Hidden Stones

CHAPTER 3 | South Fountain

ADRIANNA

Rain had swept over the kingdom in a rush this morning and as I went my way towards the training grounds,  mga boots had this squishy sound as it touches the mud. The sun was shining bright somewhere but it looks dull since a sheen of fog appeared as it does everytime the rain happens.
I inhale the earthy smell of the land and the moist hanging in the air and sigh. The weather makes me wanna lie back down and be lazy,  not supervise some training.

As I was about a few walks away from the grounds,  I hear a familiar voice rising above the supposed relaxing atmosphere. I chuckle to myself. Old Mackenny at his usual training mode.

"Good morning,  recruits! And to you too,  my partner." I greeted towards the men running lapses at the far end of the field and to Mackenny who was currently scolding a pale looking trainee who appears to be seconds from passing out.

"Oh, if it isn't the princess warrior wanna be?" He grumbles. I shake my head in amusement,  used to Mackenny's sharp tongue when he's in a mood.

"Good morning to you too." I beamed.  I narrowed my eyes towards the trainee and back to the old man while lifting my brows in the process. The trainee ducked his head in shame.

"Well,  this one had the guts to apply as a warrior when a mere few lapses makes him sweat like a pig and stumble. Not only once but twice. Does this look like a game to you-" When old Mac had his voice rising again I placed my hand on his shoulder to somewhat calm him.

"Now,  now,  Mac. I can handle this one. You can see to the others.  Make sure they're not...  stumbling and rolling around the grass." He grumbled

The day went by. I went to the training grounds and taught the newly appointed warriors how to swiftly kill prey.

When afternoon came, the training was finally over.

As I walked down the palace corridors, I stare from the  full-length windows at the palace's second upper floor.

While appreciating the beauty of the gardens below, I saw my brother, Seaden, with his new girl, smooching under the smokey tree near the pond. I scrunched my nose in disgust. Only seeing that girl can make my day worse. I absolutely do not support his relationship with Felina. She's too snarky, rude and unpleasant to be with.

Seaden might look rather charming and sweet. He's taller than most guys and a bit buffer because of royal blood, he's got a good enough face with his dark brown eyes, straight nose and such. He's got those black and wavy, short-cropped hair and a cute dimple when he smiles. Yeah, he looks like those knights in the old tales. Good and brave. But despite his kind features he knows just how to move through women. I don't usually care. But sometimes, the women he associates with are just a bit too... immoral, flaunting, inappropriate, deceiving...

I remember the time when my brother first introduced Felina, she was all shy and sweet. She's got dark hair and brown eyes; common to all the Easterns. Shapely body and skimpy dresses. When my brother left the two of us alone, she ignored my presence and when she started making conversation with me, she asked if I had already slept with my brother.

I was thoroughly disgusted that I immediately told my brother that I dislike her. Seaden, being born an idiot, didn't heed my advice and up until now he's still with her.

And I definitely know that they are not mates at all. They do not seem to like each other the way mates do.

After, thinking about ways to remove Felina's tight grip on my brother's life, I went to my father's office.

Entering through very huge and thick doors, I walked near my father and graciously slumped on the velvet cushioned seat in front of him.

"Yes, dear?" he said. His face covered with a parchment he's holding.