The Chronicle of Aurelia Aurelius

Chapter 42 The Envelope

            On the carriage going home, there was silence between me, Lady Octavi, and Ade inside the carriage. Until... Adel spat out some words in front of my seat,

"That was surprising, my lady..."

"Surprising?" I was puzzled by her words, "What do you mean by that?"

"You easily let Lady Octavi partake in the Queen's plan..."

"Me? Easily? Why did you say it like that?"

"Was my lady not recognised or not realising her intention? She tried to pry you, and my lady easily reacted to her intention."

Adel's words struck a nerve, causing me to furrow my brow in confusion, "Yet, Lady Octavi was fine on the grander sparring." I looked at her, where she sat in front of me, "You are fine to partake in this event, right?"

Lady Octavi answered, like before, "It's up to my lady; I will obligate your words..."

"See! My lady, she just followed your words, so it's up to you, how you observe and see around, and what will happen in the future. My lady needs to know that..."

Immediately, Lady Octavi reacted to Adel's words with a brash tone, "Insolent! Are you doubting my lady's judgment? Or perhaps do you question my skill? There is no need for further questioning. Do we need to test each other? Because the last time we were just warming up..."

"I am not questioning your skill or my lady's judgement about this grander sparring...We all know how great and formidable you are...Yet, is it alright not to tell her, the person you are obligated to protect and serve, what lies ahead? She needs to be informed of potential risks and challenges to make well-informed decisions. But you, Lady Octavi, are just accepting everything that my lady asked..."

I saw Adel kept stay composure and calm without showing any emotion, after what she had just said to Lady Octavi. On the other hand, Lady Octavi seemed taken aback by Adel's words, her expression momentarily faltering. Lady Octavi took a deep breath and replied with a thoughtful tone,

"I believe my lady is capable enough to decide and make decision...And she is now twenty-one years old; at that age, she is quietly mature..."

"Here is a thing, Lady Octavi... Maturity does not always equate to wisdom or the ability to make great decisions. Age alone does not guarantee great judgment, which requires experience and knowledge. So when she asks you about what you think about something, you should give her your insight and what would happen in the future, not just blatantly say 'It depends on you, my lady.'."

I sensed some heat from Lady Octavi, and immediately she slightly stood up from her seat, and looked at Adel with an irritated face and said

"IMPUDENT!! You know what you said, right? You assume your master, whom you serve, is incompetent and incapable of making great decisions..."

Adel's face didn't change at all; she still showed no emotion and was calm. She took her gaze on me, and addressed me, "As for you, my lady, I apologise if my words came across as disrespectful to you." Her face turned back to Lady Octavi, "I am not assuming; my lady is incapable and incompetent, yet I stand that my lady needs guidance enough to ensure she is not making bad decisions. However, you, as the sword's of the family, have a duty to protect and advise her; it's not about against your master or my lady; it's about advising. After we gave all the possibilities and advice to her, it depends on her to choose, but you just put everything towards her without giving any advice. That's the one I don't like about you, Lady Octavi..."