And after that, Adrian was gone. Henry accompanied him as well as several royal guards. Exactly like before. But unlike his promise, he didn't come back after a month. Or even after three months. There was no news, no message of what had become of him.

---

Adam looked at Hye Jin, a self assured look on his face. He had sent all the handmaidens away including Alessandra and now spoke freely to his would be sister-in-law. [color=aquamarine]"Are you still so certain that Adrian will return?"[/color] he asked. [color=aquamarine]"How long has it been? Two? Three months? I'm afraid he might have fallen to an ambush or the likes of what had happened before."[/color]

Hye Jin raised an eyebrow. [color=red]"You seem so sure. Are you responsible for his prolonged absence?"[/color] she asked. The moment she had met the younger prince, he sensed his ambitiousness. Even though he had acted the perfect younger brother and a good adviser, there was that glint of greed, that darkness he kept hidden behind his eyes. And day by day since Adrian failed to return, she saw his ambitions grow. She expected him to offer her something. And here it was.

Adam shrugged. [color=aquamarine]"I am not my brother's steward,"[/color] he replied. [color=aquamarine]"I know not what happened to him. I suppose your guess is as good as mine. But..."[/color] he paused. [color=aquamarine]"If he is truly lost , Father will have no choice but to name me his heir. And you'll do well to ally yourself to me if you want to be queen."[/color]

Hye Jin laughed and shook her head. 

[color=aquamarine]"Do not pretend to be what you are not. I see through you. I know of your ambitions. A second princess with no hope of being queen unless married to an heir to the throne."[/color]

Hye Jin stared at Adam and considered what he said. [color=red]"And you are a prince that resorts to disposing off the rightful heir to the throne to further your own ambitions,"[/color] she said. 

Adam smiled.

After a long moment of pause, she finally spoke again. [color=red]"How certain are you that he will not return?"[/color] she asked.

Adam smile turned into a larger grin.