Chapter 22 #2
Adrian, however, didn't leave. He leaned against a nearby pillar, looking at Cedric with a half-smile. "What's this, King Cedric? Are you jealous?"
"I'm not." Cedric gritted his teeth, his face ugly.
"Really?" Adrian smiled even wider. "Then why do you look so sour? You almost scared Evan to death just now."
"Adrian!" I rolled my eyes. I finally understood what his "surprise" was. It was more like a scare!
"Alright, alright, I'll stop." He raised both hands, but the smile never left his face. "Still, Cedric, remember this—my sister is now a princess of the Rhine Kingdom. She has plenty of suitors. If you don't perform well, she can always choose someone better."
"Adrian!" I said helplessly. I couldn't even get angry with him, because I knew everything he did was for me.
"Fine, I'm leaving." Adrian laughed as he walked away, but turned back after a few steps. "Oh, by the way, a young marquis will come to visit tomorrow. I'll introduce him to you then."
"What did you say? Who else are you going to introduce to Alice?" Cedric's face darkened further. His voice sounded like he wanted to pick Adrian up and plant him in the flowerbed.
"Goodbye!" Adrian waved and hurried off.
I turned to Cedric and saw that his face was livid, his fists clenched so tightly they cracked.
"You... you're not actually angry, are you?"
"No." He turned his face away, his voice muffled.
"Really? Your nose seems to be a bit longer." I curved my lips, finding this version of Cedric oddly adorable.
"I just feel..." Cedric suddenly turned around. His eyes were full of grievance, like a big dog that had been abandoned. "Adrian is right. You're the princess of the Rhine Kingdom—outstanding and beautiful. There must be many people who want to pursue you. And I... I'm just a bastard who hurt you."
"What nonsense are you saying?" I couldn't help laughing. "When did I ever say I wanted to replace you?"
"But that Evan..."
"What about him?"
"He's gentler than me, younger than me," Cedric said softly. "And Adrian said he's very outstanding. He praised him so much..."
"So?"
"So I..." He lowered his head, his voice muffled and uneasy. "I feel like I don't deserve you."
The mighty King of Hilphia was now standing in front of me saying he didn't deserve me. Those words completely melted my heart.
"Cedric." I took his hand and said seriously, "Listen to me. Since I promised to give you a chance, I won't go back on my word. As for those people like Evan or the marquis..."
I paused, then continued, "I won't like any of them. The only person I've ever liked is you. That has never changed."
His eyes lit up instantly, like two flames had been kindled. "Really?"
"Of course."
He suddenly smiled, his grin as bright as sunlight. Joy radiated from him. Then he pulled me into his arms fiercely, as if he wanted to press me into his body so we would never be apart again.
One month later, Cedric had fully recovered.
"Alice," he found me, looking a little nervous. "Caspar sent word that some matters require my personal attention back in the kingdom. Would you be willing to come back with me?"
I was silent for a moment. I felt reluctant, but ever since I agreed to give Cedric another chance, I had known this day would come. I sighed and said, "Give me one day to say goodbye to Father, Mother, and Adrian."
The corners of his mouth lifted instantly, and he looked overjoyed. "Alice, is this true? You're willing to go back with me?"
"Yes." I smiled, gently placing my hand on my slightly rounded belly. "Our child needs to return to his home too."
The next day, Father met with Cedric and me in the council hall.
"Alice, have you really decided?" Father asked, his eyes full of reluctance. "You can stay here. Let Cedric return alone. Your mother and I can't bear to part with you. We've only just got you back..."
"Father," I took his hand. "Hilphia is Cedric's kingdom, and now it's my home too. I should go back with him. But I will visit often. Once the child is born, I'll let you know right away."
Father's eyes reddened. He turned away and wiped his tears before looking at Cedric again, his tone growing serious. "Cedric."
"Please give your instructions." Cedric bowed respectfully at once.
"I am entrusting my most precious daughter to you." Father's voice was solemn. "If you ever hurt her again—even once—I will personally lead troops to Hilphia. No matter the cost, I will kill you!"
"I swear, Your Majesty." Cedric knelt on one knee, his expression grave. He lowered himself completely. "I will protect her with my life, cherish her, and love her. If I ever hurt her again, you won't need to act—I will end my own life."
"Rise." Father helped him up and patted his shoulder. "I believe you, but remember the words you spoke today."
Adrian also learned of this. He pushed the door open and walked in, his expression not looking good. He strode up to Cedric, grabbed him by the collar, and slammed him against the wall.
I cried out in alarm and stood up from my chair. "Adrian, what are you doing?"
Adrian glanced at me. "Don't worry, Alice. I just want to have a few words with your mate."
Cedric raised a hand, signaling me not to worry.
"Listen." Adrian's voice was low, his eyes flashing with danger. "My sister is soft-hearted and willing to forgive you, but I'm not."
Cedric didn't resist. He simply looked at him calmly.
"If she sheds even one more tear because of you," Adrian said through gritted teeth, "I don't care how powerful you are. I will do everything in my power to make sure you die a miserable death. Understood?"
"Understood." Cedric nodded. "But I promise you—that day will never come."
Adrian stared at him for a long time before finally letting go.
"It had better not."
He turned to leave, then stopped.
"Cedric."
"Yes?"
"Take good care of her." Adrian's back looked somewhat lonely. "She's my only sister. I finally found her."
"I will," Cedric said earnestly. "I swear."
My heart ached fiercely. Tears fell uncontrollably. Everything he did was for me. He was truly the best brother in the world.
On the day we left, the entire palace came to see us off.
The carriage was ready. Cedric carefully helped me into it, treating me as gently as if I were a treasure.
"Alice." Mother rushed over and hugged me tightly, tears streaming down his face. "I can't bear to let you go, my child..."
"Mother, I will come back often. I promise." My tears fell too. I felt just as reluctant to leave her.
"Take good care of yourself," Mother said through sobs, stroking my hair over and over. "Eat well, rest well, don't tire yourself out. Take care of yourself and the baby."
"I will, Mother." I forced a smile.
"If he ever bullies you," Mother shot Cedric a fierce glare before turning back to me gently, "come home immediately. Do you hear me? We will always be there for you."
"Your Majesty, please rest assured. I will take good care of Alice. I will never let her suffer even the slightest grievance again," Cedric said gently. His gaze never left me.
Mother finally let go of me, but she kept holding my hand, unwilling to release it.
"Go on now." Father gently patted her shoulder. "They have to leave."
The carriage slowly started moving.
I leaned out, watching the palace grow smaller in the distance. I watched Father, Mother, and Adrian standing at the entrance, waving. Mother was still wiping her tears. Father had his arm around her. Adrian raised his hand and waved vigorously under the sunlight.
Tears blurred my vision.
A warm hand took mine and gently pulled me back into the carriage.
"It's okay," Cedric said softly, pulling me into his embrace. "We can come back anytime. Once the baby is born, we'll bring him back to stay for a while."
"You're right." I leaned against his shoulder and closed my eyes. "Let's go home."
The carriage headed into the distance, toward Hilphia, toward our future.
Sunlight poured in through the window, illuminating our tightly clasped hands.
Cedric lowered his head and placed a kiss on my forehead.
"Thank you, Alice," he whispered. "Thank you for being willing to come home with me. I promise, this time, I will give you the very best of everything in the world."
I opened my eyes and looked into his gentle golden gaze.
"I believe you."
This time, I truly believed we would be happy.