NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 19: Aella is foolish
Anezka's Pov
Listening to Adrian's charming chatter felt like being wrapped in a warm, inviting blanket. His words danced through the air as he spoke about Aella and Aiden, but a nagging feeling tugged at my mind—did he really have a good relationship with them? Or was I simply overanalyzing the nuances of his tone?
In an effort to clear my thoughts, I leaned in and asked, "Adrian, why are you talking about Aella like that?" He let out a playful snicker, his eyes glinting with dislike.
"Aella is foolish. She's the type who always trails behind her mother, and she never misses a chance to snitch on me to Aunt Nesryn, leading to endless lectures from Mum." His words painted a clear picture of a playful rivalry, but I couldn't help but feel a sense of caution wash over me regarding Aunt Nesryn and her children.
"It's alright, Adrian," I reassured him, my voice firm yet comforting. "Now you have me. We'll ensure Aunt Nesryn is out of our business, and we'll keep our secrets from Aella." His face brightened with delight, and he bounded off the bed, standing before me like a young knight ready to forge an unbreakable bond.
He extended his pinky finger toward me, a gesture of childhood promise. "Really? Promise?" As I giggled, I reached out and intertwined my pinky finger with his, sealing our pact. "I promise." The warmth of that moment wrapped around us like a secret shared in the hush of twilight, full of hope and adventure.
As we basked in the warmth of our laughter, a gentle knock echoed through the room. Rhea appeared at the door, looking slightly flustered as she said, "Pardon my intrusion."
I smiled and waved her in, saying, "It's alright, Rhea. You can come inside." As she stepped into the room, her gaze naturally shifted towards Adrian, who was still lost in our delightful conversation. "Your Royal Highness," she began with a tone of gentle authority, "it's getting quite late. If you don't retire to your chamber now, your majesty may become very upset."
Her words sank in, and while I recognized her concern, Adrian remained determined. A pout formed on his lips as he whined, "No! I want to stay with you! I have so many things to tell you!" Touched by his enthusiasm, I got up and cupped his soft cheeks in my hands, gazing into his bright eyes.
"Aw, you are just the cutest! But it's getting late, Adrian. How about we make a plan for tomorrow? We can spend the entire day together—play games and have the longest conversation ever. What do you say? Are you up for that?"
His face lit up at the suggestion, and he nodded vigorously. "Yes! That sounds like a wonderful idea! I'm definitely up for it!" With a smile of affection, I ruffled his hair, tousling his curls playfully before turning to Rhea.
"Please take Adrian to his chamber now." As Rhea gently led him away, I waved a cheerful goodbye, feeling a mix of warmth and anticipation for the adventures tomorrow would bring.
Once Rhea and Adrian left, I felt a wave of relief wash over me, but it was soon replaced by a sense of urgency. I slipped out of the heavy dress that clung uncomfortably to my skin and changed into my soft, flowing nightgown.
The cool fabric felt like a gentle hug as I prepared for bed. After completing my nighttime routine, I settled into my sheets, hoping for a few moments of peaceful rest. Yet, as I lay there, my mind buzzed with activity like a restless hive.
Thoughts raced through my head, colliding and swirling, and I could feel the familiar grip of overthinking taking hold of me. The central worry gnawing at me was whether I was placing my trust in the right people.
Aunt Alora always encouraged me to be strong and clever, but my naturally kind heart often led me into turbulent waters. It was hard to grasp that this immortal world—once a mere fantasy between the pages of books—was now my reality, and each day felt more surreal than the last.
To make matters even more bewildering, I was someone everyone had been waiting for, a burden that sat heavily on my shoulders. With a deep sigh, I wished Aunt Alora were here by my side. I longed for her comforting presence, her wisdom guiding me through this labyrinth of uncertainty. I missed her more than words could express.
I began to feel a heavy drowsiness wash over me. The weight of fatigue settled on my eyelids, urging me to surrender to rest. With a sigh, I decided to call it a night, embracing the comforting allure of sleep as I slipped into the soft embrace of my blankets, letting the worries of the day fade into darkness.
...
In the morning.
I awoke to the warm rays of sunlight filtering through the wide-open balcony doors, casting a golden glow across the room and landing directly on my face.
"Ugh, Rhea, please shut those curtains!" I groaned, irritation creeping into my voice as I burrowed deeper into my blanket, hoping for just a few more minutes of blissful sleep.
But Rhea had other plans. Instead of complying, she playfully tugged at the blanket, trying to peel it away from me. "I'm sorry, Anezka, but it's already 7:30 AM! If you don't get up now, you'll miss breakfast," she urged, her voice bright and insistent.
"And if you want to avoid the inevitable criticism, it's best you get ready quickly." At the mention of criticism, a jolt of adrenaline coursed through me, shaking off the remnants of my sleepiness. Suddenly, the cozy cocoon of my blanket felt stifling, and I knew I had to rise to face the day.
As I reluctantly rose from the warmth of my bed, a whine escaped my lips, "Why me?" Rhea, ever the voice of reason, looked at me with a knowing smile and said, "Because you're supposed to be the best and always punctual."
Her words hung in the air, prompting me to scrunch my face in exaggerated disbelief. "Best and me? Those two can never coexist," I groaned with a dramatic sigh. But deep down, I knew I had no choice. With a resigned huff, I hurried toward the bathroom, ready to scrub away the remnants of sleep and face the day ahead.
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"She's never where she is. She's only inside her head."
- By Janet Fitch