I Rejected the Alpha Crown Prince

Back home

"Adelita, what's the matter?" Lily asked, her voice filled with genuine concern. "Why are you hugging me so tightly?"

Adelita's arms wrapped around Lily tightly as she held her close. Memories flooded back to her, and she couldn't contain the overwhelming feeling of sadness that came with it. "Lily," she whispered, her voice shaking with emotion.

Lily pulled back, looking at Adelita with a concerned expression. "What's wrong, my lady?" she asked, gently placing a hand on Adelita's shoulder.

Adelita's eyes were filled with tears as she looked at Lily. "Nothing," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I couldn't save you. "

I couldn’t save you from them.

“What? What did you just say, my lady? I couldn’t hear you.”

“No, nothing, It’s just- it’s just good to see you again, that’s it. I missed you.

Lily's expression softened as she understood the gravity of the situation. "My lady, I'm here now," she said, pulling Adelita into another hug. "I'm alive and well. You don't have to worry about me."

Adelita clung to Lily, holding her tightly as she tried to process the emotions that were running through her. She felt a sense of relief wash over her, knowing that Lily was alive and well in this new life.

Adelita pulled back slightly, her eyes glistening with tears. "Lily," she whispered, her voice trembling. "Let’s- let’s go home. I have a lot of people I’m excited to meet. Take me home."

Lily's confusion deepened, her brows furrowing. "Certainly, my lady. You’re acting very strangely today."

Taking a deep breath, Adelita composed herself, her voice filled with a mixture of sadness and determination. "I am, I’m sorry for that. But I’ll be fine again. I promise you that."

Realization flickered in Lily's eyes as the weight of Adelita's words sank in. The fragments of forgotten memories started to resurface, weaving a tapestry of their shared history. "My lady," Lily whispered, her voice laced with both disbelief and a glimmer of recognition. "Is there anything you want to tell me? Is there anything that happened and I didn’t know?"

“Nothing, Lily, nothing. Nothing has happened, and nothing has changed.”

As they parted from their embrace, Adelita studied Lily's features. She hadn't changed much from her past life. Her dark hair was still long and wavy, her eyes still bright and full of life. But there was a newfound appreciation in Adelita's eyes as she looked at her loyal friend.

Tears welled up in Lily's eyes as she took in the magnitude of their reunion. "I can't believe it," she whispered, her voice choked with emotion. "I’m back."

“Back? Oh you mean you’re back to Rievaulx Abbey?”

“Yes, yes, that’s what I meant.”

The weight of their shared past hung heavy in the air, mingling with the scent of blooming wildflowers that surrounded them. Adelita and Lily stood together, caught between the echoes of their former selves and the possibilities of the present.

Lily led Adelita through the grand gates of the small Manor, nestled on the picturesque side of the Great Caledon river. The sun began its descent, casting a warm, golden glow upon the elegant facade of the house. Adelita's heart fluttered with anticipation as they approached the entrance.

As they stepped through the ornate double doors, the aroma of freshly cut flowers filled the air. The foyer was adorned with intricate tapestries, each telling a story of its own. Delicate chandeliers hung from the high ceilings, casting a soft illumination that danced across the polished marble floor.

Waiting for them in the foyer was an old maid, Sara Smith, Lady Annastasia's personal attendant. Her stern expression and crossed arms betrayed her impatience. The lines etched deep into her weathered face seemed to speak of a life filled with bitterness and discontent.

"About time you returned, Lily," Sara snapped, her voice laced with irritation. "Lady Annastasia has been waiting for Adelita for far too long."

Lily bowed her head respectfully, her eyes avoiding Sara's harsh gaze. "Apologies, Sara," she murmured. "We encountered an unexpected incident on our way back. Lady Adelita has been-"

Sara huffed indignantly, clearly uninterested in any explanation. "Well, hurry up and bring her to Lady Annastasia," she ordered, her tone leaving no room for argument.

Adelita studied Sara's demeanor, sensing the hostility that radiated from her. She couldn't help but wonder what had caused such bitterness to consume the old maid. Two lifes and she never really understand this person.

Following Lily's lead, Adelita ascended the grand staircase, each step creaking softly beneath her feet. The walls were adorned with portraits of long-gone ancestors, their eyes seemingly watching her every move. The air grew heavy with anticipation as they made their way to Lady Annastasia's chambers.

The door swung open, revealing a spacious room decorated with luxurious furnishings. Lady Annastasia sat by the window, her once vibrant red hair now touched with streaks of gray. Her delicate features bore the weight of age and experience, and her piercing blue eyes regarded Adelita with a mixture of curiosity and skepticism.

"Adelita, my dear," Lady Annastasia greeted, her voice tinged with a hint of formality. "It seems you have finally returned."

Adelita approached her stepmother cautiously, her heart pounding in her chest. "Mother, I apologize for the delay," she said, her voice steady despite the lingering tension in the room.

She doesn’t need to know. She wouldn’t care to hear it anyway, no need for explanation.

Lady Annastasia's lips curled into a cold smile, revealing a hint of skepticism. "You always were a troublemaker," she remarked. "But perhaps this time you have learned your lesson."

Adelita kept her gaze fixed on the older woman, trying to decipher the complex emotions that swirled within her. She knew that gaining Lady Annastasia's trust would not be an easy task.

"I have indeed learned my lesson, Mother," Adelita replied, her voice unwavering. "I am ready to face the consequences of my actions and make amends. I was late and that is not how a Lady should behave and I have no excuses for it."

Lady Annastasia's eyes bore into Adelita's, searching for any signs of deceit. After a long, tense moment, she nodded slowly. "Very well," she said. "You shall be given the opportunity to redeem your misbehaviors.