Tale 6
Journey

The journey towards the Capital will take eight days by carriage.

Right now, Adelina is sitting face to face with Niklaus inside the carriage.

They were alone inside the carriage and Adelina can be seen looking out of the window, bored.

It’s already the third day, and the initial awkwardness was replace by boredom.

Sabrina is travelling along with them but she’s on a separate carriage to give privacy to the Duke and Duchess of Lancaster.

“Are you feeling uncomfortable?” Niklaus asked

“No.” Adelina responded as she watch the setting sun on the distance.

“We will be stopping soon to set up camp, this part of the North is dangerous so we must find a clearing first.” Niklaus explained

Adelina simply nod to say that she understand.

She heard rumours before that there are wolves on this part of the North. It’s indeed dangerous, but since she can use the Teleportation Legacy, she’s not very scared.

And to be honest, even Adelina is not sure how many Legacy she currently possess on her arsenal.

She feel like she can take on the world.

But of course, she’s not confident to really survive if the Medallians finds out about her true Legacy.

And Adelina’s father might get in trouble too!

Besides, she’s already troubled enough about her tragic fate as an extra, she doesn’t wanna create more problems to worry about.

So the best move is to keep her Legacy a secret!

Not long after, they stopped and set up camp to rest from the long journey.

Sabrina looked for her and enthusiastically prepared her dinner, which is a piece of grilled rabbit meat hunted down by one of their escorting guards, and several grilled vegetables. 

They are moving, so the food supply must last throughout their whole journey, it will take another day to reach a small town where they are planning to restock some food for their long journey.

“Duchess you can have my shares if you’re still hungry.” The duke offered

“No, you should eat too, Duke.” Adelina refused

“It’s alright I—”

“Eat.” She said firmly

“Yes Duchess.” The duke answered obediently

They were eating peacefully when a guard suddenly rang the alarm.

“Wolves!”

And the camp suddenly turned chaotic.

“Protect the Duchess.” Niklaus instructed before he lead his men to eliminate the attacking wolves.

The guards stood and encircled the Duchess, protecting her.

Sabrina stood beside Adelina nervously.

“Calm down Sabby, everything’s going to be just fine.” Adelina comforts her friend

“I.. I hope so.” Sabrina said, obviously scared.

They can clearly hear the screams of the guards fighting the wolves as well as the chilling howl of the nearby wolves.

Everyone is alert, waiting nervously for the Duke’s triumphant return.

However, two wolves suddenly showed up from the opposite direction, alerting the guards.

“Stay back, Duchess!” the guards exclaimed as they fought bravely against the wolves.

Should she help them?

Nuh, it seems that the guards can handle the wolves without much of a problem.

“I-if something where to happen, take my hands and mirror my Invisibility Legacy. We will ran away together. I will make sure that you won’t die here, Duchess!” Sabrina said, although she’s afraid, she’s determined to save her friend.

Adelina simply nod, she’s not afraid at all. If push comes to shove, she’s confident that she will be able to survive tonight.

Much to her surprise, she suddenly floated in the air and flew towards the opposite direction.

She then found herself in the strong arms of the Duke.

“Are you alright, Duchess?” the Duke inquired while holding her as if to protect her. The worry in his eyes were so clear, it makes her a bit uncomfortable.

“I’m fine. The guards are fighting the wolves without any problems.” Adelina

Adelina is not happy. Why is he treating her as if she’s a weakling? On top of that, what’s up with this princess carry? This is just so cliché!

“Duke, everything is under control now! Is the Duchess alright?” the captain of the guards

“.........” Adelina was speechless.. I’m not a weakling okay?!

Hmmpp!

***

‘She’s sulking.. How cute..’ thought the Duke as he watch the Duchess stare outside the window.

She’s been ignoring him since last night.

Was it because he’s been acting too overprotective?

Was she unhappy about that?

“Duke, Duchess, we have arrived at the town.” The guards inform them when the carriage stopped.

Dalla is a small town that is popular as a traveller’s hub because this is this the intersection that connects all the routes to the North.

“We will be staying here for tonight. Go get us rooms. And arrange it so the Duchess and I can spend some time alone.” He secretly instructed the captain of the guards.

Niklaus chuckled, he’s looking forward to the Duchess’ reaction later.

Later on, Sabrina smiled to Adelina and said, “Duchess, I was told that there were limited rooms in the Inn so people have to share rooms tonight.”

“Then let’s go upstairs.” Adelina

“Oh, I was just about to tell you that I will be sharing a room with Bridget, one of the female guards.” Sabrina

“Then who will I be sharing rooms with?” Adelina

“Who else? Of course you’ll be with the Duke!” Sabrina

“.........” Adelina

Fnck.

***

When Adelina entered the room she’ll be sharing with the duke tonight, the first thing she saw was the Duke seated beside the windowsill.

There’s a strange atmosphere in the air, is it because of the faint illumination of the moonlight?

Or was it because the Duke is only wearing a night robe while sexily sipping a glass of wine?

“......” Adelina was speechless

What is he trying to pull off now?

Is he perhaps trying to seduce her or something?

Adelina is not sure if she should laugh or be nervous because of the strange atmosphere.

“Do you like what you’re seeing?” asked the Duke playfully

“I’m still trying to figure that out.” Adelina answered honestly

The Duke chuckled, “No need to think about it, you’re my wife, I’m all yours.”

Was the Duke in the novel always like this?

“Do you want a sip?” the Duke offered her a glass of wine

Is this what it feels like when someone’s trying to set up the mood?

Adelina frown.. No, no! Don’t falter. Don’t fall for his bullshits.

“Duke, stop this. We both know the truth. Stop lying to yourself, I’m not the one in your heart.” Adelina firmly said

“You’re the one lying to yourself, Duchess. There is no one else except you. You’re my wife and I’m your man. Why won’t you try to open your heart to me? Is there something you don’t like about me? I can change it for you.” Niklaus

“No, there’s nothing wrong with you Duke. I just... I just know I’m not the one for you.” Adelina

“How would you know that?” Niklaus is now standing in front of her, staring straight at her eyes.

“I just know.” Adelina didn’t backed down, she stared back without fear.

“My life was always dull, but you bring color to my life. Duchess, you’re a piece of me I didn’t know was missing.” Niklaus

Wow, the cringe.

Okay, this is definitely the Duke from the novel. She used to like these scenes in the book, why did she liked reading these corny lines?

Now that it's directed towards her. It doesn't feel right at all.

Adelina shook her head.

No way. There’s just no way that they were meant for each other.

She’s not the heroine. She’s just an extra who’s fate is to die even before the beginning of the first chapter.

“Do you find this distance uncomfortable?” Niklaus suddenly asked

“No, not really.” She respond

Niklaus suddenly pulled her closer, his arms tightly wrapped around her waist.

“How about now?” Niklaus

“W-well... It’s not that bad.” Adelina

To be honest, the Duke is totally her type, she wouldn't have read such a corny novel if not for his handsome face. As for his personality, well she's not sure yet. If only she didn't know about what happened in the novel, the two of them would probably be a happy couple by now, considering how much effort the Duke has put to show his sincerity these past couple of months.

She suddenly realized that she was staring at his face. And he is staring back at her.

Niklaus smirked, “If you don’t push me away now, I won’t stop even if you beg me later.”

“Wait.. What are you going to d—”

Her words were cut off when his lips suddenly claims hers.

It was so gentle, it feels like a caress of a feather.

Adelina stood there, frozen.

Is this... Is this a kiss?

W-wait.. Why is his lips... so sweet?

Is this even normal?

Was it because of the wine?

Niklaus let go of her lips and smiled, “You didn’t pushed me away, so there’s no turning back now.”

Adelina was caught off guard. She was pinned on the soft bed by Niklaus, then his head slowly descended, and something warm touched her lips.

At first, it was only gently planted against each other. But then, Niklaus started to lick and suck on her lower lip.

Adelina was taken aback.

She  have never been this intimate with anyone in the past or even in this current life.

Is it okay to do something like this?

With those thoughts, she snapped back from her daze.

No!

This is not okay! She made an oath that she will never fall for his bullshits!

She must not allow herself to be sweep away by impulse.

Adelina tried to protest, but instead, Niklaus took that opportunity to enter her parted lips. She felt a soft piece of flesh intruded her mouth.

Niklaus sucked her tongue violently, she felt shivers run down her spine because of the unfamiliar sensation.

She suddenly lost the strength to struggle.

“Haaa.” Adelina gasps for air, she felt out of breath. But it doesn’t felt that bad. It’s conflicting.

“Wait--”

She wanted to push the Duke away. But his lips were quick to cover hers again. The kiss that followed was even more powerful than the first one. He kissed her passionately, mixing their saliva together.

Niklaus licked, bitten and sucked her lips like a hungry predator.

Even when Adelina tried to push him because she cannot breathe, Niklaus didn’t move. Instead he kissed her more forcefully till she felt breathless.

After a while, Niklaus moved away, both of their lips moist with their saliva. He looked at her who’s breathing heavily, “Adelina... Breath through your nose.”

Just like the kiss that they shared, the Duke’s voice was sweet, as if it’s made from the sweetest nectar.

It was her first time hearing her name from those sinful lips.

Hearing her name from the Duke’s mouth made her heart skip a beat. She felt breathless, she’s melting. All her rationality is now gone.

“Duke stop this—"

The duke kissed her jaw slowly as he say, “Adelina, I’m truly... madly inlove with you.”

Adelina was in a dazed, but his words makes her doubt her own beliefs, “N-no.. This is wrong—"

Adelina was frightened not because of the Duke's passionate actions. She was frightened by the fact that if she truly didn't like this, why can't she just push him away with the Legacy of Strength?

But is this supposed to happen in the original novel?

She's not the one for him... right?

She wanted to argue that she’s not the one that he loves, but her words were eaten up by his lips that devours hers with such intensity that melts her mind..

They kissed for a very long time until their clothes got messed up, their lips turned slightly swollen, both panting and breathless.

Adelina’s firm belief....

...is slowly crumbling.

~~~~~~~~