Adrian shook his head. "They will have a chance to see me soon enough. For now, I would like to eat. I haven't had a decent meal since a week ago," his stomach rumbled as if emphasizing what he said. "Come. Join me. I believe you can use a bit of nourishment yourself."
Kyrisse
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"I'm afraid scissors and blades were not readily at hand where I stayed," Adrian explained as he let Alessandra groom him. He closed his eyes as he worked on her, unaware that his handmaiden had blushed at her proximity to him. When he opened his eyes again, he was himself again despite the obvious weight loss and the dark, tired circles around his eyes. He smiled and gave Alessandra a small bow of his head. "Thank you."
"I am the worst of the best... what?" Adrian looked confused and then just decided to let it go. He reached up and wiped a tear she had missed. He smiled but then his face darkened at the mention of both Hye Jin and Adam. He didn't speak about it yet but he acknowledged what she said about the Princess. "I believe she is now bethroted to Adam. I have no intentions of taking her back," he said and then gestured towards one of the chairs in his room. "Do not wander off. I will be needing a hair cut and a shave after I bathe," he said and then closed the bathroom door.
Adrian smiled as Alessandra wrapped her arms around him. He wrapped one of his arms around her and then lifted the other hand to stroke her head gently. It was far from the awkward head pat he had given her a long time ago. He laughed at her words. "The worst person to exist? And here I thought you missed me," he remained standing there, neither pushing her away or ordering her to release him. "You've grown frail. Have they not been feeding you properly?"
Adrian walked into the room a few minutes after Alessandra finished drawing his bath. He chuckled. "No, I am not an apparition or a ghost or any of that sort. Yes, I have truly returned. Yes, Henry has safely returned with me along with the men we were with. And... what happened is a very long story," he said as though he could read what was going through Alessandra's mind. "I would give you a hug. But I'm afraid I'm not in the best form to give it. I think I may smell of chickens," he chuckled and then headed towards the bathroom.
Adrian turned his attention to Alessandra and gave her that familiar smile. He had lost a lot of weight but his eyes were warmer than when he had left. "Took me a while but I did promise to return. I apologize for the distress I must have put everyone through," he said as he looked from Alessandra to his mother.
"So, I see that your long absence has taught you how to be humble. I believe this is the first time I have heard you apologize," the queen held his son's hand tightly and patted it gently.
An amused look settled over Adrian's face. "Come now, Mother. You have heard me apologize before." he responded.
The Queen laughed. "Oh, how I've missed you, my son. Come come. I shall have the servants prepare a proper meal for you," she said and then turned to Alessandra. "Prepare the Prince's bath and lay out new clothes for him," she ordered.
"And so your plan worked perfectly," Hye Jin whispered to Adam. She didn't wait for him to respond as she walked forward and gave Adrian a polite curtsy. "You have returned, My Prince," she greeted.
Adrian turned his attention to Hye Jin. "I congratulate you on your upcoming wedding, Princess. I believe I am just in time to be of attendance," he said and then turned his gaze towards his younger brother. A look passed between the two princes before the crown prince turned and walked away.
Hye Jin looked annoyed but smiled as the Queen passed by.
"So, I see that your long absence has taught you how to be humble. I believe this is the first time I have heard you apologize," the queen held his son's hand tightly and patted it gently.
An amused look settled over Adrian's face. "Come now, Mother. You have heard me apologize before." he responded.
The Queen laughed. "Oh, how I've missed you, my son. Come come. I shall have the servants prepare a proper meal for you," she said and then turned to Alessandra. "Prepare the Prince's bath and lay out new clothes for him," she ordered.
"And so your plan worked perfectly," Hye Jin whispered to Adam. She didn't wait for him to respond as she walked forward and gave Adrian a polite curtsy. "You have returned, My Prince," she greeted.
Adrian turned his attention to Hye Jin. "I congratulate you on your upcoming wedding, Princess. I believe I am just in time to be of attendance," he said and then turned his gaze towards his younger brother. A look passed between the two princes before the crown prince turned and walked away.
Hye Jin looked annoyed but smiled as the Queen passed by.
The days dragged on. Three months turned to five then to seven. The King had sent out his men to find Adrian or at least bring news of what had become of him. But no matter how many times he sent out men, all of them came back empty handed. The trail always ended at Davenshire, the southern most tip of WhiteHaven. It was the last place that Adrian was sighted. No one could say what happened to the Prince. It was as if he had just disappeared.
It was at a grim dinner that the King finally announced that he would name Adam his heir. And Hye Jin would be married to him. The Queen had silently sobbed and Adam looked stricken. Hye Jin remained silent.
"You see? Everything went as planned. I get to sit on the throne and you get to be queen," Adam told Hye Jin when they were finally alone. "When should we hold the wedding ceremony?" he asked, a dark glint in his eyes.
Hye Jin noticed the glint and it scared her of what this prince could do. But marrying him would ensure her of being queen. That was the only thing that mattered. As long as she had power, she didn't mind if her husband was a raving lunatic. She gave him a charming smile. "Whenever you wish, My King," she answered, her words earning her an approving smile.
Another month passed by. It didn't seem like Adrian would be returning at all. Hye Jin became too busy with preparations for her wedding that she left Alessandra alone most times. Adam had become so cold to Alessandra that they no longer talked at all. The few times they did, he treated her the way Adrian treated her when she first came to the castle. The other handmaiden were treated just as bad. But the people that came to the palace for an audience with him and the king, he always treated very politely. It was as if he was two different people.
Soon, the day came when the King would formally announce Adam as his heir. Nobles and leaders were all gathered in the great hall. Adam stood regally in a white formal uniform, flanked by Hye Jin who wore a light blue dress. The Queen looked regal despite the dark circles around her eyes. The King looked just as tired.
But before the King could say anything, a tall, thin stranger stepped out from the crowd. "I believe I am still the heir, am I not, Father?" he announced.
All eyes turned on the strange man. He wore peasant clothes and looked as though he hadn't had a bath for days. His unkempt hair reached down to his shoulder and his chin had several days worth of stubble. But no matter how different he looked, he was still who he was. Adrian Havensworth.
The Queen was the first to react. Her eyes widened and she lifted a hand to her mouth in both shock and happiness. "Adrian?" her voice trembled with uncertainty but nevertheless, she rushed forward. She held him at arm's length and studied his face before she enveloped him in a hug. "It is you."
A frown crossed Adam's face but it was replaced by a relieved smile before anyone could see. Hye Jin looked horrified.
The King, himself, approached Adrian and enveloped him in a hug. Relief and happiness was apparent in his gray eyes. When he had finished with their reunion, he lifted his head to the gathered nobles. "Today brings us good news. Crown Prince Adrian has come home and is the rightful heir to the throne," he announced and the hall erupted with applause.
It was at a grim dinner that the King finally announced that he would name Adam his heir. And Hye Jin would be married to him. The Queen had silently sobbed and Adam looked stricken. Hye Jin remained silent.
"You see? Everything went as planned. I get to sit on the throne and you get to be queen," Adam told Hye Jin when they were finally alone. "When should we hold the wedding ceremony?" he asked, a dark glint in his eyes.
Hye Jin noticed the glint and it scared her of what this prince could do. But marrying him would ensure her of being queen. That was the only thing that mattered. As long as she had power, she didn't mind if her husband was a raving lunatic. She gave him a charming smile. "Whenever you wish, My King," she answered, her words earning her an approving smile.
Another month passed by. It didn't seem like Adrian would be returning at all. Hye Jin became too busy with preparations for her wedding that she left Alessandra alone most times. Adam had become so cold to Alessandra that they no longer talked at all. The few times they did, he treated her the way Adrian treated her when she first came to the castle. The other handmaiden were treated just as bad. But the people that came to the palace for an audience with him and the king, he always treated very politely. It was as if he was two different people.
Soon, the day came when the King would formally announce Adam as his heir. Nobles and leaders were all gathered in the great hall. Adam stood regally in a white formal uniform, flanked by Hye Jin who wore a light blue dress. The Queen looked regal despite the dark circles around her eyes. The King looked just as tired.
But before the King could say anything, a tall, thin stranger stepped out from the crowd. "I believe I am still the heir, am I not, Father?" he announced.
All eyes turned on the strange man. He wore peasant clothes and looked as though he hadn't had a bath for days. His unkempt hair reached down to his shoulder and his chin had several days worth of stubble. But no matter how different he looked, he was still who he was. Adrian Havensworth.
The Queen was the first to react. Her eyes widened and she lifted a hand to her mouth in both shock and happiness. "Adrian?" her voice trembled with uncertainty but nevertheless, she rushed forward. She held him at arm's length and studied his face before she enveloped him in a hug. "It is you."
A frown crossed Adam's face but it was replaced by a relieved smile before anyone could see. Hye Jin looked horrified.
The King, himself, approached Adrian and enveloped him in a hug. Relief and happiness was apparent in his gray eyes. When he had finished with their reunion, he lifted his head to the gathered nobles. "Today brings us good news. Crown Prince Adrian has come home and is the rightful heir to the throne," he announced and the hall erupted with applause.
And after that, Adrian was gone. Henry accompanied him as well as several royal guards. Exactly like before. But unlike his promise, he didn't come back after a month. Or even after three months. There was no news, no message of what had become of him.
---
Adam looked at Hye Jin, a self assured look on his face. He had sent all the handmaidens away including Alessandra and now spoke freely to his would be sister-in-law. "Are you still so certain that Adrian will return?" he asked. "How long has it been? Two? Three months? I'm afraid he might have fallen to an ambush or the likes of what had happened before."
Hye Jin raised an eyebrow. "You seem so sure. Are you responsible for his prolonged absence?" she asked. The moment she had met the younger prince, he sensed his ambitiousness. Even though he had acted the perfect younger brother and a good adviser, there was that glint of greed, that darkness he kept hidden behind his eyes. And day by day since Adrian failed to return, she saw his ambitions grow. She expected him to offer her something. And here it was.
Adam shrugged. "I am not my brother's steward," he replied. "I know not what happened to him. I suppose your guess is as good as mine. But..." he paused. "If he is truly lost , Father will have no choice but to name me his heir. And you'll do well to ally yourself to me if you want to be queen."
Hye Jin laughed and shook her head.
"Do not pretend to be what you are not. I see through you. I know of your ambitions. A second princess with no hope of being queen unless married to an heir to the throne."
Hye Jin stared at Adam and considered what he said. "And you are a prince that resorts to disposing off the rightful heir to the throne to further your own ambitions," she said.
Adam smiled.
After a long moment of pause, she finally spoke again. "How certain are you that he will not return?" she asked.
Adam smile turned into a larger grin.
---
Adam looked at Hye Jin, a self assured look on his face. He had sent all the handmaidens away including Alessandra and now spoke freely to his would be sister-in-law. "Are you still so certain that Adrian will return?" he asked. "How long has it been? Two? Three months? I'm afraid he might have fallen to an ambush or the likes of what had happened before."
Hye Jin raised an eyebrow. "You seem so sure. Are you responsible for his prolonged absence?" she asked. The moment she had met the younger prince, he sensed his ambitiousness. Even though he had acted the perfect younger brother and a good adviser, there was that glint of greed, that darkness he kept hidden behind his eyes. And day by day since Adrian failed to return, she saw his ambitions grow. She expected him to offer her something. And here it was.
Adam shrugged. "I am not my brother's steward," he replied. "I know not what happened to him. I suppose your guess is as good as mine. But..." he paused. "If he is truly lost , Father will have no choice but to name me his heir. And you'll do well to ally yourself to me if you want to be queen."
Hye Jin laughed and shook her head.
"Do not pretend to be what you are not. I see through you. I know of your ambitions. A second princess with no hope of being queen unless married to an heir to the throne."
Hye Jin stared at Adam and considered what he said. "And you are a prince that resorts to disposing off the rightful heir to the throne to further your own ambitions," she said.
Adam smiled.
After a long moment of pause, she finally spoke again. "How certain are you that he will not return?" she asked.
Adam smile turned into a larger grin.
Henry excused himself as soon as Alessandra bursted into the stables. The two deserved to have a little bit of privacy. What was obvious to him was curiously imperceptible to the two.
Adrian turned towards Alessandra. The look on his face was obviously troubled. He seemed to have too many things in his mind that he forgot all about the awkwardness he felt because of the kisses he shared with Alessandra the night before. He looked at her and for a brief second, everything seemed so clear. She was important to him. And today, this moment, might be the last that he would see her. He stepped towards her and surprisingly pulled her into his arms. "Take care of yourself. I... will be back in a month. I'll try to come back in one piece," his voice was strangely calm and gentle. He held her for a few more seconds longer. And then the moment passed. He released her and was the confident crown prince again. He gave her a grin. "Came to see me off, after all, huh? I thought Hye Jin had gotten to you too much. Do not mind her."
Adrian turned towards Alessandra. The look on his face was obviously troubled. He seemed to have too many things in his mind that he forgot all about the awkwardness he felt because of the kisses he shared with Alessandra the night before. He looked at her and for a brief second, everything seemed so clear. She was important to him. And today, this moment, might be the last that he would see her. He stepped towards her and surprisingly pulled her into his arms. "Take care of yourself. I... will be back in a month. I'll try to come back in one piece," his voice was strangely calm and gentle. He held her for a few more seconds longer. And then the moment passed. He released her and was the confident crown prince again. He gave her a grin. "Came to see me off, after all, huh? I thought Hye Jin had gotten to you too much. Do not mind her."
Adrian didn't leave right after speaking to his father. Instead, he visited the stables. It was always the place he visited to calm his nerves. Henry followed closely behind him and watched as the Prince took the time to brush and groom the black stallion he preferred over the rest.
"Are you thinking of another attempt on your life, Adrian?" Henry had grown close to Adrian that the prince had allowed him to address him by name when they were alone.
Adrian nodded. "It is likely. The people in WhiteHaven wants Adam on the throne. I believe my brother made use of the time he spent outside the palace to gather more supporters. I will not be surprised if we encounter another ambush," he said, his lips tightened.
"Prince Adam?" Henry looked thoughtful. "Yes, I believe he may have. Do you suppose he was behind the ambush?"
Adrian didn't answer but Henry had spent most of his time by the prince's side that he no longer needed words to understand what he was thinking. He nodded. "We will just need to be extra cautious."
"Are you thinking of another attempt on your life, Adrian?" Henry had grown close to Adrian that the prince had allowed him to address him by name when they were alone.
Adrian nodded. "It is likely. The people in WhiteHaven wants Adam on the throne. I believe my brother made use of the time he spent outside the palace to gather more supporters. I will not be surprised if we encounter another ambush," he said, his lips tightened.
"Prince Adam?" Henry looked thoughtful. "Yes, I believe he may have. Do you suppose he was behind the ambush?"
Adrian didn't answer but Henry had spent most of his time by the prince's side that he no longer needed words to understand what he was thinking. He nodded. "We will just need to be extra cautious."
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