"You shouldn't have apologized to my mom, the Queen," Ethan complained while they made their way into the hall.
Adelaide became more confused. She could not understand what he meant by his words.
"You don't understand?" Ethan asked as he noticed she didn't speak.
Adelaide nodded her head at once.
"Just forget about it, you won't understand even if I explained it to you," Ethan did not bother to explain to her.
Adelaide parted her lips. She was about to say something, but she decided against it. Since he didn't bother to explain what she did wrong, she would not ask him, although it made her feel annoyed.
The guards opened the door to the entrance of the hall, and they both walked in.
Adelaide forced a smile on her face as she walked side-by-side with Ethan who had his poker face on.
"Brother, where have you been? Do you have any idea how we searched for you, you almost gave Father a heart attack, and you too, Adelaide, I expected you to be the smarter one," Edward complained as soon as they got to their designated seats?
Ethan shot him a look, and he clamped his mouth shut immediately.
But he didn't feel bad as he had already achieved his aim. The entire guests in the hall heard what he said, and they would have the impression that he was a caring older brother.
Ethan looked at the smile on Edward's face, and his brows furrowed at once. He had a bad feeling seeing the smile on his brother's face, but he was comforted by the fact that he had checked the hall for any booby traps, and he found none.
Even if his brother wished to perform any action, he would be ready for him.
Adelaide, on the other hand, rolled her eyes when she heard what Edward said. She had no idea why, but she did not have a good feeling with Edward. She found him to be weird.
Eventually, it was time for the couples' dance, and since Ethan and Adelaide were the newest couple in the entire kingdom, they were asked to open the dance floor.
"Why do we have to dance?" Adelaide complained as Ethan carefully pulled her to the dance floor.
"It is a tradition, I believe you can dance," Ethan replied as he pulled her close.
Adelaide decided to be mischievous.
"And what if I said I can't dance, what would you do about it?" She asked as she let out a gasp. Ethan had just pulled her closer to him, and coincidentally, the music began playing.
"Why would a Princess not know how to dance? You must be kidding," Ethan did not believe what she said. Of course, he was well aware of how much Adelaide loved dancing, so it was apparent that she was lying to him.
Adelaide swallowed. She noticed Ethan could see through her, but she was not willing to stop the game with him.
Ethan and Adelaide locked hands as they moved slowly, following the tempo and beat of the music.
Mmm
"Adelaide, please, remember," Ethan whispered as he twirled her around.
"Did you say something?" Adelaide asked as she was pulled closer to Ethan, her hand touching his chest.
"I thought you said you didn't know how to dance, why did you lie?" Ethan asked with a smirk as he looked at Adelaide who was avoiding to look at him.
"Nothing, I decided to be mischievous," Adelaide could only give this reply.
She would have decided not to dance, but for her, dancing was a part of her, and it was something she couldn't change.
Ethan shook his head. He wasn't willing to pursue the matter with her. He was aware of the reason for her actions.
After they were done with their dance, other couples decided to join in.
Ethan, not used to being around people, pulled Adelaide with him to take a seat.
The couples soon finished with the dance, and it was finally time for the main reason for the banquet, socializing.
Ethan, being the Crown Prince was surrounded by numerous people, no surprise.
Adelaide was seated in a chair, and she felt bored. Her eyes could not move away from Ethan as she watched him speak to some delegates.
But her eyesight was blocked by a shadow who hovered over her. She instinctively frowned when she realized who was blocking her view.
"Miss Madeline, may I ask why you are obstructing my view?" Adelaide politely asked as she looked at Madeline who was openly observing her.
Adelaide felt uncomfortable under her gaze, but she remained calm. This was what she learned from years of teaching.
"May I sit beside you?" Madeline asked, pointing to the empty seat beside Adelaide.
Adelaide was about to decline, but Madeline directly took a seat, prompting her to clamp her mouth shut, although, she felt indignant.
"Isn't he handsome? He looks so cool," Madeline commented while staring at Ethan.
Adelaide looked at her as she wondered what she was trying to say. But she could not deny that she felt uncomfortable with Madeline's words.
"Do you know, we were meant to get married, but circumstances happened," Madeline continued with a sigh.
Adelaide pursed her lips, but she remained quiet, unwilling to say anything.
"Ethan is my childhood sweetheart," Madeline exhaled, as a look of regret appeared on her face.
Adelaide, on the other hand, was interested in what she was saying. If they were sweethearts, then why didn't they get married, and why would Ethan detest her?
"Ethan is all I ask for in a man, he is handsome, decisive, he is also the Crown Prince, what more can I ask?" Madeline continued, and with each statement of hers, there is a regretful sigh as well.
"Then why didn't you both get married?" Adelaide asked curiously. If what Madeline said was the truth, then why did they not end up together?
Why was she, Adelaide in the picture? Why did she have to be used as a sacrifice?
"Ethan suddenly changed, he wasn't the sweet Ethan I knew, he thoroughly changed, and I have no idea the reason for his change," Madeline's eyes were filled with tears, and it made one pity her.