THIRD WHEEL, NOT BY CHOICE

[MUSIC RECOMMENDATION: MY JOLLY SAILOR BOLD ~ ASHLEY SERENA]

The afternoon sun cast long shadows across the palace gardens, announcing to Oriana that the time had finally arrived. She struggled with her dress and getting her hair done, thanks to Bessie's tireless efforts to make sure she looked presentable. Despite the discomfort, Oriana held her head high, ready for the Crown Prince.

Adric, lounging by the fountain, straightened upon seeing her. A slow smile spread across his face, a hint of mockery dancing in his eyes.

"Well, Princess," he drawled, rising to his full height. "You look positively radiant. Though, I must confess, I was beginning to think you were trying too hard to please me with your looks."

Sophie, who had walked in at the same time, turned to look at her sister. Then she gave a small smile, "Looks? Oriana didn't really inherit it from Our Mother..." Though it was an insult, Oriana nodded in agreement just to make sure this man was off her tail.

Adric tilted his head to the side, his gaze flickering between the two princesses, a slow, sly smile playing on his lips. "Indeed," he drawled, his voice dripping with a mock seriousness that only Oriana could detect.

"There seems to be a...divergence in the family resemblance, wouldn't you agree, Princess Oriana?" He passed a small look at the Crown Princess, whose smile faltered for a brief moment.

Sophie didn't quite understand if he was agreeing to her statement or saying the opposite. She decided to just put up with it.

Oriana met his gaze, a steely glint in her own eyes. "Perhaps, Your Highness," she countered coolly, "beauty comes in many forms. Not everyone needs to rely solely on a pretty face."

Adric chuckled, "Well said, Princess." He cast a glance at Sophie, then back at Oriana, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes. "Perhaps some find a sharp wit and a quick mind more captivating than mere appearances."

Sophie, oblivious to where the conversation was going, puffed out her chest in a display of what she believed was regal posture. "Of course, Your Highness," she chirped. "A princess must always carry herself with dignity and grace, regardless of..." she trailed off, searching for the right words.

Adric's smile widened, a hint of cruelty in his eyes. "Regardless of...what, Crown Princess Sophie?" he prompted, his voice dripping with false innocence.

Sophie floundered, unable to complete her words or make meaning out of it. She had only made the statement to get Adric's attention so he would notice how pretty she was. Now that he was so interested in the conversation, she didn't know how to continue.

Oriana, sensing her sister's discomfort, decided to intervene. "Your Highness," she said, her voice laced with sweetness, "We should continue our tour. There's so much more of Orion to see, and an afternoon might not even be enough."

Sophie quickly nodded in agreement, "Yes, we should be fast." She pressed her lips, happy that the conversation had changed wave.

Adric nodded with his hand behind him, he walked towards the carriage. Stopping for a second, he said, "Princess won't you feel lonely riding just you? You can share a ride with us." He gestured for her to come over.

Over her dead body! Oriana cursed internally. It was already frustrating staying out all afternoon with him now she had to survive breathing close air with this man?

"Thank you for your kind offer, but I'll be going with my personal maid in the carriage."

Adric hummed, "Bessie right? She won't be milking the cows anymore?"

Oriana gritted her teeth, forcing a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "Unfortunately, Bessie got to the farm and found out that the cow...escaped. She's free now," without waiting for him to say anything else, Oriana jumped inside the carriage almost landing on the floor.

The carriages left the palace, making way to the town with guards and maids following them behind and in front. When the first carriage finally stopped, with the instructions from Adric.

"We will now walk from this point. I don't want to miss anything while inside the carriage." Adric said, stepping down from the carriage.

Sophie stretched her hand, waiting for Adric to carry her down, but was ignored. She didn't drop her composure or smile, "Your Highness, I think you're forgetting something." She called his attention with a blush on her cheeks.

Adric turned to look at the Crown Princess, "Everything I need is here with me." He replied, with a serious look on his face.

"You're so funny Your Highness, hahaha..." Sophie covered her mouth trying to maintain elegance even in her laugh.

By this time Oriana had already jumped down from the carriage, fixing her gown properly. She walked towards the first carriage, to ask why they had stopped there she found her sister and Adric talking seriously.

Sophie arranged her gown, then said, "I think you're forgetting your gentlemanly charms...." She tried to be subtle, stretching her hand forward.

"Oh, forgive me, Crown Princess Sophie. I must have forgotten amidst the crushing weight of ruling a kingdom and planning the wedding."

Oriana, who was now standing by the side, with her back resting on the carriage, scowled. The drip of sarcasm in Adric's words didn't pass her by.

"Perhaps you could remind this terribly forgetful prince exactly what it is a damsel like yourself expects from her valiant escort? A declaration of undying love for a woman who conveniently forgets she has perfectly good legs?" With a feigned innocent look on his face, Adric asked, still smiling sweetly.

Oriana turned to see the smile on her sister's face seep slowly away as she tried to keep her embarrassment at bay.

Sophie cleared her throat, "I was only joking..." She forced a smile before waving for her personal maid to help her with a stool which she used to get down from the carriage.

The judging eyes of Oriana followed Adric. This man was the very end of chivalry. She thought in her head, and as if Adric noticed someone looking at him, he flashed a smile at Oriana now walking closer to her.

"Princess..." He drawled, "Shall we begin our tour now?" Adric asked, raising his hand above his head as if trying to see what's ahead.

"You asked the carriage to stop. Where exactly are we going?" Oriana asked, a sliver of apprehension creeping into her voice.

"To a place where the true spirit of Orion resides," Adric replied enigmatically.

Oriana pressed her lips, "Seems like you're already familiar with Orion; you didn't need my help then." A forced smile graced her lips.

"Then perhaps you have something more...interesting to offer, hmm, Princess?" Adric's eyes moved down to look at her neck, then down to her chest.

Seeing how his eyes were roaming her body, Oriana took a step away from his line of sight. "Lead the way," she replied curtly.

"I thought so too," Adric smiled, now walking in front.

Sophie, who had just regained her balance after having her maids arrange the crumpling on her gown, walked to join in the conversation, but it ended upon her arrival. She didn't drop the sweet smile on her face for Adric; she followed them behind.

After walking for long minutes without stopping, Sophie felt the hot sun burn her forehead. She waved for her personal maid, who quickly covered the Crown Princess with an umbrella. The next phase was struggling with the sandy plains, which was now dragging her shoes back.

"Your Highness, I don't think I can walk any further," Sophie said, trying her best to raise her leg properly but failed each time.

Oriana turned to look at her sister; she pitied her situation at the moment. Wearing a silk shoe on these plains was bad news. She raised her dress, happy that she was wearing her boots.

Adric didn't stop walking but turned his head slightly to look at the Crown Princess,

"Well, this is fascinating," he drawls, a hint of amusement lacing his voice.

"One princess demands a royal chariot for a stroll through a sandpit, while the other seems perfectly content, even ready for...desert brawls," He shook his head slightly, looking at the youngest princess, who now glared at him. He smiled,

"Pity, Princess Sophie, that you'll be ending the tour here. We will remember you. wouldn't you agree, Wildflower?" He whispered the nickname so only Oriana could hear it, and this left her speechless, before she could retort her sister chimed.

"I'm fine," Sophie quickly shook her head; she wasn't going to go back. Not now. "I heard walking like this keeps the body fit." She muttered, inhaling deeply when she almost lost her balance.

The rest of the walk was quiet; nobody said anything anymore until they got to a particular town that looked very familiar to Oriana. She furrowed her brows; this town... Her thoughts trailed when they stopped in front of a particular inn.

Boldly written on the sign outside the inn was 'House Of Demi-Monde.' Oriana gulped, feeling her throat dry up.