Why The Hell is Fate Trying to Kill Me?

Chapter 69 North and South Theatre

"The carriage is ready, my lady," Octavi announced, returning from the rear and holding the flap open. "We must depart now."

I stood up, smoothing my skirt. But before I took a step, I paused.

"Cassius and Valerie?" I asked.

"They are waiting by the weapon racks, my lady," Octavi replied. "They will ride with the main army when your parents return."

"No," I stated. "They come with me."

Octavi blinked. "Come with you? Does it mean they will be with you inside the carriage? Or they can ride beside your carriage?"

"Inside with me..."

She blinked again. "My lady, in this event, to let them sit beside you inside the carriage will make a scene for the crowd and nobles."

"I do not care about crowding, and I certainly do not care about propriety," I snapped. "They are the retinue that I hired. I will not leave them behind in here."

I looked at Octavi.

"Retrieve them. Tell them to leave the horses. They ride with us."

"As you wish," Octavi bowed.

...

A few moments later, I walked out of the pavilion. I didn't look at the dais or the crowd. I walked straight to the white carriage bearing the Aurelius crest.

Cassius and Valerie were there, looking slightly out of place in their rough leather armour against the pristine white of the carriage.

I climbed inside.

"Get in," I ordered them.

Cassius hesitated, looking at his muddy boots and the crowd. "My lady, are you sure?"

"Get. In."

They obeyed.

The carriage was full. I sat on one side. Lady Octavi sat beside me. Cassius and Valerie took the spaces in front of us, filling the cabin with the scent of leather and iron. Adel took her place on the coachman's bench outside.

"Drive," Octavi ordered through the window.

The carriage pushed forward.

I leaned my head against the velvet cushion, turning my gaze to the small window. As we gathered speed, the main path of the encampment rolled past.

And there he was.

Fabian.

He was still standing where I had left him. He was staring at the ground. Anna stood a few paces behind him.

The sound of our departure finally snapped his head up.

He looked right at the carriage. He saw me in the window.

His eyes widened. He took a step forward, his mouth opening as if to call out, to beg for another chance.

But I didn't stop.

I reached out and pulled the curtain shut.

"He saw you," Octavi said quietly beside me. "He saw you leave him."

"Good," I replied.

"The court will call this a scandal, my lady," Valerie noted, leaning back with a grin that didn't quite reach her eyes. "Leaving the Prince in the dust? That's a declaration of independence if I've ever seen one."

"It is not a declaration of independence," I said, my voice heavy with exhaustion but sharp with intent. "It is a realignment of priorities."

I rested my head back against the cushion, but my eyes did not close. Instead, they drifted onto Valerie.