Eva managed to catch herself just in time, her movements barely making a sound. She placed a hand to her chest and let out a silent sight of relief.
The wave of weakness had been so sudden. Only moments ago, she had been standing strong, feeling healthier than she had in months. But now, her limbs had nearly failed her.
That was why she had to do what she could to hide this from her daughter, even if it meant making her shut her eyes and offering her something she hadn't originally intended to give.
If Adelia noticed her current state, worry would cloud those bright amber eyes, maybe she would even cry.
Eva couldn't bear seeing her daughter cry for her sake; it broke her heart and made her feel even more sorry for herself.
And if there was one thing the proud Duchess of Veldon despised the most in the world, it was self-pity.
Eva struggled to steady herself, maintaining a distance from Adelia, trying her best not to give in to her own weakened legs.
"You can open your eyes now, Delia," she mustered a composed voice.
Adelia obediently pried her eyes open, her gaze instantly caught the exquisite piece decorating her pearl blonde hair.
Her delicate fingers grazed it, then a smile formed at her lips as she leaped up from her seat.
"Thank you, Mother," she appreciated. "I never expected you to give it to me today."
Eva mustered a faint smile. "It suits you beautifully, my dear."
Interestingly, the hairpiece that now adorned her daughter's hair was the very one Adelia had been requesting for a long time.
Eva was grateful that she had chosen to wear it today; giving her any other piece wouldn't be fitting.
Adelia looked so happy, Eva almost believed that her strength could be restored by her smile alone. But she knew she was quickly reaching her limit.
At that moment, Adelia hugged her tightly, not tight enough to cause her discomfort.
Yet, Eva struggled not to give in to her weakness and the pressure her daughter mounted on her, it was a minor miracle that she hadn't collapsed yet.
She gently patted her daughter's back and slowly eased her away, offering a smile as she stared down at her.
"I believe I made it just in time," she said. "Lunchtime is approaching, my dear. Finish everything up and join me in the dining area. I'll go down first."
Adelia gave her a reluctant nod, she had been so skeptical about her mother's presence before but now she wanted her to stay.
She loved the fact that her mother now had a little energy, seeing her laughing and walking so much after so many months... she wanted it to last.
But she knew better.
"I'll be down soon to join you, Mother," she told her. "Hopefully, I won't be too long."
The Duchess chuckled softly, then began to carefully make her way toward the door, her hands steadying her against the large handles.
"You shouldn't waste too much time, Delia," she managed a stern tone. "Otherwise, your meal will get cold."
Eva caught her daughter's faint laughter and she smiled back before she exited the room. Almost immediately after she shut the large doors, her form faltered and she pitched forward.
But before she could meet the floor, strong hands caught her, and she was quickly gathered into the strong arms of her husband.
"Aldous..." She whispered weakly.
"Shhh," the Duke hushed her. "I'm here. Rest."
As if obeying a direct command, Eva collapsed and slumped heavily in his arms.
*~*~*~*~*~*
Adelia had eaten lunch alone.
She was now on her way back to her chambers, practically storming through the halls, her expression sour.
Her mother had promised to wait! She clearly wasn't expecting her father, since he was still occupied with the events of two days ago.
'But mother... mother said she would wait!' Adelia complained inwardly.
Yet when she arrived at the dinning hall, it was empty and a servant then informed her that the Duchess was currently with the Duke, and they were not to be disturbed.
'Did something come up?' she mused. 'She did say she was going to speak with father...'
Adelia out a sigh mixed with anger and worry as she pushed open the massive doors to her chambers. She would have to speak about this with her mother later.
She had barely entered when her eyes fell on her pet Wolf, Meryl, lying at the foot of her bed. She must have come when she was having lunch.
The canine's head perked up as it spotted its owner, it's tail wagging excitedly.
All of Adelia's irritation instantly melted away, replaced by happiness at the sight of her companion... but that joy quickly gave way to annoyance once again.
She planted her hands on her hips and glared at the wolf. "What are you doing in my room, Meryl?"
To be honest, Adelia wasn't really angry at her wolf anymore. Considering what she had endured in the past two days, Meryl running off and leaving her at the mercy of an insolent stranger seemed trivial in comparison.
Her lips unconsciously tugged towards a smile, after all, that stranger wasn't as insolent...
The canine whimpered pitifully and seemed to shrink back on itself in response to its owner's tone. Adelia suspected Meryl was still very much aware of her anger towards her.
But it wasn't to the extent she was showing.
She finally relented and sighed, adjusted her gown, settled on the marble floor, and extended her arms, her eyes fixed on her beloved pet.
"Come," she said simply. Meryl didn't waste a second, rolling its large frame and crashing into its owner, nearly knocking her over.
"Oh!"
Adelia softly laughed as she stroked the wolf's pretty fur. "I'm forgiving you this time, Meryl," she stated, with a playful pout. "But don't ever leave me like that again."
Meryl promptly began to nuzzle Adelia's cheeks, as if accepting her words and offering comfort all at once.
Adelia enjoyed the softness of her fur until the wolf suddenly stopped moving, backed away and fixed her with confused but infuriated eyes.
A stare that could send shivers down anyone's spine.
Adelia's eyes widened in shock and she fought the urge to whimper and instead swallowed. Hard. Why was her dear wolf giving her such a menacing look?
Did she perhaps do something to upset her?
She reached out with a delicate hand towards the canine. "Meryl, why... is something wrong?" She asked, almost afraid to know its reaction.
In response, the wolf's eyes seemed to glint and Adelia quickly snapped her slightly trembling hand back.
Meryl's teeth bared, her hackles rose, then she let out a low, menacing growl—directed at Adelia... directed at her owner.
*~*~*~*~*~*
Azel stretched lazily on his modest bed, his gaze fixed at the ceiling as Fabian scurried around the room, gathering every available item that lay around.
He sighed. "Is all of this truly necessary, Fabian?" he inquired. "We don't need everything you're collecting."
His aide huffed as he crammed some papers into a leather satchel. "Yes, we do," he retorted matter-of-factly. "These are your documents, and they hold as much importance as you do, Milord."
"Doubtful."
Fabian clicked his tongue. "The day you start taking things seriously will be the day my complaints cease."
Azel chuckled dryly. "Then that day will never come," he remarked, sitting up on the bed. "I might as well brace myself."
Fabian shook his head, continuing to work in silence for a few more minutes.
"You mentioned that we'd be heading to the Capital tomorrow," he interjected suddenly. "Did you truly mean it?"
Azel regarded him with incredulity. "Do you doubt my words?"
"It wouldn't be much of a surprise if I did, would it?" Fabian quipped. "You are infuriatingly indecisive."
"I'm not indecisive." Azel retorted.
"Yet here we are, despite your initial assurance that we'd only stay in this wretched inn for two days," Fabian pointed out.
Azel chuckled at his aide's irritated tone, "That is because it couldn't be helped," he said with a shrug, making Fabian wrinkle his nose in displeasure.
Then, Azel's expression grew a little serious. "But I truly meant it when I said we would be heading to the Capital tomorrow," he sighed. "But we can't go without prior notice…"
Immediately, Fabian abandoned what he was doing to listen to him; if it meant leaving from this disgusting place sooner, he was prepared to fulfill any request.
"What would you like me to do, Milord?"
Azel shrugged. "What else?" he inquired and a smirk formed at his lips. "Send a formal letter to Duke Veldon. Inform him of my intended arrival at his estate first thing tomorrow morning."
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