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Finn nodded and said, "Yes sir." . Adele gulped, nodding slightly. "Protect yourself, too." she whispered. Then she said, in a normal voice, "But what about my parents? I haven't seen them since the attack, and I don't know who has." Panic rose in her as she realized they might be dead, along with... She hardly dared to think it... Alban could be gone as well. She tried to choke down the tears that were forming. 'I don't know if they're gone yet. There's still hope. Don't give up.' She tried to believe her own thoughts. |
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Caelan nodded and thought. "Find them. I'll direct your people to the throne room. Let me handle my mother as well." He said, kissing her. "I missed you, my love." |
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"Okay," Adele agreed, voice cracking. She embraced Caelan, whispering, "I missed you... So much..." She pulled away, gazed at Caelan for a moment, then hurried toward Finn. "May I have one of your daggers?" The man nodded and said, "Of course, your highness," handing her one with a black handle. She hefted it, then peered out the cell door. Seeing the hallway empty, she made her way through the dungeon until she had reached the street. Adele scanned the crowd for her parents' forms, trying to brush aside the little whispering voice that said, 'They're gone. Give up looking. Already dead. Too late.' They had to be there somewhere. Adele kept looking, growing more and more frustrated as all she found were wounded citizens. |
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Caelan put on a cloak bearing the day kingdom's emblem, hurrying out to direct citzens--both wounded and okay--toward the throne room. Soon enough, most of the city's alive population was comfortably sitting in the throne room. He helped the last few peple get in and turned to head out the door. A little girl ran up to him, tugging on Caelan's hand. "Thank you" She said. Calena nodded. "You're very welcome, sweetie" He said softly, letting go of her and walking into the weaponry. He found a sword and a few daggers hidden in nooks and crannies before pocketing the daggers and carrying the sword into the battle. He didn't kill anyone, they just moved away from him. He spotted his mother upon her horse almost instantly, smiling and sitting there on the stage while her horse stood at attention. She didn't deserve such a creature. She deserved nothing. And Caelan would make sure that happened and the horse would retire to pasture. He strode up to his mother, the cloak still in place as she looked down on him with disgust. It was nothing new, the look she waas giving him, but this time it didn't affect him. "Get. Down." He snapped, his mother recognizing his voice instantly. "C-Caelan." She choked out in fear. "That's your majesty, to you. Get down now. You have commited treason and will pay the price." He sad, his mother obeying. "So you are alive. A pity." She said, trying to act tough and not like she was about to start to tremble in fear. She followed Caelan to the throne room, him walking behind her after confiscating all of her weapons and poisons. "Adele!" He called throughout the throne room, one of his hands gripping his mother's arm tightly. |
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After more than half an hour of searching and finding nothing, Adele plopped onto a bench outside the caslte, defeated. She wasn't giving up, but she was so tired from everything that had happened, that she couldn't go another yard. Then she heard Caelan's voice calling her name from the inside the castle. She jumped up and jogged through the castle gates and through the hallways decorated with banners and tapestries and carpets. She reached the throne room and was cheered to see all the citizens that had survived safe and somewhat happy, being served water and food. Adele scanned the room for Caelan, and saw him, holding his mother's arm. She strode over, a wary look on her face. "I'm here. I couldn't find them," she said, making sure not to say that she was looking for her parents and brother. She knew Caelan's mother would seize the opportunity to make Adele feel worse. She hoped that she wouldn't, but not for her own sake. Doing something like that would set Caelan off. She didn't want people to see him angry, and there were so many people in the room that someone was always looking at them. She prayed that Caelan's mother would remain silent. |
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Caelan's mother smirked as Caelan pulled Adele closer and pecked her lips. "I'll help you find them later, my love." He promised softly, arm around her waist. Caelan's mother scoffed. "You're trying to find them?" She snarled cruelly. "They're dead. You're brother...Alban, wasn't it? Yes, he was rather a joy to watch. He begged and pleaded for mercy, saying he did nothing wrong. I simply told him he made the mistake to stay here as a prince." She said, smirking. Caelan's eyes flashed with something he hadn't dared to let outt-especially in front of Adele and any other day kingdom citizen. "What. Did. You. Just. Say?!" He roared, dropping his arm from around Adele's waist so he didn't hurt her. He unsheathed a dagger from his side, pointing it at his mother. "You do not get so say such things to the love of my life. You've ruined everything else. I know you poisoned your own husband for the throne. I know you ordered Adele's capture and near torture. You expect me to stand here and act like it's fine as you talk to Adelaide like she isn't effected by the words spilling from your venomous mouth?!" He said, every word carrying weight that everyone could hear he'd carried his whole life. Every beating, every insult, every harsh word spoken to him from this woman he was stuck with as a mother came rushing as adreneline. |
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Adele didn't react to Caelan's mother's words, since she had been expecting it. She knew she was probably lying, but even so, the doubt kept creeping in. When Caelan stood up for her, Adele's heart swelled with gratitude and pride. How had she ever deserved someone that wonderful? Adele discreetly motioned for a few guards to come over, worried about making a spectacle in front of all of the already-traumatized people in the room. Adele touched Caelan's arm, speaking softly and kindly. "Caelan. Not here." Two of the guards she had called each took one of his mother's arms, restraining her from moving. "What would you like us to do with her, ma'am?" One guard asked Adele. But she shook her head and said, "Whatever he says to do," motioning to Caelan. She hoped this gesture showed her belief and respect in Caelan, and that the guards would listen to him. |
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Caelan turned to Adele, his expression softening at her words. He pursed his lips together and sheathed his dagger with a sigh. "Dungeon. No food or water. Guars posted inside and out. Please have at least three pairs of eyes on her at all times. Whatever you do, do not let her out." He said, a slightly commanding tone taking over his voice. "Please" He added quietly. "I need to speak with you, my love." He said, turning to Adele |
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The guard hesitated, looking at the others. Finally, he nodded, and motioned for four more men to follow him down to the dungeon. The two who had Caelan's mother led her roughly after them. Adele breathed a sigh of relief as his mother disappeared, and turned to Caelan. "Of course," she said, then led the way to a side room with an empty fireplace and a few armchairs. She motioned for Caelan to sit, and she took the one opposite him. "What is it?" She asked kindly. |
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"Are you okay? Did anyone hurt you at all? Please, tell me if anyone did." He pleaded softly, rubbing her arms and searching her eyes. "I love you so much." |
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Breezy and Pleasant
