The Villianess story: A 100 ways to kill your husband-Chapter 292: Her friend

Cedric nodded and then made his way from the surveillance tower. He hoped Abrielle had stayed back at the castle but that was him wishing for much.

He had an inkling feeling that she was with Alfonso, who was like the only friend she had made while in the capital. FRIENDS, he scoffed. He hoped it was just that.

While his mind was plagued with finding answers about this mysterious group of dark magic practitioners they labelled as sorcerers who had been causing way too many problems for the royal family and disrupting the flow of things in Vitalis, a part of his mind wandered to her.

She was always stuck somewhere in his mind. Cedric thought about the entire situation between Abrielle and Alfonso wondering if there was something he wasn’t seeing.

From the first day they met, Abrielle always found herself in rather awkward situations with Alfonso. Cedric was aware of Alfonso’s nature. He knew Alfonso had a habit of using wives to get information. That might be the case but the question was that if Alfonso was manipulating Abrielle, she had started to bend to his will.

Was it purely manipulation to cause a rift or did she have developed feelings for Alfonso? Those were questions he didn’t have answers to.

Cedric stepped out of the tower into the main square. The music had already died down, in the front of the square was a wide balcony that presided above the square.

Cedric stood at the corner, his eyes darting across the crowd below that listened to the king give his speech. It was the same speech Kaiden gave every year about vigilance and love before presenting the gold rose to the victor of the rose duel. Each year, it was barely different. It spoke the same message, starting with a fairytale about a knight who fought dragons to get the first gold rose he presented to his beloved as a sign of devotion.

Kaiden finished his speech and there was a thunderous round of applause. Kaiden raised his hand and the applause died down.

"This year was remarkable, every knight fought hard but in the end only one can get the rose. Every red rose was an acknowledgement of strength and love no less than the gold rose. Still, it is an honour to present this year’s winner, our very own first prince of this great kingdom, Prince Cedric Von Drakkar." Kaiden declared and there was a round of applause.

The king’s gaze travelled from the crowd to the corner of the balcony where Cedric stood. He gave the prince a soft smile, one he rarely saw while growing up. Cedric felt like scoffing, he didn’t want the king to lose too much face.

On the king’s cue, Cedric stepped into the light, tall and confident carrying a commanding presence not inferior to Kaiden. Cedric walked towards the king and bowed on one knee showing respect to the king. There was another round of applause. Everyone knew his strength and no one doubted his victory.

Callista, standing in a corner hidden from the main lights, also applauded with a soft smile. Eleanor held no reservations than to applaud, although it wasn’t from her heart. She was a queen and stood as an example.

"You fought well." Kaiden praised Cedric and beckoned on an attendant to bring a chest. It was a small chest made with intricate carvings and decorated with stones and gold.

The chest was opened and a bright blinding shone from inside. The attendant waved the open chest at the audience, presenting the rose. Eleanor, who was by the king’s side, picked up the rose from the chest and handed it over to Kaiden who accepted the single rose stalk. From the petals to the stalk were all gold. It had a few thorns as a testament to the struggle undergone to get this single rose.

"Cedric Von Drakkar, I name you the knight of the spring. With this rose, you can choose the lady who is worthy of being the queen of the spring," Kaiden said, presenting the rose to Cedric, who accepted the rose on his feet, showing the height difference between them. "I accepted the honour, your majesty." He said before he rose.

Cedric’s eyes darted around the balcony, then in the front of the crowd below and a small smile on his face. His voice wasn’t loud and he didn’t want the sound magic to get it either. "Unfortunately, she isn’t here," Cedric commented, then left, then turned to leave.

The spectators were curious as to whom the prince was going to give the rose to. If he gave it to Abrielle it would be the biggest proof that the rumours were all fake. They had doubts remembering he gave his last rose to Callista.

Cedric walked towards the exit of the balcony, where Callista stood, he stopped for a moment. Callista’s heartbeat slowed, her eyes drawn to the rose. "Cedric I..." He didn’t let her finish

From the corners of his eyes, he could already spot Lucian, who was approaching. "There isn’t a need to be nervous." He said then leaned to whisper in her ears. "I know he is the only one you see and I am fine with that. The one I would have given the rose to might not accept it with a free heart." He whispered.

Callista’s heart ached at his words, "Cedric," she called weakly. He backed away, then turned to Lucian’s direction, his eyes darting between the two of them. "Maybe it is better to give the rose to someone who has another to treasure but I won’t know what the outcome might be without trying. Good luck, I know Lucian has something to say to you. I will keep an eye on the sorcerers."

Callista was left speechless, did she read his actions wrongly? Were Cedric’s feelings always pure and not what she thought? Her heart was heavy as she watched him leave, walking past Lucian.

"Someone suspicious was found roaming at the east wing of the square. Be careful. I will take care of things here. " Lucian informed Cedric as he walked past him off the balcony into the building.