Adonis  POV

There was a peaceful silence that echoed throughout the estate as usual, while I confined myself in my study away from others whose only purpose was to be a distraction. Everything was going smoothly according to plan and very slowly all my pawns and pieces shall be in the right places. Patience was the only thing that was key right now. 

Everything shall go as planned.

After God knows how many hours I spent going through useless junk letters sent to me from commoners and requests from other nobility, I finally reached Gerald's weekly report of the estate's well-being. His handwriting was still an eyesore to look at but I noticed that his report was much longer than usual. 

I skimmed through the same old information about the maids and funding but for some reason, something caught my eye.

‘As I delivered your grace’ letter and gift, I would say her ladyship seemed rather somewhat distressed. Perhaps I say that she has yet to settle in or is quite bored. Although her mood seemed to quickly change when she saw the box you had gifted her, perhaps her ladyship has yet to trust his grace?’

According to Gerald, it seemed I have yet to gain Riona's favour. Although gaining her favour isn’t necessarily needed, it would be quite a nuisance to my plan if she messed up.

Perhaps I shall pay a visit to Riona, to see how she was doing with my own two eyes. This estate was simply perfect. The stair rails were a fine lustrous smooth white designed by only the best of the best despite the expense following the decorations crafted from the ivories that were transported straight from Southern Africa. However when I think about it now. 

It's been 5 years…

Maybe the estate wasn’t in the best of shape, but Riona still had plenty to do here..

I entered the library where Madame Noelle was teaching Riona but all I could see was Madame Noelle frantically pacing around the room back and forth, not even noticing my presence entering the room. The books and fabrics were in disarray, such an unpleasant eyesore to look at.  

My eyes darted around the room but there was no sign of Riona?

I cleared my throat loudly waiting for her to notice my presence while still scanning for Riona. This was the time she normally had her etiquette lessons. 

Madame Noelle turned around quickly and as my eyes met with her dark brown pupils shook with fear as I frowned at her. 

“Oh greetings your grace, what brings you here!” she stuttered while her hands trembled. 

“Is it strange for me to check up on my fiance in my own house?” I questioned as I walked toward her.

“My apolog-” 

“Silence another minute of listening to you stuttering like a fool will make me go deaf!” I yelled, it's a pain when people cannot seem to comprehend the fact that they should be silent and bow their heads in front of people of a higher status than them. I learned that the hard way.

“I’ll excuse you from being punished, so tell me where Riona is?” I questioned here still annoyed.

“Her ladyship never showed up for our lessons,” she answered.

So it seemed Riona did not attend her etiquette lessons but rather went to hide somewhere for some reason.

“You may leave,” I excused her as she quickly scurried away without looking back once, probably still frightened.

Now it was time to see what Riona was doing that was more important than her lessons. 

As I walked through the empty hallway back to my studies a peculiar sound echoed coming from near the garden. Was anyone in the garden?

I crept slowly toward the garden as I noticed Riona lying down on the floor looking rather more pale than usual. 

“Why are you hiding, don’t you know everyone's been looking for you?” I asked her as I hovered over her with my arms folded waiting for her excuse. 

But all she did was stare back at me without blinking as the cold breeze passed by us. She seemed somewhat tired, perhaps a better word for it would be lifeless. Maybe she skipped her lesson due to being tired or at least that's what I could infer. 

After what I would say a couple of minutes, she finally spoke “My apologies for your grace I shall return at once,” her voice was softer than usual. Perhaps I’ve been a bit overboard with the work I’ve told Madame Noelle to give her.

Having a worn-out pawn is no good.

As she got up slowly from the ground, I held her hands which seemed to be cold but that was expected. Who would wear such thin clothing in such wintry weather?

“As thoughtful as it may be I do not need your grace’s assistance,” she claimed as she removed her shivering hand from mine.

“What's wrong with me assisting my lovely fiance?” I humoured replacing grip on her and assisting her to the library 

“Nothing is wrong with it my fiance but no one is looking so maybe there is no need for this show?” she questioned with a hint of irritation in her voice but still allowed me to assist her.

“My dear fiance, don’t you think this a wonderful time to practice?” I asked.

“Oh wow it seems we have reached our destination, such a shame, I wanted to spend more time with my dear fiance,” she jested as she let go of my hand the moment we reached the library door.

“Oh if my dear wants me to stay with her so much I guess I shall,” I replied entering the room and sitting myself down waiting for her to sit next to me.

I turned to Madame Noelle who seemed to be surprised at my presence “Go ahead with the lessons like you normally do, in fact, pretend like I’m not here,” I told her while I gestured for Riona to sit down. She had an annoyed face and after a few minutes of standing and waiting for me to leave she gave up and huffed and puffed as she sat beside me.

“I shall begin the lesson,” Madame Noelle announced.

And with that, she started rambling on and on as Riona listened carefully. There wasn’t much for me to do so I sat there observing Riona. 

She had a spark of determination in her eyes, a genuine passion for learning as her eyes were set on Madame Noelle as she spoke. Her hair was in a mess as usual. Although she seemed quite slim…

She seemed to be doing well on her etiquette lessons, as expected from an Elven princess.

I guess that means the banquet shall go smoothly as planned…