Adaline passed through the forest and finally reached the civilian areas. She slowed down the pace so as to not attract people who were currently sleeping or doing whatever it was late at night. She mounted the horse upon reaching a certain household, she securely tied the horse and then hugged it around the neck, rubbing it lovingly. "Wait here my good boy, and don't do anything to disturb the neighborhood. I'll be back for you soon" the horse made a sound as if understanding exactly what it was told. "Good boy," she kissed it before walking away, the horse escorted her until she was out of sight.
Not using the front door, she went straight to the back of the house. Looking around suspiciously first before moving closer to a particular window and making a soft knock. "Mer!" She whispered a scream. "Mer it's me, Adaline! Open up!" She made another knock, biting her lip as she looked around not to be caught.
Suddenly the window slid open, then a blond girl peeked outside "Adaline?" She wasn't expecting her at all. "Help me inside first Meredith, I'll explain everything to you after" she responded, sweating all over. Meredith opened the back door for her and let her in silently not to wake anybody up after putting the guards to sleep by using a spell. Her house was a big mansion but she chose to use the lower part and left the remaining floors to her parents, siblings and their maids. Being the daughter of a very prestigious and wealthy family gave her that power. "Here, and hush don't make any sound" she ushered her inside her bedroom. Adaline took off her clock and hung it on the rack beside the door.
Meredith filled a glass of water and handed it to her, worried. "Could you tell me why a princess is out of the palace at this time? Is everything alright, Ada?" She was surprised by her sudden visit. Adaline emptied the glass and gave it back to her before walking to sit on Meredith's bed, pulling off her bag and placing it down on her lap. "I am sorry for barging into your home late at night, but I had no choice. My parents have found me a man to marry me off to" she said in a low voice, her shoulders drooping down. Meredith frowned "Isn't that good news? I am sure it is a very suitable candidate given your good reputation in this kingdom. But why do you look so dead?" she thought her friend would be happy about such news. She was a princess who would probably get married to some King or Prince, so why was she so sad about it?
"You don't get it Mer, you just don't" she shook her head, tears brimming. Mer went to sit beside her, held both hands in hers. "Hey, talk to me. You don't like the man this time too? You know you can't keep denying this because your father and brothers are not going to stop." She coaxed her. Tears left her red eyes, "I know, sometimes I wonder if I am truly their own blood or if I was only adopted" Adaline uttered, painfully. Meredith wiped her tears "Shh…you can't talk like that. You are a princess and you are aware that this is inevitable. Look, what if he is who you have been dreaming of your whole life? What if he is the one for you?" Meredith suggested. For them, marriage was never their own choice. Even she wasn't an exception since she was a noble woman, someday she would also have to go through what her friend is going through right now. For them it was hopeless to dream of a heart chosen man, there was no such thing, her heart tightened at the thought.
"No Mer, no he isn't. I would rather die than marry that beast" she denied. "Tell me, who is this man this time? A king or a prince? Where is he coming from?" asked Meredith, curious. "Prince Adrian of the Red nation. They want to trade me off to that beast" more tears dropped from her eyes. On the other hand Meredith was devastated, her hands fell to her side as she looked across the room with dread. "Prince Adrian, you said?" She asked again, unable to believe. "Yes Mer, I don't want to get married to him. I'd rather die" she repetitively denied the man. Meredith quickly hugged her friend to hide her own emotions from her, her eyes become bloodshot instantly as she pat Adaline on her back. "Oh, I am so sorry my dear. I understand why you don't want him now. Who would want that man?" She uttered, however her eyes were telling another story, different from what her mouth was saying. Adaline pulled away and held her hands "And that's why I came to find you. I want you to help me out Meredith. Could you please help me?" She desperately asked.
Meredith got up, pulling her hands from hers. "Wh..what could I possibly do to stop this? I have no power to stand against your royal family. I would lose my head before I even tried to, Ada." she clenched her hands, so tight that they became red. Adaline wiped her tears and started to search inside her beg "Of course you can! Together we can do it. Here, come take a look at this spell" she opened a certain marked chapter. Meredith quickly returned to see, her eyes enlarged with great shock. "The black portal spell? No no no, Ada! You know that it is treason to use that dark magic spell. Are you trying to get me killed by your father?" she pushed the book away in fear. Adaline looked at her friend and then she suddenly got on her knees, shocking Meredith to the core. "Ada! What are you doing? Get up at once!" She was supposed to kneel for Ada and not the other way around. This could be counted as a treason the moment it gets out. "Help me, please help me Mer" she begged.
With so much worry she looked around to see if there was any maid around even by a mistake. Being friends with the princess since childhood came with a lot of benefits for her but it also carries a lot of risks along the way and she can't take this risk. "Get up first Ada, don't do this" she held her hands trying to get her up but she refused to. "I won't get up until you promise to help me with this" Replied Adaline. With a shaky breath she accepted "Alright, fine I'll help you so get up already" she was getting sick to the stomach by the second. "Thank you, thank you so much Mer!'' she hugged her and Mer hugged her back, she couldn't be grateful enough. Not believing that she just agreed to break rules with the princess.
"You left me no choice" she mumbled in defeat. "I know, but i have to do this and in fact we have to do it as soon as possible, I don't have much time. My family would start looking for me soon" she was sure they would turn the kingdom upside down to find her, and they'll stop at nothing. "Alright, we'll do it tomorrow because we would wake my family if we perform the ritual now." She paused and held her shoulders to assure her "So Ada, let's go to sleep for now, alright? You trust me don't you?" Ada sighed and nodded. Few seconds later they were both sleeping, turning to their sides, different thoughts filling their heads at the same time. 'I'll never marry you Adrian! Never!' She uttered and slowly drifted to sleep. Meredith sat up and looked at her with utter hate clouding her face.