Unknown heartache

Adelia felt like something was missing from her the moment she stepped out of the inn's dilapidated doors.

She kept looking back towards the building, her expression holding a hint of confusion, as if she couldn't even understand her own actions.

"Is something bothering you, Delia?" The Duke asked as he walked alongside her. "Did you leave something behind?"

Adelia shook her head hesitantly. "I… I don't think so," she answered.

Her father spared a concerned glance at her as they made their way towards his waiting horse. "You don't sound sure," he noted.

Adelia didn't say anything else and only lightly tugged at the sleeve of her dress; She really didn't want to leave the inn… and she didn't know why.

She couldn't understand why she found it so difficult. It was a little frustrating. This place meant nothing to her.

No one here meant anything to her.

She probably felt this way because she hadn't gotten to thank Az properly and she was a bit uncomfortable with it—yes, that was probably it, there was certainly nothing more to it than that.

She let out a sigh and shook her head to get rid of her conflicting emotions. If Az didn't want to come and see her off then he didn't.

' I thought we were already friends...?' Adelia thought tugging at her sleeve with a little more force. '...or doesn't he think so?'

She didn't know why she felt so hurt about his absence but she quickly decided it was better not to dwell on it for longer than she should.

The Duke expertly mounted his chestnut colored horse, not the one he was fond of, which was black and back at Veldon Castle, but it looked almost as impressive.

Adelia took her father's outstretched hand and he helped her onto the saddle. She remembered to straddle the horse sideways like a proper lady now, only because she was wearing a dress and she was in the Duke's presence.

Her father would certainly scold her if he ever caught her straddling a horse properly in a dress.

Duke Aldous gave his daughter a

look over his shoulder as he took the reins, "Are you comfortable?"

Adelia managed a small nod, away from her thoughts just long enough to respond.

A nagging feeling settled at the base of her stomach... she was missing something, she knew she was missing something... but what?

She couldn't understand... all the things she possessed were already with her...

A faint ache, barely noticeable, pierced her chest and she lifted a delicate hand to the area. Was there something wrong with her?

Her fingers brushed against the bump of the pendant beneath her dress; this, at least she was sure of. She definitely hadn't left anything important behind.

Then why... why in the world did she feel so... incomplete?

The sensation made her sad and she just could barely understand.

The Duke's expression turned worried as he watched her. "Delia, is something troubling you?"

"It's nothing," she managed and her father studied her for a moment longer before he redirected his attention forward and spurred his horse.

With that, they set off at a leisurely pace toward the Donvark estate.

*~*~*~*~*~*

They arrived at the Count's manor a little over an hour. It had taken longer due to the speed they went with.

Adelia didn't wait for her father's help before dismounting from the horse gracefully. A few moments passed and they were then guided to the Count's drawing room.

She had settled down on one of the chairs before the Duke began to pace the length of the room restlessly, waiting on Edward who had left them to clothe himself properly first.

The Duke was agitated and she watched him with worried eyes.

She didn't understand, she couldn't possibly but she probably knew how much her father had worried and how devastated he must have felt when he discovered that she had been ambushed and had gone missing.

She knew the Duke had been very relieved when he found her, she had seen it on his face, so much that he postponed their discussion until they reached the Count's residence.

Adelia knew how impatient he could be.

Now here they were, and despite the Duke's obvious relief and evident worry, she had no doubt that she would get her own fair share of scolding and sentimental talk that was about to come.

So she quickly braced herself and just in time, he turned to face her sharply.

"Now answer me truthfully, Delia," he began, and she gulped, "What made you venture into such a desolate area?"

Edward had joined them at that moment. The Duke had kept himself busy by pacing, waiting for him to arrive and he had come just in time, after putting on a light tunic, to hear his question.

Adelia idly toyed with the folds of her dress for moments as her father watched her, how on earth was she supposed to answer?

She couldn't just betray Edward; after all, she was the one who had asked him for a suggestion on where to go.

Still, her father's tone suggested that he was certain she had persuaded the Knight into accompanying her to that empty street, and it pained her. She pressed her lips together, she wasn't always at fault.

"Answer me!" Duke Aldous's command made Adelia flinch heavily, and Edward was forced to step in.

"My Lord," he interjected, prompting the Duke's attention on him. "Please spare Lady Adelia. She has no fault in this."

Adelia's eyes widened in alarm at his intervention. "Edward—!"

But the Duke raised his hand to silence her and narrowed his eyes dangerously at the Knight. "What are you trying to imply, Sir Edward?"

Adelia stared at him with panicked eyes. Why was he trying to take all the blame for this? He wasn't entirely at fault, he was going to be punished!

She knew how overprotective her father was and how willing he was to do anything to anyone who jeopardized her safety. Edward was going to suffer heavy consequences and she was sure he knew that well.

Adelia bit her lip. 'You're being foolish Edward!'

She had to take the blame!

If she took responsibility, she would just have to endure a stern scolding and perhaps a little punishment—maybe a few days or weeks of being locked up in the castle…

Something at the back of her mind told her that punishment wasn't so little…

The thought sent a shiver down her spine and she hugged herself, still, it was nothing compared to what Edward might endure.

Edward, despite his injury, managed to kneel with his head bowed. "Please forgive me, my Lord," he began.

The Duke peered down at him, his eyes dangerously dark. "Explain yourself, Edward," he growled. "What have you done?"

"Edward has done nothing!" Adelia interrupted suddenly, gaining her father's attention.

But his eyes remained emotionless as he faced her. "You will not utter another word until you are spoken to, Adelia," he declared firmly. "Do I make myself clear?"

Adelia swallowed nervously at the way he addressed her. He never called her by her full name, never... unless he was furious.

And Edward's earlier statement had seemed to seriously infuriate him.

So she knew best to keep her mouth shut. "Yes, father."

She reluctantly agreed, and Aldous redirected his attention to the kneeling Knight.

"Speak," he ordered simply.

Edward's head drooped even lower, avoiding eye contact with the Duke and Adelia's eyes closed in dreaded anticipation.

"I was the one who led the lady to that empty street, my Lord."

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