108: Startling Revelations

Startling Revelations

"Is it really our Queen?" a loud voice exclaimed from the crowd, causing a ripple of murmurs and whispers among the onlookers.2

"The Queen!... The Queen?" wondered many.

Unlike the desolate dunes of sand, Lanark bustled with activity after the lifting of the state of emergency. And while the younger generations had only heard tales, the older ones recognized the camel palanquin of the Emorian Queen, and their minds were filled with endless speculations.

"But isn't that Lady Adelaide?" someone whispered, their voice hushed.

"Shh, quiet!" another cautioned.

Adela sank deeper into the cushions of her seat wishing the translucent fabrics around her were thicker. Never before had she felt so mortified about being called her own name!

"Don't listen to them," came Arkin's comforting, low-toned voice next to her.

Arkin...

His unwavering support and his willingness to put everything aside for her touched her deeply. Adela vowed to be the best sister to Arkin, a small seed of hope planted within her heart. Perhaps, in time, he would come to accept that Grace de Lanark was his mother, especially now that no boundaries existed between Adela and him.

Focus! Adela reminded herself, realizing there were still many unanswered questions about the events that had transpired during her absence from Lanark. But nothing around her seemed overtly suspicious, in fact, her arrival in the Queen's palanquin was undoubtedly the most remarkable occurrence taking place in the city right now.

As the procession neared her father's estate, Adela's apprehension grew. The estate appeared eerily still and lifeless.

Something is seriously wrong with this silence...

The camel-drawn entourage came to a halt by the gate of the Archduke's manor, and Arkin dutifully assisted Adela down from the palanquin. She tried her best to keep her head held up high, even with the marks left by their sandy clothes trailing behind them as they walked.

The majordomo, his face marked with an unfathomable expression, opened the door and addressed Adela, "Welcome back home, Lady Adelaide. The Archduke and the Archduchess are waiting for you in the piano room."

Bernard's gaze shifted, and Adela didn't need to follow his line of sight to know who he was looking at for her entire being was pulled in that direction.

"Leopold von Conradie left a message for you to return to the adjacent estate as soon as you receive word of it."

Egon's departure from her side was as swift as it was silent leaving Adela with a lingering emptiness. She pushed her feelings aside and looked up at Arkin, it was her turn to support her brother now.

"Your parents must be worried sick about you. I will see you soon." She managed to smile at him.

Arkin nodded once and they both stepped inside the manor embarking on separate paths. The unusual sound of Adela's sandals against the floor bothered her ears, reminding her of her disheveled appearance. How she longed for a moment to change her clothes before facing anyone.

The head maid — stationed by the door to the piano room — bowed her head respectfully as her eyes met Adela's. Understanding the instructions conveyed through their silent exchange, she knocked three times on the door before opening it for the Lady of House de Lanark.

Summoning her resolve, Adela took a deep breath and surveyed the room's interior.

The Archduke stood by the window, his face concealed from her view, but the tension in his tightly clenched hands behind his back was palpable, and seated beside him was Grace de Lanark, her handkerchief clutched in her hand, her eyes wide and red with evident distress. The sight of her mother's anguish sent waves of panic coursing through Adela's heart.

"Greetings, Your Excellencies," Adela curtsied awkwardly. "I... Arkin..."

"…You!" Grace stood up and closed the distance between them, disappointment evident on her face. "You are now the only daughter I have. When Larissa talks to you, tell her she no longer has a mother. Do you hear me?" She burst into tears, opened the door, and ran up the stairs.

Kaiser de Lanark turned around with a vacant look in his eyes.

"Father?" Adela asked, her heart and hands trembling. "What happened? What did Larissa do to upset Mother so much?"

"I have received news that Arkin was brought with you. Let us proceed to my quarters. The King is waiting for you there."

"T-The King?" she stuttered; her voice filled with trepidation.

"He is confined to his sickbed."

Everything was happening too quickly for Adela. She had no choice but to follow in her father's footsteps. His slightly hunched-forward shoulders made her long to embrace him from behind, but he continued leading her to Emanuel de Lanark without providing her with a shred of an explanation.

"My attire," she began, attempting to address her father's neglect for her appearance as they arrived at the Archduke's quarters.

Kaiser disregarded her plea, simply nodding once to the royal guard stationed beside the door. With a swift motion, the guard opened it, revealing the path to the King's presence.

The King lay bedridden, clad in his chamber clothes, his face as dark as the deep and rich colors of the chamber surrounding him. Adela curtsied respectfully and awaited his summons to approach.

"Adelaide, come to me, child," the King beckoned.

Adela hastened to her uncle's side, grasping the hand he extended towards her. However, she detected nothing out of the ordinary when their hands met.

"Why did you leave Lanark, my dear?" the King purred.

She swallowed nervously, meeting his piercing blue eyes directly. "I was sent to resolve a family issue between the Baron and my knight, Your Majesty."

The King shook his head dramatically, "One does not choose their parents, Adelaide," he said with a touch of theatrics. His gaze then shifted towards Kaiser who stood stoically by the door. "Nor do they choose their siblings," he added, his voice carrying a subtle undertone of accusation.

Although these were the typical barbs the King directed at his brother, Adela's heart sank as she thought about Larissa.

"Your sister has committed a grave sin."

Instinctively, Adela's hand tightened its grip on Emanuel's. He responded by releasing her hand.

"...Perhaps there has been a misunderstanding, Your Majesty." she said with a small voice.

The King's gaze scrutinized her face before descending to the brooch she wore, his expression suddenly transforming into fury.

"What is happening to the nobles of Emoria all of a sudden? One appoints his illegitimate son as a Duke in the heart of this Kingdom! Another causes a Queen to chase after the son of a lowly Baron. And now... The most devastating blow comes from my own niece! I grant her my blessing to marry, and she flees to Kolhis instead of conducting a proper ceremony here. If it is not to mock her monarch, then for what purpose?"

"...Flees to Kolhis?" she repeated incredulously, her arms trembling from the elbow downward, her hand that was in her uncle's grip turning ice-cold.

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