She Belongs To The Devil

Adeline couldn't sleep for longer that night, even when she was lying in Theodore's warm embrace. In her restlessness, she was constantly twisting and turning on the bed and she woke Theodore up as well.

"Adeline! Isn't it too early for you to wake up?" Theodore half-opened his eyes and asked in his hoarse morning voice.

Adeline faced Theodore and whispered apologetically, "Yes, it is too early. Sorry, I woke you up. But I can't sleep at all."

Theodore now fully opened his eyes and removed a few strands of hair that were on Adeline's face. He shifted closer to Adeline and asked, "Are you worried about how things might go today?"

"Yes, I am." Adeline heaved a sigh and spoke as her pupils dilated, "Punishing Lillian has been the one goal that always motivated me to be stronger, to do better, and always be on my guard. And now that the moment that I have been waiting for is finally here, I am feeling really nervous."

"I can't help but think what if something goes wrong? What if I only end up hurting those who are going to help me?" Adeline sighed again.

Theodore gently stroked Adeline's back. He could understand why she was acting the way she was.

And even though he knew that his words wouldn't be able to calm her down, he still tried his best, "Adeline, before you go into the fights or even the wars, you should try to visualize that the outcome will be in your favor rather than thinking the opposite."

"As you said, you have been preparing for this moment for almost your whole life. So you have to put your trust in yourself. Everyone knows that you are the strongest woman in Wyverndale, you need to believe that too." Theodore gently pinched Adeline's cheek and gave a comforting smile to her.

However, everything that Theodore just said went above her head. She pouted her lips and said, "But I am not the strongest woman anymore. I have my powers sealed, remember?"

"Adeline!" Theodore playfully flicked Adeline's forehead for not listening to him.

He then said in a rather complaining tone, "Adeline! Powers or not, you are equally strong. I have seen you fighting Raphael. And you can easily take him down. And as far as I know, Raphael's fighting skills are considered to be on par with the Generals. Doesn't that already make you stronger than the Generals?"

Adeline twisted her lips and replied, "Yes, I agree that I am strong when I am compared with the humans. But there are stronger creatures that I will have to fight, one day or another. And I can't help but feel weak when compared to them."

Theodore couldn't deny what she just said. "That might be true. But don't think about that today. You are going to fight humans today, just focus on that for now. We will think about the other problems later. Okay?"

Adeline nodded her head even though she was feeling vulnerable because of the sealed power. She really hoped that there was some way she could use her dormant powers without overwhelming her body.

Theodore wrapped Adeline in his arms for a while so that she would not get out of her bed and start pacing around.

After a few minutes, Adeline fell asleep in his arms. She hadn't got enough sleep after all.

Theodore also slept along with her.

In another quarter, Edwin was also in a similar state as Adeline. He was unable to sleep soundly. He was already up and about.

Princess Juniper was still in their bed. But she could tell that something was bothering her husband so she asked him, "Ed, is something going on lately? I have never seen you so restless before?"

Edwin glanced at his wife and smiled, "You can tell?"

"Of course I can," Juniper sat up on the bed and ran her fingers through her hair. And she asked, "Why are you and mother going to Frostford all of a sudden?"

Edwin sat down beside Juniper and caressed her hair. He hated that he was hiding things from her. But he couldn't afford to be truthful when the matter was too sensitive. "All I can say is that there are old debts that need to be cleared."

He placed a gentle kiss on her forehead and asked, "Take care of our daughter while I am gone. If she asks then just tell her that I went to buy some toys for her. I might return back sooner than expected… but there is a chance that I might not return… sooner."

Juniper rested her head on her husband's shoulder and reassured him, "You don't have to worry about our daughter. She will understand."

When it was dawn, Theodore returned to his own place while Adeline began to ready herself for the day.

She took a bath, changed into a comfortable outfit that she could wear inside her battle armor, and had her hair braided tightly.

After dismissing the maids, she sharpened her weapons one by one.

She ran her finger on the sword blade to make sure that it was sharp enough and whispered, "Hmm… this much sharpness should be enough to…" she took a deep breath and whispered while exhaling, "enough to hurt people."

"But I really hope that I won't have to hurt anyone," Adeline spoke under her breath while looking gloomy.

She was startled when she heard Osanna shouting from outside her chambers, "Your Highness, Lord Bennett is here to see you."

"Bennett? What is he doing here so early? It isn't time for work yet," Adeline thought to herself then shouted back, "Ask him to wait in the meeting room, I will be right there."

Adeline carefully placed her sword in its sheath. Then she headed towards her meeting room to meet Bennett.

"Princess," Bennett got up from his seat as soon as Adeline entered the room and then bowed to her.

Adeline nodded her head and gestured for him to sit down. She also sat down in front of him and asked, "What brings you here so early? Is there anything important that needs my immediate attention?"

Bennett put his hand inside his pocket and took something out while saying, "Yes, Your Highness. I think you should take a look at this." He then placed two small pieces of burnt paper on the table.

Adeline furrowed her brows and asked, "What are these?" she picked up the pieces in her hand and recognized one of those.. It was a burnt piece of letter that Edwin had shown to her.