326: Dark discoveries

Dark discoveries

"Lady Adelaide, permit us to continue our guard duty through the night," the young knight of House Valder requested.2

The day had felt interminable, and despite Adela's earnest efforts, the knights remained stubborn and engaged in tireless arguments.

"...I understand that many of you may not wish to leave your posts during such times, but I implore you to take this night to rest and return tomorrow. We are not lacking in manpower," she assured them, her gaze briefly lifting to the darkening sky. "Our falcons are taking turns patrolling our skies. Be assured that you will be promptly informed if the need arises. Good night to all of you."

Lacking the energy to argue any further, she turned her attention to her sister, leaving the decision to comply with her request or reject it to the knights.

"Walk with me, Larissa."

After courteously acknowledging their mother who led the way with Frieda by her side, the two sisters strolled arm in arm. Adela observed that most of the knights had declined her offer, instead choosing to follow them back to the manor.

She sighed.

"...Are you feeling alright, Larissa?" Adela's tone was filled with genuine concern, posing the same question for the tenth time since learning about the attack in the Archduchess's garden.

Larissa shook her head, conveying through her gesture what her sister already understood. Lady Larissa de Lanark was not all right at all.

Glancing back to where Andreas had been standing, Adela noted his absence, and her eyes instinctively looked for the vampire in the shadows. Surely, he wouldn't allow Larissa out of his sight for the time being.

"Adela..." Larissa began, her voice laden with remorse as though she had committed an unforgivable transgression. "...It is my fault."

Adela furrowed her brow, puzzled by her sister's statement. "What is, sister?" she asked, seeking clarification.

"It can't be a mere coincidence," Larissa continued, her lower lip quivering as she spoke. "They called it a scouting mission, but I don't believe that's what it was."

Adela grew even more concerned. Larissa seldom ventured into matters of politics and warfare.

"...What, then, is your perspective on these attacks?" Adela inquired.

"I believe they were assassination attempts... I think those creatures are after me, sister."

Assassination attempts targeting Larissa?

Adela scrutinized her sister's face under the illumination of the full moon. Purple bags had formed beneath Larissa's once-bright eyes, the rosy hue had faded from her cheeks, and even her lustrous red hair, now pulled up, lacked its usual shine. The bones in her wrists and collarbones protruded noticeably under her gray Emorian mourning attire, and it was all too evident that her sister was under extreme stress. Her current line of thinking appeared far from rational.

Why would anybody out there seek Larissa's blood?

"Larissa, you're utterly exhausted," Adela murmured, her voice dropping to a whisper as they continued their slow walk. "Uncle's mercenaries, or whatever remains of them, lack the resources to create such creatures."

The corners of Larissa's pallid lips drooped further. "I'm not afraid of rebels, Adela. I'm telling you, those creatures were specifically targeting me. I saw it in their eyes both times."

Adela fixated her gaze on the desolate sunflower field around them, recalling the agony she had felt when locking eyes with the final hyena. But what Larissa described was different—it was a bloodlust, unmistakable even to someone without her Healer abilities. 

Target? Adela's heart skipped a beat. Could Larissa genuinely be a target for those mutant creatures? But why? For what purpose?

As another bout of nausea washed over Adela, a strong arm steadied her. Looking up at the gentleman, Adela saw that it was Andreas who had caught her as she faltered. His blue eyes were empty, devoid of any acknowledgment of Larissa's words or concerns. He must have overheard their whispered conversation earlier but chose not to react.

"Are you feeling alright?" Andreas inquired of Adela.

Feeling alright? The question seemed almost comical, so she decided not to answer it. Instead, she leaned heavily on him while clutching her sister's icy hand in her own.

"Lady Adelaide, I couldn't be in two places at once today."

Andreas's tone was filled with regret as if he hadn't received her earlier gratitude or the bows from the nobility.

"I take full responsibility for the blood that was spilled around you. I failed you and I failed Egon who entrusted your safety to me."

Adela peered into his vacant eyes, bewildered by what he was apologizing for, especially after he had just saved her sister's life.

"I'm uncertain why you harbor this guilt," she replied firmly. "Once more, I owe you a debt of gratitude for shielding my sister from the creature that bypassed the platoons assigned to protect the manor."

Deeply bothered by his stoic expression, Adela directed her gaze toward her mother who appeared to be struggling alongside the Baroness. She contemplated whether she should leave Larissa and Andreas to walk side by side but quickly dismissed the idea as inappropriate.

How unfortunate these two are... Adela couldn't help but wish that Andreas had never had a first mate.

She abruptly halted in her tracks, causing everyone around her to stop and turn their attention to her.

Andreas's first mate! The one for whom he had depleted the mana mines. The one buried deep within Lanark's impenetrable forest, shielded by the maze that kept men at bay. Weren't the mutant animals discovered nearby when they had attacked her father during the annual hunt?

"Adela?" Larissa's voice trembled with anxiety.

Adela stared wide-eyed at Andreas, vigorously shaking her head. Could the mutations in these animals be linked to his first mate? Did that mean Larissa was indeed their target?

"I need to speak with you privately, Andreas," Adela implored.

He glanced around, a spark of alertness igniting in his eyes, and Adela sensed a trace of evasion in his demeanor.

"It has been a long day, Lady Adelaide. Everyone is stretched to their limits. Let us proceed to your father's manor so the Archduke's subjects can finally find the rest they so desperately need." He argued with his usual soft tone.

Their much-needed rest? Or an opportunity for him to further investigate what was transpiring. The notion of a von Conradie acting independently and excluding her from matters that directly concerned her and her people infuriated Adela. It provided her with the resolve she required to leave Andreas's arm stand firmly on her own.

"I will anticipate your presence first thing tomorrow morning. For now, if you'll excuse us," she declared coldly, gently tugging on Larissa's arm and moving forward to rejoin their mother and the Baroness who were only a couple of steps ahead now.

"Your Excellency." 

"Yes, dear," Grace responded with a wearied tone.

"Do you happen to know when His Excellency will return from Kolhis?" Adela inquired.

Her mother regarded her with sorrowful eyes. "It was unfortunate that you had to bear the burden in his absence. But he mustn't return until he completes his business there."

It wasn't solely about bearing his duties; Adela's actions during the attack were driven by the necessity to survive. However, if Larissa truly was the target, then such assaults were likely to recur. That was what she found herself incapable of enduring. It left her with one option only.

As soon as I arrive at the manor, I must send for Father's return.

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