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"Thank you," Adele whispered back, and almost kissed him as well. But she remembered her parents and turned towards them, still clutching Caelan's arm. They had followed her out of the room and were now standing a few feet in front of her and the prince, expressions unreadable. The king spoke to Caelan, voice gruff and protective. "Don't try anything funny with my daughter. We'll be speaking with Adelaide about this... unexpected predicament, but for now I'll be keeping my eye on you." He glanced at Adele's hand, which was touching the prince's shoulder. Adele didn't move, knowing her father was protective of her, but also knowing that she trusted Caelan with her life and he would never hurt her. After a tense moment, the king said, still speaking to the prince, "You may leave now. Guards will escort you out, and your horse will be brought. Just remember, you are being watched." Adele watched, an apologetic look on her face, as two guards led Caelan out the huge wooden doors and disappeared around the corner. Adele worried for Caelan, knowing it would be hard for him to leave her, but she also knew that he needed to be able to function on his own. She took a breath and turned to her parents, ready for the impending conversation that was going to be awkward, loud, and probably very emotional. |
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Caelan nodded, walking out and riding home. He was looked at funny by his mother a few times, but kept walking to a certain guard's room. "Hello, your majesty" The guard grunted, his expression stiff. "Liutenant Scorn." Caelan acknowladged, nodding once. "I need you to send a message secretly without getting caught by guards." Caelan explained. The liutenant nodded and stood. "Tell the princess of the Day kingdom, Adele, that my coronation will be in two days. Deliver he message and report back to me as soon as possible." The guard nodded and put on a coat, heading out the door. Caelan sighed and walked back to his room, sitting on his bed |
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Adele was marched into her room by her mother, followed closely by Adele's personal maid, Mariana, or Marie, as she liked to call her. Adele looked around the room, suddenly feeling nostalgic as she realized it was exactly how she had left it. The notebook she doodled in, the extra-fancy bathrobe she never wore, and that one pair of high heels that didn't quite fit. Adele was brought back to the present when Marie coughed, drawing her attention back to her mother. "Adelaide Clio, I am astonished, simply astonished, that you would let such unconfined emotions take over you in such a place as the Night Kingdom! Tell me exactly why you like the prince, and it'd better be an extremely good explanation, or you are going to be grounded." Her mother was clearly upset, as she hardly ever spoke like this, undignified and brisk. Adele quickly organized a speech in her head, hoping it would be good enough for her mother. "What reasons are there for love? Can you explain why you fell in love with father? It's truly a magical thing, loving someone and being loved. The best explanation I can give is, he understands me. He deserves to be loved. He's a good person, a great person, and he's in a situation almost exactly like mine. I can talk to him without worrying about what he'll think, and he'll never hurt me mother, not on purpose. Like I said, he needs me. And I need him, too." The queen leaned back, trying to hide that she was impressed. Finally, she hummed in amusement, then said, "Well, that was sufficient. But what should we do about your arrangement with Prince August? It is hard to break such vows once they've been made. Adele thought for a few seconds then said, "You can go to his parents and explain that there's been a mix-up and we should remove the betrothal. They're good people and will understand that accidents happen. But..." Adele paused, cringing, then said, "So you approve of him?" |
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Caelan's mother came up to his room a bit later. "Caelan? Where is your servant?" She snapped, stalking toward him with a raised hand, clear with the intentions of slapping him. "She returned where she wanted to go. I'm unlike you and I wouldn't dare keep someone somewhere against their will. You should do the same." He responded, equally snappy |
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The queen smiled kindly, and said, "Well, I'll need to speak with him personally about it at his coronation, but for now, yes, I believe that he is a good person, because you said so." Adele leaped up and hugged her mother, tears in her eyes. "Thank you!" She whispered, then let go of the queen so she could breathe. "Anything for you, darling." Adele turned to Marie and hugged her too, simply out of joy. Marie was a little shocked, but didn't pull away until Adele did. Realizing she should write this moment down, she looked for her journal, then remembered all her things had been brought on Calvin. "Can I go down to the stables?" Adele asked her mother. The queen raised her eyebrows and replied, "May I go down to the stables. And yes, you may. Once you change into something... more ladylike." Adele rolled her eyes but nodded and chose a red and white gown with gold etchings down the front. After she was changed, Adele thanked her mother again, then raced, as ladylike as she could down to where Calvin was stalled. |
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Caelan's mother struck him across the face multiple times before backing up a step, panting. "You do not speak to me like that, young man!" She yelled, getting in his face as Caelan's face turned to one of rage. "I will be your king in a day! Do not raise your voice at me, nor strike me!" He bellowed, storming to his father's bed. He stormed in, rage filling his expression but quickly paling at the sight of his father statue still on the bed. He paused, watching for any breathing motion. Nothing. He took a shuddering breath as the reality hit him. His father was dead. He would be king by morning. It would be a small coronation, but enough to call him king. Many hours later, Caelan's father ws getting prepared for burial as his mother was in hysterics and Caelan wore a black bejeweled crown that shone with authority. He wore his usual outifit annoyed by the traditional king's wardrobe. Nothing about him had changed, after all, except his title and authority. He moved to a messenger nearby. "Send word to the Day Kingdom that I would like a word with the king now that I rule the Night Kingdom." Caelan instructed softly. The messenger nodded and headed to the stables t deliver the message on horseback. Caelan sighed and walked to the throne room. He was too scared to sit on the throne that was now his--feeling much like a 9 year old again as he watched his father yell at him from atop it. You're not him. His mind said, shoving the memory away |
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Afternoon Storms, then Clearing
