Adore Ch 20 B (Patreon)

It's so rough. Also I changed the end of 19.

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Ch 19 end:

He thought about what his own wedding would look like. It was a political union, so Bastian just knew Rowen would want to take over the entire affair. He could only imagine all of the pomp and circumstance the royal would add. 

As his mind played over the hypothetical wedding, it seemed like Bastian had forgotten that the marriage of convenience wasn't signed or certain yet.  

“Bastian?” As he got up to go, Henri's voice cut into his thoughts. 

Ch 20:

Bastian noted that Rowen was speaking animatedly with King Keith while Princess Henrietta had moved closer to him. Despite all of the reassuring he’d done earlier, the thought that she might be using this opportunity to ask for help had Bastian immediately stepping aside to speak with her. 

“What do you need?” The quiet words came out like he was asking for order’s on a dungeon raid. 

“I just wanted to say good luck at the Spring Ball.” Henri gently punched his shoulder like a comrade-at-arms and he managed not to topple over from the force. The last of his worries went away with her usual friendly demeanor as she added. “After all of Madame Pott’s Cast’s about you I can imagine it’s been tough. I’ll be partnering with Keith, but if you need help just let me know.” 

“Ah… I won’t say it’s been easy.” Bastian thought about everything that had happened since Madame Pott’s had brought attention to him and glanced upstairs. “I’ve even gotten a proposal.” 

“Lucky.” The word was soft enough he almost thought he’d misheard. Her eyes flickered to King Keith and then she sighed. 

Bastian decided that beating around the bush wasn’t his strong suit, especially with someone he’d fought side by side with in the past. “Henri?” 

“Hm?” The princess’s eyebrows shot up as she turned to face him. 

“Do you love the Dark Lord?” That might have been too straightforward. He should’ve asked if she was happy, or safe, or looking to escape… but at this point it didn’t matter. He’d asked, and the answer was obvious.

The princess’s face was beet red, betraying her true feelings before she managed to say, “Yes. I think I do.” 

“Good.” He stated, and after all he’d seen from the Dark Lord over dinner he added, “Congratulations.” 

King Keith wasn’t hiding his affection for the young woman. If they weren’t engaged now, Bastian thought that it was only a matter of time. 

“Thanks,” The princess scratched her cheek once and then looked up at him. “Hey Bastian?” 

“Yes?” 

“Can you call me Henrietta?” 

“Of course.” He raised an eyebrow at the human. “Though with the way your Dark Lord was glaring at dinner, I think it would be smarter to go with Sir Bastian and Princess Henrietta from now on.” 

She laughed, “He wasn’t… wait, really?”

“Really.” Bastian looked over at King Keith, who was purposefully not looking over at them. And hadn’t, for the entire conversation. Still, as much as he was giving Henri– Princess Henrietta space to come and speak with him, the Dark Lord had one hand clenched and a pinched look on his face while trying to talk casually with Bastian’s ruler. 

And Rowen noticed. He was probably teasing King Keith right now. 

“Wow.” Princess Henrietta’s cheeks were still pink and there was a new sparkle in her eye. “Then I’d better say good night and get back to my Dark Lord.” 

Bastian waved her off and then followed Rowen upstairs. It was time to get back to work. 

…

The next morning, Bastian was up with the sunrise. Their Royal Highness wished to depart early and arrive at the Coral Palace as soon as possible. 

Rowen had always liked Grand Duchess Callisto, and they were only four hours away from their destination. 

“So,” Rowen leaned on an elbow from inside their carriage, staring intently at Bastian once the group were traversing an open road. 

“So?” Bastian repeated, focusing on their surroundings and any potential attacks. North Sumbria might be allied with Peldeep… but assassins were everywhere. 

“Last night.” Rowen prodded, “You didn’t think I’d forget?”

“No. I didn’t.” Bastian replied, but didn’t immediately explain. The rolling green hills outside of (just spent half an hour trying to find the name of the town with the waddling wombat inn…) were beautiful, but also made for an easy ambush. 

The upcoming corner was especially concerning, and Bastian signalled a scout order. Sir Rebecca disappeared, the lizardkin’s stealth skills letting her go ahead unseen to check for traps. 

“Well?” 

Bastian didn’t sigh. He was on duty. “The delegation from Sumbria were sharing our inn.” 

“That fool prince didn’t come back till well past midnight and you know it.” Rowen frowned and then stopped, seeming to realize. “You met with your betrothed?”

“What?!” Carter, who’d been riding at the front of the carriage and eavesdropping the entire time, spun around on his horse. 

“Didn’t the Knight Commander tell you?” Rowen smiled, showing off their pointed canines. “He’s agreed to a marriage of convenience.”