332: Sasha's proposal

Sasha's proposal

Secretly, Lady Adelaide de Lanark von Conradie had vowed not to set foot in the former estate of the murdered King before the accusations surrounding her were cleaned. However, circumstances forced her hand when she received news from her husband's guards about the activation of the mana gate there.0

"You should not have summoned him," objected Grace who stood to Adela's right.

"Your Excellency," the Baroness attempted to reason.

"What's done is done, Mother." Larissa chimed in from Adela's left, "Father had the option to extend his stay there; perhaps his work is now complete." 

Amidst the tense atmosphere, Adela kept her gaze fixed on the gate, anticipating her father's imminent emergence. Surprisingly, none of the von Conradies were present in the room, only their guards. The situation felt eerily reminiscent of the day her uncle had died, but none of the noblewomen in the room mentioned it.

Hurry up, Father...

Adela assumed that Andreas and Egon were investigating the mutant hyenas and their connection to Andreas's first mate. She also suspected that Bastian, out of shame or guilt, had avoided standing by her side. But what about Leopold?

The most shaken by the artifact and the letter was undoubtedly Leopold von Conradie...

Adela's train of thought was abruptly disrupted when she had to curtsy at the arrival of her father from the gate. His gaze briefly skimmed over his wife's fatigued countenance then Adela's pale face before settling on Larissa where it lingered.

To the noblewoman's astonishment, Gustav wasn't the only one who emerged after Kaiser de Lanark.

"Adela!"

Breaking with customary decorum, Adela greeted the Princess of Kolhis with a warm smile instead of curtseying. Sasha rushed toward her, embracing her warmly, and Adela reciprocated the hug immediately.

"It's wonderful to see you," Sasha exclaimed emotionally, her bodyguard nodding in apparent agreement from behind her. "How have you been? Actually, forget that; it's a silly question." She released Adela but kept her hands on her shoulders, scrutinizing her from head to toe. Then, she turned her gaze toward the Archduchess, who stood stoically next to Adela, and performed a curtsy.

"Princess," Grace acknowledged Sasha with a dry tone.

"Hello," Sasha murmured then turned her attention to Larissa who was being embraced by the Archduke. She tilted her head slightly upward to meet Kaiser's gaze. "Both of your brave daughters survived the attack without a scratch. A reason to rejoice during these challenging times, Kaiser."

"My Larissa survived the attack without a scratch," Grace corrected calmly. "But my Adela led His Excellency's knights and initiated the use of our falcons. The results could have been disastrous without her."

"We should include her in the ongoing discussions, Kaiser," Sasha asserted confidently. "Kaiser?"

The Archduke and Lady Adelaide exchanged a silent, meaningful look, their eyes locked in unspoken communication until Adela's eyes welled up with emotion.

"I... I was unable to save the Viscount's life, Your Excellency. He died protecting me."

"..."

"It was an honorable way to go, My Lady," Gustav spoke from beside the Baroness when the Archduke remained silent.

"Adela," Princess Sasha said, patting her shoulders, "I would like a word in private with you." She paused, "Correction, a word with you and your mother." 

Grace unfolded her handfan, trying not to frown at the ill-timed request by the Princess of Kolhis.

"Come, Larissa, we must talk," Kaiser said, leading his daughter out of the hall, with the Baroness and Baron following closely behind.

Sasha gave her bodyguard a pointed look, rolling her eyes at him when he hesitated to leave.

"I am already aware of what you are about to say, Milday," Alphonso remarked.

"It's not the part where you are required to leave, it's another matter," Sasha clarified.

Alphonso nodded. "I'll be right outside, then."

After he left, Sasha's beautiful bronze complexion slightly flushed as she turned to Grace.

"You may find what I have to say out of context and extremely strange. But that's fine. Keep an open mind about it," Sasha began, her words puzzling Grace.

The Archduchess nodded once, feeling increasingly curious.

Sasha shifted her gaze to Adela. "So, I was just saying that some moments are made even more valuable because times are difficult. And this is one of them." Her big brown eyes then settled back on Grace, and Sasha continued, "I have researched into the past, not to intrude in any way, but because the matter is of vital importance to me."

Grace felt unease creep in as she listened to Sasha's words, her fingers gripping the fan tightly.

"I will get straight to the point, Your Excellency, I wanted you to hear it first from me... I will be proposing to Leopold von Conradie with Lady Adelaide's help. What is your opinion regarding this?"

Grace's tensed face relaxed a moment later as she considered Sasha's words carefully. "My opinion is of no value in this matter, Princess," she replied with a measured tone.

Sasha disagreed. "I beg to differ. Your opinion is key."

Grace contemplated her response for a moment and then spoke frankly, her eyes first glancing at Adela before locking with the princess. "I think it is entirely Leopold von Conradie's decision whether to accept or reject. I shall in no way influence him. That said, Leopold deserves happiness, and it has long been overdue."

Sasha seemed relieved by Grace's response. She turned her gaze to Adela, her eyes earnest. "I can't be the one to propose directly since I am a royal of Kolhis. Adela, you are a von Conradie too, won't you help out a friend? I believe you are the best candidate to extend my proposal!"

The princess's excited expression shifted all of a sudden.

"...This would also give him a chance to reject without feeling awkward about it."

Adela felt a lump in her throat as she considered this request. The image of a staggering Leopold flashed in her mind.

"Do you think he will reject me?" Sasha asked with an unusual vulnerability.

"No man in their right mind would reject you, Princess," Adela reassured her. "It's just that the circumstances right now are not the best ones. House von Conradie is going through another turmoil, one that I cannot discuss with anybody."

Sasha clicked her tongue in frustration. "Sheesh! They can't catch a break! But that is all the more reason for me to want to make the proposal as fast as possible. In fact…Do you mind finding him this instant and then letting me know?"

pqdm.com