109: [Bonus chapter]What goes on in the King's mind

[Bonus chapter]What goes on in the King's mind

Larissa de Lanark personified beauty in Emoria. Her charm went beyond superficial appearances, enchanting all who beheld her as a humble and gentle reflection of their beloved Archduchess. The people of Lanark adored her unconditionally irrespective of their position in society.1

Within the nobility, Larissa was regarded as the most sought-after young woman in the kingdom. However, due to her father Kaiser's rejection of numerous suitors, she remained an unattainable dream, a star that both noblemen and their mothers yearned for but could not reach.

Andreas von Conradie, a man of great wealth and remarkable attractiveness, was widely regarded as the ideal match for Larissa. Despite his foreign origins and lack of noble lineage, his affluence offered hope for the struggling Lanark, and the entire kingdom eagerly awaited the union of the de Lanarks and the von Conradies.

The depth of their love added a profound significance to the alliance between the two families. It was evident in every aspect of the engagement ceremony, capturing the hearts of all who witnessed it. Their tender gazes and undeniable affection became the subject of admiration and conversation throughout the town.

It can't be true...

The revelation that Larissa had eloped was so shocking and disconnected from reality that Adela, had it come from anyone other than the King, would have vehemently denied it without questioning her sister.

The King's eyes briefly narrowed before he artificially widened them. "My dearest Adelaide, it seems you are unaware of Larissa's transgression against her monarch. How shall we define this act, hmm?"

In that moment, the specifics of Larissa's elopement became insignificant.

It was Adela's worst nightmare coming to life, yet this time the stigma didn't hover over her father's head as she secretly feared. Instead, the specter of treason, a charge that could cost a noble their life, loomed over her sister.

Adela needed to think quickly.

The only way to save Larissa now would be to assert that Andreas had abducted her, taking her to Kolhis against her will. Such an accusation would not only result in the immediate imprisonment of Egon, Leopold, and Bastian von Conradie but also risk escalating into a full-blown war between the kingdom and the empire.

Images of a proud huntress and a one-eyed monster flashed through Adela's mind, representative of the supposed weakest fighters in the empire.

The Era of Emanuel de Lanark hadn't only ravaged the economy; Emoria, with its limited military forces compared to the empire, was extremely vulnerable. Aside from Lanark itself, the kingdom resembled a sitting duck in any potential confrontation with Kolhis.

Despite her feelings of nausea and numbness, Adela resolutely maintained her focus driven by the need to find a solution that could save both her beloved sister and the entire kingdom. In that moment, as she observed one of the King's unnaturally cheerful smiles, she caught a glimpse of his true intentions, hidden behind his momentarily dropped facade.

The unsettling thought crossed her mind: Was Emanuel de Lanark using Larissa's elopement as a pretext to provoke a conflict with Kolhis? Could he be manipulating the situation to consolidate his power or advance some concealed agenda?

Adela couldn't help but wonder what thoughts were truly brewing in the depths of the King's mind. The prospect of war seemed to elicit an almost disturbing satisfaction in him, raising questions about his true motives and the lengths he was willing to go to achieve them.

Or is it a diplomatic victory that the King was after?

Recalling Egon's remarks about the desertmen she had recently encountered, Adela chose to adopt a more observant approach and listen attentively instead of immediately speaking out. 

Emanuel, perceptive of Adela's unspoken plan, understood her intention and gave her a nod of approval.

"...My darling, it seems your tongue is tied. How could someone as loyal to her monarch as you be anything but extreme in characterizing Larissa's act?"

She stopped breathing when he took a lock of her hair between his fingers and brushed it down. By the end, only sand remained in the King's hand.

"Do not worry. As a wise and gentle ruler, I will not take any action that would bring you sorrow until I gather all the necessary information. Claude has gone after Larissa and shall report to me anytime now..." he waved a hand, dismissing her, "Go and freshen up. Burn these shabby clothes; they don't suit you."

Taking a deep breath, Adela curtsied. "I will visit you soon, Your Majesty. Rest well."

He raised a hand, a bored expression suddenly overtaking his face. "Do not come until I summon you, my dear, for I am busy. We have requested the ambassador of Emoria to return from Kolhis. The ambassador of the empire has been instructed to leave Emoria promptly."

Adela bit her tongue. Engaging in conversations between the empire and the kingdom was the wise course of action before taking such drastic steps! 

When another one of the King's yellow smiles escaped him, every hair on her body stood on end in revulsion.

"That impertinent merchant... Egor, was it? He was last seen traveling to Kolhis with his alleged lover. His uncle is heavily sedated due to an incident in the forest," the King glared at Kaiser. "Of course, we would have been able to interrogate him if not for the sudden Second Order of knight edict."

Kaiser's jaw tightened, but he, as usual, refrained from responding to the King's indirect inquiry.

Sensing Emanuel's attention shifting, Adela turned to meet her father's gaze. Surprisingly, he wore a thoughtful expression, the kind that follows an unexpected yet impressive outcome.

Adela deeply curtsied, a bitter smile involuntarily tugging at her lips.

Just what was I expecting of him?

She hurried out of the Archduke's quarters and ascended the stairs, her mind racing with ideas.

What have you done, Larissa...

A sense of regret washed over Adela as she reflected on the missed opportunities to inquire about Andreas von Conradie's true nature. She couldn't help but wonder about the man who had captured her sister's heart and the possible role he played in the current situation.

Who was Andreas? What were his intentions? These questions lingered in Adela's mind, gnawing at her.

As she entered her room, the haunting words she had overheard from Egon before succumbing to the poison echoed in her ears, mingling with her own panting breath.

I'm not like him... I will never drink your blood...

Why did it resurface now?

A sense of foreboding gripped Adela, she couldn't shake the feeling that Larissa was entangled in a far more intricate and dangerous situation than she had ever imagined. 

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