While Cassian led her back she turned to look at Benedict, his nanny was completely confused as to why they were leaving early but she still followed him. Seeing his disappearing back she frowned, 'Where is my thank you?'
Just before she could turn away Benedict looked straight at her and gave her the brightest smile before sprinting away.
Adeline felt uneasy coming to this 'playdate' but now she felt much better. Today was supposed to be the start of her eventual downfall according to the book. But seeing how innocent Benedict was and how easily it was to 'manipulate' Cassian, she realised they were just children.
She believed that she could genuinely change her future if she tried hard enough. She had already started to. Benedict who would stay for his mother's final moments would not turn into a cold, vengeful person.
Although she didn't have the ability to save his mother, she could at least let him have a proper goodbye.
"It's unfortunate that you sent back the pendant. It would've suited you well."
Adeline didn't know how to reply. After Benedict left, it was like his entire demeanour changed. He was much more approachable. Adeline didn't know what was happening.
Benedict and Cassian got along when they first met, but it was only later that Benedict grew to hate him. His mother's death was the cause of his hatred, but he suppressed it. When the woman he loved chose Cassian over him, the dam collapsed.
He could tell himself that Cassian was only a child and stop himself from going down that road. Cassian knew that he loved the Saintess but that didn't stop him. Was it Cassian's betrayal or the fact that he was the one who was able to win her heart, whichever it was, it was enough for him to go down a thorny path.
"Well, I guess this is what passes for a party these days."
A noblewoman lavishly dressed stepped into the garden. She looked like she could outdo the Empress. Who would dare to do this? Of course the Imperial Concubine. One look and you could tell how favoured she was. Behind her stood her son, just as proud as she was.
She bowed before the Empress as if she hadn't just insulted her efforts a few seconds ago.
"If this isn't up to your standards, feel free to leave." She flicked her hand to summon a few knights who quickly stood on either side of the Imperial Concubine. This was the Empress' form of intimidation.
The Emperor didn't care about the fight between his two wives. He encouraged it, they would keep each other in check reducing a lot of his work. He was a cunning man, a fit Emperor.
The Imperial Concubine gritted her teeth but didn't back down so easily.
Although her father was only a Viscount, he was an influential person. Their base was in the capital, and the imperial concubine used to rule in the social circle. She represented much of the nobility. Due to the distance, the Empress used to rarely participate in social gatherings before her wedding.
"Remember why I brought you here." She turned to the young boy who hid behind her.
Lucas was the second prince, he was much different than the Crown Prince. Timid, nervous and not outstanding. He didn't behave like a typical child, people often said he was mature for his age. The Imperial Concubine brought him here against his wishes. Upon her urging he he joined the children and tried communicating.
Adeline didn't pay much attention to him, she was occupied by Cassian.
"How are you liking the palace, would you like a tour?"
She knew that she didn't have the option to say no. He was asking simply for courtesy. A private tour of the castle given by the Crown Prince sounds good.
Cassian led her out of the garden and into the palace, the grand decorations and beautiful paintings adorned the halls.
It was the epitome of luxury. Considering how they were the most powerful empires in the world they had a position to uphold. Adeline nodded along as Cassian explained, she didn't feel like engaging in the conversation too much.
The dry atmosphere made Cassian grow more and more dissatisfied.
'This wasn't supposed to be like this... She... She should've been my friend, she wouldn't ignore me...'
"So how did you and Benedict... You are good friends?"
He couldn't stop himself from asking, he was the Crown Prince, and he had everything anyone would ever want, riches, power, status, comforts of all kinds, he never had someone ignore him the way she did.
He couldn't understand. Was that boy better than him? Still, he truly believed their conversation wasn't supposed to be like this. It was ingrained into his heart, 'Adeline was yours.'
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Adeline didn't expect him to ask that question all of a sudden. 'I guess I shouldn't be surprised, Benedict was hindering his plans, it's only natural for him to gather information.'
She didn't know if she should tell him the truth about how little they actually knew each other. But if he decided to ask Benedict about it, her lies would unravel.
"I met him only today."
"And you became such close friends already?"
"Well, of course. It felt like we knew each other for a long time."
"Then, would you call me a friend?"
She couldn't miss the earnest expression on his face. It almost looked like he was pleading. Did he really want to be friends with her? She knew about his intentions, she knew why they arranged their meeting, but his request seemed heartfelt.
'He was just a child after all...' She thought to herself.
"Do you want to be my friend?" Instead of answering his question, she put forth another.
Cassian inhaled a sharp breath, what was happening? He was supposed to lure her out and make her take the bait, but it seemed to be him who was doing that instead.
She was so uninterested in him that it made him panic. It made him do things he would never normally do. But he still wanted her to answer his question. For some reason, he wanted to be closer to her.
Not having received an answer from him, Adeline ignored him. Maybe she was wrong, maybe he did want to plot and scheme together. She called herself stupid for even thinking that there was a chance to be friends with the protagonists.
She needed to stay away from them and ensure her and her family's safety. And that included rejecting the Crown Prince and any of his proposals that implied their betrothal.
"I want to go back."
"I want to be your friend."
Adeline couldn't help but laugh that they said something at the same time. She was especially amused by the fact that the proud Crown prince admitted that he wanted to be her friend.
Her smile quickly turned into a solemn expression. She was going to be friends with the two again, although she changed some of the details, the plot seemed to be progressing in the way it was supposed to.
It was a fine line she had to tread, she can't offend the male leads nor can she be too involved with them.
'Just being casual friends would be fine right?' She thought to herself.
She didn't know that she had been slowly sealing her fate.
"Then, let's be friends."
She would've missed the quick smile that emerged on his face if she wasn't attentive. He quickly coughed to cover it up, "As your friend I would like to invite you back to the palace on a day when there's only two of us."
His voice was dripping with disdain when he referred to the children of the aristocracy who came especially to suck up to him. She didn't know what to say to that, she wanted to refuse.
She didn't want to meet him alone, she was only a child and if things went awry she wouldn't be able to manage on her own.
"I will make sure to take you up on that offer. My brother and I will be there."
"No, the courtesy doesn't extend to your brother."
Adeline didn't bother hiding her dissatisfaction with the situation. She pouted and looked at him earnestly hoping he would take back the sentence he just said. It worked.
Seeing how the mood changed, he didn't want a third person there when he spent time with her. But to please her he reluctantly agreed. "I guess it would be fine if you were to bring him."
"It's settled then."
Once they headed back Aaron came rushing up to her. She didn't tell him before leaving and he was stuck dealing with the children of the aristocracy sucking up to him since after the Crown prince, he was the one with the most influence.
They weren't familiar with Drogo from the Southern Duchy and the Second Prince refused to talk to anyone. He turned them down immediately which angered the Imperial Concubine to no extent.
The Emperor loved the throne, he loved his children but not more than his status and reputation. The Empress and Imperial Concubine are forbidden from 'disciplining' them in public but in private... They are free to do whatever they want as long as no one knows.
The two wives had different approaches, the Empress had low chances of conceiving another child, so she focussed all her attention on Cassian making him the perfect heir to the throne at any cost and by any means.
While the Imperial Concubine gave up on her son, she found out she was pregnant again and hoped this one would turn out better. Her 'useless' son was inferior in terms of everything when compared to Cassian.
She wished he would disappear. But until her baby was born, she had to use her son and put on an act in front of everyone so that she wouldn't lose her support.
She had no way of knowing the gender of her baby, but for some reason, she was sure it was a boy. She would never entertain the thought of it being a princess, she HAS to give birth to a prince and he HAS to be even more outstanding than Cassian.
Creation is hard, cheer me up!
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