212: Contract marriage

Contract marriage

The following morning, without prior notice, King Aldric of Varinthia arrived at the Archduke's estate. 0

Despite being informed of Adela's sudden illness and her wish to avoid meeting anyone to prevent potential contagion, Aldric sent word that he would not depart until granted an audience, adding that he believed it was the least she could do after what Lady de Lanark did to his ship.

Eventually, he was received in the drawing room.

As Adela entered through the wide-open door, Aldric's eyes widened at the sight of her. Her attire, deep charcoal and muted grays, consisted of a modest dress that concealed her form to the ankles and had long sleeves covering her arms. Her hair, typically flowing freely, was now neatly tied back in a solemn style, and her face was devoid of any makeup.

Little did Aldric know, it was how Emorian women dressed for a funeral.

As Aldric's initial shock subsided, Adela noticed his deeply remorseful expression, the only dark element amidst his all-white Varinthian attire. He stood by the painting that captured her waltzing with the Archduke of Lanark, seemingly having analyzed it before her arrival. The painting Adela had never been fond of now held an even more painful meaning, for Egon, whose back was turned in the painting, had turned his back on her in real life too.

Fatigued from a sleepless night before, Adela curtsied silently, showing no signs of welcoming the unexpected visitor. Sensing her discontent, Aldric proceeded to address her directly.

"Lady Adelaide, I understand my presence may not be well-received, but I had to see you."

She continued to stare silently at him.

"Are you aware of King Emanuel de Lanark's imminent visit?" he asked.

"Yes," she replied, her tone subdued, "I was informed about it."

He nodded, his olive tone taking on a shade of red, "Do you comprehend the implications of his arrival during such a sensitive time?"

She nearly smiled, "I believe it's due to your grand announcement on my birthday, Your Highness. His Majesty must be quite interested in hearing all about the details of my idea to establish an industrial zone producing weapons for a distant Kingdom. It surely does not seem suspicious at all. Don't you agree?"

Alrdic approached her swiftly, stopping just short of towering over her. "Do you find this amusing?"

She gave him a full smile, deciding to push all of his buttons. "I certainly do, considering how enthusiastically you spoke about the vulnerability of Healers, the Oracle's prophecy about my need to be protected by a King's army, and your willingness to take me as a second wife to honor your word. Yet now, you are the very reason His Majesty's blessed sword might find my neck appealing."

Aldric radiated anxiety, leaning in to whisper in her ear. "Emanuel de Lanark poses a direct threat to you, Adela."

She swallowed her fear, determined to appear unfazed. "I will reason with him. He will listen to me."

"Just as he listened when you told him you wouldn't be moving to Destan? Are you truly falling for it?" 

She looked around cautiously, aware of the danger of such a conversation in broad daylight.

When Aldric suddenly held her, she stiffened. "Hear me out!" he whispered, his arms slightly trembling. "I fear he came here to do to you what he did to my mother, just as he attempted with your mother before Kaiser intervened and saved her from his clutches."

The mention of their mother's tragic history tightened Adela's heart. While she couldn't deny the validity of Aldric's words, she couldn't ignore her resentment toward him either.

Pushing herself away firmly, she glared up at him.

"Your friendship is with my father, Your Holiness, not me," she spoke with a steady tone. "I do not appreciate being touched by a man, a married one at that. It is simply unacceptable. We may have grown closer before, but I will not be your business partner any longer, nor do I wish for any further involvement with you."

"...I apologize for any discomfort I've caused you. I am truly sorry about all of it."

She held her chin up high, "Your apologies are long overdue."

Aldric turned his gaze toward the painting before looking back at her, his midnight eyes carrying an unexpectedly vulnerable look.

"What if I propose another business deal that would ensure your protection without causing you discomfort?"

Never.

Taking a deep breath, Adela decided to appear to listen, hoping it would lead him to leave her alone to contemplate real ways to overcome her uncle's upcoming visit.

"I heard that Egon von Conradie is getting married," he suddenly said.

Just like that, her patience reached its limit, her guts tearing inside of her. Placing a hand on her forehead, she closed her eyes and frowned.

"My apologies, Your Holiness, I am truly not feeling well."

"I've thought a lot about it," Aldric continued, seemingly unperturbed by her pretense which was more genuine than feigned. "I believe it would have made a difference before, but not now... Whether Egon von Conradie is your mate or not, he is clearly not the right match for you."

Glaring up at him again, she retorted, "That does not concern you, Your Holiness."

"It does concern me, for I propose a contract marriage between us."

She blinked twice, unable to believe he was still suggesting such a preposterous idea.

"Your Holiness, I sank your ship in front of the captains of our navy. Was that not an answer enough to your proposal?"

He lifted her wrist where his bracelet lay and held it up before her face as if showing her something of vital importance.

"Yet you wear this. You know it is beneficial. You know it is protecting you as we speak."

"Aldric!" She snapped, "Marrying you might offer me the safety your mother spoke of, but it would bind me to a man I can neither tolerate nor trust!"

Flinching, he let go of her wrist.

"Thank you! And farewell!" she said as she took her leave without curtsying to him, hoping that this time, her message had become crystal clear to him.

Unfortunately, she missed the lopsided smile that appeared on Aldric's mouth a moment later.

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