135: A proud daughter

A proud daughter

"Make way, Count. I don't believe I need to remind you that I hold the position of Commander of the Second Order," Arkin spoke authoritatively.0

Upon hearing her brother's voice, Adela released an exasperated sigh and descended the final few steps, her hand firmly grasped by her father's sturdy arm.

As Adela and Kaiser stepped outside, Arkin's eyes widened in astonishment at the sight of the Archduke himself accompanying her. He had rushed to this location, his heart gripped by worry upon hearing that she was in the company of cloaked individuals and taken to an establishment that had been out of business for months. The initial shock transformed into a profound sense of gratitude as he realized that Kaiser de Lanark stood protectively by her side.

Like an interloper in this scene, Arkin felt entirely out of his element.

He studied Adela intently taking note of her composed demeanor, albeit with lingering traces of tears in her eyes. It pained him to witness her in such an emotional state, yet she appeared oblivious to his presence, her attention solely focused on Count Sirius as she exchanged a warm smile with him. A pang of disappointment tugged at his heart as he felt overlooked and sidelined.

"Is something the matter, Commander?" Kaiser's voice shattered Arkin's internal turmoil, pulling him back to the present moment.

Furrowing his brow, Arkin glanced down at the Archduke, a sense of disorientation washing over him as he realized he was no longer entitled to demand crucial information.

"...I don't believe so, Your Excellency,"

He looked at Adela, hoping that engaging in conversation with her might help dispel the unease. He couldn't shake the daunting memory of seeing her in the dungeon, her hands and dress stained with blood, pale and fragile like a delicate flower withering out of season, desperately trying to revive a man undeserving of her care.

"My Lady," Arkin greeted with a solemn heart.

Adela met his gaze with steely eyes. "Commander," she acknowledged, her voice just as frigid as her cold green stare.

The past week had dragged on interminably for Arkin. Despite his adept orchestration of the auction, his mother's tearful pleas and his father's seething disapproval nagged at his conscience. Alone with his thoughts, he couldn't escape the echoes of his conversation with Adela outside the reception hall. Doubt consumed him as he questioned the path he had chosen and whether it held the promise of inner peace. Disturbing notions gnawed at his core, his inner demons tempting him to unleash chaos and destruction upon everything and everyone around him.

How he dreaded the possibility of inadvertently causing harm to Adela in the midst of it all.

A voice exclaimed from afar, "Such audacity! Who offers greetings from atop a horse when the royals stand on their own two feet?"

Arkin's face reddened in embarrassment as the remark reached his ears. He chided himself for the rookie mistake of failing to adhere to proper Lanarkian etiquette and the expectations of nobility. He cast his gaze downward, his hazel eyes filled with a sense of humility and emptiness as he dismounted.

Kaiser's eyes darted towards the source of the voice, his features contorted with wrath. The insolence of someone calling out a Commander in the middle of the street incensed him. It was undoubtedly one of his knights who had committed such a disrespectful act, likely an inexperienced individual who allowed their anger to expose both, the Archduke and Adela.

"Come, Adela," Kaiser said firmly, guiding her away. Arkin and Count Sirius followed closely behind, their concern evident as they noticed that neither of the royals had covered their heads, their distinct hair color revealing their noble Emorian heritage.

As they reached the opening, Kaiser paused, giving the market a moment to truly see him.

"H-His Excellency is here!" a merchant exclaimed, standing right in front of the entrance to the alley.

"Lady Adelaide!" a passerby shouted.

It took a moment for the entire market to react, but soon, every commoner in sight knelt, every nobleman and woman bowed, and every knight placed their hand over their heart.

The  silence that followed was profound.

"Greetings, citizens of Lanark," Kaiser addressed them, his voice carrying authority. "My daughter and I do not wish to interrupt the flow of your day. I shall make this brief." His eyes fell upon the group of knights nearby, his attention zeroing in on the youngest among them, assuming he was the one who had displayed such disrespect.

"Who among you had the temerity to educate one of my Commanders on the rules of engagement? Step forward,"

Five out of the six knights turned pale, while the one Kaiser had singled out flushed beet red and bravely took a step forward. Kaiser immediately recognized him; he had memorized the faces and lineages of all his knights.

"State your name," Kaiser demanded, aiming to strike fear into the young man's heart.

"I am Raymond Aspetar, Your Excellency," Raymond responded with a steady voice, displaying a courage that caught Kaiser off guard.

The recent hostility among the knights of the First Order towards Arkin and any nobles associated with the Second Order was unprecedented. Kaiser saw this as an opportunity to resolve the dispute and bring Arkin back to his senses, fostering alignment with the Baron instead of exacerbating the divide between them.

"Sir Raymond," Kaiser began, "I must remind you that while knights are free to engage in verbal debates and hold differing opinions, their differences should be settled face to face, not through behind-the-back remarks."

Raymond bowed deeply, showing remorse. "My apologies, Your Excellency. May I be allowed to rectify my mistake?"

The Archduke pondered for a moment before making a decision. "Granted," he said.

Raymond confidently approached Arkin, removing his glove from his hand, his eyes fixed on him.

"Sir Raymond," Kaiser spoke in a low tone, "I want to remind you that I personally trained Sir Arkin when he was just a young boy. Challenging the Commander of my Second Order is akin to challenging me."

Raymond's determination to duel with Arkin only grew stronger upon hearing the words of the Archduke who had supported his education when his noble family had lost everything. The integrity and sense of justice exhibited by Kaiser de Lanark were values worth defending, even if it meant risking one's life for them.

Raymond flung his glove, landing squarely on Arkin's shoulder. "I, Sir Raymond of House Aspetar, challenge you, Sir Arkin von Conradie, to a duel based on irreconcilable differences that go beyond mere words."

Adela winced at the mention of her mate's House being linked to Arkin's, but she looked up at her father, finding comfort in his supportive gaze.

"I accept," Arkin spoke with a heavy tone.

"The duel shall take place in this very market," Kaiser declared.

Gasps rippled through the crowd as they absorbed the Archduke's announcement.

"My daughter and I shall observe the duel. The one who inflicts damage to Lanarkian property first shall be considered the loser. Alternatively, the first to draw blood shall be deemed the victor." He surveyed the quiet market. "Citizens of Lanark, raise your heads and witness these noble knights. Today, they clash not in enmity, but in the defense of our cherished lands if need be."

"Hoorah!"

"Long live Kaiser de Lanark! The Shield of Emoria!"

"Long live the Archduke!"

Amidst the anticipation, Adela's admiration was solely reserved for her father, for he exemplified intelligence and kindness, possessing the ability to gauge the atmosphere and steer it in his desired direction.

Standing beside him, she couldn't help but swell with pride.

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