CHAPTER 77: RUINED PLAN

Adam and Rhynera could be seen strolling toward their chambers even though it’s a bit hard for Adam because of Rhynera’s fumbleness.

His hand was tight on Rhynera’s arm as he guided her toward the private chambers. He didn’t know what was wrong with her and wasn’t bothering to know, after all he despised her and the only person he wanted wasn’t even far from him.

His jaw was tight, his steps long and unhurried, almost as if he didn’t care that her legs were trembling beneath her.

Beside them, Mia walked quickly, trying to steady Rhynera whenever she stumbled.

Adam didn’t even glance back, his eyes stayed forward, his grip cold. It felt less like a groom guiding his bride and more like a guard escorting a prisoner.

Finally, they reached the chamber doors. The servants standing nearby bowed deeply. Adam stopped and turned to Mia.

"Take care of your lady," he ordered.

Mia nodded, but then, in a careful voice, she asked, "Your Highness... is this not your wedding night? Should you not..."

She didn’t finish her sentence before Adam’s head snapped toward her, and his glare was sharp enough to freeze the air.

"Has the punishment you received on arrival not taught you when to speak and when to keep silent?" His voice was deep, angry, and every servant around dropped to their knees, bowing low in fear.

Mia swallowed hard. "I only meant to..."

"Enough." His tone cut through her words. His mood was already poisoned by the entire night, and now her question was salt on the wound.

Adam straightened and gave a curt wave of his hand. "All of you should get out now! "

All the maids scrambled to obey, but before Mia could take a step, he looked directly at her.

"As for you... Someone will teach you what happens when you speak out of turn."

Mia’s face drained of color. "Your Highness, please... I was only concerned about the ceremony’s customs..."

Ceryes was already moving. They seized her by the arms despite her protests.

"Your Highness, I beg you! My lady... please say something! Save me my lady!" she called out toward Rhynera.

But Rhynera’s head was low, her eyes half-closed. Her vision was swimming, her mind foggy.

Adam turned and walked away without looking back, his steps echoing down the corridor.

While Mia was dragged toward the end of the hall, still calling for her lady.

But when she glanced over her shoulder and saw Rhynera standing alone and swaying, this pissed Mia off as she already understood where Adam was going.

If Adam had truly abandoned Rhynera for the night, then the plan could go.

Mia, having no choice, thought it would be best to signal to the other maid. The moment their eyes met, and the other lady gave a small nod.

The maid moved off silently without anyone noticing.

In a side corridor, a rough-looking man leaned against the wall, coin pouch in hand.

"Were you the one who needs me?" he asked as she snorted.

Then she passed him a heavy purse.

"Go to the guest chamber. The woman there is yours for the night," she whispered.

The man’s mouth twisted into a grin. "Consider it done." He tucked the pouch away and strolled toward the room.

But as soon as the maid disappeared, another presence stepped from the shadows, a tall figure in a mask.

The man froze. "Who... who are you?"

The masked figure didn’t answer. Instead, he spoke in a low tone.

"Spend the night with Lady Rhynera instead... and I will double your pay."

The man hesitated, looking uneasy. "Rhynera? She’s the..."

A dagger’s edge pressed lightly to his neck. The masked figure leaned closer. "You will do as I say."

A sound echoed down the hall the faint shuffle of feet. Both of them turned their heads. Rhynera was slowly making her way toward her chamber, her legs wobbling, one hand pressed to the wall for balance.

The masked figure tossed two pure gold coins to the ground. They hit the stone floor with a sharp clink.

The man’s hesitation vanished instantly. He grabbed the coins, and nodded.

"Consider this done." With that he hurried toward Rhynera, wrapping an arm around her waist and steering her toward her chambers.

The masked figure turned to leave, but a faint sound caught their ear, a soft laugh, muffled by a door.

Curious, they moved toward it and peered through the narrow crack.

What he saw made him still.

Inside the guest chamber, Crown Prince Adam sat on the edge of the bed, his shirt halfway undone, his lips curved in a smirk.

In his arms was Lady Serena, her gown loosened at the back, her hair tumbling over her shoulders.

Their bodies closed and their mouths met in a deep kiss that left no space between them.

"You know," Adam murmured against her lips, "I have wanted to take you since the moment you walked in."

Lady Serena’s cheeks flushed, but her eyes glittered. "You should be with your wife tonight," she teased, brushing her fingers over his lips.

"Isn’t that what a husband is supposed to do?"

"She is just a crown princess," he said with a quiet laugh, drawing her onto his lap. "A symbol to seal the alliance between our realms and nothing more."

His mouth trailed down her neck, his breath hot against her skin. "You... you are the one I will love. No one else."

Serena’s lips curved into a sly smile. "If I hadn’t come here tonight, who would you have spent it with?"

Adam chuckled. "I planned to leave the palace entirely."

Before she could ask why, he silenced her with a kiss deep andhungry.

His hands slid along her waist, pulling her closer until she could feel his heartbeat against her own.

Her fingers tangled in his hair as he lowered her onto the bed. "No more questions," he whispered against her ear. "I need you now."

The masked figure in the doorway tilted their head, a smirk hidden beneath the mask. Things, are about to become very interesting.