Edward gave him one last look before he exited the hall.
With Edward's absence, the banquet soon returned to its earlier ambience.
"What was that supposed to mean?" Ethan asked, his anger still not disappearing.
"I have no idea, I should be asking you, Madeline approached me, and she claimed you both were sweethearts, but you thoroughly changed towards her, don't you think you owe me an explanation?" Adelaide asked with a low voice.
"Why can't I remember that I was childhood sweethearts with her? She is telling lies, and you have to believe me," Ethan was quick to refute Madeline's words.
Adelaide narrowed her eyes at him, ultimately, she chose to believe him.
Meanwhile, in Edward's chamber, Madeline was currently checked on by the Royal Physician.
"There is nothing to worry about, the Lady just fainted out of shock and stress, she will come around soon," the Royal Physician bowed while giving his report to Edward.
Edward sat at the edge of the bed, lost in thought for a while, before nodding his head, dismissing the Physician.
"I promise to punish Adelaide for your sake, how dare she question you like that? You don't even like Ethan," Edward grumbled under his breath.
Madeline, who was pretending to be unconscious, grabbed a fistful of sheets. Her heart was accelerating with fear and dread.
She had no idea how Edward would react if he found out that she was the one who provoked Adelaide with her words.
'No, I can't let that happen, no matter what, Edward must not find out about the truth, there has to be a way for me to take Edward's mind off the situation, but how? He looks like he is determined to get to the bottom of the issue,' Madeline mused to herself, the dread slowly seeping in.
'No matter what, Edward must not know I am the reason for the issue,' Madeline concluded in her mind.
"Madeline, please wake up," Edward pleaded while taking her hands into his.
Madeline felt disgusted within, but she could not show it, else, Edward would be suspicious of her.
Thinking about this, Madeline stirred slowly.
Edward, on the other hand, got excited at the prospect of her regaining consciousness.
Madeline slowly opened her eyes, blinking at the same time, while trying to figure out where she was. It was all pretence, by the way.
"Where am I?" She pretended to have a sore voice while trying to sit up on the bed.
Edward was quick to help her up.
"After you fainted, I had to quickly bring you into my chamber, the Physician said you were stressed, that's all, how are you? Do you need water?" Edward excitedly asked.
"I will have water, thank you," Madeline forced a smile at him, but Edward was too excited to notice the insincerity in her.
"Here," Edward handed her the glass of water which he had poured.
After she had finished with the water, Edward proceeded with his questions, just as Madeline had foreseen it.
"Why was Adelaide forcing you to speak with Ethan? And what was with her weird questions?" Edward pried.
Madeline sighed.
"Edward, can we not talk about it? I feel so traumatized just by thinking about how Princess Adelaide could make such false accusations against me," Madeline stated with her sob story.
This further angered Edward, but it wasn't against Madeline, rather, it was against Adelaide.
"That cursed woman, don't you worry, I would get revenge for you," Edward foolishly promised, having no idea that the lady seated on his bed was constantly lying to him.
"Edward, I don't need you to get revenge on my behalf, if you do, the people of Asteria would think you are going against your brother who is the Crown Prince for my sake, and it is not something I would want to see happen," Madeline paused, taking Edward's hands into hers.
"As long as you believe me, then I don't care about any other thing, just keep believing me, okay?" Madeline stared straight into his eyes with her teary eyes.
She was well aware of Edward's weakness. He detested seeing her tears, and she was able to properly utilize this little pawn.
"Oh Madeline, how sensible you are, not every maiden in this kingdom can compare to you," Edward praised, and Madeline lowered her head while trying to hide the smile which threatened to escape her lips.
"Madeline," Edward called out sensually, causing the lady in question to snap her head up.
She swallowed immediately. Madeline could recognize the look on Edward's face, and she forced back the feeling of bile in her throat.
"It's been a long time since we did it, can we do it today?" Edward pleaded with puppy eyes.
Madeline was about to reject him, on the premise that she was stressed, but on second thought, she gave in.
_______________
The Next Day>
"I am disappointed in you both," King Albert hollered at his two sons.
They were presently in King Albert's study, and the old man was scolding them, while, all the same, feeling furious.
Although, he had left the banquet earlier, he still had people who would report to him, and they had informed him of the close altercation between both brothers.
Ethan looked at his father for a split second, and he looked away just as fast as he did earlier. He had no ounce of remorse on his perfectly sculpted face.
Edward, on the other hand, had his head bowed in fear. If one were to look closer, they would be able to see him trembling. This was how much he feared his father, the King.
"I am expecting an explanation from you both, why do you have to show outsiders that the sons of the Royal Household of Asteria are at loggerheads?" King Albert questioned loudly.
'Isn't he taking things too far? After all, he isn't truly the king of this kingdom, what is with his caring attitude?' Ethan thought to himself as he eyed at the 'King.'