Chương 8: Success!

Without himself knowing Cassian decided to follow her. He didn't know what came over him, and although he wanted to bring her over to his side he wasn't someone who would follow her after being publicly rebuffed. At least, that was what he thought.

Though there were a lot of heirs he had to build connections with, he found himself following Adeline. Something about her made him attracted. 'She is yours.' They had just met. But for some reason, he was absolutely sure that she would initiate the conversation and follow him around, not the other way around.

Her world should have revolved around you, he thought. This feeling was ingrained in his heart. Her clothes were specifically chosen by the Empress so that they would match, a subtle way of showing her intentions.

He didn't care at first but after seeing how they matched he was glad it worked out this way.

Once she behaved in a way he didn't expect there was a feeling of insecurity that emerged. He should follow her.

"Don't follow me."

His glare and tone were alienating enough. He didn't care if his mother would go beserk after learning he refused to communicate with the heirs. It wasn't something new to him. Ever since his half-brother was born she would take her anger out on him.

Eventually, he felt nothing. Being the Crown Prince was just a role he would play, from his education to his likes and dislikes, everything was carefully curated by his mother to project a certain image.

Even getting Adeline on his side was her plan. But for the first time, he felt something. He had to follow her, he just had to.

"He is following us..."

Benedict tried to keep calm but the fact that they offended the Crown Prince wasn't comforting. He was still a child, after all, he thought offending the Royal Family meant that he would be punished.

"That's fine, just trust me."

It was hard to trust someone he just met, much less a child who was younger than him. Still, he went along with her.

"Miss Adeline!" Cassian had enough and yelled her name. It was more like an order for them to stop.

Once they put some distance between themselves and the crowd, Adeline stopped. She turned to see the Crown Prince who followed them all the way here.

"Your Highness, did you want to join us?"

There was already an 'us'? He frowned. It wasn't supposed to be this way, he wasn't supposed to be the one joining 'them'.

"This is?" He didn't know who this was but he wanted him gone. If that boy was smart enough, once he recognised his dissatisfaction with the situation he would leave.

"Benedict Rolfe." He bowed to show respect and immediately added, "I was just asking Linny if she wanted to visit the Northern Duchy."

That word annoyed Cassian to no extent.

"Yes, he told me incredible things about the Duchy, I cannot wait to go there!" There was barely any space between her and Benedict. They looked like they were glued together.

Adeline didn't think her plan would work, Cassian looked irritated but she didn't know if it was enough to infuriate him and provoke him into sending Benedict home.

After a long pause, Cassian finally opened his mouth, "How about you go back home and make arrangements for her visit? If you were caught unprepared, it would be such a big shame."

It worked? Adeline's heart raced. It really worked! Now for the final nail, "But, I want him to stay with me-"

"He should get going." Cassian cut her off.

If the Northern Duke found out, he might be dissatisfied, wouldn't that mean he lost a potential ally? Tonight wasn't going to be a peaceful one for the Crown Prince.

"You are right, Your Highness. I will do exactly as you said." Benedict bowed clumsily, he could barely hide his excitement. He could go home to his mother!

Cassian only smirked, he thought Benedict to be a fool. He agreed to leave to make arrangements to welcome her... Cassian muttered under his breath, 'I won't let it happen.'

"Miss Adeline. Shall we?"

She nodded and took his hand. She was led right back into the crowd. Once again, she became the centre of attention. She looked over to the Empress who now sat leisurely. Now that everything was going according to her plan she could relax.

She heard from the maids about how her son sent back the son of the Northern Duke. Although it infuriated her, she didn't show it. 'He needs some disciplining.'

The Northern Duke wasn't an ally she planned to rope into her schemes. Although teleportation magic existed for faster travelling, their territory was far away from the Capital and they didn't have as much as influence as the Marquess did.

The House of Kendrick was situated much closer to the Capital, and so was the Eastern Duchy. However, it was a known fact that the Duchess was barren. To form a strategic alliance the only powerful ally left was the House of Kendrick and Adeline was the golden chance for her to establish her strength.