Arranged Marriage: This Prince Secretly Loves Me

"Brother, you need to know you cannot deny what you have done, it is useless, you and I know you are responsible for Adelaide's condition, my Princess Consort was about to die, do you know what would happen to you if dad finds out?"

Ethan stared straight into Edward's eyes, and he nodded. He was glad to see the fear in Edward's eyes.

"Alright, have fun, you should be happy she has recovered, I will see you later, Brother," Ethan rose to his feet, as he gave a smile to Edward, before walking out of the courtyard.

"What did Ethan mean by that? Did you really poison Adelaide?" Madeline asked as she watched Edward have his brows creased.

"I do not want to talk about it, I suggest you return home, your parents would be worried about you seeing that it is dark," Edward forced a smile on his face.

Madeline parted her lips to say something, but she was unable to utter a word. She could only sigh, before giving a courteous nod.

"I will walk you to your carriage," Edward did not forget to act like a gentleman. This was his façade, and he could not afford for his mask to be pulled off.

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"Is she awake?" Ethan asked Marie once he walked into the room.

In response, Marie shook her head negatively.

Ethan sighed before walking to the bed.

"Leave us," he ordered, and Marie walked out of the room immediately.

But not without giving him one look. She wondered what had come over him.

Ethan was not acting the way she thought he would normally act. His actions were otherworldly, and it confused her immensely.

This was Adelaide's first day in the palace, but Ethan's actions indicated that he had known her for a long time.

She was confused, but she knew her place. She could not go around asking, for it would be considered rude, and she would be tagged as someone who pries information about her masters.

Meanwhile, Ethan pulled a seat close to the bed as he sat on it. He took Adelaide's hands into his, and stared at her face which was already beginning to regain color.

He didn't say anything as he only continued to stare at her.

After a few minutes, Adelaide's fingers moved. Ethan immediately looked down at the finger, as a smile appeared on his face.

Soon, Adelaide's eyes fluttered open. She looked around, feeling flustered as she had no idea where she was. For a moment, her brain seemed to have been frozen, and she could not think properly.

It was only after a few minutes she realized where she was.

Adelaide forced herself to sit up while placing her palm on her forehead. She felt her head ache. Ethan had previously let go of her hands.

"Are you okay?" Ethan asked which caused her to notice someone else was in the room.

She immediately snapped her head towards Ethan, and her lips parted, but she could not utter a single word.

After getting over her shock, she asked, "why are you here?"

"If I was not here, I fear you might have lost your life," Ethan replied, his eyes were unable to hide the concern he had for her.

"Lost my life? How?" She asked, her face marred with visible confusion.

"You were poisoned, and you were on the verge of death, luckily, we found out quickly, and the Royal Physician was able to save you," Ethan answered. He did not bother to tell her how he risked his life to get the necessary leaf needed for her to be cured.

Adelaide's heart chilled immediately, as her lips trembled.

"P-poisoned?" Adelaide stuttered as she pulled the sheets over her in fear.

"You do not need to worry, you are safe now, and as for the person who dared to harm you, I will deal with the person," Ethan assured her with a smile, and she turned her head to look at him.

"Who was the person?" She asked.

Ethan's eyes flashed for a second.

"You do not need to know who it is," he responded, his usual cheerful voice replaced by something cold and sinister.

"But I demand to know, who was the person who tried to take my life? It is my life, just a day into your country, and I am already being targeted, if you tell me to remain calm, do you think it is possible?" Adelaide who usually had a soft voice raised her voice to Ethan who was amused.

Adelaide finally realized what she had done, and she immediately lowered her head.

"I apologize, I should not have raised my voice at you, I just felt confused, I mean, I just arrived, but I am already considered a threat which needs to be taken care of," Adelaide apologized, laying heavy emphasis on the phrase, 'taken care of.'

Ethan sighed, but deep within, he was excited. This was the Adelaide he knew. Adelaide, who could not tolerate any harm done to her.

When she arrived, she was looking timid, which caused him to think she must have undergone some changes.

But now, seeing her express her thoughts, he was excited.

"You do not need to apologize, I just felt that you should not know who tried to kill you as the person isn't worth it, but if you really want to know, I can take you to meet the person, I only urge you to recover and first," Ethan was smart.

Adelaide would really want to know who poisoned her, and if care is not taken, she could demand to see the person immediately.

Ethan had to set a condition, one which she could not go against.

"Fine, I will recover first before going to see the culprit," Adelaide gave in, and a smile appeared on Ethan's face after hearing her words.

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Dungeon>

Penelope was seated in the darkest part of the dungeon. Her teeth chattered against each other as she huddled closer to the wall.

All of a sudden, she heard footsteps, and she immediately rushed to her feet.

The footsteps got closer, and so did the anticipation in her heart.