Jacob groaned in pain, as every one's eyes widened because the stab wasn't at all shallow.
"Was that really necessary?" Jacob asked, his jaw clenched and his eyes cold.
Without saying a word, Sylvan withdrew the sword with a slashing sound and more blood gushed out.
Collective gasps spread around the training grounds, while Rosa had her eyes wide with shock. Was this still training?
"You should learn to talk less when you're around me," said Sylvan, his face still stolid. He stretched out his hand and Jacob grabbed it to push himself up, then grimaced as pain shot through his upper body.
Both their clothes were now stained red with blood, but neither of them seemed to be in pain and they just glared at each other quietly.
Jacob was the first one to leave to tend to his wound, and Rosa followed him with her eyes until he passed by them and stopped to greet Adeline.
"Your Highness," he gave a shallow bow, his hand clutching his stomach.
Adeline nodded back in response, her eyebrows deeply furrowed and her lips pursed.
Jacob glanced at Katherine for a fleeting moment, and the latter still had a smile on her face. His gaze then collided with Rosa and he found her frowning deeply, her eyes glued to the spot where he was stabbed.
"Excuse me," he said then strode away, his body ramrod straight as if the wound didn't affect his movements at all.
Adeline stared back at the training grounds and found Sylvan staring back at her, but not for long because after some time, he averted his eyes and walked away, leaving everyone else staring at his retreating back.
"Is training usually this intense?" Adeline asked turning to Katherine, who was still smiling, making Adeline wonder what she was smiling at. Was seeing people bleed that enjoyable to her?
"Well, it depends," Katherine replied. "That is Jacob, one of Sylvan's men and also a close friend."
Katherine summoned the knights in the training grounds, introducing Adeline as the Prince's wife and they all bowed respectfully.
They didn't waste another second and returned to the palace, where the servants were already gathered outside the kitchen.
Katherine only introduced the second head maid in case of her absence, then the three assistants to the chef and that was all. They dispersed to go back to their work and the three proceeded to the servant's quarters.
Adeline was very keen, observing the living conditions of the servants because she was worried about Rosa, and she realized that it wasn't bad at all. It was way better than what they gave to their servants back at home, but what more could be expected from an extravagant royal household and such a kind King?
"There are ranks to servants as well," begun Katherine as they passed the corridors and stopped outside Rosa's room.
Adeline walked inside, looking around the room where one double bed was placed on one corner, and a single bed somewhere closer. She looked out the window where the building overlooked the backyard, and beyond that there were just trees.
"Those who serve directly under the royal family have their own rooms, like Judy. Then there's the likes of Rosa and her roommates who are somewhere between evaluation… so she might get her own room if she does better. And the others share according to what is available."
Adeline nodded, clearly impressed by the arrangement. At least she was sure that in a few days or weeks, Rosa would get her own room. They were close enough for her to know that Rosa loved her privacy, and even though her roommates were kind and friendly, she wouldn't mind having her own space.
"Alright," Katherine clapped her hands to get their attention. "Would you like to have something to eat before meeting your ladies in waiting?" She asked.
"No, I'd rather meet them now then eat later," Adeline responded.
The mentioned ladies in waiting were several women picked according to their status in the high society, or according to whatever value they could add to the royal family or the kingdom.
Adeline didn't know what she felt about some women she knew nothing about following her around, but that was until she met the group of women, and a smile cracked on her face when she saw that Nora and Jasmine were part of the ladies in waiting.
They were all gathered in the drawing room where the canvases were moved aside to create more room.
"Your Highness," they curtseyed in unison and Adeline smiled, her eyes raking over every single face.
Since the room was dead quiet, they all heard footsteps approaching and everyone turned to the door, only to witness Solanine walking in, dressed in a black dress with half sleeves and a long skirt that swept the ground as her hips swayed side to side.
"Oh, sorry I'm late," she said in a sweet voice and a gentle smile on her face that made Adeline almost roll her eyes.
This woman again?
Katherine had the same reaction, her condescending smile restraining a sneer that was meant for the woman looking like an angel, with her appearance as innocent as can be. She held her hands on her front, and her hair was let down.
Unlike Katherine and Adeline, the rest of the women seemed pleased to have Solanine joining them and they all smiled back at her.
There was a total of six women, and Adeline was supposed to choose only four of them. But what Katherine didn't inform her was that she would only get the liberty to choose three because Solanine was already decided.
"Just get used to the idea of seeing her around," Katherine whispered in Adeline's ear as Solanine passed by them to go and stand with the rest of the women.
Adeline's frown didn't disappear as her eyes trailed behind Solanine, until she was seated comfortably.
"You already know Solanine," begun Katherine with the introductions. "This is Nora, or Lady Mathew. She was married to Duke Mathew of Hawksley just a few weeks ago."
Next was Jasmine, or Lady Arthur, and Adeline smiled in amusement when she noted how Jasmine's face scrunched up when she was addressed as Lady Arthur, and she remembered how she said she didn't like her last name. Lord Arthur was part of the royal council, which must have been the highest status in the room, only that his wife didn't seem to even like the title.
The other woman with platinum blonde hair and sea blue eyes was Lady Elaine, a wife to a magistrate but a former princess, well versed in politics and therefore suitable for the lady's court. Adeline couldn't help but wonder how a princess ended up marrying a magistrate, knowing how most royals didn't like to mingle with ordinary people when it came to intermarriages.
The other two women were Lady Lauren and Alexis, both wives to Dukes from incharge of different duchies.
After the introductions, Katherine left with Rosa to give the women some privacy, then soon after a maid came and served them tea.
The air in the room became awkward for a while because everyone was hesitant to talk first.
Adeline sipped on her tea quietly, trying to hide behind the mug while watching the other women do the same, except Solanine who seemed to be in her own world… as always. She had one leg crossed over the other, her posture straight as she drunk her tea with utmost elegance.
Adeline tried to think of something, anything to break the silence but her head was just blank. Now what were they supposed to talk about?
She was about to ask Nora about settling in to her new home since she was recently married, an informal question to make it more comfortable, but Solanine beat her to it and asked in a concerned voice, "Lady Nora, I meant to ask you something now that I have the chance," she paused as all the women turned to her, giving her their full attention.
"What happened with the land dispute between your husband and those peasants? I thought the decision would be announced publicly but I never heard of it."
Nora gave a tight-lipped smile, slightly taken aback by the question, but also glad that someone was at least asking.
"Well, the King decided to divide it. The commoners from that area would surely cause trouble if the land was ruled out to be Mathew's so they were given the bigger portion to divide among themselves, and the other portion was given to us," she explained and the women nodded in understanding, except Adeline who had her eyes narrowed at Solanine.
With the sudden topic, she had nothing to say since she didn't know what they were talking about, making her feel a little left out and for a moment, she wondered if Solanine was doing it intentionally. Couldn't she just start with something basic?
"Oh, that is very humble of you and your husband," Solanine complimented with sincerity in her voice, her hand stretching out to hold Nora's.
"It's nothing. There's no need provoking something close to a war with the commoners because of a piece of land. I'm glad it was finally resolved."
Silence descended upon the women again, until Jasmine decided to talk, this time addressing Adeline directly.
"Your Highness, how are you finding your new home? I'm sure this place is much different from Havenbridge?" She asked with a smile.