68: Another blow to a knight's pride

Another blow to a knight's pride

A thin layer of snow blanketed the garden, dusting the tops of the pine trees surrounding the Archduke's manor. Everything seemed to lose its color and blend into a white landscape, except for a distinct path leading up to the main entrance.0

Restless as a raging bull, Arkin paced back and forth in front of the manor, his heavy footprints disrupting the snow, a chaotic storm tearing through him.

His wrist throbbed relentlessly, a cruel reminder of how an unarmed man was able to disarm him. 

Arkin raked his hands through his hair with unrestrained force. His fingers tangled in the disheveled strands, gripping tightly as he tried to anchor his turbulent emotions. The sound of his own exasperated breaths filled the air as he cursed himself for allowing such a humiliation to occur in front of her, the person he held in the highest regard.

"How could I have let this happen?" he muttered under his breath, the words laced with a mix of disbelief and self-recrimination.

He was the son of Baron, a nobleman and a platoon leader in the First Order of Knights. He was also Adela's childhood best friend.

"What the hell are you doing in there with him, Adela?" he muttered through clenched teeth, his anger burning hot.

After what felt like an eternity, the doors swung open, and Arkin's heart nearly exploded within his chest as he laid eyes on Adela.

She wore a regal purple cloak with fur trim that reached her ankles, fastened with clasps displaying the de Lanarks' crests. his eyes went down frowning at the dagger on the belt of her riding trousers that were tucked into knee-high leather boots. Her hands were covered in leather gloves, a rare sight for her.

There was no doubt in Arkin's mind. Adela was prepared for her journey to the capital, Destan.

The shock of seeing her in different attire quickly faded as Arkin's attention shifted to Egon von Conradie who emerged wearing one of the Archduke's dark winter coats. The bandage she had likely applied for him was visible beneath it.

In the face of the knight's anger, Egon maintained a confident smirk as he descended the stairs beside Lady de Lanark, exuding the poise of a man who belonged by her side.

"I should've dealt with him when I had the chance to," Arkin muttered under his breath, thinking his words were too low to be heard.

After they both reached the bottom of the stairs, Adela looked up into Egon's eyes, the mysterious depth in their smoky quartz-like color safeguarding her secret.

"Are you certain about this?" Egon asked, repeating his question for the third time.

"Yes," she reaffirmed.

"I will bring that man to the Archduke with or without your help. Won't you wait for our return?" he pressed.

"Absolutely not. I am going with you,"

The details were unclear to Arkin, but he had witnessed enough to have a say in the conversation. He dropped down to one knee, bringing the edge of Adela's coat to his mouth and kissing it before looking up at her.

"Permission to protect you throughout this journey," he requested.

Egon snorted, "No."

Arkin glared at Egon, "Nobody asked you. Keep your mouth shut if you value your tongue."

"Egon," Adela interjected, seeking to defuse the tension. "Please, go ahead."

While they maintained the appearance of the bandage for the sake of others, Egon needed to change his attire and prepare for the portal. but he was in no way pleased with Adela's request.

He glanced up at the sky, noticing that the sun was nearing its zenith. "I will meet you in the meadow between the two estates before noon,"

Adela nodded, her eyes reflecting a mixture of gratitude and apprehension. She couldn't believe that she was about to add her father's well-being to the long list of debts owed to Egon von Conradie.

Her gaze shifted downward noting the distress etched on Arkin's face, and in that moment, she realized the weight of the secrets she carried, ones she could no longer share with her devoted knight for they involved Egon and the Archduchess herself.

"I cannot take you with me," she said softly, her voice tinged with regret. "Your duty is to represent my family in the Archduchy while we are gone, and that is your order."

Arkin's disappointment was monumental.

"Where are you going?" He said with a strangled tone.

"...He will open a portal to Kolhis. There's a renowned physician there said to be capable of performing miracle treatments," 

Arkin's inwardly curses were very creative. The amount of wealth the commoner was willing to spend on this journey surpassed a year's earnings of the Archduchy.

Releasing her coat, Arkin stood up, his hazel eyes filled with the hollow gaze of the dead at first. But a whip of anger followed, one that set his tongue on the loose.

"In return for what, Adela?" His whole face trembled, "What else do you have to offer that bastard other than yourself?"

Without warning, Adela's hand swung through the air, delivering a resounding slap across Arkin's face. It was a sharp diversion from the searing pain that was devouring his heart, if only for a fleeting moment.

"Expect a thorough conversation between us upon my return with the Archduke. But as long as you still represent me, Sir Arkin, ensure that you do not further dishonor your position," she reprimanded, her voice heavy with authority.

With a final glance back at the grand manor behind her and a throbbing hand beneath the glove, Adela took resolute steps forward, about to go where her most trusted knight could not follow.

Arkin's eyes remained fixed on her pale blonde hair and vibrant purple cloak, he traced her silhouette, her figure grew smaller in the distance as she gradually disappeared into the snowy landscape.

As Adela faded from view, his own emotions became a burden he was left to bear alone, an old agony that gnawed at him from within as it had done many times before. He stood amidst the wintry garden, surrounded by a silence that matched the emptiness she left behind. 

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