Adrianna walked out of the South Gardens. After the two major announcements, the crowd could actually feel that these were the victory celebrations. They cheered yet again and all of them left the South Gardens.

Kenai couldn't even think of staying there for the celebrations anymore. He went away and Yanga followed him. However, Lenny did not leave. Meeting Adrianna was a rare thing and so she had to take advantage of this opportunity. And the only way was to be with her at every time.

​​

Adrianna was walking towards the palace instead of getting sucked in the vortex or getting in a portal. She walked with her arms tucked in Dmitri's. She watched the sun grow in the sky and the birds that chirped in the gardens. The water sounded welcoming in the fountains. Everything was going to be normal now, she thought and went closer to her mate. Suddenly she longed to run in the forests as the werewolf she was with him. She remembered the good old days when the two of them sprinted around with least care in the world.

Dmitri chuckled at her thoughts. "Well, now you aren't allowed."

"Please only once," she begged. She so wanted to get out of the maddening crowd.

"We will see," he replied.

Rest of the troupe included Isidorus, Nefasky, Haldir and Lenny amongst others.

Haldir, who was walking several paces behind, was still slightly shocked about the new development. His mind was racing on what had to be done next when suddenly Inyanga came from the side and touched his fingers softly. Electricity pulsed through his body. "Congratulations," she said softly and he couldn't help squeezing her hand.

"Thanks," he replied in a whisper. "What is going to happen now?" he asked. Inyanga didn't reply. How could she? Even she didn't know what would happen next. The two of them were in the most complicated situation. "Are you free tonight?" he asked after a pause.

"Hmm," she replied. "But I am leaving tomorrow."

Haldir's heart crumbled. In the heartache that followed, the birds that chirped seemed that their melodious songs didn't glide through the air. The comfort that he felt around her was about to go. If his feelings for her were described as an orchestra, then at that time sad music flowed out making him dejected. "Please, can you stay back for a day more? The celebrations aren't over yet," he asked so softly that no one else could hear.

"No," came a polite reply.

Haldir simply held her hand tightly. He didn't want to lose this chance. He realized he had wasted so much time only trying to tell her how it felt.

Lenny was watching Adrianna and Dmitri from behind. She so wished to talk to Adrianna but she knew that Adrianna was in a good mood. She was cherishing the surroundings, so she didn't interrupt but since she was in a good mood, she had to speak to her.

When the troupe reached the palace, Adrianna and Dmitri were served lunch. Once they had their food, the guests started to leave. The next major event was going to take place in the evening and they left to take rest and get dressed. As they left, they congratulated Haldir and Nefasky.

The two of them were standing close to the Queen. Haldir's eyes flitted around to check upon Inyanga and he felt good seeing that she was talking to a group of witches. For some reason he didn't see Enya and Shang Kui. Then he remembered that Shang Kui must have left to get his prize—the cloned Kayla. He smiled at the way Shang Kui had swum underwater to scare Kenai. But he couldn't understand Enya's absence.

Once they finished the lunch, Lenny came forward, "Adrianna, can we speak?" She did not address Adrianna as 'my Queen' on purpose to emphasize the closeness.

Somehow, Nefasky didn't understand but she didn't like Lenny's attitude, so she grunted, "Address her as your Queen." The golden leaf's magic was kicking in.

Lenny flinched.

Adrianna giggled like a child. "It is fine, Nefasky." Then she turned her gaze to see Lenny and said, "What is it?" Adrianna patted on the sofa beside her to invite her to sit with her.

Dmitri left after giving Adrianna a knowing wink, which conveyed that he was waiting for her in the bedroom.

Lenny cleared her throat once Dmitri left. She found her voice and proposed to her an idea that she thought might work. "I know that Kenai failed miserably in the test but he is an intelligent man." She looked at Adrianna to see her facial expressions. But Adrianna didn't let out any, so she continued all the more carefully. "If you feel that this would be correct, then could you give him a desk job at the Ministry under Haldir. That way, his pride wouldn't be hurt and he would feel useful. Lately, he hasn't been feeling good and thinks that he is good for nothing. Mother has been constantly worried about him. We all know that he is very brainy but because there is nothing significant he is doing, he is very frustrated and that is why he is behaving oddly."

Lenny took a deep breath. She again looked at Adrianna to see her mood. When Adrianna didn't speak, she continued to talk, "If you give him a desk job, he would be occupied and his frustration would reduce." After a short pause, she said, "Please, can you consider?"

Adrianna canted. She exhaled a large amount of air and looked away. A servant appeared with a washbowl and she dipped her hands to wash her hands. Once she had wiped her hands, the servant disappeared. "Lenny, I don't think that is a nice idea. Kenai is too arrogant for me." She remembered that he had blocked her from entering his cell. So she tried to enter Lenny's cell, but found that even Lenny had her shields up. But she looked more trustworthy than her brother and she also knew her from the academy days.

Lenny lowered her head knowing the fact fully well. Kenai did behave like a jerk back there.

To her surprise, Adrianna asked, "What are you doing these days?"

Lenny jerked her head back. She cringed. A thin line sweat slid down her back. Where was this conversation going, she wondered. "N- nothing. I just help my mother around the house. And I am planning to get a job soon. But ever since she had come out of the academy, her brother had haunted her to join the cult. She knew that Adrianna was an extremely articulate and cunning and intelligent woman. If she hadn't her guards up, Adrianna would not take two seconds to kill her.

The Queen gave her the counter proposition, "Then I'd rather have you for the desk job."

"What?" Lenny almost squealed. She covered her mouth with her hands immediately.

Almost everyone in the vicinity laughed.

Adrianna smiled and said, "Yes, you heard me correct. I would rather have you for the job you are asking for your brother."

Lenny's eyes widened. She removed her hand from her mouth but she was still gaping. "B- but," she stuttered.

Adrianna looked calm. She raised an eyebrow and asked, "Would you like to?"

This was the golden opportunity. How could Lenny deny it? One of the siblings had to get into Haldir's office. She licked her lips and said, "I would love to. Thanks so much Adrianna."

"Well, then—Congratulations! See you around," said Adrianna and got up to leave.

Isidorus rubbed his forehead. There was a lot to do.

Haldir once again turned his head to see Inyanga but she was nowhere.