"No," Sylvan bit out coldly and Adeline yawned again.
"I haven't had proper sleep for a week because of this…" she paused, trying to find the right word. "... this arrangement. The least you can do is let me rest," she complained, pouting like a wronged child but Sylvan just ignored her and turned his attention out the window.
Adeline clicked her tongue in annoyance, brushing off the loose strands from her face.
For the rest of the journey, she remained struggling but eventually gave up and waited for the long night to end. Sylvan paid no attention to her and she was too agitated to concentrate on anything else, other than tapping her foot impatiently.
By the time they arrived at Darkfrost, it was already morning and Adeline's bitterness for not getting any rest was replaced by a whirlwind of emotions as she watched the people lined up on the streets to welcome the royal couple.
There were guards holding the crowd back to make way for the royal carriage, but that didn't stop the commoners from waving and shouting happily. Adeline had a smile on her face as she peered through the window.
"Papa! Papa! Look," one child sitting on his father's shoulders to get a better view at royalty yelled, pointing at Adeline. Hearing the boy's voice, Adeline turned her head and waved, and the boy waved back excitedly with a bright smile on his face.
Unlike the usual seclusion of palaces, the Darkfrost royal palace was strangely situated close to a very busy market. Whether the place was usually this bustling or because of the royal entourage, Adeline couldn't tell but it gave off a homely feeling which made her smile all the way until they reached the formidable iron gates shielding the royal palace from the rest of the world.
When they entered the palace gates, her face stayed glued to the window, but she could barely get a proper view of the imposing fortress.
Once the carriage stopped moving, Adeline wiped her sweaty hands on her dress and blew out some air, starting to feel nervous. Sylvan was like a breathing statue and never moved or said a word until the carriage door was opened and he stepped out. Adeline waas about to follow suit when he suddenly blocked her way and she looked up in surprise.
"Fix your hair first," he uttered in a low voice and Adeline only raised her eyebrows for a second, then sat back and tried combing back her hair using her fingers. Once she was done, she looked back at Sylvan for approval, but the latter just pursed his lips, a glint of disapproval still evident in his eyes. He offered his hand to her and she climbed down.
"Ah, you're finally here," a loud voice filled with excitement greeted them before she could get a glimpse of her surroundings and she raised her head.
A tall man who could be mistaken for Sylvan's elder brother approached them with arms wide open and a warm smile on his face. He was dressed in black pants and a royal robe, and he carried a cane in his hand which seemed to be made of gold, but seeing the man's upright posture, Adeline doubted it was to help him walk.
"What a beautiful wife you got yourself," he commented as he pulled Sylvan in for a light hug, then took Adeline's hand in his and stared down at her.
"Adeline," he called in a deep, fatherly tone, startling Adeline, who was still stunned by the resemblance the two men bore. Almost the same height but Sylvan was slightly taller, same dark eyes and chiseled features, same pale skin and black hair. It was if she was staring at Sylvan's refection in a mirror.
"Uh—Your Majesty," she recollected her thoughts and quickly lowered her head, holding her dress to do a curtsy but the man stopped her.
"No, no. There's no need for formalities. You can just call me Roderick or father-in-law," he implored lightheartedly and Adeline's eyes widened.
"I wouldn't dare, Your Majesty," she responded and lowered her head again before forcing a smile.
King Roderick just smiled, glanced at his son, then without releasing Adeline's hand, walked up to the entrance where all the servants were lined up with their heads bowed, except one striking woman who instantly caught Adeline's attention.
Unlike the maids who almost looked alike in their black and white uniforms, this particular woman wore an exquisitely strange wine red dress which accentuated her curves and her tall figure. Her raven black hair was slicked back and she had her head held high and… was that make up?
"This is Katherine," the king's voice cut through her thoughts and Adeline shifted her eyes back to him, then to the woman introduced as Katherine.
"She handles everything here and will also be taking care of you from now, right Katherine?"
Though older in age, the woman's beauty left Adeline awestruck and she couldn't take her eyes off her, whereas Katherine looked her up and down, her eyes filled with contempt, which she didn't bother to conceal despite the difference in their status.
"Of course your majesty," she responded with a little bow of her head, her red-painted lips slightly upturned.
The look in her eyes made Adeline self conscious and she stared down at herself, her discomfort growing as she secretly evaluated her appearance. Well, she didn't think she would be scrutinized like this on arrival!
A hand on her shoulder almost made her jolt and she turned to the King with a smile.
"You must be exhausted. Katherine will show you to your room and we'll talk after you're well rested, alright?"
Adeline could only nod gratefully, already thanking the heavens for this happy and kind King, who seemed nothing like his cold son.
Roderick then beckoned Katherine with a wave of his hand, then left for the other direction with Sylvan.
"This way," Katherine's melodious voice brought her back to the present and she followed her inside the palace.
If she wasn't so out of sorts, Adeline would have taken her time to explore and appreciate the intricate interior of her new home, but her attention was solely focused on the woman waltzing in front of her.
Katherine was a woman with a tall build, which only seemed to add to her attractive qualities and Adeline couldn't help but wonder how a woman with such beauty became a servant.
From the way she walked and how she carried herself, she portrayed confidence and a natural air of elegance, which even some noble ladies failed to possess, and nothing about her seemed to fit the title of a servant. Whether it was her clothes and accessories, her glowing hair, attractive features, or even the aura around her.
After following Katherine blindly for a while, they climbed a set of stairs before appearing on a red-carpeted corridor. They walked for another five minutes before Katherine stopped, and so did Adeline. Katherine pushed a door open, walked in, then moved aside to make way for Adeline. Adeline walked in leisurely, but her steps briefly slowed down as she took in the interior and her eyebrows subconsciously arched up.
She blinked a couple of times then inhaled and exhaled deeply. Her lips parted to say something, but no words came out.
"This is your room," informed Katherine, and Adeline could almost hear the smile in her voice, her words only sounding like mockery at this point.