310: In line for the throne (part 2)

In line for the throne (part 2)

Egon burst into laughter, a genuine, hearty outburst that left everyone in the room, including Adela, in stunned silence. No one from House de Lanark had ever heard Egon laugh like this before, but his recent demeanor made it sound even more unsettling to Adela's ears.0

"My apologies!" He raised a forefinger to wipe away a tear from the corner of his eye, attempting to stifle the remainder of his laughter. "I really wasn't in the mood for laughter at all!"

Kaiser shot a questioning look at his daughter, wondering what was happening, but Adela simply shook her head. She was as clueless as everyone else.

"I fail to see the humor that could provoke such a reaction," Kaiser remarked with a dry tone.

"You must look at it from my perspective! I'd be remembered in history as the most devious schemer of all time—seducing the Lady of House de Lanark and ascending to the throne of this Kingdom, all while being carried on the shoulders of none other than my innocent little wife."

Kaiser's jaw clenched, and his fists tightened. "Your what..."

"Father, he's just joking," Larissa interjected with a faint voice which was soon drowned out by another round of Egon's laughter.

"What do you say to that, Adelaide?" Grace asked with a nonchalant air, as if Egon was a piece of artwork on the wall.

"What does she say about this?" Egon snapped, abruptly shifting from laughter to anger once again.

"Why not? Don't I get a say in such an important matter, My Lord?" Adela retorted.

Egon shot her a cold look, as if he believed she hadn't heard or comprehended anything he'd previously told her about following his desires moving forward. But that wasn't the case. This way of life was not for her, she simply couldn't accept it.

"Well then, what, pray tell, is your stance on the matter, My Lady?" Egon seethed.

Adela turned to Kaiser.

"Father, I've gratefully accepted your gift on my birthday, and I fully intend to work on the Emorian regulations… That project will soon become a priority for me, and I do have a grand plan in mind that involves Princess Sasha as well. This land, our fathers' land, I am a servant to Lanark and Emoria, wherever I may be."

Kaiser continued to gaze at her with an inscrutable expression, refraining from influencing her thoughts and allowing her to voice her opinion freely.

"Your Excellency, I don't wish to become Queen."

Quietly, Kaiser's eyes shifted to Egon and locked onto him. While Adela chose not to see her husband's reaction right now.

"You should be King, Father."

"What?" Grace exclaimed in disapproval.

"That actually makes a lot of sense," Larissa chimed in.

Kaiser's brows furrowed as he maintained his gaze on Egon.

"I don't know what circumstances the Oracle was in when she made that prophecy," Adela continued, "Perhaps it's time for a new one."

The one that had been delivered to Adela, or perhaps Adela herself had come up with it? She could never tell, and she intended to keep everything concerning it to herself for now. If she was truly to give birth to an awaited heir, their grandfather was the best candidate to occupy the throne until then.

"You should rule over these lands, Father. The Knights are fiercely loyal to you, our people swear by your name, and many hold this soil dear. But who has cared for it more diligently than you for all these years?"

It had been Kaiser who had defeated the Emperor and established this Kingdom, but Adela couldn't bring herself to say that in front of Egon. She reached for her father's hand, wanting to regain his attention, which she did.

"When I curtsied to you in Varinthia, it wasn't merely a symbol of my identity; it was a pledge that had been residing in my heart for some time now."

"…I will protect you, King or not. You will always be my daughter, a cherished presence that blesses this land."

It was now or never; she had to do this for herself, not just for the man who was staring at her while she continued to avoid his gaze.

"I've followed your example throughout my entire life, Father. I will always look up to you, and there won't come a day when I won't need you… I am a married woman now, so the decision of whether my husband and I move out or not is one we must make together."

Lifting her father's hand, she planted a kiss on the House de Lanark signet ring, then gazed up at him with a small, sincere smile.

"Egon is more than capable of providing all the protection I need. It's Emoria that now requires your protection."

While Kaiser didn't appear too pleased with what he was hearing, he refrained from arguing with his daughter. It was important to evaluate her perspective objectively given her role as the female Healer of their era.

His gaze shifted back to Egon. "The Baroness wishes to come and stay by Adela's side."

"We will call for her when we're ready," Egon replied.

Kaiser nodded, his eyes getting more determined and colder.

"Bastian von Conradie has abandoned his station. Are you aware of this?"

Egon's expression shifted into forced calmness. "He was assigned to the Commander of the Second Order, not the first one."

Kaiser raised an eyebrow.

"His loyalty, like that of the rest of my knights, lies with me. Even Sir Arkin couldn't abandon his station without my approval. If he hadn't been your brother, strict disciplinary measures would have already been taken. But our Houses are united through your marriage, and so, as a courtesy, I'm informing you of the following."

Egon tensed.

"Expect a summoning order to arrive at your door this afternoon."

"…You're summoning him forcibly to his station?"

"No. Sir Gustav is conducting an investigation into the kidnapping of Lady Adelaide de Lanark von Conradie. It's essential that we eliminate any accomplices within our own borders before making demands of Varinthia or considering other actions. The mutual protection treaty between Kolhis and Emoria requires us to do so."

Adela's heart raced. Her father's words could only mean one thing.

Bastian? Had he been a part of Aldric's conspiracy against me?

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