"Are you sure you've given the correct information? Didn't you see how close they were at the party earlier?"
Arthur stared sharply and lowly at the red-haired woman known as Lady Redrose. The woman bowed her head in fear, her shoulders trembling every time Arthur spoke. Terrifying, was the word that could describe the man at this moment.
"I-I also got that news from an informant living in that residence, Sir. Next time I will—"
"I'm not paying you to procrastinate like this."
Arthur stopped the woman by gripping her cheeks a little tightly. "Do it quickly, or this neck will be broken soon," he threatened.
"Alright, S-sir." The woman closed her eyes.
Not long after, Arthur released his grip, stepping away while carrying a bottle of liquor that would accompany him tonight. Something pleasant might happen soon?
"Spread your legs."
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Almost a week after the incident at the party that night, and Calsius had not found the right moment to meet and have a short chat with his wife. Time seemed to hinder his steps from approaching the room that was clearly always facing his bedroom door.
These past few days, Calsius had been busy preparing for a trip— or rather, a vacation plan he had prepared as a gift for Adelle.
"Madam will be angry if she knows about this, Sir." Rico reminded Calsius about their travel plans, more precisely trying to prevent their relationship from becoming more strained because of this.
"That's why, don't let Adelle know about this."
Rico took a deep breath, well, what else could he do.
After battling with many preparations, Adelle had no idea what kind of busyness was happening out there. All she did all day was sleep, wake up to eat, lean her body on the sofa, then sleep again. This continued day after day.
"Anna, I'm hungry."
Adelle woke up while checking her surroundings, usually Anna would immediately come to her. However, this time something was strange. A man was sitting on the sofa she usually sat on instead of Anna.
"What are you doing here?" Adelle frowned.
"Not allowed?" Calsius asked back.
Strangely, Adelle was very reluctant to see Calsius's face. It felt like there was an annoying sensation and emotion that she hadn't been able to express. But, Adelle wasn't sure why either. She just wanted to be angry for no reason, strange.
Adelle stepped her feet onto the floor, starting to stand.
"Sit down first, there's something I want to tell you."
"Just tell me, it's taking too long. Hurry up, I'm getting more and more annoyed seeing your face," Adelle snapped. Crossing her arms over her chest then frowning.
Calsius exhaled while massaging his temples. He stepped closer so he wouldn't have to speak loudly. When he was right in front of Adelle, the woman tilted her head in line with his annoyed gaze.
"We're going on vacation," Calsius said briefly.
"W-what? Vacation, you say? You must be joking, you're the second busiest person after the Emperor!"
"I'm not that busy, Adelle. And I'm not the second busiest person after the Emperor. That's just your opinion. We're going on vacation, I see the Villa's atmosphere is also getting gloomier. We need fresh air and to get away from these piles of documents." Calsius put his hands in his pants pockets then moved out of the bedroom door.
From inside, Adelle started chasing him. "Where are we going on vacation?" she asked as she walked.
"It's a secret. If I tell you, you'll go wild and destroy everything in this house."
"What?! I'm not that bad!"
Adelle kept chasing Calsius, whose steps were very difficult for her to catch. While grumbling, the woman intensified her tone of voice. "Just you wait if you prank me! I'll beat you up!"
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Preparations are ready. Everything is just about to leave, and relieve stress!"I'm warning you again. Don't you dare play a trick on me, or I'll—"
It was the same sentence that had been repeated for 2 days of preparation. Calsius was so bored and no longer in the mood to go.
"I know. Now shut up and get in, before I change my mind and cancel this vacation because you're so scared." Calsius took Adelle's palm and then got in.
Adelle was still pouting with her arms crossed. "It's just, this is all weird. You're not the type of person who would make time for a vacation like this."
Calsius didn't answer. He chose to close his eyes to calm the atmosphere. And precisely, Adelle was more annoyed seeing that attitude.
"Sleep, this will be a rather long journey." Calsius spoke with his eyes closed as if he knew Adelle would start chattering again.
As a result, Adelle in front of him was silenced. She leaned her back against the seat. Trying to relax and look at the streets of the Capital they were leaving behind. Gradually, her eyes became heavier. It seemed this was due to lack of sleep these past 2 days. Her head was too busy thinking about where they were actually going. Until finally, the woman fell asleep.
The journey from the Capital to Eddenberg took about 3 hours. Adelle slept for that long, although she occasionally woke up due to bumps. In the end, the woman chose to move to the seat next to her husband. Leaning her head on Calsius's shoulder without permission. Well, after all, the man didn't forbid it and adjusted his position so Adelle would be comfortable.
"Adelle, we've arrived."
The woman squinted her eyes. It was very bright when the carriage door was opened. Calsius helped Adelle tidy up her appearance. After she was done, Calsius helped Adelle down again and at the same time, Adelle realized something.
"Wait!"
Adelle stopped Calsius who was already walking while holding her hand. "Why?" the man asked.
"Th-this... Why are we here?!" Adelle asked panicked.
The sturdy, elegant building with a vast plot of land was the Eddenberg Residence. The garden around them was slightly different from before they left. There were new plants that further beautified the front area of the house.
"I'm scared." Adelle looked intently at Calsius.
Calsius tightened his grip. "I'm with you, Mother is also inside."
Adelle still didn't want to move. It was clear the woman was about to shed tears. Until not long after, a call made her heart warm.
It was Duchess Dania, Calsius's Mother.
Dania came rushing and immediately hugged Adelle tightly. "Darling, Mother has been waiting a long time to see you again. Thank you for coming."
Adelle bowed, holding back tears.
"I'm sorry, Mother. I'm scared," Adelle replied while returning Dania's hug.
Adelle cried uncontrollably. Dania smiled faintly at her eldest son, then gently stroked Adelle's back and comforted her.
"It's okay, Darling. We'll get through this together. Mother knows this is difficult, but if we don't try, we won't know if it will succeed or not. The most important thing is that we are together now, and Mother is even happier that you are well."
"Mother isn't happy when she's with me?" Calsius said.
"Come here. Mother is very happy to see you both well."
Calsius joined in hugging both of them. Dania's and Adelle's chuckles tickled his ears. Calsius hoped that his decision would end well.