The burden on Bastian's heart (part 3)

A woman's intuition rarely led her astray, and Adela's intuition had been remarkably sharp from the very beginning.

It wasn't difficult to deduce that Aldric was manipulating Bastian when it came to Adela. While it had been unclear before, it became painfully obvious on the day she performed the miracle and Aldric started acting strangely when Bastian approached. She could only blame Aldric for that. However, for what she had previously ignored, she had only herself to blame.

Back then, she had refused to acknowledge Bastian's slightly heightened admiration for her, and even now, she was reluctant to confront it.

"You're intoxicated," she remarked without turning to face him or attempting to pull her wrist from his grip, allowing him a moment to release her voluntarily.

"I'm not drunk," he responded, his tone soft yet tormented.