Vows And Veil

Ah, The Quick Talker

Adelaide's frown deepened as her so-called husband suggested she stay in the servants' quarters. His attempt to humiliate her was transparent, but she refused to let it diminish her. She was no fragile princess, accustomed to the luxuries of royalty. His juvenile behavior only reflected poorly on him, not her. Adelaide had always embraced her connection with the common people. Gerald's smirk only fueled her determination to wipe it off his face.

Throughout her life, she had been taught to endure silently, but with Gerald, her patience wore thin. She understood he was forced into this marriage, but so was she! Not only was she coerced into marriage, but she was also deceived and manipulated into believing Prince Fredrick loved her. If anything, she was the greater victim of this cruel game. Adelaide recognized that Prince Gerald's behavior was juvenile and beneath her. Rather than descending to his level by engaging in an argument, she chose to maintain her dignity and composure.

Adelaide inhaled the briny scent of the ocean, her gaze steady on Gerald as a subtle smile played on her lips. "I have no issue with that," she said calmly, noting the slight reduction in Gerald's smirk, though it remained stubbornly in place. Turning her attention to Zachary, who appeared visibly uncomfortable, she offered him a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, Warrior Zachary. I'm happy to take your quarters, and you can have mine," she proposed, catching Zachary off guard with her unexpected offer.

Before he could protest, she continued, "It would actually be quite helpful for me. I prefer not to share my space with someone of his ilk," she added, pointedly avoiding Gerald's gaze. Her words seemed to only fuel Gerald's amusement, his smirk growing stronger.

However, Adelaide wasn't finished. "I am a princess of the people. Equality is a principle I hold dear—a lesson that seems to have been overlooked by some," she remarked, finally turning her gaze to Gerald. Her comment struck a nerve, evident by the shift from a smirk to a frown on Gerald's face. Insults to his character might not faze him, but questioning his upbringing clearly touched a sore spot.

Gerald felt a twinge in his eye, his disdain for Adelaide growing stronger with each passing moment, especially now with her sharp retorts. He could practically see the satisfaction gleaming in her eyes, and it only fueled his resentment further. He longed to wipe that smug expression off her face, but before he could even consider it, Fredrick's timely arrival disrupted the tension.

"What seems to be the matter here?" Fredrick's authoritative voice cut through the air, swiftly wiping the satisfaction off Adelaide's face. Emerging from below deck, where their chambers were located, he had come up alone upon hearing voices on the deck. Sophia remained in her quarters, resting. Adelaide felt a pang of unease wash over her as Fredrick calmly approached, his expression tinged with confusion. Their eyes briefly met, but Adelaide quickly averted her gaze. The pain of locking eyes with him was too much to bear.

Fredrick cast a concerned glance at Adelaide, sensing her discomfort. He felt a pang of remorse for inadvertently causing her distress, but upon hearing voices, he knew he couldn't ignore the situation. Stepping onto the deck, he found Gerald, Adelaide, and Zachary gathered in a circle, their expressions hinting at tension. Zachary's discomfort was palpable as Fredrick approached, his hands clasped behind his back. Sensing the unease, Fredrick gently prompted Zachary to explain the situation, but the soldier faltered, unable to find the words to articulate what had transpired.

Adelaide observed Zachary's evident reluctance to speak up, prompting her to gather her courage and address Fredrick directly, despite the discomfort it caused her. With a steadying breath, she explained the situation to Fredrick, her voice tinged with resignation. "I've chosen to take the servant's quarter, allowing Zachary to share the chamber with Prince Gerald. However, he appears hesitant to do so," she revealed, her words laced with a mixture of resolve and apprehension.