325: The funeral

The funeral

The evening eventually arrived to mark the conclusion of a harrowing day at the Archduke's estate in his absence. Once again, Adela found herself in the sunflower field, tasked with leading the burial ceremony in her father's stead. 1

She stood alongside the priest on her left, with Larissa at her right, alongside the Archduchess and the Baroness. As the prayers for the Viscounts drew to a close, she readied herself to step forward, recognizing the need for an authoritative figure in Lanark to deliver a speech.

In Emoria, knights who perished in the line of duty had always been revered as martyrs, and in accordance with Emorian laws, their burials needed to be promptly conducted right where they fell. Meanwhile, the bodies of their adversaries, following tradition, were collected and incinerated nearby.

Adela pushed her sympathy for those afflicted creatures aside to the best of her abilities. She couldn't reveal the truth about the beings responsible for the death of an Emorian nobleman, as she was convinced they were under some form of possession, making them victims as well.

How could she make such claims without concrete evidence, especially while her people were grieving the loss of a knight who had fallen in the line of duty? She felt trapped, with only one option: to proceed with the established traditions, even though it went against her heartfelt desire to bury the mutant creatures instead of consigning them to flames.

"...And with that, I yield the floor to Her Ladyship, Adelaide de Lanark von Conradie, to share her thoughts. May God have mercy on all of our souls," the priest concluded.

The Lady's gaze drifted towards the grieving family of the martyr, particularly the late Viscount's sister who held a handkerchief to her nose and mouth, tears streaming down her face in silence.

Adela silently thanked the heavens for the safety of her own sister, then drew a deep breath and began speaking with a steady voice.

"We have always held our martyrs in the highest regard, for they serve as enduring symbols of the indomitable spirit that resides within each and every one of us. The Viscount's noble sacrifice will forever remind us of the values that define our great kingdom: courage, honor, and unity. Let us carry these cherished values forward in our hearts and actions, a living tribute to his memory."

She paused, her tired eyes finding the weary faces of the knights who had fought alongside her that day.

"You are no strangers to my abilities as a Healer, and I solemnly swear by the name of His Excellency, Kaiser de Lanark, that I did everything within my power to extend protection to all of you..." She swallowed the lump in her throat. "... The divine will surpasses our understanding. May we find solace in our belief that we will one day reunite with the Viscount in the afterlife, where there is no more pain or loss."

She turned her gaze toward Larissa and nodded, a signal that she was prepared to receive the two-faced flag, featuring the emblem of House de Lanark on one side and the emblem of House Valder, to which the late Viscount belonged, on the other.

Locking eyes with the new Viscount Mathew, the younger brother of Cristopher, she ushered him forward.

"Viscount Mathew Valder, please step forward to accept this flag as a token of our profound gratitude for House Valder's sacrifice."

Mathew who bore a striking resemblance to his fallen brother took deliberate steps across the terrain. He nodded solemnly as he received the flag from Lady Adelaide de Lanark.

"...I extend my deepest gratitude, Viscount. I will forever lament my inability to prevent what befell your brother."

Feeling the heaviness of her own words, her head throbbed, and a wave of nausea washed over her. Her vision dimmed briefly, and she reached out to steady herself, grasping the first outstretched hand that came her way.

"Are you alright, Lady Adelaide?" the new Viscount inquired, his eyes bloodshot. It was his arm that she had clung to.

"My apologies," Adela said, releasing the new Viscount's arm and instead clutching her sister's arm for support. She could see the concern in Larissa's eyes, even though she knew her sister was also struggling.

"My Lady," the Viscount began with a thick voice, "I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude."

A sharp pain stabbed through Adela's chest as she feared the Viscount's words were a form of dark sarcasm. A sudden hush fell over the gathering, as if everyone had been awaiting this moment, perhaps to question her about her inability to prevent the Viscount's death.

"Indeed, House Valder has lost its esteemed leader in the most honorable manner," the Viscount continued, his voice still thick with emotion. "However, I have a nephew who recently joined the Second Order, and he informed me that if it weren't for the timely reinforcement from the falcons, the very ground we stand on now would have been stained red with Lanarkan blood."

A chorus of approving murmurs filled the air, and appreciative glances were exchanged among the knights in attendance.

The Viscount beckoned a young man who had been standing near the grieving sister. The young man stepped forward with a hand placed over his heart.

"It was as if His Excellency was present among us, for you were there, My Lady," he began. "This may not be the most suitable time or place, but a group of us wishes to pledge our oath of loyalty to you."

Out of the corner of her eye, Adela noticed many heads nodding in agreement.

"It would be my honor to receive your oaths," she replied with an emotional voice.

This left one final item on Adela's agenda before sending the attendees home. She needed to address a matter that had transpired earlier in the field, if she failed to do so, her father's knights might unfairly cast blame on Andreas von Conradie or label him a coward.

"One last thing," she spoke with a clear voice, demanding the crowd's attention once more. "I would like to express my utmost appreciation for the heroism displayed by all of you. You have brought great pride to House de Lanark."

Her gaze landed on the man who stood apart, disheveled in Kolihsan attire, his blond hair unkempt, and his blue eyes unwaveringly fixed on his mate.

"Andras von Conradie acted swiftly to intercept a fourth mutant creature that threatened my sister in the Archduchess's garden. He skillfully led it toward my husband's guards, who were able to vanquish it."

Her fabricated tale claimed that the creature had been incinerated in the neighboring estate of the von Conradies. In truth, Andreas who had slit the creature's throat had taken its body, his purpose unknown to all but him. It was evident that the vampire wished to conduct his own examination of these creatures.

When Lady Adelaide de Lanark von Conradie curtsied to Andreas, her sister and the Archduchess followed suit, forcing all the attendees to bow to the merchant as well despite his lack of a noble title among the crowd. But it was as if the nobles were paying their respects to an impassive tree, for Andreas displayed no reaction whatsoever.

Gossip, it seemed, was indeed unavoidable.

pqdm.com