Chapter 90

Adrian raised a brow, ignoring Dexton’s knowing gaze as he sat up and pondered before answering.

“Sure, let her in. Oh, and can you get some more wine?” Adrian said to Dexton, who nodded smoothly.

Soon, he was once again in front of Lady Thea as she took her seat. This time she didn’t carry a board, she was not here to play, it seemed, or at least not to use it as a cover for her real reason.

“Lady Thea, allow me to be blunt. What is your purpose here?”

“I’m here to seek your thoughts on marriage again.” Lady Thea said, following his lead and taking a sip of wine.

Adrian was taken aback. He narrowed his eyes suspiciously. “Is Lady Thea interested in my marital affairs?”

“Are you?”

That made Adrian even more confused. He leaned back casually, having thoroughly gotten to… “know” her, he was more at ease. “I don’t intend to find a wife yet, actually..” he decided to be blunt.

“Why not?” Lady Thea asked, seemingly surprised. Then a smirk played on her lips. “Is it so you can sleep around with anyone?”

Adrian’s lip twitched. “No.”

“Then pray tell, what is the reason?”

Adrian took a sip of his drink and pondered before speaking. “You could say I’m not ready. I am still young, only 16.”

“And yet you have a mistress, and a child with her too, right?”

The swiftness of her reply choked Adrian slightly. He coughed and patted his chest before recovering. “That was… because of circumstances, and I have learned to accept her.”

Besides, taking a mistress and taking a wife were two completely different matters, especially regarding a lordship. 

In fact, with his time here, he was even starting to think of making Ela… an official wife. Of course, he needed a couple more years before he could even announce it, given the matter of the late Lord Harrow. It was better to let time pass and people forget so he could move forward with Ela. And because of such matter as well, Ela could only serve as second or third wife to him hence, it isn’t such an appropriate time.

Indeed, he had truly accepted Ela, and of course, their child.

“My heart, like anyone's heart, is important in our lives. Like treasure, it needs to be guarded. You could say that because of my experiences, of fighting with the islanders, of growing up nearly alone before my mistress, it is wholly guarded. Letting it down is the same as being vulnerable… and as others say, I am a great fighter.” Adrian said, the longest statement he had ever made to Lady Thea.

Lady Thea’s brows furrowed in thought. It took several moments before she spoke. “Others will say that’s cowardice.”

Adrian was taken aback before he grinned. “Maybe I am a little afriad.”

Once again, Lady Thea was surprised by his bluntness.

She looked down and spoke, “Well, Lord Cedric hasn’t bothered me after Lord Thomas turned against him, and his reputation has gotten even worse after some whores supposedly spoke out against him.”

Adrian didn’t know that. Then again, he wasn’t one to listen to gossip.

“And I do not think he will badger me again with an offer of marriage. What do you think about that, Lord Harrow?” Lady Thea looked into his eyes, a deeper meaning behind them.

Adrian’s eyes widened. He stopped breathing for a moment before he blinked and offered a small smile.

“Then I congratulate Lady Thea on being free of such matters. Is the future more burden-free for you now?”

Lady Thea simply looked at him with a smile for a long moment before she nodded and put down her cup. “Thank you for your time, Lord Harrow. I will be leaving now.”

“Your presence is always a delight.” Adrian nodded as Lady Thea stood up and turned to leave before she paused, looking as though she might say something, before deciding against it and exiting the room.

Adrian once again let out a long breath. Maybe he really should start accepting the idea of a wife? But one of the bigger reasons, aside from his guarded heart was that he was only 16, he still had a long future ahead of him. There was no need to tie himself down so soon, right?

Or maybe he just hadn’t found the right person? But then, how would he if he kept avoiding them?

Adrian closed his eyes and decided to see how things went tomorrow, while inwardly wondering when he would be able to leave.

--

“You should visit Dorshare in the future. I will make sure you are welcomed.”

“Dorshare… I’ve heard many things about it. I look forward to visiting.”

“Travel by sea, you’ll see the view of over a hundred ships docking and sailing at our city. With your important position at Prince Cale’s port city, I’m sure the sight would be an invaluable experience for you.”

Adrian was playing chess with Lord Jayson at the top of the wall, though in a different spot from where he had played with the princess.

Lord Jayson smiled. “I hope I didn’t interrupt your affairs. I heard Lord Harrow is receiving plenty of… attention from the ladies.”

Adrian’s smile turned wry. It was the afternoon, and before meeting Lord Jayson, he had been spending time with not just three ladies, but five, getting to know them and even having lunch with all of them. He was just at the point of needing a break when Lord Jayson’s servant came to fetch him.

“But something tells me I did you a favor.” Lord Jayson chuckled.

“I confess, and I’m sure you’ve guessed it too, Lord Jayson, that I’m not big on socializing. The south, well… we keep to ourselves unless there are important matters.” Adrian said.

“It wouldn’t be a problem if Lord Harrow didn’t possess so many fine qualities. But alas, great men shine no matter where they go, and butterflies will always flock to them.”

‘Don’t you mean moths?’ Adrian thought.

“And I hear the common folk quite love you, too? With the attention of the elves, and, well, your secret… I truly wonder how far you will go…” Lord Jayson’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Tell me, how far do you think you will go, Lord Harrow?”

Adrian sensed some weight in the question before pondering his answer…

“Well… I hope to die of old age and in peace, at least. Is that far enough?”

Whatever Lord Jayson had expected, it wasn’t that, he snorted and burst into laughter.

“Lord Harrow is truly humorous.”

It took a while before Lord Jayson’s laughter subsided. “Is there no… ambition to rise in rank? Becoming a viscount, or even higher?”

Adrian was taken aback. To rise in noble rank, one required royal favor, great military achievements, marriage alliances, or political influence, simply put, a mountain of effort.

Did he have the ambition for it? Pondering for only a moment, he realized he did. It wasn’t his top priority in life, but he would like it if, the next time he attended an event like this, he wasn’t the lowest-ranking lord. Then he would have more confidence fending off attention.

…Did he really just want a higher rank for that?

It was certainly one of the perks, at least.

“If there’s a chance to become a viscount, I would take it, as I assume most would. But I know such opportunities are rare, and well… I wouldn’t risk everything for it.”

“Hmm…” Lord Jayson nodded. “If you want it, then it’s best for you to marry one of the ladies near your territory and expand… or…” he advised, then looked toward Adrian with a glint in his eyes.

“Marry someone of higher rank.”

Before Adrian could think about it, Lord Jayson changed the topic. “Putting that aside, you know Prince Cale’s ambition, right?”

“I do.” Adrian tried not to twitch.

“Do you think it would be hard to conquer the islands, Lord Harrow?”

Adrian thought about it. Not all islanders had left their islands, but ever since major forces did, the islands had been in a state of chaos, with families and factions vying for control.

Adrian had only seen it from afar, along with the occasional pirates they captured. Still, Adrian expected they could muster a couple thousand fighters at least, not to mention the sheer number of ships they controlled. Fighting on their home islands would leave anyone trying to conquer them at a severe disadvantage.

“It would be hard. Without thousands of soldiers and ships to carry them, it would be impossible.”

“Hmm…”

For a while, they fell into silence, continuing their game of chess, with Adrian winning. The duke’s son had improved, sure, but not quite enough to beat him.

“How was your talk with the princess?”

“It went quite well.”

“What do you think of her?”

“I don’t dare make hasty comments. Despite our talks, I still know very little about her.”

Adrian was being honest on that front, he didn't dare make comments about the princess, lest he say something she wouldn't like and word got around.

“Not even just an impression?” Lord Jayson chuckled. “And do not worry, she is essentially my cousin. I probably say far more ridiculous things to her than anyone in this tourney, save for her siblings.”

Adrian pondered it seriously. “She is the most beautiful lady I’ve ever seen, but that pales in comparison to her character.”

“Her character? And how would you describe her character?” Lord Jayson asked, amused.

Adrian chose his words carefully. “I feel as though there is a vast difference between myself and her, not just in status, but in everything. But, of course, please don’t hold me to my words. I truly barely know her, and I suspect I won’t have many more chances with her soon anyway. I hear the royal family is leaving in a couple of days?”

“They are…” Lord Jayson confirmed, before smiling oddly. “But I suspect you will have more chances than you know.”