344: The challenges of motherhood

The challenges of motherhood

The Archduchess's delegation that had been in Latora was now returning to Lanark with the Duke himself, Unfortunately, recent events including what had happened to Duchess Sasha, Adela's most trusted ally, had forced her to cut her trip short.2

The Duke's brown and blue eyes shone mischievously, gauging Adela's expression and deciding to make a light hearted comment about her choice of horse riding attire.

"What's troubling you, Your Excellency? Is it because I insisted we both take a carriage instead of riding horses? You know your knight is more accustomed to camels than horses."

"...You really didn't need to accompany me, especially with your wife in her final trimester, Rauul."

"Hm, I see. Thank you for your thoughtfulness, but will you tell me what's really bothering you?"

Adela sighed.

"…News that once arrived within hours through mana gates or by falcon now takes days to reach us. This is regression, the opposite of what I'm trying to achieve for Emoria."

"I disagree. These decisions were discussed among all of us. Opening mana gates directly into our properties is undeniably dangerous, and have you forgotten the number of falcons brought down by warlocks? It was a unanimous choice on both matters."

Adela sighed again, her brow furrowing with worry.

"Accidents can happen, and Healers can't always arrive in time." Rauul reached out to gently touch her shoulder. "Remember when you were carrying the Crown Prince? Your magic faltered during a battle with the possessed animals. What I'm trying to say is that our magic isn't entirely within our control, even when we're around the injured at the exact right moment."

As he leaned back in his seat, he felt a sense of satisfaction knowing that she had clearly understood his point. The Duke of Latora had been Adela's mentor and had imparted extensive knowledge on controlling and harnessing her magical abilities. Consequently, he was intimately familiar with all her expressions like the back of his hand.

His eyes softened as he tried to lighten the mood again. "You may surpass me in power, Your Excellency, but I will always surpass you in experience... As for Sasha, she probably wanted to surprise you. You know how impulsive she can be."

Adela rubbed her temples. "She brought her husband along. What could it mean?"

Rauul's expression grew more serious. "It might mean nothing. Perhaps he didn't want to be apart from her. You know how attached they are to each other, and it's the first time she's left Kolhis in years."

Adela nodded thoughtfully. "Yes, but Lanark... Lanark doesn't exactly welcome them... The von Conradies..."

"True, but look at me, a Healer living in Latora of all places!"

Adela smiled faintly. "You have a point."

"Then what are you still worrying about?"

"...What if Leopold is back for good? What if they've all returned?"

"We have nothing to hide. Our story is prepared, and we can answer any questions they have."

A tapping on the window caught their attention, and Rauul pulled back the curtain. Viscount Mathew stood outside, looking worried.

"Your Excellency, the Crown Prince's knights have reached out to us. They've sworn that he had been under strict protection, However—"

Viscount Mathew stopped when he saw Adela's hand rise to silence him.

"I understand," Adela replied with a flat tone. "Spare a few of your subordinates; we'll pick him up along the way."

"Yes, Your Excellency," Viscount Mathew acknowledged before disappearing from the window.

Adela threw a sharp, disapproving look at Rauul who was chuckling at the situation.

"You find it funny now, but just wait until your own children start acting out."

Rauul's eyes sparkled with affection. "There's no child quite like His Highness."

Adela couldn't help but frown at the peculiar favor Rauul showed toward the Crown Prince over his own children. However, such loyalty and support her son received was crucial for the path he was destined to follow. So, whenever the opportunity arose, she tried to encourage this strong bond.

"While we're on the topic," Rauul began, "why don't you send him to me for lessons?"

"Rauul," Adela cautioned.

"Be reasonable, Adela. Given his extraordinary talents, the sooner he hones them, the better."

"He's only five years old!" Adela countered. "And the Empress's Heart still fully contains his magic."

"His Highness is nearly seven in real age," Rauul argued. "With his physical and intellectual development, it's long overdue."

"I want him to have a normal childhood," Adela said, searching for the right words. "His responsibilities will come to him naturally. Is it too much to ask for him to act his age while he still can?"

"Seven years old can't elude a platoon of the best knights of our generation whenever they have the excuse to do so," Rauul argued. "Don't you think he's acting out because he wants to prove that he's not a child anymore?"

"Well, even if you're correct, it only reinforces that he's still a child displaying typical childish behavior," Adela retorted.

"I beg to differ. It's what young men do."

Adela's head throbbed again, but her attention was diverted by Mathew at the carriage window.

"Did you find him?" she asked anxiously.

"He found us, Your Excellency."

"Here!" Rauul exclaimed.

"He was by the valley again," Viscount Mathew replied gravely.

Adela flushed with anger. "Bring him to this carriage at once!" she ordered the Viscount, then turned around to glare at Rauul. "At least we can both agree that he wouldn't be able to fly if he falls off the valley, can't we?"

Rauul's amusement disappeared, and he gave a serious nod before folding his arms thoughtfully, a hint of confusion on his face.

"That's what worries me," Adela admitted. "You all treat him like a grown man when he still has so much to learn... He might... No, he will grow to teach all of us, but right now... Right now..." She couldn't bring herself to finish the thought, but it was clear in her mind.

He's still my baby.

"His Highness Noctavian, the Crown Prince of Emoria, has arrived!"

The announcement came, and the name of her son filled her with pride even as she grappled with her frustration over his continuous defiance of her orders. What followed felt all too familiar: a sense of helplessness and regret for every time she had carelessly sneaked out of her father's estate to pursue her own plans.

Unbeknownst to Adela, these worries will soon be the ones she misses in comparison to what she will face as of today.

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