Adeline Is Married Two Years Later

Two years have passed since I got the information about Alexander’s mistress. I have done my best to prepare Adeline to be married to Alexander. Finally it is the day before her eighteenth birthday. Adeline is in her chambers getting fitted for her wedding dress. Jacob has denied me any contact with her until dinner.

Dinner finally arrives. Adeline's nervousness is palpable, her hands fidgeting and her gaze darting around the room. Sensing her unease, I inquire about her fitting, hoping to distract her with talk of the upcoming wedding. Her eyes light up with excitement as she describes the intricate details of her gown, a dream she's been nurturing since childhood.

However, Jacob's voice cuts through the air like a blade, sharp and cold.


"She's not beautiful enough," he declares callously, his words landing like heavy stones in the room.


My heart sinks at his cruelty, but I refuse to let his negativity poison the atmosphere.


"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, my lord," I retort calmly, meeting his gaze without flinching.
"In my eyes, Adeline is radiant."


Jacob's disdain is evident as he dismisses my words with a scoff, his arrogance barely concealed.


"Alexander will be bored within minutes," he adds, his tone dripping with disdain for his own daughter.


I resist the urge to roll my eyes at his shallow assessment.



"Love transcends appearances, my lord," I reply, my voice tinged with a hint of reproach.
"Adeline's kindness, intelligence, and grace will capture Alexander's heart far more effectively than any fleeting beauty."

Jacob's expression darkens, his jaw clenched with frustration. Before he can utter another word, Adeline excuses herself quietly, her eyes downcast. Adeline retreats from the room, a sense of sadness washes over me, mingled with determination to shield her from Jacob's harsh judgments.

Turning back to Jacob, I meet his gaze squarely, unyielding in my conviction.


"Encouragement is a gift, my lord," I say firmly.
"In a world filled with cruelty, Adeline deserves every ounce of it."
“You are naïve darling if you think that Alexander will see anything more than a pretty face.”

“We must get some sleep.”
“We have a long journey ahead of us tomorrow.”


I followed Jacob to his chambers. We fell asleep almost immediately. The next morning a knock on our door sounded. Adeline walked into the room wearing a beautiful dress. I was about to speak when Jacob cut me off.


“It will have to do.”
“We must depart now.”


Adeline and I followed Jacob out to the carriage. Adeline was to ride in her carriage, so she could change out of the wedding dress and into a proper gown for the travel. I tried to reason with Jacob. His grip tightened around my wrist as he pushed me into the carriage. We were soon moving.

The tension inside the carriage seemed to thicken with every passing moment. Jacob's glare bore into me like daggers, his frustration palpable in the air between us. I could feel his grip tightening around my wrist, the pressure sending a jolt of pain shooting up my arm.


"Enough of your meddling," Jacob growled, his voice low and menacing.
"You think you can defy me, undermine my authority in my own household?"


I winced as his words cut through the silence, his anger radiating off him in waves. Despite the discomfort, I refused to back down, meeting his gaze with a steely resolve of my own.


"I only seek what's best for Adeline," I replied evenly, trying to keep my voice steady despite the adrenaline coursing through my veins.
"You may be her father, but that doesn't give you the right to dictate her worth based on shallow appearances."


Jacob's jaw clenched, his features contorted with rage as he leaned in closer, his breath hot against my face.


"You dare to lecture me?" he spat, his voice dripping with venom.
"You, a mere wife, presume to challenge my decisions?"


I held his gaze, unflinching in the face of his fury.


"I speak as someone who cares for Adeline deeply," I said firmly.
"I will not stand by while you belittle her, crush her spirit with your harsh words."


For a moment, the carriage seemed to hang in suspended animation, the air thick with unspoken tension. With a frustrated growl, Jacob released his grip on my wrist, his anger momentarily spent. Leaning back against the plush seat, he fixed me with a steely gaze.


"Mark my words," he said, his voice laced with warning.
"Your loyalty to Adeline may prove costly."


Not another word was spoken. The carriage came to a halt in a grand courtyard. The castle in front of ours was a stark difference from Lodamir castle. The castle was cheerful, unlike the gray walls of Lodamir castle. A guard eagerly awaited our arrival. I was delighted to see the joy on Adeline’s face as a guard helped her out of the carriage. She was the perfect princess. My face fell as Jacob intercepted her.

I followed behind Adeline and Jacob. We reached the grand throne room. King Charles sat on his throne. Alexander was nowhere in sight. We extend curtsies and a bow. King Charles seems pleased with Adeline. A guard escorts Adeline out of the chamber before Jacob can object. King Charles personally walks us to a chamber where we can prepare for the wedding.

Once alone in the room Jacob and I got ourselves ready. I was about to find Adeline when Jacob caught my hand.


“Where are you going?”
“Adeline needs me.”
“You will not be going anywhere.”

“I will talk to Adeline.”
“She needs to know the consequences if she fails.”
“Jacob, she is well aware what happens if she does not marry Alexander.”
“She has prepared for this moment her entire life.”


Jacob roughly took my wrist in his hand. He half dragged me to the church. He sat me down in my throne.


“I will go get Adeline.”
“Yes, my lord.”


I could not make a scene in front of this crowd. King Charles caught my gaze. I gave him a quick nod of my head. I observed Alexander. He was tall, with dark black hair, and green eyes. His stance was rigid. He wore a scowl on his face. A few minutes later a young lady walks in. She is wearing all black as if she is attending a funeral. From the details of the dress, and the cut I could guess that this was Alexander’s mistress.

My thoughts were diverted as Jacob led Adeline into the church. Even behind the veil, I could see her trembling. Jacob dragged her up the aisle. He whispers something in her ear, as he walks back to me. I hold my breath as Alexander pulls back the veil. I feel the anger rising to my cheeks as Alexander publicly denies Adeline.

Jacob’s cold laughter echoes in my ears as he leans in.


“I told you, Adeline was not pretty enough.”


Alexander walks off the balcony. I walk over to Adeline. I ignore the stern look from Jacob. I quickly turn her away from the watching crowd.


“Darling, do not let them see you cry.”
“Mother, what is wrong with me?”


My heart hurt that she was questioning herself. This had nothing to do with her.


“Darling this is not your fault.”
“Alexander did not wish to be married at all.”


Before I could continue to tell her the truth Alexander walked back up to the altar. I gave him a small curtsey and walked back to my seat. The wedding continues as planned without any further delay. Once everybody left the church Jacob pulled me to Adeline’s chambers.


“You will wait here.”


I tried to go inside but Jacob quickly shut the door. I heard the sound of the lock. I simply had to wait, and hope that he did not hurt her. A few minutes later he walked out of the room.


“Come on darling, we are returning home.”
“Darling what about the party?”
“King Charles will understand.”
“I told him that we must be returning home right after the wedding.”
“You may say your final goodbyes.”


I quickly walked into the room. Adeline was fighting back tears.


“Mother, how am I going to do this?”
“Remember you are strong; he does not own you.”
“Show him who you are.”


I reminded her that I was only a letter away. A knock sounds on the door. I give her a quick hug before I depart. Jacob grabs my wrist and pulls me to the waiting carriage.

The carriage rattled along the uneven road, the sound of hooves against cobblestone mingling with the heavy silence that enveloped us. Jacob's grip on my wrist was like a vice, his fingers digging into my flesh with a painful intensity. I could feel the bruises forming beneath his grasp, a physical reminder of his dominance over me.

His laughter cut through the stillness, sharp and cold, sending shivers down my spine. It was a sound devoid of warmth, filled only with the satisfaction of a man who had achieved his desired outcome.


"Finally, the contract is completed," Jacob said, his voice dripping with triumph.


I recoiled at his words, the weight of their meaning settling like a stone in the pit of my stomach.


"You just sold our daughter," I whispered, my voice barely above a hoarse murmur, disbelief coloring my words.


Jacob's laughter rang out once more, the sound echoing around the carriage like a haunting melody.


"I am relieved she is gone," he taunted, his eyes gleaming with a perverse amusement.


I shook my head in disbelief, my heart heavy with sorrow and rage.


"As I told you years ago," Jacob continued, his tone mocking and cruel, "all daughters are good for fulfilling their duties as a wife."


His words struck me like a physical blow, the callousness of his sentiment cutting through me like a knife. How could he be so blind to the humanity of his flesh and blood, reducing her worth to nothing more than a pawn in his game of power and control?

A sudden realization dawned on me. I was once again all alone with Jacob. The carriage jostled along the bumpy road, each bump and jolt sending shockwaves of pain through my body. With our children gone, the air seemed heavier, suffused with an oppressive tension that hung between Jacob and me like a thick fog. I knew deep down that with Adeline and our other children out of the house, Jacob's cruelty would only intensify.

As if he could read my thoughts, Jacob's demeanor shifted, his features contorting with malice as he turned his attention towards me. Before I could react, I was pinned to my seat, his weight pressing down on me like a suffocating blanket. The force of his presence was suffocating, leaving me gasping for air beneath his oppressive hold.


"Did you really think you could defy me and get away with it?"


Jacob's voice was low and menacing, each word dripping with venom. His eyes bore into mine with an intensity that made my blood run cold, his rage simmering just beneath the surface.

I struggled against his grip, the weight of his body bearing down on me like an anchor dragging me beneath the surface. No matter how hard I fought, I was powerless against his overwhelming strength.


"You're nothing but a servant," Jacob spat, his voice laced with contempt.
"You have no right to challenge me, to question my authority."


I felt a surge of fear coursing through my veins, threatening to overwhelm me as I stared into the depths of his cold, merciless eyes. At that moment, I realized just how truly trapped I was, bound by the chains of duty and obligation to a man who saw me as nothing more than a pawn to be used and discarded at his whim.

His grip tightened around me, his fingers digging into my flesh with an ironclad strength that left me gasping for air. The weight of his presence bore down on me, crushing me beneath its suffocating weight, leaving me feeling small and insignificant in his shadow.


"You will learn your place," Jacob's voice was a low growl, each word dripping with malice.
"You will obey me without question or suffer the consequences.


Relief did not come as we reached Lodamir Castle. When the gates closed, I was once again trapped alone in an unloving marriage.