David bowed his head and murmured, "Maybe yes, my majesty. After all, he loves Adela so much."
"Oh, well, I see. Then you ought to accompany her, right?" stated Draven.
"My majesty, I must go as the meeting ends."
"David, it is break time. You should go see her. After all, who can predict what will occur in the future?" As he took a sip from his wineglass, Draven said.
David's heart skipped a beat as he heard Draven's remark. After a time, he returned his attention to his daughter.
**
Camilla and Adela were both standing in the corner but were not conversing. It appeared like they had nothing to say to one another. Adela, though, wanted to speak with Camilla, but Camilla was the only one to respond to her with a single word.
Adela turned her attention back to Camilla and remarked, "Camilla, you know, yesterday I went to the ancient library, and there were a lot of books. Even the first prince has lent me several books."
Camilla asked with a smile, "Really?"
"Well, I'll take you there when the first prince returns from Targoviste," Adela said.
"Did he summon you to bid you farewell?" Camilla replied while flashing a little smile.
Adela averted her gaze a little before Camilla's voice caused a hot flush on her face. She gave a nod. "I hope he's alright and nothing bad has happened to him there since I couldn't break the spell," Camilla remarked again, looking up at the sky.
"Well, I warned him not to go, but he didn't listen to me either," Adela answered, looking down. Her tone and expression both took on a sudden, sad appearance. "Did you express your feelings to him?" Camilla said once again while, maintaining her gaze fixed on the sky.
Adela remained silent in front of Camilla. As Camilla realized Adela would not respond, she said, "Who knows what will happen next? So you should tell him how you feel about him. What if he can't make it on time and you're left standing there?"
Adela's heart stopped pounding as soon as she heard Camilla's words. "What did you say, Camilla?" she said as she turned her head. "What do you mean, he won't be able to come?"
Camilla chuckled as she heard Adela, tilted her head, and remarked, "You should have been more careful about him." He is a prince, and we are all aware that he has many enemies. Also, he traveled to Targoviste before the tournament, which was quite suspicious. And I think your love for him isn't that strong that you couldn't even stop him from leaving."
"What?"
Adela's lips parted in astonishment. Camilla had never said those things before, so it surprised her how she could express anything so simply. Camilla always seemed naive to her, and until this point, she did not know how complicated politics, cunning, and language might be. Even though it was admirable, Adela could not admire it. It was hurting Adela in any way; she could not accept Camilla's changes at all. She had the impression that something was destroying their friendship, that she was powerless to prevent or control. Camilla was walking gently away from her.
"Yes, Adela. Just how you missed the line surprises me. You were the wise and shrewd magician at our academy, as far as I could determine from what I heard and observed. What is wrong with you this time, then?" Camilla chuckled as she spoke.
Camilla looked like she was making fun of Adela. She intended to imply that Adela was just like everyone else—not an exceptional mage. Adela formed a gap in her lips to regard Camilla.
"Camilla, I—," but someone calling her name interrupted her.
"Adela."
Camilla and Adela turned their attention to him. It was the second prince who called Adela. "Your royal highness," Camilla and Adela both curtsied together.
The second prince, however, turned his back on Camilla and walked over to Adela, calling out, "I was looking for you, Adela. How are things going these days?"
Adela glanced at Camilla, but Camilla had an expressionless look. She rolled her eyes at the second prince and turned to face the opposite direction. Adela turned her focus to the second prince and hesitantly responded, "Your royal Highness, I am doing fine."
"Are you getting ready for the mission properly?" He asked.
"Yes, I am."
In the meantime, Adela and James were talking, and Camilla moved from there. She reasoned that they should have some distance between them, so she moved away from them. Adela saw Camilla had left when she was talking to the second prince. She parted her lips to apologize to James, but James was so clever that he did not give her time to say anything. In the midst of her conversation, he interrupted.
"Let's chat about the excursion, Adela. Since I am the new leader and my brother is not present. Therefore, I have no one to assist me."
Adela slightly arched her brows and turned her attention from Camilla to James. With a disappointed expression, she continued, "But, prince, I am also a rookie here."
"But you are Lord Alfred's daughter. Your father is an outstanding warrior," he responded.
Adela made a stern face. Right now, she could say nothing to James, as he was the prince. And Camilla! She simply left her there with James. Why did Camilla leave her with James? Adela thought as she looked at Camilla's path, where she could still watch Camilla strolling. James frowned and turned around to see again. "Are you seeking someone else?" he asked.
"No, your royal highness," Adela said after taking a long breath.
"I'm delighted I finally have you alone, Adela," James smirked as he remarked to her.
Hearing James, Adela arched her brows and said, "What do you mean by that?"
"I think you're smart, Adela," James said with a chuckle. Adela narrowed her eyes and gave him a harsh expression.
Camilla, on the other hand, was walking alone. She was waiting for her father, as her father told her he would accompany her as well, or else she would leave the academy. Camilla heard her name while she was alone and wandering.
"Camilla."
She returned her gaze and spotted Max. Camilla gave him a little smile, and Max smiled as he approached her and asked, "How are you doing, Camilla?"
"Senior, I'm OK. How are you doing? You must be exhausted, right?"
"We are responsible for managing everything since it is our job," Max remarked, as he smiled broadly at Camilla. Camilla gave a little head nod, and then the two of them walked ahead. Max stated after a moment of walking.
"So, you're ready for the competition, right?"
"Yes."
"Which group were you in the last time, senior?" she asked.
Max stated, "Last time, I was on the first prince's team."
"Wasn't that your first expedition?"
Max said, "Yes."
Camilla asked, looking at Max, "Were you nervous?"
"I was. Because that was my first mission," Max said with a gentle smile.
Camilla lowered her gaze as she heard Max's remark. Max cast her a sidelong glance. He thought Camilla might be nervous because of it. He needed to reassure her and give her courage, so as he thought, he asked, "Are you nervous?"
"Me?" Camilla gave him a surprised glance. "Of course not, senior," she said with a smile. In fact, I'm quite thrilled to be a part of it."
Max had a faint smile, sure that Camilla wasn't scared because she had taken the mission so nonchalantly. "Camilla, I want to tell you something," he said.
"Yes, senior."
"Because I am aware of your incredible white magic skills, I just want to offer you a chance to cooperate with me. Would you mind learning more about healing magic?" Max said.
Camilla kept her gaze fixed on Max for a few seconds. She tilted her head and added, "My father was saying it as well. He wanted me to perform white magic."
"But."
Camilla came to a halt in the middle of her speech. Max glanced at her with great interest. After a brief pause, she added, "But I want to be a warrior mage. I wish to fulfill my father's expectations."
"But Camilla, you may also make him proud if you become a healer," said Max.
Camilla cast a tender glance toward Max. She shifted her gaze slightly and took a deep breath. She murmured to herself, Senior, now it's too late. I used her soul to cope with mine. I have to do everything she wants from me. So I can join the healing sector if I wish, but I will not. Since I realized what people's true opinions of me are, even Adela, whom I loved the most, believes that I am a worthless loser. Everyone admires those in positions of authority; therefore, I was one of them.'
Camilla blinked her eyes and asked, "Senior, I can still help you with my healing skills, right?"
To be continued.