Between Two Souls, Chapter 4
"Listen first. I know you're confused, but this is the only way to save my best friend." Erika with a blank face pleaded to Adrien
"Bu-, but it's impossible. We will all get married tonight. That's impossible!" Adrien was shocked when he heard it.
"Yes, I know, but this is the only way to free her without violence." Erika came closer again.
Erika touch the cheek of her lover, "I'm sorry, but I feel so sorry for her. Originally I wanted to pull him out by force, but it would harm you later. They can rebel. After all, I okay to be the second to marry you."
Adrien was stunned, and thought. He held Erika's delicate white hand. He sighed deeply, finally he made this difficult decision.
Adrien was silent for a long time..............................
"Adrien?"
"Who is your best friend?"
"Vino Celje"
"Huh? Vino Celje? That same elf from our school used to be?" Adrien was astonished.
"Yes, that one."
"What happened to her?"
"You remember when we were in school? The school feels like hell to us, but to make it heaven. At home, Vino is bullied constantly by his half-sisters and stepmother. Only her stepfather cared about her. At school, there are indeed harsh bullies, but we are always by her side." Erika tries to convince Adrien.
Hearing that, Adrien felt sorry, but did he have to sacrifice his marriage to Erika?
"Yesterday I heard that his stepfather died a month ago. She has lost the only hope."
"Shouldn't we negotiate with them?"
"Do you think I've never tried it? They are stone heads. Once you become a member of the royal family, you won't be able to get out."
.......................
Adrien was silent for a long time thinking about this.....
"Alright, I'll save your best friend."
Erika smiled broadly at that. She hugged Adrien while shedding tears. Finally, violence was not used.
"Thank you"
They hugged for quite a long time.
"Once again, forgive me. Let's go out and prepare for the night"
"..........................."
The rays of the sun began to disappear. The birds stopped chirping for a moment to silence the atmosphere. Darkness began to envelop Adrestia. But on the palace hill, a swarm of light was visible from afar. It was the Arestiana royal family entourage who came for the dance party as well as the wedding.
Seven royal families will be present, each of which has a major role in the kingdom. They were greeted warmly by the palace servants.
Prince Adrien with a lazy face stood in the ballroom. He is rare and lazy to get along with the Royal family. Fortunately, there was Erika beside him who could motivate him a little to greet the guests.
"Ugh, I hate ball parties. I always being a political subject"
You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.
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Two men came to the prince. Both of them are neatly dressed with blowback hairstyles. Some have a banjang mustache and look older than 57 years old and the other has a smooth face like a 20-year-old youth.
The two of them walked closer to the prince who was near the wide staircase. With confidence, the young man walked stylishly approaching Adrien.
"HOLAAA AMIGOOO!!!" The young man shouted while raising his hand.
"HUH?" Adrien turned his head in disbelief, who knew that the person was wrong? "Who are you? Who is Amigo?"
"EH??????"
The young man became awkward with his greeting. He tried to get along but he thought he was doing something disrespectful. The older guest approached put his arm around his son's shoulder and smiled.
"Good evening Prince and Miss Erika, forgive me if my son is disrespectful. Allow us to Introduce ourselves as Rodrigo Hidalgo, and this is my only son Raphael Hidalgo. Our family has been the admiral of the Arestiana ocean guard for generations."
The two of them bowed respectfully to the prince, then shook hands.
"Oh, so that's the language used by Hesperos, right? The westernmost region of Aristera. I'm sorry I didn't recognize it." Said the prince while scratching his head.
"It's okay prince, even though we came from there we have sworn allegiance to Arestiana. Excuse me prince, I don't mean to underestimate you. Since your highness is rarely gets along with the royal family, will the prince come with me to get acquainted with the other families?
"Hmmmm, sure"
Adrien and Rodrigo approached the rest of the family group. Among them are officials in Arestiana who are usually surnamed Vickers. There are several people he knows and is friends with Adrien are Thomas Vickers and Idriss Vickers.
Without suspected, a woman jumped and hugged Adrien from behind.
"HELLO MY PRINCE! IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME SINCE WE MET!!"
Adrien and Erika were surprised. It turned out to be Bridgette Vickers, a childhood friend and a big fan of the prince.
"Eh, Erika is her too. I know you'll be the one who gets elected, so take care of him for me!" She said it with a sweet big smile.
Erika replied with a frowning face. "Very confident women, she hugged her from behind," he said to himself.
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They also met with the Loisel family, the family of financial regulators Arestiana. Adrien was happy to welcome Felix and his parents, Benjamin Loisel and Beatrice Loisel.
There are also families that produce weapons, clothes, and armor that nobles, soldiers, and commoners usually wear are the work of the Hermann Family. And lastly, is a family that upholds tradition and often becomes teachers, namely the Driva Family.
Professor of Arestina, as well as Adrien's favorite teacher, was present at the ball party. Stoick the Silverback, that's how it is called. It is nicknamed the silverback because it walks hunched over and on its back there is a towering silver dorsal. Adrien greeted him and talked to him for a while.
However, the most awaited guest has just arrived. They entered through the magnificent front door.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the long-awaited guest of honor has arrived. They are a family endowed with extraordinary beauty and are often the son-in-law of the prince and a symbol of Arestiana's goodness. Welcome to the CELJE family!"
The audience applauded loudly, this family does have many fans. Only Adrien and Erika are not impressed, because they know their true nature.
Six young girls aged 18-25 years old entered in their elegant dresses and masks and greeted the guests respectfully. The girls came to the prince to say hello, but something was strange....
"Why is there one girl who is badly dressed? The mask is also strange. Doesn't he want to marry the prince?" The guests whispered to each other about the awkwardness of one of the girls.
They bowed respectfully to greet the prince. The prince also paid his respects again. They stood up and then almost simultaneously gave a cynical look to Erika who was not far from the prince.
Suddenly they opened their dresses a little.
"Oh prince, let me serve you completely. You need someone who understands very well what a king wants later." Gently, Lola, the oldest girl who is 25 years old tries to seduce Adrien.
"We are the Celje family, trained to serve the kings of Arestiana. Your Majesty would be wise to choose us over one with no experience at all." Said Mika, the 22-year-old girl while smiling sarcastically at Erika.
Erika returned the cynical gaze.
"Eh yeah, thank you for coming" Adrien was confused about what to say.
"Whore" Erika said to herself.
Their mother, Chiara, was also present at the dance party. He covered his face with a folding fan. The woman looked very ambitious.
A servant approached the prince "Excuse me, prince, it's time for you to prepare with the King and Queen" The servant immediately took the prince away, leaving Erika alone.
"You won't win Erika. A foreign girl like you has no right in the kingdom." Mika insulting Erika.
"Hmph, the important thing is that I didn't be a whore to get a man" Erika replied.
"HUH? WHORE? Didn't you do it when you were poor and lived under the bridge?" Lola in an upset tone slandered Erika"
"Just look at yourself! You can't tell the difference between an official event dress and a slut's dress at the bar!"
"HAHAHAAHAAHAAA!!!!!" They laughed at Erika in unison.
Only one of them didn't laugh. The shabby girl had glanced sadly at Erika. Her face was like a deathly pale unlike a human skin.
Erika clutched the hilt of her sword, she promised to get her out of this hell....
.............. To Be Continued.............