91: Unless it is necessary

Unless it is necessary

"You can't scout the forest," came Egon's repeated order, his voice filled with authority. "Not until after we return from Kolhis,"2

We? As in him and her? It was hard for Adela, but she acted as if the words held no significance.

Olga ceased applying pressure to Bastian's neck wound, "I can go alone; there's no need for you to trouble yourselves," she said with a hint of hope then gave Egon a pleading look, silently urging him to ask her not to go.

"I said we will escort you, and that is that," Egon replied emotionlessly.

Bastian locked eyes with Arkin, "Commander, if you're keen on the scouting mission, it would be best to do it tomorrow... I have a feeling the sun will shine after a storm like this."

Egon's chest heaved as he glared fiercely at his brother.

Unfazed by Egon's hostility, Bastian stood his ground and gave him a flat look, "I will follow the Commander's orders."

The tension between the brothers was tangible. And when Bastian held his gaze unwaveringly, Egon unexpectedly turned to Arkin, seeking his support.

"We won't take long. It's better if we accompany you," Egon insisted urgently.

The urgency in Egon's words couldn't be ignored by a seasoned knight like Arkin. He was about to carefully reconsider the situation when Adela spoke.

"If you are going to scout the forest, it would be wise to do it today or, at the latest, tomorrow."

Egon glared at her as if she had betrayed him, not the exact opposite.

Adela's smile was bitter as she explained, "Considering that information about the second order and its purpose is circulating, acting swiftly before the mercenaries take precautions is the wisest course of action."

"The wisest course of action!" Egon scuffed, his eyes on Arkin.

Arkin's decision was clear after Adela had spoken, "I will do as you wish, My Lady,"

Egon was about to say something again when Leopold intervened, placing a hand on his shoulder to stop him.

"Sir Arkin, the dry clothes should be ready by now... You too, Bastian," Leopold looked at Olga next, silently implying that she should offer a set of her own dry clothes to Adela since there were no ladies' clothes in the manor.

"I would have offered her a change of clothes," Olga's gaze briefly shifted to Adela's chest as she smirked, "But it seems our sizes are quite different."

Adela couldn't comprehend how a woman in her right mind could be so shameless as to compare breast sizes in front of so many men. She shook her head slowly, then turned to Arkin, "Go inside and change into dry clothes, Sir Arkin. I have a set packed on your stallion."

Adela walked away leaving Arkin to repress his own emotions and desires behind her. He was acutely aware of the many eyes that measured their interaction, and in order to protect her dignity — no matter how much it pained him to see her soaked and making her way back to the stables — he needed to follow the direct order she gave him. Such were the boundaries that existed between a knight and their liege.

"Let's make haste," Arkin said to Bastian who nodded and followed him into the manor.

Adela felt a growing sense of relief with each step she took away from Egon and Olga. With her head lifted to the sky, she took deep breaths allowing the rain to wash away any lingering thoughts about their encounter.

It is a good thing that he's leaving with her. She tried her best to convince herself.

Egon's angered voice rang out from inside the stable as she approached, "Exactly where are you planning on changing your clothes?" He walked out with determined steps.

Startled, Adela took a step back, her hand pressed firmly against her heart.

"...I told you that approaching from behind is less unsettling," he said, his tone sarcastic.

She took a deep breath and regained her composure before stepping inside the stable where Arkin's stallion was.

"Is it too much to ask for you to lend me one of the guest rooms in my uncle's former estate?" She asked when he followed her inside.

"...Are you comfortable changing under the same roof with so many unfamiliar men?" Egon asked.

She suppressed a laugh at his peculiar choice of words. Her father's manor was also filled with unfamiliar men.

"Do not concern yourself with me... My Lord," she finished, deliberately using the title she knew he despised, further distancing herself from him.

"Do you have to be such a mountain goat about every single thing?"

She glared up at him, her eyes filled with defiance. "Careful how you address a de Lanark, sire. Remember that slandering a royal might cost someone without a title their tongue."

Her intention was to provoke him, but instead, he looked genuinely concerned. His response extinguished any joy she had been deriving from the bitter situation, leaving her feeling petty and insignificant.

She tugged at the bag of extra clothes strapped to Arkin's gray stallion and gently patted his back. Without looking directly at Egon, she spoke with a firm tone, "As to answer your inquiry, My Lord, my knight will stand guard outside any room where I change clothes. Now, tell me, why did you follow me here and be concise."

Though she wasn't looking directly at him, she noticed him avert his eyes in her peripheral vision.

"It's about the forest," he admitted vaguely.

Adela had compelling reasons to prioritize the scouting mission and not delay it any further. The discussion she had with the Crown Prince about the mercenaries was something she had yet to disclose to the Archduke. However, she realized that stirring up trouble with that conversation was unnecessary at this point, as long as the second order of knights succeeded in their mission to eliminate the king's mercenaries.

But those deeply personal reasons resided in her heart, a part of her that had nothing to do with Egon von Conradie anymore.

"It is best if we do not further delay the scouting mission."

His lips parted then tightened into a thin line.

"I would appreciate it if you refrain from seeking me out when nobody else is around. And unless it is necessary, I do not wish to see your face at all."

With her final words spoken, Adela turned and left the stable, leaving Egon gaping behind her.

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