What followed after Adeline's question was dead silence, you could even hear the other person's breathing.
Rosa stared at Adeline with a confused expression on her face, her eyebrows pinched over the bridge of her nose. On the other hand, Katherine had an unreadable expression, although Adeline could tell that she was stunned.
After some time, Katherine forced a smile and stepped closer to Adeline. "I know in other kingdoms or palaces there are 'rules'," she quoted the word using her fingers. ""There are rules about concubines and courtesans. But the truth is that the men in royal families are the ones who get to decide whether they want to have other women or not," she explained calmly, which was unlike her because as far as Adeline knew, Katherine liked to give short replies to brush off a topic. But it was thoughtful of her and Adeline felt grateful.
"As for these men in the Lowell family, well… they're no different. Only they can decide if they want to have concubines or not," she said, eyeing Adeline carefully to see if she understood what she just said.
"But… if it makes you feel better, yhere has been no record of concubines in this family. Courtesans are completely normal to have, but neither King Roderick, nor Sylvan has ever taken a concubine," she added.
Katherine didn't know it, but with her detailed explanation, she lifted a weight off Adeline's shoulders. Even if that didn't mean she stopped suspecting Sylvan and Solanine, it was useful.
Rosa listened carefully to what was being discussed, but she wasn't sure if Adeline was just being insecure because of Prince Sylvan's indifference, or if something happened to prompt the sudden inquiries.
The three then walked to the dining room where they left Rosa at the door. Solanine was already seated and stood up to greet them, them seconds later Sylvan and Roderick joined. The sitting arrangement was like the previous day, but this time Adeline didn't seem as displeases as before.
With Katherine's assurance, Adeline had thought that the day would pass just fine, but it was as if the universe was doing things to convince her that there was something going on between her husband and this other woman who always hoovered around him like a fly.
In the middle of the meal, Solanine might have done or said something because Sylvan suddenly turned to her, giving her a side long glance, their eyes locked together and their lips barely moving, as if they had some telepathy poweres theey were using to communicate.
Of course Adeline would noticed their slightest interactions, her sixth sense having been focused on Sylvan the entire time.
When it came to feelings and emotions, most women were like open books, and seeing Sylvan was a Prince—a Crown Prince—and as handsome as he was, it wouldn't be surprising to see any woman looking at him with admiration, or eyes shining like stars. But if she really wanted to know whether Solanine was someone special to Sylvan, she would have to watch him. His reactions, the way he talked to her or the way he looked at her. It wouldn't be easy because Sylvan seemed like the most emotionless man she had ever met, but Adeline was determined to find out the truth.
After breakfast, everyone dispersed to different parts of the palace, while Katherine followed behind Adeline to inform her of the day's routine.
"I noticed you mentioned Nora and Jasmine quite excitedly, so I took it upon myself to invite them to the palace to keep you company," she said as she walked with Adeline towards the front doors.
Adeline turned to her, a bright smile on her lips to convey how delighted she was.
"Yes, yes. You don't have to thank me," Katherine brushed her off before she could open her mouth to thank her and she closed it with a smile that could barely contain her happiness.
Katherine observed Adeline's face from the corners of her eyes, inwardly shaking her head at how she behaved like a child. So easily pleased.
"While you're… bonding and getting to know each other, do try to gather some information about the Kingdom, alright?" They stopped in front of the double doors nd Katherine turned to face Adeline.
"I might be a substitute governess, but with the coronation coming up, I have a lot… to do," she said, stressing the word a lot so that Adeline would get the idea.
Adeline nodded, still smiling. "Right. I understand. Wait, did you just say governess?" She asked, her brain finally registering the additional title to Katherine's position.
Opening the door and stepping outside together, Katherine waved a hand dismissively. "Yes, forgot to add that. But I did tell you… anything you could think fits my role."
Adeline inhaled the fresh morning air as they made their way around the front garden, her eyes admiring the flowers and the pond in the middle of the garden. There was a small fountain, with the water pouring from a big bird's mouth and into the small pond.
For a moment, Adeline's steps slowed down as her eyes took in the structure of the bird. She tilted her head to the side, her gaze fixed on the dark eyes that now seemed to glow a bright orange because of the direct sunlight. But what caught her attention was the similarity between this bird, and the bird she had seen on the shoulder of the man in the painting. The raven with hawk-like eyes.
"Lady Adeline," she heard Katherine's dragged voice and she blinked, her mind snapping back to the present. She turned to Katherine who had her eyebrows raised quizzically, with a 'what are you doing?' look on her face.
Adeline forced a smile, walking ahead ti catch up with her because she had fallen a few steps behind when she stopped to admire the raven statue.
"If I didn't know any better I would think you have never seen a fountain or a stone statue before," Katherine remarked sharply and Adeline's smile widened with amusement.
They continued walking forward, then turned a corner and Adeline could finally see Nora alighting her carriage with the help of a coachman.
"As I was saying," started Katherine, and Adeline turned her attention to her. "Jasmine is a blabbermouth, but she actually knows a lot so make good use of her. Even Nora," she added.
Adeline didn't respond, but she nodded her head to make sure Katherine saw she understood what she was saying and she got the point.
When they neared where Nora and Jasmine stood, the two didn't even notice their presence as they leaned into each other, probably gossiping about something because they were pointing towards someone Adeline couldn't see clearly.
"Good morning, ladies," greeted Katherine with an overly joyous tone that made the two women almost jump, startled by the sudden voice.
"Good morning, Katherine. Your Highness," they greeted back in unison, holding their dresses to do a curtsey.
"Well, enjoy your day then… your highness," Katherine said turning to leave, dragging out the last statement which made Adeline scowl.
But the scowl soon disappeared as she turned to the two women who were now smiling at her.
"It was very nice of you to invite us to the palace, Lady Adel—I mean… I mean, your highness," Nora started, biting her bottom lip for slipping up. It was a known rule among nobles that you shouldn't call a member of a royal family in their names unless invited to. But right now, Adeline seemed like any other friendly lady out there and Nora had almost forgotten.
"Forgive me, your highness," she apologised with a deep bow, but Adeline only smiled in amusement.
"It is alright, Nora," she comforted with a warm smile, slightly shocking Nora fir addressing her informally.
"May I?" Adeline asked when she saw the surprise on Nora's face. Nora instantly nodded, her features cracking into a smile.
"O–of course. You can call me Nora. Even Jasmine wouldn't mind calling her by her first name." She added, pointing towards the latter standing next to her, who was unusually quiet all this time.
"Amd you can call me Lady Adeline. Or… just Adeline is fine."
Afterwards, a maid came to see if they needed anything but they all declined. Then Adeline suggested they should take a walk outside since she was getting bired of staying indoors, ti which her guests readily agreed. She didn't know if they were just going with everything because they were wary of her, or because they really agreed to it. But whatever it was, she hoped that they would've grown closer by the end of the day.
"Uhm… your highness," Jasmine finally talked, but she was so nervous tht Nora could almost see the imaginable beads if sweat dripping down her face.
Adeline turned to her without stopping her steps, but Jasmine didn't say anything for a while and her fingers just fiddled with each other.
"Is something wrong?" Adeline asked with concern, her eyebrows knitted together.
"N–no, no. Nothing is wrong," Jasmine hurriedly replied. Her hand moved to scratch the back of her neck, her eyes darting around before meeting Adeline's. "I know I should nit bring this up. But, the thing is that…" her words trailed off and she looked at Nora fir assistance, but the latter feigned ignorance and turned her face to the other side.
"Well…"
"... Well?"