Chapter 4
Cordelia’s POV
When I woke up, I turned to look beside me.
Empty.
He hadn’t come back all night.
I had prepared myself for this. But when I was truly faced with the cold, empty bed, I still felt…
A sense of loss.
How ridiculous.
Even at this point, I could still feel disappointed.
I took a deep breath, threw back the covers, and got out of bed.
My phone screen was lit up, but there were no new messages.
No reply from my parents.
I didn’t know if they hadn’t seen my message yet, or if they’d seen it and simply didn’t want to respond.
Either way, I had to leave.
Passing by the study, I saw Adrian sitting behind his desk, dark circles under his eyes, hair tousled.
“I got back after midnight. Didn’t want to wake you, so I crashed here for a bit.”
He took my hand. “Come on, let’s have breakfast. I made you strawberry pancakes.”
He led me toward the dining room.
“How is it?”
“It’s delicious,” I said.
Adrian’s eyes lit up, like a child basking in praise.
“I knew you’d like it.” He sat across from me, propping his chin in his hand as he watched me eat. “Once the succession ceremony is over, I’ll have more time for you. I’ll make you breakfast every morning.”
It sounded so beautiful.
But that day would never come.
“Adrian.” I set down my fork. “You don’t have to be so good to me.”
“What?”
“I mean… you’re already so busy. You don’t need to do all this for me.”
He paused, then reached out and took my hand.
“Cordelia, you deserve the best.” His gaze was earnest and gentle. “No matter how busy I am, I want to do these things for you.”
I looked into his eyes.
There was love in them, real love.
But why couldn’t that love belong to me alone?
In the afternoon, I took a walk along the path toward the training grounds.
Before I even got close, I heard the laughter of several men.
Adrian’s friends—Reginald, Montgomery, Nicholas.
They stood at the edge of the field, watching the new recruits train, chatting and laughing.
“Adrian, your little wolf pup’s riding is getting better and better,” Nicholas teased, amusement in his voice.
“No kidding,” Montgomery chimed in. “Heard you were practicing past midnight again last night? No wonder you look exhausted today.”
“Cordelia still thinks she has you all to herself,” Reginald said, lowering his voice, his tone full of mockery. “If she ever found out—”
The three of them burst into low, rumbling laughter.
They were talking about Evangeline. Adrian had been with her last night.
They all knew.
Just then, a shout rang out from the training field.
“Watch out—!”
Before I could react, a wooden training spear came hurtling toward me.
I instinctively tried to dodge, but I was a second too slow.
The tip grazed my arm, leaving a shallow cut.
Not deep, but it stung.
“Mrs. Cross!”
A young recruit stumbled over, face pale as a sheet. “I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to! I swear!”
“What happened?!”
Adrian’s voice rang out from afar.
A moment later, he was at my side, grabbing my arm to check the wound.
“Cordelia, are you alright? Does it hurt?” His brow was furrowed, eyes full of worry and guilt. “I’ll take you to the doctor right now.”
“It’s fine,” I said. “Just a scratch.”
He turned and barked at the recruit, “What kind of training is this?!”
“Mr. Cross, I—I didn’t mean to…” The boy was shaking all over.
“Adrian, don’t scare him,” I said, taking his arm. “It’s just a small cut. I’ll be fine after a little rest.”
Montgomery, Nicholas, and Reginald hurried over.
“Cordelia, are you alright?” Montgomery asked, concern written all over his face.
“That was dangerous! What are these recruits even doing?” Nicholas frowned.
“Cordelia, do you want me to call the doctor?” Reginald offered solicitously.
Their expressions were sincere, their voices full of concern, as if they truly cared about me.
But just moments ago, they’d been making a joke out of my husband and another woman.
“I’m fine,” I forced a smile. “Thank you for your concern.”
“You should still see a doctor,” Adrian insisted. “I’d feel better.”
“Adrian, really, it’s nothing.” I met his eyes. “I’ll have Martha help me with the wound. Go on, you’re busy.”
He looked at me for a moment, then finally nodded.
“Alright. But if you feel even a little unwell, you have to tell me.”
I walked back along the path, their words still echoing in my mind.
Just then, hurried footsteps sounded behind me.
“Mrs. Cross! Mrs. Cross, please wait!”
I turned to see a young servant I didn’t recognize, breathless and anxious.
“Yes?”
“Mrs. Cross, please! Mr. Cross is going to throw that recruit in the dungeon! He’s just a kid!”
