be cleared," Adric replied casually.
The king gave it a thought then he narrowed his eyes, "How am I supposed to believe you; there is no seal?" Adric’s grin became wider; he raised his seal.
"Always prepared, you know that right?" The Crown Prince raised his brows.
The older man gave it a long thought, he had nothing to lose. Being clear of debt from Avon would go a long way for his kingdom, he already had his numerous wives. He stared at the Crown Prince, wondering why he would risk all for a woman, "Fine, I accept,"
Adric smiled, he used his stamp on the parchment he was holding and handed it over to the king who quickly rushed to hold it but Adric moved his hand to the side, "Not so fast, transfer the debt of Orion to me, they shall now be indebted to Avon,"
"You sly-" Levi paused, reaching for the parchment beside him, he handed it over to Adric and stepped down from the carriage going to the next one. 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶
Adric tapped the parchment that held Orion’s debt on his palm, he smiled. He stepped inside his carriage waiting patiently for Oriana. Adric couldn’t wait to see her expression after she finds out that she now belonged to him.
When Oriana saw him, she didn’t disappoint his expectations. With a scream that almost deafened him, Adric held his hand over his ears.
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