"Your royal highness"
James grinned when he saw Ian there. But he did not respond to Alfred; instead, he gave him a blank stare and left the area. When James walked away, Ian asked quietly, "Uncle, are you all right?"
After taking a deep breath, Alfred sheathed his sword and grasped Adela's hand. "I am OK. Adela, I think this is where we should end our work for the day."
Adela nodded nonchalantly as if she had nothing more to say right now. Because she could comprehend her father's level of rage. He warned her several times to stay away from the royal family, but she continued to draw near them.
Ian said hesitantly, "Uncle, we—"
"Ian, come over to my place. We'll talk about everything there."
Alfred rushed out of there in a minute after saying this. But he didn't even wait for Ian. Ian blinked his eyes, thinking that he should let them go first and then follow them. Ian turned to leave when he abruptly heard Francis calling his name.
"Ian."
Francis was approaching him when he turned around and saw him.
"Why did Uncle take Adela in such a hurry? What happened?" Francis asked.
"I honestly didn't know what happened," Ian sighed. "Uncle was pointing his sword at the second prince when I arrived there. He seemed very furious."
"What?"
"Well, I'm headed to his place right now." As Ian stated, he walked away from there. Hearing Ian made Francis feel irate at the moment. He clutched his fist and wondered whether the prince had done anything with Adela.
"Camilla, it's all your fault. The prince would not interact with her if you stayed with her," he murmured.
[The scenario was changed to Targoviste's way]
Richard was riding his horse quickly, and his men were following him at the same pace. Levy pushed his horse when Richard's horse reached its top pace. He approached Richard's side and said, "Prince, are we going to go the direct way?"
Richard abruptly stopped and turned to survey his surroundings. Then he asked, "If we take the path of Gura Foii, it will take more hours. Valea Mare is a better option because getting there will be simpler."
"As you say, my prince," said Levy.
As Richard said, they all took the way from Valea Mare to go to Targoviste. When they were riding their horses, Richard asked Levy.
"Levy, let's have this place cleared out as soon as possible."
"My prince, you need not be concerned. I have a strategy for dealing with those filthy goblins. They are scared of light, and our archers have their fire arrows ready. They won't be able to get away from us this time." Levy gave Richard his word.
In the carriage, Alfred asked Adela in an angry tone, "What did he do to you, Adela? Did he attempt to misbehave with you?"
Adela shook her head negatively and said, "Father, calm down. He did nothing."
"Then why did he get so close to you? You looked fearful, and I noticed it." Added Alfred.
Adela sighed and replied, "Maybe you saw something wrong, Father. He was asking about the expedition."
"Adela, I'm warning you for the last time—don't dare talk with them much," Alfred remarked, furrowing his brows. "It does not sit well with me. So be careful with it the next time."
Adela gave a brief nod before asking, "Father, I heard the first prince traveled to Targoviste; is that right?"
"Yes."
Alfred spoke quickly as he turned to look out the window on his left side. Adela turned to face her father, and when she noticed he was unresponsive, she spoke up. She somehow comprehended that her father did not want to share anything related to the royal family.
"Did you hear anything about Targoviste, Father?"
Alfred shifted his attention to his daughter and calmly remarked, "The First Prince will handle it, Adela. I have confidence in his ability."
"But father, will he be able to return before the tournament? Do you believe that the news about Targoviste is real or phony, or that it was pre-planned?"
"Adela, I already warned you to stay away from this sort of thing. So why do you always get in the way?" In a furious tone, Alfred remarked. But Adela answered without concern for her father's rage. She needed to be aware of the reality of the situation. Richard had her crystal; he could summon her at any moment, but she would find it challenging to go there. Given how far away he was from her, he had set up a large fire for her to come to him, but it would have been difficult for him to set everything up there.
"But, father, it's about the first prince."
Adela expressed her emotions strongly. She knew her father was attempting to keep Richard at a distance because he did not want to involve Richard in the complicated intrigues of the emperor. But he couldn't just sit there and do nothing. If something awful happened to Richard, would he be able to see himself in the mirror? When she thought about it, she said, "Father, please tell me something."
Alfred narrowed his eyes and turned to Adela, asking, "Did the second prince tell you this?"
After a while, Adela let out a loud sigh while keeping her gaze firmly fixed on her father. The worry on her father's face was visible to her. She gave her father an honest answer in a relaxed and respectful tone: "Father, does it matter? The issue is that we must help the prince. I'm pleading with you to take action because, because of your unwillingness to let me, I am helpless to do anything."
After hearing her response, Alfred turned back to the window, saying nothing. Adela had a melancholy look with her brows barely raised. She had grown impatient with her father's lack of response. She made a mistake; she should have told Richard to take her with him so that it would be easier for her. Also, her and Richard's relationship had changed from what it had been. Richard made progress, but Adela still needed an explanation from him. He had to properly explain himself to Adela, since he could not simply go up, kiss her, and present himself as her lover.
Adela leaned back against the seat and rested her head on the board. She's a complete wreck right now. First, she needed to calm herself down, but how would she manage? Camilla left her without saying anything. Richard went to Targoviste, and it left her wondering what she should do next.
The carriage was running at a great pace toward the mansion of the Duke, where Ian was following the carriage.
[The scenario was changed to an academy]
Camilla and Max had a cup of tea. After drinking, they were on their way back to the administrative building, but Camilla noticed her father in front of the building. David smiled as he carefully approached Camilla. Camilla gave him a smile in return. David was pleased to see his daughter and Max together. His daughter was talking with some people because, as long as he had seen her with only Adela and Francis, now, at least, she was socializing with other people.
"Camilla, I'm done. I hope you meet your friends."
"Yes, Father and we will meet directly on tournament day," Camilla responded to her father.
"Max, we shall meet on tournament day," David remarked as he turned his attention to him. Max gave a tiny nod of the head and walked away. Max bid Camilla a decent goodbye before departing. Camilla also bid goodbye to Max.
Camilla and David departed as well. They turned around and returned to their carriage.
**
Adela attempted to use her magic mirror that evening to communicate with Camilla, but she could not do so since Camilla had closed the mirror. Adela herself could not use the crystal to get close to Camilla. It appeared like Camilla was not in touch with the crystal. Does it imply Camilla didn't want to talk to Adela? Adela wondered as she sat on the bed with a sorrowful expression on her face.
Adela took hold of the crystal in her hand. She sighed deeply and mumbled.
"Why are you torturing me like this? What did I do to upset you, exactly? At the very least, you should tell me everything. I feel you're pushing me away from you."
Adela was so furious that she hurled the pillow off the bed. Her eyes began to tear up and break down. She wasn't sure if she was sobbing out of frustration or pain. It seemed as if Camilla had been taken away. Adela stood up and turned to face the mirror. She glared fiercely at the mirror and said, "Why are you messing with her? If you want something from me, ask me, why are you taking her away from me?"
As she stated, she hurled a vase at the mirror, but fortunately, it was a magical mirror and was unaffected. Elise hurried over to Adela's room as soon as she heard the noise.
"My lady."
To be continued.