Ethan clenched his fists around the fork.
The faces of the remaining members of the Royal family changed. Only Adelaide looked lost, as she did not understand why they were reacting in such a manner.
"Brother, why did you decide to invite Madeline? You know how much she has hurt Brother Ethan with her actions, did you forget about that?" Pearl yelled as she dropped her cutlery with a loud sound.
"Come on Pearl, Madeline had already served her punishment, and besides, I intend to take her in as my first wife, it is only right that she is present in this dinner," Edward smiled, not finding anything wrong in what he did, or rather, he decided to act ignorant.
Adelaide lowered her head, in deep thoughts. She wondered what secret the royal family were hiding, and what it had to do with Ethan.
"Announcing the arrival of Lady Madeline, daughter of the Duke of Pineal," Butler announced which caused the atmosphere in the dining room to turn silent.
"I hope I did not come at the wrong time," after a few minutes, due to how far the door was from the dining table, Madeline only arrived at the dining table now.
"Of course not, you are just in time to welcome my Sister-in-law, who is the Crown Prince's bride," Edward smiled as he rose from his seat to pull the chair out for Madeline, just like a gentleman.
"Oh, she is Princess Adelaide from Dystopia, welcome Princess to Asteria, Your Majesties, apologies for not greeting you," Madeline had a graceful smile on her face as she spared Adelaide a glance.
"Rude," Adelaide muttered under her breath, and due to Ethan's impeccable hearing, he heard her, and he chuckled.
"Pearl, it has been a while since I last saw you, you have grown so well," Madeline turned to look at Pearl who scoffed.
"You do not need to act so two-faced, or act like two-goody shoes, you cannot charm me with your fake smiles, everyone is aware of your true colors," Pearl sneered, not sparing her a glance.
Adelaide raised her brows at Pearl's words. She found it interesting that a young girl could speak that way, surely she must have learned from someone.
As that thought flashed through Adelaide's mind, she turned to look at Ethan, who had a smile on his face. She had already gotten her answer.
"Pearl, you had better watch your tongue," Edward was quick to scold her.
"Eddie, leave her, she is still a child, it is understandable that she hates me," Madeline lowered her head, and her demeanor made people pity her.
"Just because she is a child doesn't mean she should speak anyhow to her elders," Edward retorted.
"That is enough, shall we enjoy a peaceful dinner?" King Albert was frustrated by the endless banter, which caused him to yell out, entirely different from his normal behavior.
The dining room turned silent at his words, and they all focused on the meals at once.
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"Do you want to speak with my brother?" Edward asked Madeline after they were done with dinner. They were strolling in the garden.
"Do you think he would want to see my face? Do you want me to meet him? I mean, I am already engaged to you, I should stay away from other men, which is one of the reasons I did not bother to say hello," Madeline fiddled with her fingers.
Seeing her this way, Edward felt proud in his heart. Her actions meant only one thing, she considered him to be her future husband. She did not have any feelings for Ethan.
"You know what, why don't I accompany you? You know, my brother just got married, he should be with his concubine, I don't think he considers her to be his wife, remember this marriage is just an alliance to call off the war," Edward tattled on.
And due to how excited he was, he did not notice Madeline's clenched hands.
"Let's check his courtyard first, I can try to make friends with Princess Adelaide, after all she is from a different country, I can help her get used to Asteria," Madeline suggested with a smile.
"That's a good idea, you always think about others, this is the reason I wish to make you my first wife," Edward laughed heartily.
"Shall we?" Edward stretched his hand out for Madeline, who placed her hand into his.
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"Why are you here?" The guards at Ethan's courtyard were quick to stop Edward and Madeline from stepping into the courtyard.
They were aware of the strife between the two groups, and they have been warned to not allow them into the courtyard.
"I am here to see my brother, and his wife," Edward could sense the hostility from the guards, but he was thick-skinned.
Madeline, on the other hand, got embarrassed at the slightest provocation. Her entire face turned pale on seeing them being stopped.
"I know you are, but the Crown Prince has given an order to not let you come in, in simple terms, you have been banned from this courtyard," perhaps due to being under Ethan, the guards were haughty as they threw a condescending look towards Edward whose face changed immediately.
Meanwhile, Ethan was in his study, and he had already gotten news that his brother was outside, hoping to see him.
"Won't you let your brother into your courtyard? It is obvious he wants to see you," Camden asked Ethan, who was focused on some documents.
"If you were the one, would you let such a brother into your home?" Ethan did not give a direct answer, choosing to question Camden instead.
"Of course not," Camden was quick to reject it.
"See, that is my answer right there," Ethan smiled.
Camden cleared his throat awkwardly. He knew he had made a mistake.
The conversation between both of them was interrupted by a rude interruption. Marie had barged into the room!
She immediately fell to her knees as she said; "forgive me, Your Highness, I know I might have offended you by barging in this way, but it is time-critical, Princess Adelaide just fainted."
Ethan's and Camden's faces changed immediately.
"Let's go," Ethan ordered as he rose from his seat, walking out of his office with large strides.
'How could she have fainted? She hasn't even spent up to a day here, and this happened,' Ethan thought to himself as he increased his pace.
"Camden, get the Royal Physician," Ethan instructed.
Camden bowed, separating from the group.
Marie, on the other hand, fiddled with her fingers. She hoped Adelaide would get better. She knew something was wrong.
Adelaide was not used to travelling at a long distance, perhaps, it was the reason for her sickness.
When Ethan got to the room, he requested Marie to stay outside. Marie frowned, but she still did as he requested.
Ethan walked into the room, and he could see Adelaide lying on the bed. Her face was extremely pale, and her breathing shallow.
Ethan took slow steps towards her as he let out a sigh.
"After being separated from you for so many years, you decided to fall sick, you do enjoy playing with my heart, don't you Adelaide? Or should I call you Adeline, since that was what you said your name was many years ago?" Ethan asked the sleeping lady as he squatted beside the bed.