19 SWORD MASTER: Back Home 2

The next few days things went smoothly for Adriele in the palace, Clarisse had apologized to her and was taking good care of her. When Clarisse first apologized to her, she didn't completely trust her. She had been so good to her and treated her as a sister and even once defended her in front of Salma. Which came as a surprise to everyone.

Salma, Juliet, and Clarisse had been more than sisters, they were the best of friends. Especially after Juliet got married and left home, Salma became even more attached and protective of Clarisse, just in case "Adriele" will try to steal her sister's love and attention from her as she did with Harley

Harley was just one year younger than Clarisse but she got along with Adriele so well, they had been friends even when her parents were still alive and now after their deaths, when she came to the Palace to live there, Harley had a very excited glint in her eyes at seeing her, like she was the long-awaited big sister she had been praying for.

Adriele had successfully stolen the attention of her brother and now her younger sister, since then she only looked at her with disgust, and even when she smiled at Adriele anyone could tell she was faking it a mile away. But Clarisse had always supported her regardless of whether Salma was wrong or correct, but that day she crossed the sister who she considered her, her patron.

It was weird and Adriele suspected her intentions towards her, but when Clarisse was asked why she helped Adriele, she simply said "I didn't talk back to Salma, I just spoke the truth, I have realized my unruly and harsh nature over the years, not only to Adriele but also to the people I cared about" She said looking at Dennis and Harley, their relationship had been estranged since they were at different sides and at odds when it came to Adriele every now and then. It even spread so much that she would attack Harley in the Academy. The Academy was a school for just the aristocracies, even very wealthy people couldn't enroll their kids there if they didn't have a background. Harley though a sweet little girl would not stand by and be trampled upon especially not by Clarisse, she won't give her that satisfaction.

Clarrise breath a sigh of relief and continued "Salma was wrong just now and I corrected her not because I suddenly changed sides or hate her or love Adriele more, it is because I love her, and I don't want to see her tread this path anymore, it will get her into trouble one day, I want peace between all my siblings" she said with teary eyes as they threatened to fall down her face. She was remorseful and anyone could tell it just by looking at her.

Dennis and Adriele were moved and urged her not to cry, that they were not thinking she was pretending, and Adriele her apology.

Harley on the other hand, just watched them as they coaxed her unphased. She was having none of Clarisse's drama. If it was a gamble, she would send her hand in the lion's den and try her luck than believe a word of apology from Clarisse's mouth. She knew very well that beneath the sweet, innocent, and angel-like little girl appearance Clarisse wore outside there was a devil's pet inside of her, a serpent. Yes, a snake, she didn't call her sister a snake but she could be sure likened to one. There was a time in the Academy when Clarisse and Salma wanted to get back at a girl because she had compared herself to Salma, saying "The Princess's younger sister is already married, but she's still here, without even a confirmed suitor" she deliberately whispered to her friends in front of Salma, "I'll be getting married in a week and I will be greatly honored if you attend, your highness" the girl did a curtsy, her tone filled with mockery. When she left a few days later, the duo ordered a band of ruffians to threaten to violate that girl. Fortunately, she overheard and told Derrick immediately but she didn't disclose the names of the masterminds, she tried to protect them, they were still her family after all, and she was saving face for her family. What will the people think if they knew what their princesses had planned to do? The expression on her Mom's face if she found out?.

If she didn't tell her brother on time and the ruffians had their way, even if they only threatened to violate her but not actually do it, she would still be scared enough to be scarred mentally for life. It was so bad of her sisters if they thought of such today, they might actually fulfill it tomorrow, they were also women but could think of such a devious manner to mess with another woman's life. Tsk, Tsk. What will they do in the future to fulfill their wish? And with that Harley dared not think further

Clarisse had never shown any sign of remorse before, then why now? Especially when she also had a thing for the supposed groom. Harley shook her head, her sister was up to no good. She couldn't accuse her without proof, so for now, all she would do is to watch Clarisse keenly and make sure Adriele's wedding goes as planned, and she does not get hurt.

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Clarisse invited Adriele to go out with her many times and as usual, Harley did everything to tag along with them, she wanted to know what Clarisse was up to, but she didn't want to give her the slightest chance of hurting Adriele. Right now they were in "Haven Way" it was a town in Silverland, like a market for just the elites. Unlike other markets, places here were not crowded, the road wasn't muddy and the shops were lined up and grouped according to their relationship with each other, like a shop for clothes will be close to a shop for shoes and or jewelry. They were in a shop for clothes, Clarisse paid particular attention to the type of clothes Adriele should wear after she git married, she occasionally picked long gowns with very long sleeves, which barely accentuated any of her features.

"You know you're marrying into royalty, you're not only representing yourself but your parents, the Khan's and Silverland as a whole, so you can't lose face," Clarisse said jokingly

"I'll do my best to keep their heads up and standing tall" Adriele replied

"That's the spirit," Clarisse said with enthusiasm.

After a while of selecting, a nightgown caught her eyes, she went over to it and inspected it. It was a red knee-length, transparent gown, a V-shaped neckline that could hardly hide the swell of one's breast when put on, with string hands that exposed the shoulder and arm. As she tried to touch it with a smile on her lips and a dazed look as if she pictured herself wearing it for someone, Harley grabbed it and let out a faint scream

"Ahh!! Clarisse, you have an eye for clothes, Adriele will look gorgeous in this!!" Harley exclaimed with joy and Clarisse just gave her a wry smile

"What happened!?" Adriele turned when she heard the excitement in Harley's voice.

"Look at this, Adi," she said raising the gown "Isn't it gorgeous? I almost got sick of you two talking of how to please the outside world when the only one you have to please is the man inside"

"What do you mean?" Adriele asked with a shy smile

"Don't play the fool, you know what I mean, this night gown is sexy, enticing and welcoming, just for your husband"

Adriele's eyes opened wide...