Brown

Adrian

By the time she was done talking, her face was extremely red and there were tears streaming uncomfortably down her face. 

There was nothing I could say. Not that I didn't want to say anything or comfort her, but I didn't know what was appropriate and if she'd appreciate my gesture at that moment. 

Now at least, I understand why she always kept to herself and why she felt like she couldn't stand up to her parents concerning their decision to marry her off. 

She rested her head in her hands and j brought out my naoking and handed it to her. Without looking up, she collected it from me and wiped her face. 

“Thank you." She gave me a quick glance before putting her head back down. 

We stayed in silence like that, with me standing and staring at her while she sat on the bed and the only sound that was being heard was her sniffing. 

“Go ahead, say it. I'm stupid and irresponsible and I deserve to die. It won't be the first time someone said it. After all, it's not like it's a lie. " 

A frown immediately settled in my face and I moved closer to her. 

“Who said that to you?" My chest beat faster. 

She shook her head. “Forget it. How many people do you want to fight because of me?" 

“My Princess, if I may speak freely, I know you feel bad about what happened but I tell you this for free, especially when we're younger but that doesn't mean that we won't regret it or that it won't hunt us forever.

 But the only thing we can do is to move. I'm very sure your sister doesn't blame you for what happened-"

“You should hear what she says to me in my sleep." 

“That's not her. It's your conscience that keeps eating at you and doesn't want to let you go. You have to forgive yourself in order for you to move on." 

I couldn't believe I was stbe one giving this type of advice. If there was anybody that knew anything about past mistakes and regret, it would be me. 

“Adrian-". She started to say but a knock on her door interrupted her. 

We locked eyes and both looked confused as to who could be knocking on her door at that time of the night. 

Speaking of “time of the night", I should probably get to my room before someone that's not supposed to see me here comes and it just turns into a very awkward situation. 

As I approached the door, my mind went back to the fool that I had to deal with downstairs. Thank God I didn't say the first that came to mind as soon as I opened the door or else I would have ended up calling the Queen “a daft idiot who doesn't get the point once because his ego is too bruised by a woman punching him. "

I just swallowed and held the door wide open for her. 

“My Queen." 

Though my head was bowed, I could feel her death glare drilling holes into my head. 

“Mother." The Princess called her attention away from me and she walked into the room. 

Without wasting any more time, I walked out of the room and closed the door. At first, the room was silent and I was so happy I wasn't the Princess at that moment. However, I wasn't surprised because the tension between the princess and her mother was something else. 

A few moments later, I heard voices and it kept getting louder with each exchange. Eventually, I heard a slap and then the silence. 

I didn't need a seer to tell me who was the receiver. The door opened and soon after, the Queen opened the door and slammed it shut behind her. She didn't move from the door and I stared straight ahead like I hadn't heard or seen her. 

She spoke. “Do your job. Nothing else." 

I bowed my head as she walked away and I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding. Something in me wanted to go in and comfort Adrianna because I could hear her sobs again. At the same time, I wanted to give her the space she needed. 

Because I was too tense, I hadn't even paid attention to what the conversation had been about. Eventually, I chose the latter but I decided to stay outside her door through the night. 

There was no way I was getting enough sleep with everything that had happened. As I stood there fighting the cold in the early morning , my mind drifted back to the past mistakes. 

I watched Ayra get tied up among other kids from our village and taken by the men who attacked our kingdom. I watched… because I was a coward and because I was stupid. 

My parents had asked me to take Ayra out to the field with me. If only I had just listened… she wouldn't have been in the village when the men came and at least I'd have one family member left alive. 

As my parents watched them bind her, they lept in a heroic bid to save their little one. Three things happened next. 

Two gunshots filled the thick air. 

My parents dropped to the open ground before me. 

My eyes locked with Ayra as she was being dragged away by the men. 

I couldn't explain the way I felt that day. Hatred was an understatement and I was going to end things just to deal with my guilt. 

Until the General saw me and saved me.   

It wasn't easy getting back on track after everything but he took me in and helped me heal. After hearing my story, he told me that he would help me find Ayra. 

Even though he gave me a condition, I didn't care as long as I saw my sister. Her face being the last thing I saw that day would hunt me until I found her. 

I'd do anything just to find her.