Free Web NovelChapter 13: Chapter 13
Adonis had watched the entire ceremony pass in a blur until he saw her walk in. Astrid entered the hall, captivating everyone she walked by. She was dressed in white, almost in a similar fashion to her sister. The bodice wrapped diagonally around her neck, covering her chest and showing defined muscle below.
The skirt also crossed around her waist with a large slit on the side. Her red sheer veil draped over her head and across her face, leaving only her brown eyes visible.
He watched her stand to the side, with someone beside her, analysing every detail in the room. He could feel her broad smile when her sister had finished her performance.
"Excuse me a moment, father," he said and walked down from the dais into the crowd.
She was deep in a conversation when he came up behind her. "Princess," he said, interrupting her. He stared into her eyes when she turned to him, transfixed. Her eyes were like dreams, reflecting our most innate desires.
"Can I help you?" She asked, breaking the spell.
He smirked. "I see you cared to join us... eventually."
"I don’t see how it’s any of your business when I choose to show up, Prince. Need I remind you, I am not part of the princesses in your sham of a contest."
Adonis clamped his hand behind his back, rocking himself gently back and forth. He had come to enjoy aggravating her. It somehow kept him a little sane.
"Of course, princess," he said, nodding his head. "It isn’t my business what you do with your time. But it will be, when we become in-laws."
The corners of his mouth twitched as her eyes widened.
"What do you mean by ’when we become in-laws’? You haven’t chosen anyone."
"After that performance by your sister, which we call watched, I’m assuming you can guess who the top contender for my heart is." He said, taunting her.
He could see her strong demeanour crack. Uncertainty clouded her gaze as her eyes searched his face for the truth.
"You don’t need to worry, there are still many more tests to come. Nothing is for certain."
He smiled at her one last time, then left. His gait became sharper and his back straight as he headed towards Octavia.
"Octavia, come with me," he commanded.
She glared at him, but he paid no heed to her useless emotions. Their journey to the twelve kingdoms would be painful and long, so they had to leave as soon as possible.
"Is everything ready?" He asked her as they strode away from the banquet hall.
"The soldiers are all ready, the ships are as good as new, and we should be able to set sail at dawn." ƒreewebɳovel.com
Adonis stopped abruptly on the stair which led to the primary building and faced his sister.
"Why did you choose to go this route, Octavia?"
Octavia folded her arms, eyeing him up and down, her mouth twisted in a grimace. "I don’t understand."
"Choosing to kill innocent people, hurting thousands of families. Why?"
Octavia scoffed, "You and I both know it would have come to this sooner or later. Father and the council simply wanted faster results. Better ones."
"I had things under control."
"You call the events of the past months with these girls ’having things under control’? You must be entirely stupid, or you were simply never smart to begin with.
Let’s say, hypothetically, we were going with your plan, how long did you think you would fool them for while you waited for the last princess to arrive? You think they wouldn’t have figured out your stupid plan down the line when you refuse to let them go?
They would have learnt everything they needed to know about this kingdom and weaponized that information. Then their kingdoms would hold out long enough for others to also understand the predicament you put us in. Did you not think of all of this when you considered this stupid plan of yours? "
Adonis watched her silently. She was right about most things. And he had considered all of the things she spoke of, but he was tired of the bloodshed and agony left in their wake anytime they went on these conquests.
"You just do what you need to do and save the self-righteous act for someone else," Octavia said and walked away.
Adonis stood still, watching her retreat into the palace, absorbing the sting of her words. He sighed deeply and followed behind her.
He stopped before he went through the doors, resisting the urge to turn back and see the owner of the feet he had heard tap lightly against the steps and had followed closely behind him and his sister, then went in to prepare for the journey ahead.
Octavia had already gone ahead of him before dawn came. They both decided to take on six kingdoms each to save time and cover more ground faster.
His ships and men were ready for him at the harbour. Adonis looked back one last time at the palace as the gates closed behind him. The streets of Erindros were shy of people that morning. They had drunk their hearts out and would not be able to see the procession.
It had been the reason their father, the king, had agreed to the banquet. He did not wish to ’alarm’ the people. But Adonis knew better. He was unpopular among his people, and the thought of more bloodshed would deepen the hate.
They set sail as soon as he boarded the ship.
"Captain," Adonis called. "Do you have our courses mapped for our first destination?"
"Yes, your majesty."
"And how long would it take to get to Silithra?"
"About two and a half weeks if the weather’s good, four with a storm."
Adonis sighed deeply, "Thank you, captain." Then he bowed and left.
They would need to make the journey quickly. Hopefully, they didn’t have to shed too much blood. Nevertheless, he had with him twenty ships with the most elite soldiers, and it would be quick victories.
Adonis went down into the ship towards his cabin. He could feel her immediately when he opened the door. ƒreewebηoveℓ.com
"You’re not as inconspicuous as you think you are, Princess Astrid. I know you’re in here." He said into the room, smirking.
His cabin was dimly lit, and the only light that came in was from the little splinters on the boat. A whiff of smoke from the candle, which had been put out, still hung in the air.
The door shut behind him, and a small dagger rested next to his throat.
"How did you know?"
"Anyone would have been a fool not to recognize the elaborate plan you had, cooked up in that head of yours. You’d been watching everything. "
The dagger slid up his throat as she moved close to him. Adonis could feel the heat from her body. It was warm and inviting.
"I would not hesitate to cut your throat right here and now, prince; however, I will spare you on one condition," Astrid said with a pause, "what exactly is all this about? Why send out ships when you already have all the Princesses you could make your demands with?"
Adonis casually steps away from Astrid and goes to plop down on his bed.
"What do you think, princess?" Adonis asked as his eyes darkened.
"It doesn’t matter what I think; what matters is what you know, and you’re going to tell me."
"Or what?" He asked. "And don’t give me a stupid answer like you’re going to kill me and such, because you know, the moment you walk out of that door, blood in hand, you would be slaughtered no matter how good a fighter you are."
Astrid rolled her eyes and let out an exasperated sigh.
"Have a sit," he suggested. "The only information I can give you right now is that we are going to invade a few kingdoms. Unfortunately, Epirus will be one of them."
The blood drained from her face. "After all these games, your family still decides to kill thousands of people. Displace people from their homes and separate families from each other."
"Enough, princess," Adonis spat coldly. " I did not want this. And even if I did, what would it change? Nothing. So quiet down before they discover you. "
Astrid sat for a while, analysing his features. "How much time does Epirus have? I need to warn my parents."
Adonis laughed so much, his head fell. "You entered this ship without knowing which one of us is going to your kingdom?"
"Obviously, I wouldn’t leave that to chance, your majesty," Astrid hissed. "I had people follow your sister as well."
His laughter had turned into a smirk. "As expected," he said, nodding his head. "Well, since you already have a safety net to fall back on, you will just have to wait and see."
Astrid clenched her fists tightly and scoffed. "You expect me to wait on this ship through all the bloodshed to know if my family comes next? You’ve gone mad."
"I have, princess," Adonis retorted, a smirk plastered on his face. " So, you can choose, stay with a mad prince or swim to Epirus from the middle of the ocean. "
