Chapter 114 - How Dare You?
Chapter 114 – How Dare You?
I knew Adelia was young, but I underestimated her deep affection towards Hugo. She had been with me almost all the time, but she barely did anything aside from doing menial things. That was because I was still learning; it was better if we both learn together.
Even so, I tried to reach out to her multiple times. Asking her to join me for tea or ask her opinions regarding matters I already knew how to fix. But despite all that effort, I couldn't reach her.
To Adelia, I snatched Hugo away from her, and that was an unchanging fact. Maybe she would give me a chance if I weren't Hugo's lover.
My eyes landed on the blood trickling down the floor. The pieces of jewelry were scattered on the floor and the jewelry box was now completely shattered. Silence enveloped my room as the three of us were rendered speechless by Adelia's sudden outburst.
'I was wrong.' I thought, eyelids drooping with disappointment. 'Maybe, choosing her as my lady-in-waiting where she has to spend more time with me slowly builds up her frustration. After bottling her anger, which she was never used to, she exploded with just a tiny reason. Hah…'
Whatever pushed Adelia to resort to violence, I don't care anymore. There were matters I could understand, but there were other things that I shouldn't try to understand. Kindness and respect were free, so I was generous in giving it to everyone equally.
But this was where I drew the line.
"My lady, are you alright?" Sasha gazed at me worriedly, even though blood was trickling down to her temple. When Adelia threw the heavy jewelry box to me, she used herself to shield me. In turn, Sasha had to inflict the damage that was meant for me. Yet, she was more concerned about me.
"Lady Adelia! Have you lost your mind?! Aren't you afraid of the consequences of your action?! If not for Sasha, you could've killed Her Grace!" Maricel hollered as she rushed to my side, glaring at Adelia.
"My lady, you had a wound." Sasha pointed out, reaching for my hand where a piece of jewelry graze me. "Maricel, get the first aid kit and summon a physician at once!"
"Sasha, you're the one who is bleeding." She winced when I touched the area close to her wound. "I am alright because Sasha is here. Thank you for protecting me, but don't do that again. Don't put yourself in harm's way to protect me."
I appreciated Sasha's intention, but there was this part of me that hated it. Somehow, it reminded me of that night in Everfell. That haunting night where everyone died to protect me for reasons I had been questioning.
"Maricel, fetch the first aid and summon a physician so he can take a look at Sasha." I glanced at Maricel's pale countenance, still in disbelief at the turn of events. So I sported a reassuring smile and nodded.
When Maricel swallowed and hastily left the room, I squeezed Sasha's hands before raising my eyes. Unlike the usual look I would give to them, my eyes bore no emotions. I locked my gaze with Adelia, who was still panting and shaking after her outburst. But I couldn't see any remorse in her eyes. If anything, she seemed annoyed at Sasha for shielding me.
"Adelia," I called coldly, standing up from where I sat on. "Do you know that what you have done can be considered treason?"
I raised my chin, eyes still on her. "An apology might be unnecessary at this point, but you owe Sasha an apology."
"She asked for it. If she didn't get in the way –"
"You could've killed me." I intercepted and finished her sentence. Her breath hitched as my voice lowered, hitting the low note I never knew I could hit. Adelia had done it. I had given her many chances, reached out to her, and tried to understand her.
"My lady…" I heard Sasha's weak voice while I marched towards Adelia. She was taller than me, but not tall enough to not reach her head.
"What? Are you angry that — "
SLAP!
Her eyes dilated, holding the cheek I slapped without a moment's notice. When she looked back while still carrying that glare, another slap landed on her. I never harmed even a fly in my life, much more a human or a werewolf. But after leaving Everfell and the imperial capital, and committing to this role, I was aware I was bound to resort to actions I was not used to doing.
Back then, people had always protected me. But now… I had grown tired of just being protected. I also wanted to protect my people, those who were dear to me, so I wouldn't lose them again. I would not allow my people to die because I was weak, unreliable, and couldn't protect myself.
"Adelia, I know you are young, and it's still hard for you to contain your emotions. However, that doesn't pardon you from attempting to murder an innocent person." My eyes and voice were still cold, stressing every word I spewed. "Although I am unharmed, you hurt Sasha. How dare you touch my people?"
Her eyes dilated and ground her teeth, revealing her fangs. I didn't flinch. I had witnessed and stood before death's door multiple times already. She doesn't scare me.
"You — " Adelia raised her hand to slap me back, but stopped when someone suddenly barged into the room.
"Adelia!" I glanced at the door to see Emily rushing to us. She was shaking when she raised her hand to her daughter to slap her.
SLAP!
"Adelia! What is wrong with you!?" Emily panted while Adelia held her cheek, looking back at her mother wide-eyed. Before she could speak again, Emily grabbed her daughter's shoulder and dragged her down to her knees.
"Your Grace, I rushed in here when I heard the news." She was shaking, holding on to Adelia as they knelt before me. "My daughter is wrong and what she had done is punishable by death. But Your Grace…"
When Emily raised her head, she trailed off upon seeing the distant look in my eyes. The forgiveness she was about to spit out rolled back to her throat as she hung her head low.
"We will accept any punishment you see fit." In the end, Emily was still a mother as she pleaded. "I didn't raise her properly; that is why Adelia is like this. Your Grace, please punish me instead. My daughter is still young and has many things to learn."
"What? What did I do so wrong when I am simply —" Adelia, who hadn't shown remorse until now, tried to argue her way out. But Emily warned and glared at her, forcing her to grit her teeth and contain her anger. I felt bad for Emily and Balthazar, Adelia's warm parents. They loved their only daughter so much and pampered her that Adelie believed everything she claimed should be hers.
"Emily, take your daughter out of my sight. Your house is a loyal supporter of the grand duke. What Adelia had committed is despicable and is considered treason. But… considering the Baron's contribution to Belcoot, I will not make a hasty decision." Although my demeanor was still distant, I stared at Emily straight in the eye when she raised it to me. "I will discuss this with the Grand Duke first. For now, Adelia will not step foot within the castle grounds."
"Ye — yes, Your Grace."