Ulrik's POV
Adelaide turned and left without a second glance. She hadn't looked at me once.
I felt a strange heaviness in my chest.
Before I could ponder why, Velda trembled and clung to me.
"Ulrik, you won't reject me, will you?" Her voice shook.
My gaze remained fixed on the spot where Adelaide had vanished.
I tightened my hold on Velda and forced out a word, "No."
She burst into tears against my shoulder, "She only has a better background than me."
I let go of her. A chill filled my heart.
She'd lost, yet she refused to accept it.
Her honesty, her frankness, her boldness—all of it now seemed like an act.
After the failed challenge, Velda became the talk of the army.
The wolves who'd suffered because of her gave her cold looks.
Fortunately, her own troops still respected her
