345: Royal dynamics (part 1)

Royal dynamics (part 1)

Emorian hair, skin as fair as Larissa's, and large, dark brown eyes inherited from his father – for the past seven years, Noctavian de Lanark had been the focal point of Adela's life. 0

Raising him had brought her a peculiar sense of joy mixed with understanding; it felt as if every twist and turn in her life had led to the moment of Noctavian's birth, exactly as he was, and if she were given the chance to do it all over again, she would follow the same path that brought Noctavian into her world.

"Mother, I long to hear your voice which has been absent from my ears for the entire week. Please, find an alternative way to punish me."

Adela's attention which was previously focused on the carriage window returned to the interior, avoiding any and all eye contact with her son, well aware of his resentment towards that particular punishment.

Noctavian, with his astute ability to gauge the atmosphere, had set his sights on an easier target: the Duke of Latora. The Duke, sitting beside him, appeared poised to make a plea on behalf of the Crown Prince, as if the conversation between Adela and him a few moments prior to Noctavian's entrance had never occurred.

"Your Excellency," Rauul finally succumbed to the silent imploring of the Crown Prince, "By engaging in conversation with him, you offer the Crown Prince an opportunity to explain his actions and contemplate them."

He shifted his focus to Noctavian, initially considering using one of his stern parental looks, the kind he often directed at his own children for misbehavior. However, as he observed the determined expression on the boy's face, he abandoned that approach. Instead, he shot an exasperated glance at the Archduchess, reminiscent of the ones he would give his wife when he believed she had taken her disciplinary measures with their children too far. 

Adela had grown weary of Rauul's indulgence toward her son, especially when she believed Noctavian needed a lesson.

"Duke Rauul, now would be an appropriate time to discuss matters concerning our border troops with Viscount Mathew. Please proceed."

Rauul's mouth downturned at the corners, yet he knew better than to engage in a dispute with Adela in her son's presence. Tapping four times on the door beside him, he signaled for the carriage to halt and stepped out, throwing one last apologetic look at Noctavian who pretended not to notice it from his peripheral vision.

Noctavian's gaze remained fixed solely on the Archduchess.

"...Very well, let's hear it," she said, once they were alone.

"We set up camp in Lanark's Forest just as we agreed, Mother," Noctavian began, his tone respectful but firm. "The knights have been vigilant in keeping watch over me while we hunt. I managed to evade them only this morning, and they had no difficulty tracking me back to the edge of the valley."

He paused, observing her closely, anticipating her reaction. He wondered if she would intervene in his affairs and carry out her threat to punish his knights as she had promised she would during their previous dispute.

"Noctavian," Adela responded, her voice gentle but hurt, "I cannot confine you to one place. Even if I could, I wouldn't... Strength, even if it's formidable, requires protection. Both your knights and I are dedicated to ensuring your safety. Can't you see that?"

"I do see, Mother," Noctavian replied respectfully. "That's precisely why I request you to reconsider intervening in matters between me and my knights and undermining my authority."

She frowned, her expression troubled. "I am your legal guardian, and I've made it clear before that I would take such actions if necessary. You cannot fault me for exercising my rightful authority now."

Hurt flickered within his big, dark eyes, but Adela remained resolute. She knew that being too lenient with her son would ultimately do more harm than a touch of strictness.

"The Archduchess I know is compassionate. She is also forthright about her reasons for punishment," Noctavian stated.

"...Explain."

"My men aren't being disciplined for failing to follow me when it's impossible. They are being disciplined because Your Excellency perceives me as a child incapable of standing near a cliff alone."

A surge of hot anger coursed through Adela's chest and up to her neck. Noctavian possessed a knack for looking at things and seeing right through them, straight to the core.

"Are you suggesting that, in the end, you bear responsibility for this situation, regardless of whom I choose to penalize?"

His handsome face flushed, his dark brown eyes glistening with defiance. "Would you fall off a cliff if you were close to one, Your Excellency."

Adela winced, the thought of falling off a cliff was a memory she had no desire to revisit.

Noctavian's hands, slightly larger than the size of hers, firmly grasped her own.

"Mother, it seems I have offended you, and that was never my intention."

She allowed her gaze to drift to their connected hands; his were already calloused from his rigorous sword training. Noctavian consistently implored her to treat him as a man whenever he had the chance, while she continued to worry for him as if he had a long way to go before reaching adulthood.

Taking a deep breath, she looked up into his apologetic eyes. "I will withhold their earned punishment for now. And regarding the point you were making earlier, the Crown Prince of this kingdom and my beloved son undoubtedly possesses more sense than to fall from a cliff due to inattentiveness. However, it doesn't change the fact that you were in a precarious situation. Neither now nor a decade from now would I wish for you to be in harm's way if I can prevent it."

She glanced out of the window, attempting to escape his eyes which appeared poised for further argument.

"We have arrived. I'll drop you off at the estate and be on my way."

"What? You've only just arrived! Where are you going?"

It appeared that the Crown Prince, who had camped out for the past three days, was unaware of the warlock attack on the harbor.

That provided reassurance, the fact that the knights had been respecting her instructions by not informing him of such incidents. Nonetheless, it also posed a concern for her: the respect dynamics Emorians held for the Archduchess and the Crown Prince were equal for now, but they needed to evolve in the future, especially as he would eventually ascend to the throne.

Adela sighed, long and heavy. Raising the Crown Prince was a challenging task to navigate.

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