51: Dinner with His Highness

Dinner with His Highness

The dining room at the Archduke's manor smelled of leather and wood. But the most noticeable part about it was the pale walls, decorated with many paintings that told tales about de Lanark's centuries-old heritage.0

Following Adela's instruction to keep the lighting soft tonight, the Majordomo discarded the mana-powered chandelier that hovered above the middle part of the oval table and went with the bronze circuit wall candleholders that emitted an ambient glow in the spacious room.

She could not have predicted the heated conversations this dinner would entertain, otherwise, she would have gone with the chandelier.

Gone was the shy boy who followed her around with eyes that thirsted for a drop of reassurance, Adela was just beginning to understand the man Claude de Lanark had become.

He wiped his lips with the napkin before dropping his next bomb, "Uncle, I have been revising the Emorian tax law on the way here, would you mind if we go over it together tonight?"

Yet another fundamental reformation was served like an exquisite side dish next to the feast prepared in Claude's honor.

"Father?"

Larissa called out from her seat on the Archduke's left. However, Kaiser only came back to his senses when Grace's foot touched his ankle lightly. 

"...Right, I would not mind that at all, Your Highness," he spoke with a strained voice then took a sip of water to hold his emotions in check.

Kaiser had long since given up on trying to persuade his Kings of changing this particular legislation. Never in his wildest dreams would he have imagined hearing the words he yearned for flowing all too easily from the mouth of the next one.

An astonished Adela blinked too many a time when Claude's green eyes found hers once again, it was awkward to sit on his right of all the places since that was reserved for a betrothed or a spouse, but the Archduchess had insisted.

"Dela, I would like to hear your opinion on other reformations too," 

He leaned closer as if about to whisper something in her ear, and she naturally leaned his way without any reservations. 

"I would like to discuss something alone with you, whenever we have the opportunity to do so,"

She looked at his serious face as he pulled back and gave him an approving nod.

It must be about the rebels or the epidemic... 

"Your Highness, it has been too long since we last threw an elegant masquerade ball in Lanark," the Archduchess said excitedly, "We shall plan for one in three days from now, would that give you enough time to rest after the long journey?" 

Claude smiled at Grace, "I have one condition,"

Grace tensed, not expecting that answer at all. While Claude executed a relaxed atmosphere from across the table looking fondly at the woman on his right.

"I was not in the kingdom when Dela had her debutant celebration, I am also guilty of missing the Ladies' birthdays for so long. If you would allow me to use my personal funds for the ball, it would be both, my duty and my honor to attend it,"

The words spoken with the best of intentions stabbed Kaiser deep inside his pride, his eyes darted left and right, feeling as if his ancestors in the paintings were suddenly judging him disapprovingly. His nephew must have taken pity on him, for news about Kaiser's debts must have reached the Crown Prince who had just returned from traveling the entire world!

"You can host such celebrations for the girls in your palace, Your Highness," Kaiser's left shoulder throbbed, and his vision swayed.

"Kaiser?"

He looked at his wife with tired eyes, then directed his gaze back to the guest of honor, "I am afraid a man my age must get some rest after a hearty meal like this, Your Highness, if you would excuse me, I will meet you in my study an hour from now,"

"…Of course, uncle, you are excused," 

The Archduke was no longer the same man the Crown Prince knew — the ruler of the east was still widely idolized and regarded as the most powerful warrior under the Emorian sky, but upon a closer look, his back seemed to slightly hunch forward, all the weight of Lanark seemed to have finally moved that mountain. 

It was the Crown Prince's secret, but the auction Lanark witnessed recently was what had him running back to the Archduchy after so long.

Emorians named the Archduke the Shield of the Kingdom, and a powerless shield of the royal family would greatly harm what Claude inspired to accomplish. He had to put a stop to the deterioration before the flickering aristocrats completely lose respect for house de Lanark.

The list of why he should stay in Lanark for the time being gained more items on his way there.

"…Thank you for understanding, Your Highness," Adela said when he looked down at her apologetically after being impolitely quiet for so long.

She knew that he was lost in thoughts about her father, and it saddened her to see his smart green eyes measuring the almighty Archduke under a different light. 

In an unfamiliar gesture, the Crown Prince's warm hand patted the back of Adela's hand over the table a few times before he retrieved it. He had a smile on his face as he looked at Grace.

"It has been a long time since I had a meal this delicious so thank you for that... I have prepared gifts for all of you, do let me know when you wish to receive them,"

He tilted his head to whisper something again in Adela's ear and was all too pleased when she leaned closer.

"I will ask for your father's permission at first, but care to go undercover to the market with me?" 

Not giving her the time to answer, he looked at Larissa who was staring curiously at him and raised his voice, "You too, Lari! Let us all go undercover to the market tomorrow!"

She felt deeply disturbed about his suggestion for no particular reason, and all that Adela could do was follow the direction of the avalanche that was Claude de Lanark.

pqdm.com