Chapter 8

"Your Highness, please save me."

Too tired to walk, Adelina crawled to Cedric's feet and slumped down. Her vision was blurry and her body was trembling, but Crown Prince Cedric was the only one she could hold onto right now.

"I'm sorry, Your Highness. Please show mercy."

She never wanted to be the Crown Princess. She never wanted power. She merely followed her family's orders and accepted Cedric's outstretched hand.

"I didn't come here to save you."

"Your Highness! Please!"

"Soldiers! Why aren't you dragging the criminal away?!"

She felt that she'd be fine if she never married. And if she had to marry, she hoped to live quietly as the wife of a common man.

Because she didn't have anything, she had nothing to covet.

That's what she thought. However, the moment she saw Cedric, it all collapsed.

* * *

"If you have something to say, say it quickly and let me go back."

This was the first time he'd seen her in two years, and she had changed so much. The eyes that would sparkle when she was in a good mood were now sunken and heavy. The smiling face that was as bright as the new moon was now stiff and dark.

She didn't want to speak with him, but he forcibly grabbed her and brought her to an inn on the outskirts of the city. He had so many things he wanted and needed to say to her, but Adelina remained cold.

"Adelina."

But she was still so lovely. The feelings that didn't arise for any other woman in the Palace, no, for any woman among the nobility, began to bubble over when he saw her.

The only one who could move his heart. How could he leave this kind of woman and marry another?!

"I heard that you are to be married to the General."

Had her marriage partner already been chosen? She had resolved herself to the fact that she was getting married, but she never imagined that her future husband had already been decided on. And it was the General no less… Wasn't he the son that the Consort had given birth to before she had entered the Palace?

"Who told you that?"

"Just hold on a little longer."

Adelina's eyes narrowed at Cedric's words. However, because he continued to speak, he didn't notice the way she was looking at him.

"It's difficult right now, but if you endure and wait a little longer, I will come get you no matter what. I will convince Father Emperor no matter what and…"

"How am I to endure?"

Cedric's mouth closed shut at Adelina's reply. However, Adelina had reached her limit.

She was already at a loss for how to survive right now, so how could she endure more than this? And even if she were to grit her teeth and endure it even more, there was no guarantee that Cedric would stretch out his hand to help her in the end.

"I'm already having such a hard time, but are you telling me to put my trust in you and endure even more, Your Highness?"

"Adelina!"

"You are someone who has already let go of my hand, Your Highness. How am I to know that you won't do it again?"

A guard standing behind them stepped forward at Adelina's harsh words. Cedric stopped him from coming any closer.

Cedric was incredibly confused by Adelina's reaction. In the past, she was a maiden who had followed everything he said.

"If you would like to show me your truth, then don't wait and take me with you right now."

Cedric flinched at Adelina's words. Seeing his bewildered reaction, Adelina lowered her head.

She didn't have a family that could protect her anymore. And the Adelina that would yield to every one of her family's wishes was no longer here as well.

"You cannot do anything, Your Highness."

After finishing what she had to say, Adelina let out a sigh. She had been helplessly dragged here, but if Doen found out that she went missing in the middle of the night, she'd be worried.

She didn't want to dwell on the Palace or Cedric anymore.

"I'll take my leave…"

"Aigoo! You were here! Aigoo!"

A foreboding feeling washed over her.

The fatigue that had been weighing down on her joints disappeared in an instant. Brushing past Cedric, Adelina rushed down the stairs.

"What's going on at this time of night?"

"I heard that a suspicious person entered your house, but Nisha… That small child Nisha said that she'd protect the Lord and… Oh, no."

Adelina didn't finish listening to the man. Without so much as a goodbye to Cedric, she began to run back to her house. Seeing her disappear, Cedric stood up to follow after her. Before he could take a step, his guard grabbed him.

"Your Highness, we cannot stay any longer."

He needed to catch Adelina. However, if he did that, he would have to give up everything.

Could he do it?

"...Let's return to the Palace."

He didn't have any power right now.