Part 5

The 9-hour flight seemed to be over too quickly. Adelie wasn’t allowed to leave the jet when they refueled and too soon they landed in Frankfurt. From the airport, it was roughly, just under a 2-hour drive to Cochem.

Adelie took in the views as they entered the town. She had never before been to Germany, and she knew by now, Kai would have found her letter. She would have married him without a second thought if she thought it could save her from this arranged marriage.

She still wasn’t sure what they would do once they realized she had completed the imprinting bond. She held her breath as they started up the slight incline, heading toward the castle situated on a hill overlooking the town and the Mossel river.

The car came to a halt in the courtyard, and Gunter opened the door, and climbed out. He made his way to open the door across from the SUV, and another man, wearing a suit, held his hand out for Adelie. She took it, and he helped her from the car; two other men were carrying their luggage from the car into the castle.

Adelie stepped into the entrance hall and looked around at the elegant furnishings. It was decorated in the royal colors of the Conrad House, which was pale yellow and red. There were servants silently cleaning, and none of them looked up.

“Princess, my name is Lena, and I’m your lady’s maid,” a young woman greeted Adelie, and curtsied in front of her.

“Hello, Lena, thank you,” Adelie said.

“Hanz, please take the Princess’ luggage up to her chambers,” Lena instructed a young man.

Adelie followed Lena up the stairs and down a long hallway. Lena opened the second door, and Adelie stepped into a small sitting room. There was another door leading to the bedroom. Hanz put the luggage down, and with a small bow, left the room.

“I’ll draw you a bath, Princess Adelie. You must be tired from all the traveling,” Lena said, with a smile.

“Thank you, Lena,” Adelie said, and sat down on the sofa. It wouldn’t help much to argue with her. She had gotten so used to doing things for herself,  she now felt awkward with all the fussing. Lena would also unpack her suitcase and inform the castle Steward about her lack of suitable clothing. She wouldn’t be allowed to wear jeans in the castle; from now on, it would be dresses for daily wear, and evening wear for dinner.

“The Steward has already sent out an order for suitable dresses for your introduction to the King and Queen later this afternoon, then for dinner tonight, where you will meet Prince Rupprecht,” Lena said.

“Is Rupprecht in the castle?” Adelie asked.

“No, he is only arriving later this afternoon,” Lena said, and turned toward the walk-in closets.

Adelie got up from the sofa and made her way into the bedroom. It was beautifully decorated. She recognized the Archambeau colors, which were white and gold. They had decorated it with her in mind.

“Lena, may I trouble you for some refreshments?” Adelie asked, and Lena gasped.

“My apologies, Princess Adelie! I should have offered already,” she said, and looked down a bit tearfully.

“Lena, please don’t look down. You’re not in trouble, and please, call me Adelie when we’re alone,” Adelie said, with a smile. ‘This poor girl,’ Adelie thought.

“Thank you, Princess,” Lena said, and quickly left the room.

Adelie walked into the bathroom and closed the door behind her. She got undressed and climbed into the tub. She closed her eyes and rested her head on her knees. A soft knock came from the bathroom door, and Adelie quickly wiped her tears away.

“Come in, Lena,” Adelie said, and the door opened.

“Your dresses have arrived. Ulrich, the Steward, says you can take your time in choosing the ones to your liking, and  we will send back what you don’t like,” Lena said, from the gap in the doorway.

“Thank you, Lena. I’ll be out shortly,” Adelie said, and the door closed again.Half an hour later, Adelie exited the bathroom, her eyes still red from crying. Lena was waiting for her in the bedroom. A tray stood on the small table in front of the bed sporting a teapot with a cup on a saucer, condiments, and a plate of small sandwiches. “I’ve arranged your day dresses for you on one side, and your evening dresses on the other,” Lena said softly, as she poured Adelie a cup of tea.

“Thank you, any dress will be fine for my appointment,” Adelie said, and took the offered cup from Lena.

“Do you miss your home, Princess?” Lena asked her,  then blushed a bright red as she realized her mistake.

“Don’t you, Lena?” Adelie asked her.

“I do,” Lena said, softly. “How did you know?”

“Can I trust you?” Adelie asked her.

“Of course, Princess,” Lena said.

“I miss my home very much,” Adelie confessed. She knew Lena wouldn’t utter a word of what they discussed, because she could read her mind. That’s why she had finally given in to Kai, as well; his intentions had been pure.

Lena helped Adelie to get dressed, and did her hair, but Adelie insisted on doing her make-up herself. Adelie stood in front of the mirror and looked at herself. She was presentable, and Lena smiled at her.

“It’s nearly time, Princess,” Lena said, and Adelie nodded. 

She followed Lena down the hall again, and down more stairs, until they were back in the hallway downstairs. Lena turned left and made her way towards the drawing room. Lena stopped in front of the door, and an usher took over from there. He opened the door and stepped inside holding the door open for Adelie.

“Your Royal Highnesses, I present Princess Adelie, from the House of Archambeau,” he said, in a clear voice. He stepped out and closed the door behind him. Adelie curtsied in front of the King and Queen and walked to where they were sitting.

“Good afternoon, dear Adelie, please sit with us. You may call me Ilse, in private,” the queen smiled.

“I hope you weren’t treated with any inconvenience?” the king asked her, as she sat down.

“Not at all your Highness,” Adelie said, as she sat with her back straight.

“Please call me Emil,” he said.

“Tell us all about yourself, Adelie,” Ilse said to her. “Gunter says they found you in America, of all places; some godforsaken town in Alaska.”

“Yes, how did you end up there?” Emil asked her.

“The rumors that your parents sent you away to be hidden can’t possibly be true, can they?” Ilse continued.

“No, they aren’t,” Adelie said. “I was abducted by a group of men while traveling, and was sold into slavery for five years.”

“Oh, my, how terrible!” Ilse exclaimed.

“I was rescued by the son of an Alpha, and I lived with the Alpha and his wife for a year, before your Zetas found me there,” Adelie said.

“Gunter says that you frequently spent the night at a young man’s house, like some carefree peasant,” Emil said, not completely unkindly.

“The son of the Alpha, he became like a brother to me, we were close,” Adelie said, trying not to let her eyes show the emotion as she thought of Kai.

“This family looked after you?” Ilse asked her.

“Yes, they cared for me like I was their daughter,” Adelie confirmed.

“Why didn’t you go home?” Emil asked, with a curious glance.

“It took some time for me to recover from my injuries, as I hadn’t shifted yet when I was rescued,” Adelie said. The conversation was bordering on uncomfortable, and she didn’t want to discuss the Sinclair’s with them.

“All’s well now that you are here where you belong,” Ilse said, with a smile and looked at Emil.

“Is everything to your liking?” Emil asked her.

“Yes, thank you, I can see great care was taken for my arrival,” Adelie answered.

“Rupprecht will be arriving soon, we should all get ready for dinner, I’m sure you would like to rest before the time,” Ilse said, as she stood up.

“Yes, I would, thank you again, for the warm welcome,” Adelie said, as she stood up. She walked out of the room with relief in her eyes and found Lena waiting for her down the hall.

“Would you like a tour of the castle, or go up to your chambers to rest?” Lena asked her.

“I would prefer to rest for a while,” Adelie said, as she followed Lena back to her room.