Alessandra had spent the next couple hours pacing around her room, her mind racing. What had happened to Adrian? What was going on in the country? What was her mother feeling in her final days? Did she need Alessandra? Was she aware that Alessandra was away from her just for the debts? That she wanted to take care of her?

By the time Alessandra had decided it was enough overthinking and time to get some answers, it was likely that everyone was asleep. Ignoring the fact that he may be asleep and that it was inappropriate, Alessandra got on a simple, silk robe, covering up her sleepwear.

Alessandra made quick steps toward Adrian's room, knocking the door a couple times before letting herself in.

"Prince Adrian?"

When Alessandra walked in, Adrian was by the window lost in his thoughts, his face illuminated by the silver rays of the moon. Had it been a few months ago, he would have not tolerated the handmaiden just walking in without permission. But now, he didn't complain or order her to leave. He didn't even seem like he noticed that she was there.

Meanwhile, Hye Jin turned the corner towards Adrian's room a few minutes after Alessandra walked into it. Her mind was preoccupied on how best to win back the crown prince. Should she beg? Should she betray Adam to get Adrian's favor? Should she try to seduce him?

Alessandra hesitated before approaching Adrian slowly and carefully not to scare him. She casually, after much thought, touched his back to notify him of her presence; She knew what she was doing could very much get her in trouble, but she wasn't able to live with the endless questions. "P-Prince Adrian?" She started, her voice raw and breaking slightly.

"Where have you been?" She simply asked as she stood by his side and stared up at him.

Adrian looked up, a far away look in his eyes. When he realized that Alessandra was standing there, he blinked. "Just like the last time, my life was put in danger. I was certain it would be when I left. I just didn't know when they would strike again," he began as he slowly shook his head. "I felt pathetic and useless. I had to rely on Henry to keep me alive once more," a look of disgust settled over his face.

Alessandra sighed slightly and shook her head. "Please do not feel that way, Prince Adrian." She assured as she reached out, holding his hand shakingly with her cold ones. "Why hadn't you returned to the castle? We could've helped." She added.

"Returning to the castle would---" Adrian was cut off by the sound of knocking on his door. He turned his gaze on it, his eyebrows raised. "I was not expecting a welcoming committee tonight," he said in an amused tone. Normally, he would have asked Alessandra to open the door but this time, he stood up and did it himself.

Hye Jin's smiling face greeted him. "Good evening, Prince Adrian. I was wondering if you---"

Just as he was cut off by Hye Jin's knock, he cut her off mid-sentence. "Whatever it is, I am sure it can wait until the morning."

"What?" Hye Jin's cheeks flushed an angry red as she sputtered.

"Good night," Adrian said and closed the door.

Hye Jin's hand came up and she pushed open the door and barge into the room. Her eyes immediately fell on Alessandra. "What is she doing in your bedroom?" she asked in an accusing tone.

Alessandra frowned at the interruption and headed toward the door, but Adrian beat her to it. She stared at his back in surprise and confusion; If he had been hurt and recovering for the past few months, where did the changed attitude come from? At the sound of Hye Jin's voice, Alessandra shrank in her place slightly, hoping to stay uncovered. She wouldn't deny the feeling of triumph as Adrian tried to keep her out.

All happy, victorious thoughts were gone as Hye Jin bursted in and accusingly glared at Alessandra. Alessandra suddenly became aware of her sleepwear, tugging on her robe slightly against her chest. She looked at Adrian then back at Hye Jin.

"Prince Adrian has called for me; He needed some help around the room that's all." She swiftly said as she tugged on her hair slightly, glancing at Adrian as she stepped a little closer to him.

Adrian didn't appear fazed by Hye Jin's intrusion into his room. He looked at the foreign princess and raised an eyebrow. "Your presence in my room is hardly appropriate. You are, after all, to be Adam's wife soon," he gestured towards Alessandra. "Alessandra, on the other hand, have every right to be here. If I command her to stay by my bedside the entire night, do you think she has freedom to refuse?"

A momentary look of irritation flashed across Hye Jin's face. She cleared her throat. "I could not sleep, she admitted and she fidgeted a little as though what she wanted to say embarrassed her. "I thought I would come and speak with you about my marriage..." she paused. "I was originally promised to you, Prince Adrian. And I am only to wed Prince Adam because both the king and queen feared that you were dead. But you have returned. And naturally, the original promise should be fulfilled," she spoke boldly, her eyes focused solely on the crown prince.

Adrian listened patiently to what Hye Jin had to say. When she had finished, he nodded his head. "We will discuss this matter in the morning," he said.

An honest look of relief washed over Hye Jin's face. She smiled at the Prince. "Then, I shall see you at breakfast?" she asked. When Adrian nodded, she gave him a wider smile before bowing and leaving the room.

At Adrian's reasoning of Alessandra's presence in her room, she felt a blush grew across her cheeks. She lowered her gaze to the floor as she listened to Hye Jin's excuse of coming to his room. She greatly disliked Hye Jin; It was past the mere jealousy or possession of being the only female around Adrian. It was her character, her hypocritical acts and underlying intentions. She greatly disliked her and felt distaste toward the foreign Princess.

Alessandra's head quickly shot up to look at Adrian as he agreed to see her the next morning and discuss the matter. Disappointment grew in Alessandra as she watched Hye Jin take her leave. She breathed in deeply and stared at her prince with wondering eyes. "I know it is not my place or my right to speak to you about this matter, but--- I.. I really don't think you should take her majesty back." Alessandra stated as she stared up at him.

During Adrian's leave, Alessandra had become very aware of her feelings toward her prince, but she knew her place, her status in the end. The most she hoped for was to see Adrian married to someone better than her, and from Alessandra's point of view, Hye Jin may have a better status, but she wasn't going to care and love Adrian as much as Alessandra could, and so to Alessandra, Hye Jin wasn't-- accepted like she had the right to even think so about a royalty.

Adrian didn't seem annoyed or bothered by Alessandra's bold statement. He just shook his head. "Agreeing to discuss the matter with her does not necessarily mean that I would take her back as my bethroted. Although, I believe I should carefully consider my next course of action," he turned to her and raised an eyebrow. "You, however, seem particularly interested in who I wed," he chuckled. "I do agree with you though. Hye Jin is... definitely a handful."

He walked towards his window and gazed out. "Being part of the royal family can be tiresome. Too much politics. Sometimes I do grow weary of it," he thought out loud. And then as if realizing that Alessandra was still there, he cleared his throat. "I believe, however, that you should return to your own room. Unless you want our foreign princess to spread rumors about you being in my room at this time of the night."

Alessandra nodded in understanding, of course discussing the matter didn't necessarily mean to accept her as his Queen once again. Alessandra let out a slight sigh of relief, coming to the Prince's room hadn't soothed much in her except that he for sure didn't intend to take Hye Jin back. At his comment, she blushed deeply and averted her eyes away.

"I care about everything and everyone my Prince will associate himself with. Princess Hye Jin is not one of these--- people I would like around your majesty." She answered truthfully as she watched him walk away to the window. She didn't comment as he declaration about politics; She agreed. It was horrible what Adrian was going through for a crown prince. An attempt at his life not only once but twice. And then his complete disappearance God knows where.

Alessandra's head was starting to hurt.

She nodded and tightened her robe around her. "Yes, your majesty. I apologize once again for coming to your room at such an inappropriate time without a notice. " she mumbled as she took her bow then left his room.

Adrian was silent but spoke out before Alessandra could step out of his room. "A horse ride to the lake would be nice after my discussion with Hye Jin," it was a statement but meant as an invitation. He turned to her, gave her a small smile and then walked out into his balcony.

Alessandra turned as he spoke to her once again. At his invitation, Alessandra smiled widely and gave him a short bow before exiting the room. She started heading toward her room with a small smile; She wasn't sure why such a small invitation made her that happy, but perhaps it reminded her of the good old times. She sighed a sigh of content as she walked into her room.

She climbed into bed, and the exhaustion with the little assurance made her sleep better than she had for the past few months.

Henry discreetly entered the crown prince's room a few minutes after Alessandra left. He bowed his head and announced his presence as soon as he approached the balcony door. "I have returned, Your Majesty."

Adrian looked up and gave Henry a curt nod. "Good. What have you learned?"

"The borderlands are overrun by what we believe are supporters of the second prince. They are the ones responsible for spreading rumors about you, Your Highness. Liam have also provided for us valuable information about what has been happening in the town since we left."

Adrian listened intently and then gestured for Henry to continue.

~~~

Henry left the prince's room just as discreetly just before sunrise.

Alessandra woke up before the set breakfast for the Royal family. She stretched the out and let her hair out of the braid it was neatly tucked into. She smiled slightly with hopes of a better day as she climbed out of the bed and put effort into how she would look for the first time in a while. Alessandra ended up with knee-length floral, waist hugging then loose around the hips dress and black flats. She tucked back her hair behind her left ear and headed out of her room.

Despite the effort, Alessandra still looked worn out and less appealing to how she must have looked just have a year ago. She went to Adrian's room, knocking a few times after which she let herself in.

"Prince Adrian you must be present on the breakfast table." She called out as she made her way in.

Adrian was standing near the window like he had the night before. He was already dressed and seemed to have been up hours ago. "Yes, I am ready," he said in response to Alessandra's reminder. He turned towards the door, flashing the handmaiden a smile as he walked past her. "Thank you for the reminder," he said and then headed out and down to the dining hall.

Alessandra was surprised to see him up and ready. She nodded silently and felt a blush grow on her cheeks as he threw her a smile. She followed closely behind as they walked through the hallways.

It seems like you won't be needing my services anymore, hm?" She commented, surprised and hinting at his changed attitude.

"At this point, I suppose I am capable of doing things I would normally ask to be done for me. But your services are still invaluable to me. Your company is greatly appreciated as well," he paused just outside the dining room doors and turned his brown eyes towards Alessandra. "But of course, if you tire of serving me, you are free to make use of your time as you see fit. Just by looking at how thin you have gotten since I last laid eyes on you, perhaps it is best to see to your health first before anything else. There will be no need to wait for my every beck and call." He reached out and laid a hand on Alessandra's shoulder and then proceeded into the dining hall, where Adam waited for him with a neutral look on his face and Hye Jin with a hopeful smile on hers.

Alessandra was pleased with the subtle compliment. She, too, obviously enjoyed the Prince's company, but who would not? She looked up at him as he stopped.
Tired of serving him?

Never.

She looked down at herself at the mention of how thin she had gotten with a frown. She had not noticed it was that much as she did now with Adrian commenting on it. She shook her head slightly."Serving you is probably the only way I could improve again." She mumbled as she walked into the dinning hall behind him.

"Do your majesty need me to take my leave?" She suggested as she noticed both Adam and Hye Jin awaiting Adrian. She gave them a small bow.

"Do with your time as you see fit. You may choose to remain or you may use this time for yourself," Adrian replied, earning him a mocking look from the younger prince. Hye Jin kept the hopeful smile on her face and didn't bother shooting Alessandra a venomous look as she always had.

"Turning over a new leaf, are you Adrian? I see you have lost your edge and arrogance from your time away from the castle," Adam commented.

"Was it not you who have always lectured me on the virtues of gracefulness and generosity?" the crown prince countered smoothly.

Adam chuckled. He sounded as though he was the old Adam, bantering playfully with his older brother. But there was a dark look in his eyes as he looked at the older prince. "I am honored that you have taken my words to heart."