Chapter 78: His duty
The irritating rays of light in her eyes woke her from her slumber. She had no idea when she fell asleep after Cedric left the room but it was already morning. Another round of sitting in a carriage for hours.
"Good morning, your Highness; it’s time we get you ready," Evelyn informed her; Abrielle sluggishly sat up, rubbing her eyes. She was a bit disoriented and sleepy. She went along her morning routine to get ready and even had breakfast on her own. There was no sign of that annoying husband of hers, which was for the best.
The morning was as cold as every other winter morning. Abrielle arrived at the hotel entrance, and her eyes were instantly drawn to Cedric, who was coordinating the men ahead of the next face of their journey to cross the nether forest.
The Netherlands were dangerous as they were a borderland between the land of the dead and the living. Generally, it was safer to travel during the day than at night, but you never know what to expect.
She made her way down the stairs with Evelyn’s assistant since it was a bit difficult to move in her heavy layers of clothes. At the foot of the main entrance stairs, Cedric was still standing there. His men had already departed; it seemed he was waiting for her.
"Good morning Cedric." She greeted him, giving him her hand. He accepted and placed a soft kiss on it. To maintain their reputation in public they were demanded to keep up little gestures.
Only if the princess knew a good number of Cedric’s men knew of her true nature. "Good morning, you seem to have dark circles under your eyes. Didn’t you sleep last night?" He enquired, spotting out the dark circles she failed to hide with the thin layer of makeup.
"It was uncomfortable sleeping in the room." She made up the first excuse she could come up with. She had no idea Cedric had entered the room close to daybreak when he wanted to get changed for the day. He saw her tossing on the bed, grumbling about something.
He wondered if she was aware of her habit of talking in her sleep. "The winter must be cold." Cedric chimed pulling her hand as he led her to one of the carriages but it wasn’t the one they normally used