Regretfully, James was gazing at her. Adela kept her eyes fixed on him while delicately furrowing her brows. Yet just where the stone rested on her breast, she instantly felt warm. She rushed her attention away from James as her eyes widened. She had to control her expression, or else that man might think something was wrong. The warmth began to increase. Adela held the crystal in her hand and pondered whether everything was well with him.
"Camilla," Adela said hurriedly.
Camilla responded, "Yes," as she turned back to face Adela.
"I need your help, Camilla."
"What is wrong with you, Adela?" Camilla questioned, her brows arched.
"I need to use the restroom, but I don't think I can get there easily," Adela said.
There was tight security surrounding the pitch since everyone had to be there. Adela could control the guards, but what about the second prince? How could she possibly avoid the second prince's gaze? He was still gazing at her. Camilla turned to glance around after hearing Adela. In the pitch's corner, there was a one-story building. Camilla said, "You don't have to go out. I think that's the one for us."
Adela took a peek, but the building stood in the field. The second prince would suspect her if she took too long. Adela squeezed her lips together; she didn't have any other choice. In the meantime, Camilla remarked, "Let's go. We can hear the announcement from there as well."
She held Adela's hand as she spoke, then she began to go in the direction of the building. Adela tagged along with her. Camilla would also be inside; Adela lied to Camilla that she needed to go to the restroom, but if Camilla discovered she had lied to her, it would be disastrous. Adela and Camilla walked inside. The building was empty. To find the restroom, they set off on foot.
Adela followed Camilla as she walked in her exact footsteps. After searching for it, they discovered the washroom for women. "Go, Adela; I'll be right here," Camilla responded.
For a moment, Adela remained still and observed Camilla. If she learned that the first prince had called her through magic, she would not take it lightly, just like she'd done in the past. The way she reacted last time hurt Adela.
When Camilla noticed Adela was not going, she asked, "Are you not going?"
"You wait outside the building, Camilla," Adela remarked while feigning a smile. "You do not need to wait for me to come. Because if you remain here, you will miss the announcement, which will cause us both to miss it."
Hearing Adela, Camilla paused for a moment and kept maintaining her gaze. Then, after a minute, she only responded, "Okay, I am going outside." Yet Camilla's expression was solemn; she didn't exhibit any curiosity or compel herself to stay.
Camilla left the room and went outside. Adela had an ache in her heart as it appeared that a priceless item was slowly disappearing from her. Camilla was a priceless asset; it appeared that something had happened to their friendship to cause a crack. Adela turned around to take another look, but Camilla had already left. There was something that Camilla was hiding from Adela, and Adela was hiding something from Camilla. Adela knew it was hurting Camilla as well, but she needed to keep the truth from everyone.
Richard entered the library on his own. He came to a stop in front of the fireplace. He directed the guards not to put out the fire. Richard was waiting for Adela, but she was taking so much time. Richard stared at the flame for an extended period. Adela assured him that if he summoned her, she would come to meet him. Richard had trusted in Adela's promises that she would arrive.
But when he waited there for some minutes and Adela would not come, he lowered his gaze, thinking she might be at the academy. As there was the expedition's last conference. Richard took a deep breath, thinking that he would be away from her for two or three days. Richard became sad when he had to leave Adela without saying goodbye to her, so he left a note for her. He inhaled deeply and cast one final hopeful glance toward the flames.
Then, suddenly, Richard spotted something erupting from the fireplace at a quick speed. When he approached the fireplace, he gaped at her lips in astonishment. Adela emerged from the flames and landed on his chest with no hesitation. This time, Richard cradled her in his arms and protected her from falling to the ground.
Richard and Adela gave each other such a passionate embrace. Adela took a deep breath as she held Richard close. Richard had a firm grip on Adela. It appeared like two long-distance lovers had finally crossed paths. Adela opened her eyes gradually and turned to face Richard. Adela and Richard both let go of her, but neither one of them broke the hold. They exchanged glances. Adela questioned him after noticing his armor.
"Are you leaving for anywhere?"
"Yes, it's Targoviste," Richard murmured as he raised his hand to push her hair away from her face.
"Why?" Adela said with a little brow lift and a tense expression. "Is it that important that you have to get there?"
Richard took a deep breath and kept his attention on her. He took a deep breath while gently caressing Adela's face. His scalding breath caressed her cheeks. Richard was still holding her in one hand and caressing her face with the other. Richard shook his head and answered, "Indeed it is, but I can't explain anything. I have so many things I want to tell you, Adela, but I'm kind of short on time right now. They are waiting for me. But right now, I..."
Richard came to a halt in the middle of his sentence. Adela blinked slowly when she heard Richard's speech. Richard closed the gap between him and Adela until their lips met. He kissed her tenderly. It took aback Adela as her lips touched his. She got a sweet smell from Richard suddenly. Adela let him kiss her as she gradually closed her eyes. Her heartbeat was racing so quickly. She could not shoo him away. After slowly breaking the kiss, Richard turned to face Adela.
Adela locked her eyes on Richard, but she couldn't hold that expression for very long. When she lowered her gaze, Richard stated, "I will return before the tournament. And be assured that I'm going to be OK."
Adela nodded, compressed her lips, and murmured, "I'll wait for you, prince."
"Won't you give me anything?" Richard asked.
Adela raised her head once again. She realized what Richard was asking of her. She lowered her gaze slowly and thought he had kissed her thinking nothing. Adela was not ready for it, and she had never thought Richard would kiss her. Was he serious when he said it? Adela had a lot of questions, but she needed to let him go right now.
Adela ripped off her long sleeves. She fastened her half-sleeve to his sword. After tying the cloth, Richard took Adela's hand and gave her a quick kiss. "Bye, Adela; take care; all right. And I'll explain everything to you."
Richard and Adela exchanged glances before Richard fled the chamber. Because as long as he waited there, he could not let Adela go, and he became late. Adela stared at Richard's way. Richard stepped out of the chamber, but not before turning around and looking at Adela. Adela felt a sharp pang in her heart. She was still in disbelief about what had just occurred. His kiss, his hug, his conversations—all of it simply screwed her up.
Adela moved her gaze from the door and went to the window. She stared down at Richard's walk. He was making his way toward the gate. Adela made a mournful face as she glanced down his route. "Why did you do it, prince?" she mumbled at that moment. "You should not have done what you did. If you despised me in my previous existence, why are you just kissing me now?" Adela came to a halt in the middle of her sentence and squeezed her eyes shut.
She took a step back from the window and sat in front of the fireplace, her expression sad. She had feelings for Richard, but she didn't wish for them to come true because it was impossible. She ruled over the monsters as queen. If Richard learned the truth, would he still be able to love her? When she had considered everything, she turned to face the flames.
Richard emerged from the palace and put the helmet on. The arbalesters, stepper lancers, and paladins were all waiting for Richard to show up; everyone was armed. Levy and Aaron mounted the horses and awaited the arrival of the prince.
To be continued.