146: Ripples of grand gestures (part 3)

Ripples of grand gestures (part 3)

Having been the cause of the Commander of the First Order's uncharacteristic fluster, Adela decided to give him a moment to collect himself. Her eyes wandered down to the intriguing piece of parchment in her father's hand as he stood facing the Baron.2

"I've never seen black parchment before," she murmured softly.

The Archduke chuckled, a warm twinkle in his eyes. "It came from an old friend of mine."

"Don't you mean an old enemy?" Gustav interjected with a scoff but quickly straightened up, assuming the due respect required in the presence of someone else, even if that someone was Kaiser's own daughter.

Adela's gaze remained fixed on the parchment, her mind swirling with questions. Why did it bring a smile to her father's face?

"My friend is a warrior from a very faraway land," the Archduke explained, waving the parchment in his hand. "He is set to visit Lanark soon, bringing investment plans and interesting inventions. It will be a good opportunity for the economy to have him here."

Adela couldn't recall the last time she had seen her father in such a buoyant mood. However, her thoughts were clouded by the fact that she had been summoned for a specific reason concerning her falcon. As her father observed the change in her expression, he decided to ease her apprehension.

"I will leave you two alone, if you'll excuse me," the Baron declared, giving Adela a concerned look before quietly exiting the room and closing the door behind him.

"Let's sit down for this," Kaiser suggested, choosing to take a seat in front of Adela's usual spot instead of going all the way behind his leathered desk.

As she sat down, her eyes traced the lines of the lion drawing she had gifted him, finding comfort in the animal's fierce yet vigilant gaze. It hung proudly in the center of his study, a constant reminder that Kaiser de Lanark was not an otherworldly figure. Like herself, he was imperfect and prone to mistakes, but his love and dedication to her well-being remained resolute.

"What is the matter, Adelaide? I have never seen you so nervous," he remarked disapprovingly when her eyes failed to find his.

Taking a steadying breath, Adela replied, "It's likely that I am nervous about what you are about to ask me, Father."

He blinked once, his expression softening with a nod of approval. "That is much better. My daughter is one to cut straight to the point, her heart is open to all, unafraid of the consequences of her words because they are always spoken with integrity."

Adela scrutinized his face noticing the shifts in his demeanor. She pondered the possibility that it wasn't her father who had altered his approach; rather, it was she who had grown and matured, seeing him through new eyes and understanding the complexities of past decisions he had to make that resided in a grey area.

"...Adelaide, fathers may seem detached from their daughters' feelings," he reflected. "I don't have to explain nobility to you. You have been born and raised with certain Emorian principles that many others find old-fashioned and regressive."

Adela couldn't help but give in to her burning desire to ask, "Do you agree with those opinions, Your Excellency?"

Kaiser took a moment to gather his thoughts, "...I believe that Emorian rules are crafted with the intention of creating an ideal society, one that often remains elusive in reality... I also hold the belief that rules should have some flexibility, allowing for slight adjustments when necessary."

Adela stared at him, her expression carefully composed.

"I have no doubts about your honesty, Adelaide," he continued proudly. "It is a quality I hold in utmost regard, cherished not only as your father but as a reflection of my own character... Though we have encountered our fair share of disagreements in the past, I firmly believe that we have transcended those moments. I place my complete trust in you."

"I trust you too, Father," she replied with heartfelt honesty.

He smiled briefly, but his expression quickly shifted into one of seriousness. "I would trust you with this entire kingdom, Adelaide," he paused, his gaze momentarily distant before refocusing on her. "Now... let us discuss why I summoned you here."

Her heart danced a nervous rhythm, acutely aware that this was the crescendo of truth she had been dreading.

"...That gift you accepted without seeking advice from anyone," he said with a heavy dose of disapproval. "I would like you to explain how you intend to meet the expectations of a young gentleman who makes such grand gestures to a noble lady in line for the throne of this kingdom."

Her throat constricted, parched as if the weight of his words drained all moisture. It seemed as though Egon's gift was a debt she must repay, and her indebtedness to him was one she couldn't afford to accumulate any further.

But it's not like that at all between us! Her thought remained unspoken, locked within the depths of her heart.

It wasn't the rare species of the falcon that held the true value for her; it was the symbolism behind the age Egon had chosen. Receiving a falcon with young feathers carried a profound meaning known only to the two of them. She had referred to herself as a featherless falcon in his presence, and the gift seemed to convey that all falcons start their journey featherless, vulnerable.

With Egon by their side, she hoped that both she and her falcon would grow feathers together.

"Father," she asserted, straightening her posture and meeting his gaze unwaveringly. "When I accepted his gift, the matters you are raising now were not at the forefront of my mind," she stated firmly. "It's not because I disregard them, but because Egon himself doesn't consider them."

Kaiser's brows furrowed, concern crossing his face as he listened to her confident assertion on behalf of the young man.

"...Well, regardless, you needed to consider them even if he didn't, for they are an integral part of your identity," he responded with a heavy sigh. Lowering his chin, he studied her intently. "When you accepted such a significant gift, you implicitly made a commitment to reciprocate in some way," he explained. "Tell me, word by word, what you conveyed to him as you accepted the falcon, a symbol representing our entire bloodline, Adelaide!"

She flinched at the sound of her name ringing out with such intensity.

"...Father, everything unfolded so quickly. I haven't even fully processed my own reaction to accepting his gift, let alone articulate it to you," Adela confessed, attempting to see the situation from her father's perspective. "...Considering everything Egon has done for us recently, aiding me in reaching you during your illness... Supporting Rauul, who played a crucial role in reclaiming our lands..."

She shook her head, feeling there were more instances but unable to recall them all. Taking a deep breath, she resolved to convey her genuine sentiments from that moment to her father.

"Denying the falcon didn't even cross my mind, Your Excellency."

A flicker of surprise passed across Kaiser's face, quickly replaced by composure. "...I have pressing matters to attend to, Adelaide. I will join you and your mother for lunch shortly. You may proceed ahead."

Unable to resist her father's polite dismissal, she stood up gracefully, smoothing her dress, and curtsied before him. As she exited the room, she silently echoed her final words to him, allowing the gravity of their significance to settle within her.

Did my words sound like a love confession directed towards Egon?!

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