322: Through a different inferno

Through a different inferno

No! This family will not endure another tragedy if I can prevent it.1

She approached Bastian who wore an empty expression. A hint of confusion and a faint frown appeared between his scar and his eyebrow as Adela entered his personal space. Seeing the longing look he regarded her with, she covered both his scarred eye and his normal one with her hand.

"There are some things that one wishes to conceal but cannot, Bastian."

I understand your pain...

"…My husband's scars do not torment him as long as I am near, but the ones on his heart, will I ever be able to heal them?"

Will I ever be able to heal yours as well?

Bastian's demeanor changed in response to her words, becoming more alert.

"He has always been reserved and difficult to approach. You were aware of this when you married him. Perhaps it's best to wait a few seasons before resorting to the neglected wife's excuse, don't you think?"

Ignoring his persistent accusations, she concentrated on his faint and muted connection to life, his scarred skin pressing against her palm as he struggled to breathe. How different would Bastian's life have been without that scar?

Could his eye still exist beneath the skin that had sealed it shut?

"...Some concealed things, perhaps they can be uncovered again?"

"What are you talking about?" He replied in a husky voice that deeply troubled her.

"I had a dream about you, and I think... I want to try to restore your eye. May I have your permission to do so?"

"No. You don't have that permission."

She withdrew her hand from over his eye and looked down at him, hoping he might change his mind but not daring to repeat her question. As he showed no sign of reconsidering his response, she decided to change her approach and attempt to alleviate his pain instead of restoring his eye, just as she had done for Leopold that day when his suffering had awakened her.

"Don't misunderstand me, Bastian," she murmured, though she was almost certain he would misunderstand her anyway. Still, she held him, much as she had held his uncle that day, channeling all her desire to heal him through their physical contact. She only stopped when she felt his shoulder tense, fearing that he would embrace her a moment later.

"Let me know if you change your mind," she said as she released him.

With a flushed face and downcast eye, Bastian said nothing and did nothing to stop her from leaving this time. She stepped out and closed the door behind her, then leaned back for a moment to catch her breath and release the suffocating emotions she was leaving behind in Bastian's room.

I need to get out of here.

She grabbed the skirt of her gown and ran down the long stairs, feeling as though she might slip and fall at any moment but deciding she could deal with that if it happened. She didn't slow her pace until she finally reached the main manor door.

She was about to reach for the doorknob when Andreas appeared out of nowhere, wearing a grave expression on his face and blocking her way out. There was no doubt he had heard everything.

"Lady Adelaide, why don't we sit down for a moment."

"I must see Father at once," she replied with a calm tone, trying to convey that despite her rushed descent, she was in her right mind.

"I promised to protect you. I can't leave you out of my sight."

"... Am I being held against my will here too?"

Andreas's blue eyes widened for a moment before his expression returned to its earlier seriousness.

"Of course not. I understand that you wish to leave right away, but I can't escort you there as I am not welcome in the Archduke's estate. How about we call for the Archduchess to come here instead?"

Did he not hear what she had said before?

"I must speak with my father."

She watched as Andreas's face became thoughtful, as if weighing his response.

"Whatever it is, Andreas, just say it."

"The Archduke has left Lanark."

"What? … Where did he go?"

"I have reasons to believe that he might have gone after Egon, thinking that he is seeking Aldric's blood."

"...That can't be true."

Andreas observed her closely.

"Why is that, if I may ask?"

This was done subtly, but Andreas seemed to be probing for information. Did he believe that she was romantically involved with Aldric too?

Her voice quivered along with the tension in her clenched fists, "My husband is not a murderer. He could have killed Aldric when we were there if that was his intention."

"Where do you think he has gone, then?"

"Where else would he need that artifact? He has gone to look for his grandfather, or at least that's my assumption."

Andreas looked unconvinced, which made her second-guess her own resolve. She shook her head. "I would never forgive Egon if that was the case."

Andreas's eyes became veiled with a cold exterior. "Why is that exactly?" He demanded, his soft tone gone. 

Adela didn't prevent the tears from filling her eyes and falling this time. She couldn't believe she would have to defend her honor in front of Andreas after refusing to do so in front of Bastian, but the strength to resist had deserted her.

"Because killing him is an easy way out!" She snapped, "Because not only does he have to pay for what he did to me, but every last counselor who knew that I was a part of the royal family in Emoria and still dared to cast their filthy spells on me must also be held accountable!"

"Lady Adelaide..." It seemed her words were not what Andreas had expected.

"…The fact that I am being accused of having an affair with Aldric—"

His blue eyes went wide once more, and he started to place his hands on her shoulder, but the glare she threw at him stopped his motion.

"You have misunderstood. I am not siding with Bastian on this. I am siding with Egon."

"…Exactly what is Egon thinking for you to take his side?"

Andreas shook his head. "That is not for me to say."

She took a deep breath and let it all out. It was ridiculous and pathetic that she needed to seek someone other than Egon to ask for his opinion when she was his wife, the closest person to him. 

"I went through hell in Varinthia. But for my honor to be questioned upon returning from hell is an equal kind of hell if not worse. Now, I will be leaving this manor at once and return to my father's estate for as long as Bastian von Conradie, who is in direct touch with my enemy, remains here. Whether you want to keep your promise and keep a lookout on me while I am there is up to you. I won't sit back and tolerate such offenses from anyone, not you, not Bastian, and not even my husband."

The place where a woman's honor is questioned like that was undeserving to be called home.

"…Are you sure about leaving this manor while he asked you to stay put?"

"I have a duty towards my husband to listen to him, that is for sure, but my utmost duty is to protect myself."

She glanced toward the stairs from which she had come.

"I am not safe here."

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