Richard jumped on the horse and took hold of the reins. Before departing, he turned back and glanced at the ancient library's window to see that beautiful face. But Adela was not there. He turned to look at Adela and reached out to touch the fabric she had given him. Levy and Aaron stared back towards the library after exchanging looks. They observed a white cloth over the prince's sword. It was a girl's crocheted sleeve. They figured out who the prince was going to meet. Then Richard tugged and started the horse. All the soldiers started following Richard.
[It changed the scenario to an academy]
Everyone was listening to the emperor's long speech. Camilla maintained her attention on the emperor from there. She couldn't take her gaze away from him. Everyone's clapping interrupted the flow of her ideas. The emperor finished speaking, but Camilla paid no attention to what he had to say; all she did was stare at him. Adela abruptly cracked the door open and left the building.
Camilla shifted her sight toward her while leaning against the wall. "You are done?" Camilla asked.
Adela gave Camilla a melancholy gaze and gave a little head nod. Adela raised her head while leaning against the wall. After a while, Camilla said, "Did you meet him?"
Adela's focus changed immediately when she heard Camilla's words. She lowered her gaze, believing Camilla to be all-knowing. She felt guilty suddenly. She should have told Camilla because she was her best friend. "Camilla, I-," Adela uttered while gaping.
As Adela was at a loss for words, she simply nodded. Camilla turned her attention away from her and asked, "Did you say you liked him?"
Adela pushed her lips together and slightly arched her brows, saying, "I'm sorry, Camilla."
"Sorry? What is it for?"
Adela received a perplexed glance from Camilla as she arched one of her eyebrows.
"I should have told you," Adela responded.
"But I figured that if I told you, you'd be sad like last time," she said.
After looking at Adela for a moment, Camilla suddenly started laughing. Adela glanced over toward Camilla after hearing her giggle. She found Camilla's actions to be incomprehensible. Camilla responded with a grin on her face, tilting her head.
"Everyone has their own life, Adela. Should we have to tell them everything? No, I guess. So why would I be upset over such a small thing? It's your life; you get to decide."
Adela narrowed her eyes when she heard Camilla utter it. When Camilla told her, her heart wrenched. It seemed she had become unknown to her. How could Camilla say such a thing? Camilla's behavior toward Adela gradually turned frigid, which disturbed Adela. She did not know that her friend would gradually distance herself from her.
"What are you saying, Camilla? You are simply wrong." Adela argued back.
Camilla made a stern expression and locked her sharp gaze on Adela. Adela narrowed her eyes and murmured, "You are my friend. Don't compare yourself to everyone else. I will not put up with it."
A light smile cracked on Camilla's face, and then she said, "Really?"
Adela furrowed her brows as she noticed Camilla smirking. She did not like Camilla's smile, since it appeared like she was making fun of her. Adela blinked her eyes and was ready to say something when Camilla interrupted, "I think we need to go now."
Camilla continued to move after saying this, rather than waiting for Adela. Adela observed Camilla from where she was standing. She could feel a cold vibe from Camilla; was that because of the spirit? Was that spirit changing Camilla slowly?
Adela took a step forward as she contemplated everything. She wasn't in the mood to go to this conference just now. She was unsure of what to do at that point. Should she be happy or sad? She inhaled deeply and then moved forward.
**
Draven sat back in his chair, finishing his speech. It was time to speak with the elite group members now. But they couldn't begin the meeting since the first prince hadn't come yet. "Your Highness, the first prince has not yet arrived," Alex stated. "Would it be acceptable if we began the meeting now?"
"The first prince traveled to Targoviste," Draven stated as he sighed.
"Targoviste?"
Each person had a worried expression. They did not have any kind of information about it. So, how did Prince leave without reporting? Alfred's brows furrowed as he heard the emperor speak.
"Your Highness, we don't have any updates on it," added Alex. He would hear the news before Francis because it was his responsibility as the marquis to guard the border. Hearing this, Francis felt a little worried. How could the prince leave without saying anything? Did the Prince have a different thought? Francis pondered whether it would be a trap for the prince because they had heard no news from Targoviste.
"Alex, don't take it seriously. That was simply an attack by goblins. But don't worry, the prince's butler has informed me he will return before the competition." Draven spoke nonchalantly as if he didn't give a damn. Alfred gazed at the sky and inhaled deeply. "But your highness, goblins are not so simple," he murmured as he sighed. "Being a duke, I needed to know it as well."
Draven arched one eyebrow when he heard Alfred, who'd been behaving so aggressively towards him these days. But Draven did not care at all. If Draven was able to rein in Alfred's daughter, Alfred's misdeeds would no longer be tolerated.
Draven said, "Alfred, I know. But they were in a rush, and trust your former student; I think he will manage everything."
"But what if he doesn't?"
Draven looked at his left side and then at James. James had his eyes firmly fixed on the field. While continuing to look at Adela, he repeated his question. "What if he can't manage, father, and can't come here before the selection?"
"What will happen if my brother cannot join us, Father? Can a leader select his most talented warriors?" James asked.
"Of course, they can. People are free to pick anything they choose. Since I will not allow this tournament to be halted for whatever reason, it will take place at any cost," Draven said.
Alfred arched his brows as he heard them, even though Francis. But when Francis learned they would pick anybody, he was relieved, since it meant he could pick Adela for his squad as well. As soon as James heard from his father, he smirked. He had the appearance of knowing Richard wouldn't be there on time.
James muttered to himself, 'Brother, did not I say I would not let Adela go to your team? I won't allow her to join any other teams if she can't be on mine.'
"Your Highness, I am going down," James said as he rose from his seat and curtsied. James stepped out of the space after stating this. Draven cast a downward glance at the students. He said, "David, your daughter is exceptionally smart; she has a knack for healing power."
"Yes, your highness. I've heard she enjoys working with white magic."
Draven questioned, "Did you ever see her use it?"
David shifted his focus away from Draven and onto the field. He had never seen Camilla use it, and he never involved himself in any intellectual activities with his daughter. As a result, he was unaware of his daughter's performance.
"No, Your Highness," David said. "I didn't watch her performance."
"Well, that's pretty sad, then. You are a loser as a father," stated Draven.
After hearing him, David arched his brows. The emperor was right; he had never been concerned about Camilla. He merely compelled her to do everything. David turned to face his daughter. He found her simply because his daughter was unique. She had gorgeous auburn hair, which helped him identify her among everyone. His stream of thought was abruptly interrupted by Alfred's voice, though.
"Your majesty, you are right. There are many men like David who are adept at ignoring their children when they are in greatest need of attention."
David returned his gaze to Alfred. Everyone in the corner could clearly understand what Alfred meant by those statements. He told Draven in a roundabout way. After hearing him, Draven grinned and looked up at Alfred. He also realized that Alfred had shown him he was a careless individual and a loser as a father. Yet Draven did not even give a thought to those tags, since he was aware of his selfishness and would murder anyone—including his own sons—who stood in the way of his power.
Alfred said with a fake smile, "Your Highness, I suppose I should go down as well."
"I need to go; my daughter is waiting."
Draven gave a little head nod. After a minute, Alfred left the area. "David, why is your friend in such a hurry?" Draven remarked, staring at Alfred's route. "Does he want to spend some time with his daughter, as she is going to attend the expedition?"
To be continued...