242: Plea for a swift union

Plea for a swift union

"Mother, what are we doing?" Adela whispered in bewilderment.0

"Shush now," the Archduchess chided, pressing her back further against the tree. "I have urgent matters to discuss with your father as well," she replied in a hushed tone.

Adela's mouth fell open, her mother's words caught her by surprise. It was clear that the Archduchess was being secretive and not entirely truthful. At least when the Princess of Kolhis invited her to eavesdrop, she did it openly, without any pretense or deception.

"Did you pull me all the way here to eavesdrop on Egon's conversation with Father?" Adela whisper-shouted, her frustration evident.

"What nonsense!" The Archduchess feigned innocence, trying to mask her true intentions. "Now shush and wait here until he comes inside. You don't want him to know that we are after him, now do you?"

Adela stared at her mother, her grimace showing her annoyance. Unbeknownst to the Archduchess, both Adela and Egon could sense each other through the mate bond. Moreover, Egon's heightened senses as a beast made him acutely aware of his surroundings.

Grace's attempt at secrecy was futile and only served to embarrass both of them.

"Let the Archduke know that I am here to meet him, but I won't come inside. Ask him if he could step outside for a moment," Egon's voice echoed low, deep, and filled with amusement from a distance as he conversed with the guard stationed in front of the annex that contained Kaiser's study.

Adela couldn't believe he was accommodating the Archduchess's eavesdropping attempt instead of making it harder for her to listen in on their conversation. Or did he, perhaps, want Adela to hear what he had to say to her father? She couldn't decide.

Peeking from behind the large tree trunk, Adela and the Archduchess pressed their fingers firmly against the rough bark. It took the Archduke only a short moment to come outside, with Baron Gustav right on his heels.

"Good morning, Your Excellency, Baron," Egon greeted respectfully. The Baron responded with a curt nod, a very different reaction compared to Kaiser's warm gesture of placing a hand on Egon's shoulder and giving it a friendly pat.

"Egon, I was just about to send for you. How has your morning been so far?" Kaiser inquired with a smile that reflected genuine care.

"I met with the Archduchess, and we had a meaningful conversation."

Kaiser chuckled knowingly. "I suppose that much was evident from the time it took you both."

"She had her concerns, but I believe we reached an understanding." 

The Archduke's expression turned serious as he spoke, "Good, I'm glad you addressed her concerns. However, let me make one thing abundantly clear, Egon. I don't have the exact details of what transpired during your meeting with the Archduchess, and I won't interfere in her personal matters. But rest assured, I will be the one to give my daughter's hand in marriage ultimately. Nobody else."

With an exaggeratedly appalled expression, Grace let her mouth fall open upon hearing those words, while Egon rubbed his growing stubble thoughtfully, appearing as if he was reading between Kaiser's lines.

"Of course. I understand and respect your position," Egon replied after a moment of contemplation.

"Alright," the Archduke patted his shoulder one last time before letting his hand drop, "Now, what did you want to see me for? I'm all ears."

"I wish to marry Adela as soon as possible," Egon declared.

Adela, who had momentarily lost feeling in her legs, leaned more against the sturdy tree log for support.

Kaiser's eyebrows furrowed in surprise, "Why the rush, young man? It was only yesterday when you were saying that you were willing to wait."

"I did. But I slept on it. And I think formalizing matters now that I am no longer a suspect in the murder investigation is the best course of action." 

The Archduchess leaned in closer, looking as if on the edge of her nerves, anxiously waiting to hear what her husband had to say about that request. While Adela's head started spinning, her heart beating rapidly, and she felt like time had slowed down to a crawl.

"I am not sure about that. For one thing, we can't hold celebrations now of all times, and you do not expect me to marry my daughter off to you in secrecy, now do you?" Kaiser's voice carried an emotional edge.

"Your Excellency," Egon's response matched that emotional edge, "I had spent so many years with a heart that felt like a dead weight until I met your daughter, and now that I have found her, I don't want to be apart from her for a moment longer than necessary." 

Adela and her mother exchanged a look, both surprised and incredulous that Egon dared to reason with the Archduke of Lanark in such a sentimental manner. To their astonishment, Kaiser de Lanark let out a short yet hearty laugh—the first genuine laughter they had heard from him since his brother's murder.

Egon pressed on, seemingly emboldened by the Archduke's laughter or perhaps less affected by it.

"I am willing to accept all the dowry conditions set by House de Lanark. However, I propose a different approach. Instead of an engagement ceremony held by the grieving royal family, I suggest a more intimate Kolhisan farewell ceremony for Lady Adelaide. After that, House von Conradie can prepare a proper wedding ceremony, one that deviates from the usual Emorian norms and is limited to close family and friends."

"Your Excellency," Gustav interjected respectfully, "If I may."

"Go ahead, Baron," Kaiser encouraged.

"We were just discussing the annual hunting," Gustav began, his tone tinged with disapproval, reminiscent of a previous conversation Adela had overheard what seemed like ages ago. "And there's also the matter of Lady Larissa's engagement annulment with House von Conradie to consider."

Adela's heart stumbled painfully, like soaring up and then diving deep into a sudden fall. Unlike his wife, Baron Gustav seemed against Egon and Adela's union. 

"Was the annual hunting postponed then?" came Egon's calm question.

"Well... No," Baron Gustav replied.

"That is very sensible. Life continues, and the living take precedence," Egon said, sounding slightly smug about it. "As for Andreas, he has no desire to complicate matters, and we both wish to ensure the Archduchess's contentment."

Kaiser looked between the two men's faces, his expression undecided.

"Yours was quite a request, young man. But I can see your sincerity, and I appreciate it. Very well, how about you join us for the hunt tomorrow, and we can address things further over there?"

To Adela's pure mortification, her father threw an annoyed glance in the direction of the log behind which she and her mother hid.

"It will be less crowded there."

"Gladly," Egon agreed with a nod.

Little did any of them know how the forthcoming hunt would prove to be a turning point in Adela and Egon's relationship.

pqdm.com