"Adela."
While yelling at her, Alfred tightened his hold on her. All the maids went out of the castle when they heard the shouting. Ian and Elise sprint over to the garden. When they noticed their duke attempting to stop the lady, they came to a stop in front of them. Ian realized Adela acted that way because his uncle had told her everything.
Ian narrowed his eyes and muttered to Elise, who was standing alongside him.
"Elise, lead everyone into the palace. Clear the garden right now."
Elise shook her head in agreement but said nothing more. She took a backward step as she listened to Ian. "Everyone get back to your work," she commanded, increasing her voice. "Why did you come out to see? Let's move on."
Elise urged everyone to go to the palace for work after saying this. She cleared the space before allowing them some privacy. "Why did you guys go out?" Elise said, closing the gate and narrowing her gaze.
During the argument, a maid interrupted, asking, "Did you not see that Lord and Lady again got into a fight?"
Another maid chimed in, saying, "Yes, I believed our lady had changed, but it seems we are mistaken."
"Yes."
Everyone spoke in a tone of disbelief. Elise grew enraged when she heard them. She could not bear that someone could insult her master. So she spoke out in an angry tone, "What did you guys say? You guys do not know how much my lady has changed. She was and is still a lovely person. Say nothing negative about my lady. Or else the consequences will be terrible. I am telling you that."
Elise clutched her fist and glared at everyone. They looked at each other and walked away from there to do the work. Elise narrowed her eyes while looking at them as they left her alone there, and then she sighed. She approached the large window gently and spotted her master and the duke there. She stared at them and thought.
'What happened to the Lord and lady? Furthermore, where is the duchess? She hasn't been around since the morning. Is she alright?' She glanced up at the second floor while she pondered.
[Outside the palace]
"Father, let me leave. I will not take any chances when it comes to my family." Adela spoke angrily.
"Adela, hear me out first."
Alfred remarked angrily as he forced his daughter to accompany him. Adela was strong enough to withstand it, though. When Ian noticed how resentful they were acting, he ran over to them and shouted.
"Adela, please put a stop to it."
Adela shifted her attention to her cousin while narrowing her eyes. She asked, "Ian, you also knew that?"
Ian lowered his gaze and said, "Yes, but you have to listen to us first. Then decide."
Adela pressed her lips together in dismay. Her disappointment with her father and cousin was profound. She did not expect that they would act in a way that prevented her from informing anybody; this was unjust to her. In a quiet, deep voice, she asked the question.
"What is it?"
"Adela, you must have trust in uncle and aunt. This has to be kept a secret. That is why we could not notify you last night. If we sent someone along with Aunt, it would make the Emperor aware of it. So, in our opinion, it is preferable to carry out this sort of work."
Adela asked, "But what if she ends up in danger?" She had a serious, harsh expression on her face.
"She won't. We are all certain that she will be secure and will join the first prince," said Ian.
Adela lowered her head and then responded to her father after a minute.
"All right, I'll wait for it. But, father, you should have talked to me as well, because, as a daughter, I have a right to my mother. I know your and my opinions are often diametrically opposed, but this is about my mother."
When Alfred heard his daughter, he raised an eyebrow and spoke lightly.
"Adela."
"Adela, don't misunderstand uncle. Tomorrow is your tournament. We want you to concentrate on it," said Ian.
"When it comes to my family, the tournament is not a vast deal. I place a high value on my family," said Adela. Adela moved toward the palace after saying this.
Alfred's eyes were filled with guilt as he glanced at his daughter. He was unaware that his daughter would respond in such a manner. He immediately felt bad. To console Alfred, Ian put his hand on his shoulder.
"Don't worry, uncle; everything will be OK."
Adela stormed into her room and got onto the bed. Her father sent her mother there without even consulting with her. Why did her father ever pay her any attention? Adela sighed loudly, a sorrowful expression on her face. She heard an abrupt knock on the door.
"Yes."
As she gave her permission, Elise opened the door. Adela was having a horrible day, so Elise took a long look at her. In a hushed voice, she asked, "My lady, are you okay?"
Adela narrowed her eyes as she put her hand on her head while saying in a disappointing tone, "Elise, mother went to Targoviste last night."
Elise cast a dejected look downward.
"And nobody thought of telling me about it." Adela stated this with a sorrowful heart.
"My lady," Elise stated respectfully. "I know they should have told you, but what if they had little time to tell you? Please don't misinterpret the Duke if he wishes to carry out the mission secretly and depends only on the Duchess."
"How about her protection, though? What if there aren't simply goblins, but also other creatures?" Adela spoke in a worried tone.
"My duchess is the strongest, my lady," Elise responded after a brief pause. "I think the tournament is so important for you. That is why no one wants to inform you."
Adela furrowed her brows and turned her attention away from Elise. Nobody was attempting to comprehend how anxious she felt! She couldn't put her mother's life in danger. Her mother passed away in a previous life; what if anything happened during the mission although it was not the right time? But she didn't have the courage to take the chance because she knew that the future had already changed.
It startled her to hear Elise's voice. "My lady, I've never seen you this anxious and frightened. I might not comprehend the cause, but whatever it is, don't lose your bravery and hope. I am aware of your tremendous strength, dear lady. So please don't lose hope in God. God will support the duchess and prince."
Saying this, Elise walked out of the room. Adela squeezed her eyes. Yes, she was really fidgety. Everything around her changed in a split second. Everyone's future has changed, even Camilla and Richard. Tomorrow was the big day, and everyone was looking forward to it.
[The scenario has been changed to Targoviste.]
[Slice]
Richard chopped off the goblin's head, which rolled down from the body. They had been traveling since the previous night and had finally arrived at Goblin's Cave, making everyone fatigued.. Mages cast a lighting spell to light up the cave. They moved gently further within the cave.
Richard and his army had already killed many goblins, but it appeared like there was no end in sight. Goblins kept arriving constantly. They rescue two females in the meantime, and according to those girls, there are still many more. Suddenly, another goblin sprang from the darkness and attacked them.
[Slice]
With his sword, one knight slashed the creature's head. When Richard noticed several soldiers were harmed, he turned around and said, "Everyone stops here." They needed to treat them right away. So Richard urged everyone to come to a halt there. Taking a glance at them, he replied, "Those who are hurt don't have to travel with us." They need to be treated as soon as possible."
When those injured knights heard the prince, they cried out, "Prince, we can do it!"
"Yes, it is not a serious wound, my prince."
"We can handle everything."
"I know you guys can manage, but you guys can understand we still haven't caught the main one," Richard said after giving them a serious look for a moment. "I hope you understand what I'm trying to communicate."
Everyone exchanged glances with one another. They understood the meaning of what the prince was saying. The prince was talking about Lycan. After turning to face the Prince, they briefly lowered their heads. Richard said, after giving a quick nod.
"You guys are staying here, and after the mage heals your wounds, get those girls out of here. We'll get together shortly."
Everyone nodded in agreement. They left two healers with the injured knights because there weren't many of them. They then continued entering farther and farther into the cave. It got darker as they descended deeper into the cave. Everyone switched on the lights; the more they traveled, the more they smelled rotting things and saw blood. Several of the magicians shielded their noses because of the odor. After a time, they came to a standstill in front of a large hole.
To be continued..