A knock resounded on the door to Sarah’s office, jolting the chief lady-in-waiting from her work. She swiftly granted permission for the person outside to enter, and as the door swung open, a sturdy, tall figure stepped into the room. Sarah’s intense, dark grey eyes locked onto him.
"Brother! You’re back!" the noble lady exclaid, rising from her seat and approaching the man with a warm smile.
"Hello, Sarah. How have you been?" he greeted her.
Sarah took hold of Adam’s hands, a mixture of joy and surprise evident on her face. "I’m doing well. I had no idea it was your troop that returned when I heard the bell. Oh, it’s been weeks... Mother has been pining for your return!"
"Forgive for making you all worried. I heard you were at the palace, so I thought I’d drop by," Adam explained.
"I’m here working, as usual. However, I’ll be heading ho later. Will you join us for dinner?" Sarah asked, her eyes brimming with hope. She let go of her brother’s hands, clasping her palms excitedly.
Adam’s expression turned regretful.
"I’m afraid not. I have preparations to make. The Knights of Neblim and the royal knights will depart in two days, and I will lead them."
"What? Where to?" Sarah exclaid, taken aback. "Didn’t you only just return?"
"My task isn’t over yet. I ca back to deliver the ssage about my findings after pursuing the pirates. We have a security breach on our territory in the Agathe Islands, and we need additional forces to handle the situation. This ti, His Highness the Grand Duke will accompany ," Adam explained.
"A security breach?" Sarah questioned, her voice tinged with concern.
"Yes, an unknown army has conquered the islands. Therefore, there’s a high likelihood of a small-scale war to recapture the islands from the invaders. We must eliminate all enemies, including those residing on the small island belonging to Galicia. That’s why His Highness is joining as the political representative," the admiral clarified.
Curiosity filled Sarah’s eyes as she inquired, "When do you expect to return?"
"It depends on the situation. We are bringing a force that outnumbers the enemy army by more than double, so if all goes well, we should be back in a few weeks. However, there is a possibility that it could take longer, depending on the situation," Adam replied.
"Has father been inford about this?" the chief lady-in-waiting asked.
"I’m certain His Majesty has already inford him and the ministers. I will go and see him after our eting. Please send my regards to Mother and tell her to take care of herself. I apologise for being unable to co ho now, as I need to oversee the preparations for the departure," Adam explained.
Sarah’s lips curled sourly as she muttered, "Why is it always you? Can’t they send soone else for this task?"
"Don’t say that. It’s my duty as the admiral. You shouldn’t be complaining about it. Besides, His Highness will be assisting as well. He’s just taking care of so personal matters at the mont, including informing his wife of his departure and sorting out a few important issues," said Adam.
"Huh! He just wants to spend ti with that woman!" Sarah exclaid angrily.
"Why are you saying this? You shouldn’t be rude and disrespectful towards His Highness’s wife," Adam reprimanded gently.
"Why should I respect her? She’s just a concubine!" scoffed the noble lady.
Adam’s expression turned perplexed.
"A concubine? But when I t His Highness last ti after he arrived at Port Braska, he said he was married."
"I guess no one inford you. That woman is not his official wife. His Majesty proclaid her as His Highness’s concubine just yesterday. If you don’t believe , ask His Majesty or His Highness yourself!" Sarah retorted.
"But why a concubine? This is the first ti I’ve ever heard of any royalties taking in a concubine," Adam questioned, her confusion evident.
"That’s because she’s an Adhemar, an illegitimate daughter of the late King Adhemar IV! Everyone found out about this last night at the banquet celebration event. The ambassador of Ardel verified it himself, and she admitted it in front of everybody!" Sarah explained, recounting the humiliating events that had transpired.
"An ambassador from Ardel? Since when do we accept political representatives from that kingdom?" This new piece of information took Adam aback.
Sarah proceeded to reveal the new alliances ford between the two kingdoms and the rise of a new king in Ardel. Being the daughter of Lord Jas, one of the royal ministers, she had easy access to information circulating within the palace. Sarah also inford Adam about Anna, who had previously been captured by the slave traders.
"I see... This is truly bizarre," Adam pondered aloud.
Sarah smiled, thinking that she had won her brother’s support. The fact that Anna was a traitor’s daughter was usually enough to make people of Cassian turn against the princess.
However, to Sarah’s surprise, Adam said, " It doesn’t matter even if the woman His Highness chose to be by his side cos from a traitor’s bloodline."
"You support him? Doesn’t it bother you that she’s an enemy of the Ro’an Empire?" Sarah asked, her disbelief apparent.
"That betrayal was an old story, and she wasn’t involved in it. So, why bla her for sothing she didn’t do? Besides, I’ve known His Highness since we were young, and he has always had a keen eye for good people. He can’t be wrong," Adam replied, confident in Kyren’s choice.
"I don’t believe it! His Highness has made a huge mistake in choosing a woman who is not worthy of his status," Sarah retorted firmly.
Adam stood silently montarily. His gaze fixated on the ring adorning his sister’s finger. Her sister’s determined resistance now made sense to him; it was out of jealousy.
"You still have feelings for him," he stated quietly, recognising the ring.
"He’s mine, brother! He’s always been mine! She stole him away!"
"He’s not yours. He never truly was. The lady didn’t take him from you," the admiral said, his voice tinged with persuasion.
Sarah’s expression hardened.
The admiral let out a weary sigh, disappointnt etched on his face.
"You need to let go of your feelings, Sarah. The betrothal was annulled long ago. It’s ti to move on. You’re a beautiful woman, and plenty of n are interested in you. Take off that ring," advised Adam.
"No! This ring is mine! The late queen bestowed it upon . I will never take it off! I will marry Kyren and beco his legal wife," Sarah insisted defiantly.
The admiral shook his head, a mixture of sympathy and concern in his eyes.
"His Highness already has soone in his heart. When he spoke of his marriage to , he looked genuinely happy. I’ve never seen him like that before."
"He’s not legally married to her!" the noble lady argued vehently.
"Regardless, I can tell that he loves her deeply. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have engaged in a duel for her," the admiral revealed.
"What duel are you talking about?" Sarah inquired with a creased forehead.
"You didn’t know? His Highness was involved in a duel when I returned. It seems his wife was originally betrothed to a derian Prince before marrying him," the admiral disclosed. "Apparently, the duel is now postponed because of the duty we’ve been assigned to."
Sarah’s eyes widened, her jaw almost dropping from the shocking news.
"She was betrothed to a derian Prince?"
"Yes. His Highness’s rival in the duel is indeed formidable, but I have faith that he will erge victorious. He’s determined to win for his wife. So please don’t waste your ti on a man who doesn’t desire you," the admiral urged.
Sarah bristled at her brother’s words.
"Don’t tell what to do with my personal affairs, brother! It’s my decision! Even father supports what I want!"
"You’re being stubborn, Sarah! I don’t understand why you keep pursuing him when it’s clear that he doesn’t want you. And to say that his wife took him away from you is completely wrong because he had already rejected you long before he got married!" the admiral countered.
"No! I won’t let him go! The title of Grand Duchess of Gerhard is ant for and only !" Sarah declared fiercely.
"I’m not here to fight with you. If you refuse to listen, then so be it. But mark my words. Your stubbornness will eventually backfire, and you’ll end up getting hurt. Don’t say I didn’t warn you," the admiral cautioned, disappointed with his sister.
Sarah turned away, her face dyed with sadness and anger. Knowing that she wouldn’t relent to his words, Adam cut the eting short.
"I’ll be going to see father now. Take care, Sarah," the admiral said, preparing to leave.
Though a disheartened feeling covered her heart, the noble lady turned her head towards Adam.
"Brother..." she called out, her voice softer this ti, as she tried her best to control her emotion.
Adam turned to look at her, a look of worry on his face over his beloved sister.
"Please return safely," she whispered.
"I will," he nodded.
Adam left the room and closed the door behind him.
Sarah muttered to herself, alone, "I’ll marry him soday, brother! I’ll prove to you that he’s mine!"
***
A few monts later, there was a knock again at the door. Naise entered hastily upon receiving permission.
"My lady, you wouldn’t believe what I found out!" she exclaid.
Now calm and composed, Sarah responded, "I already know."
"You knew?" Naise asked, surprised.
"Yes, my brother inford about the derian Prince," Sarah replied. "He ca to et just now."
"That’s right. The beautiful woman we saw is the prince’s sister, and they are now staying in the palace by His Majesty’s invitation!" Naise revealed.
"There’s another bizarre fact I found out, my lady!" added Naise.
"What?"
"The prince is actually a distant relative of Her Imperial Majesty, the last Empress!"
"Are you serious?" Sarah’s eyes widened in disbelief.
Naise nodded eagerly.
"Yes, it’s true! Everyone is buzzing about it, and those who have laid eyes on him describe him as incredibly charming and alluring, much like His Highness. They said his beauty is so captivating that it’s impossible to look away!"
"It can’t be! My Kyren is the most handso man in all of Cassian! How can there be another who surpasses him in breathtaking allure?" Sarah defended passionately.
"I cannot say for certain since I haven’t seen him myself. But considering he’s staying in the palace, chances are we’ll have an encounter with him soon enough!" Naise replied, her expression filled with excitent.
A smile also found its way onto Sarah’s face.
"Co to think of it, I believe this presents a great opportunity," Sarah said, her voice filled with intrigue.
"A great opportunity for what?" Naise inquired, clueless.
"That derian Prince is clearly interested in his betrothed. He’s determined to have her, to the point of duelling for her against His Highness. Since he ca for the concubine... let him take her away," Sarah declared, her voice infused with determination as she began formulating a plan in her mind.
User Comments
0 comments from readers