Surviving As A Cannon Fodder

Chapter 172

Angelica stopped dead in her tracks. Slowly, she turned around and faced the owner of the voice, her expression reminiscent of that of a thief caught in the act.

"Hi?"

Angelica grinned awkwardly with half-raised hands and waved.

At the other end of Angelica's gaze stood a woman with bright red curly hair who stared at her wide-eyed; her face paled white like she had just seen a ghost.

"How have you been, Addie?" Angelica lowered her hands as her lips curved into a bittersweet smile.

"!"

Adelaide's eyes began to waver. Her lips quivered as if trying to speak but unable to form the words. She clenched her hands into fists and shook her head gently.

Then, in the blink of an eye, Adelaide marched toward Angelica with her ducked head down, making it hard to determine her expression.

"Addie?"

Angelica called in confusion when Adelaide stopped in front of her, only to feel a sharp sting on her right cheek the next moment.

*slap*

"Is that how you greet people now, Addie?"

When Angelica spoke, Adelaide struck her on the other cheek, this time harder.

*slap*

"In my defense, I was left unsupervised."

In response to Angelica's brazen words, Adelaide raised her hands in the air as if to slap her again the anger apparent on her face.

"!"

Angelica winced and closed her eyes, anticipating another blow. However, even after a few seconds had passed, she didn't feel the impact.

Feeling curious, Angelica peeked open one eye to find Adelaide glaring at her with pursed lips, her trembling hand still raised in the air.

"Alright alright! I understand. I totally deserved that. I am so sorry-"

Flinching back under Adelaide's intense gaze, Angelica tried to apologize. But before she could finish, she was pulled into a tight hug by Adelaide, whom she had not seen and missed dearly for the past three years. 

"Where were you all this time?" Adelaide choked a cry.

From the day, Adelaide learned of the news of Angelica's marriage to Edward Frost, she had feared for her friend's well-being. 

At the height of the conflict between the Esdel and Frost households, Angelica's decision to marry Edward, who was believed to be cursed, amidst the ongoing territorial war, intensified her fear and concern for the implications of Angelica's choice.

No matter how much she contemplated, it seemed uncharacteristic of Angelica to take such an important decision abruptly, especially since she had not shown any interest in marriage even before the late Countess's death.

It puzzled her even more because Angelica had only visited the capital once as a child and had been absent from the social scene, the latter partly due to the former Countess's influence. For her to step into the role of a high-ranking duchess and become the center of attention in the social world was highly unlikely.

In the weeks that followed, Adelaide grew more anxious about her inability to get in touch with Angelica when suddenly it was announced that Angelica had been slain by a group of rogue bandits while traveling to the Temple of Eir after she was thrown into the raging ocean.

With the testimony of the knights and maids that accompanied Angelica on the day, she was declared dead even though her body was yet to be found.

While the entire capital mourned the death of the cursed bride, Adelaide persisted. She implored the Imperial officers in charge of the investigation to continue the search for Angelica despite the Imperial decree ruling otherwise.