245: The ripple effect of a miracle

The ripple effect of a miracle

Numerous events transpired in the aftermath of that fateful hunting expedition.2

Commander Arkin took charge of the scouting expedition as they ventured into the outskirts of Lanark. Accompanied by Bastian and his platoon, they meticulously combed through the dense forest, their mission clear: to uncover the source of the mutation that had affected the predators which attacked the Archduke. Their starting point was the very location where the vicious attack occurred.

They pledged to proceed with caution, staying ever vigilant for any signs of danger. However, it wasn't solely the prospect of careful exploration that put everyone's mind at ease about the dispatch.

King Aldric of Varinthia trailed behind Bastian von Conradie, and rumors quickly spread about the young King's reliable support for his close friend. Lanark's deep forest had always held an air of darkness and mystery, but with King Aldric's mastery of magic and his ability to manipulate the elements, the knights felt a newfound sense of confidence. They believed that with the powerful warlock by their side, they could emerge from the forest unscathed.

There was another factor contributing to the knights' lack of fear.

In the worst-case scenario, they had the assurance of a skilled Healer at the Archduke's manor, ready to tend to their injuries. Lady Adelaide's remarkable talents made Lanark an exceptionally powerful Archduchy at the current moment.

The opinion about Lady Adelaide's abilities was not limited to the Archduke's knights alone. Back at the Archduke's manor, what could have been a disastrous day turned into a joyous occasion. The burst of light emitted by the Healer's divine abilities left everyone in awe and filled those who witnessed or heard about it with wonder and amazement.

"I've never seen anything like it," one of the knights exclaimed.

"It's pure white magic," another added, with hope in his eyes.

The knights and staff around the estate celebrated the miraculous healing of Egon, the young knight, and most importantly, the Archduke himself. The latter two needed no physicians because they were subjects of the Lady's miracle. 

Amidst the ecstatic atmosphere enveloping the estate, Adela's family and her betrothed found themselves in a different state of mind, far from any celebration mode.

"Enough already!" Egon hissed.

Noticing his discontent, Adela hurried over to the opened window and closed it, a sheepish smile playing on her lips.

He lay in the guest room, a place given to him for resting purposes, looking quite distinguished in his Emorian chamber clothes. His hair was still damp from the shower, and he continued to grumble about all the buzz surrounding the miracle of white light earlier.

Adela pulled the curtain to cover half of the huge window, creating another isolating layer that did nothing to lower the sounds.

He gave her a sideway glance, "Only an ostrich thinks itself hidden once it digs a hole and pushes its head inside of it," he remarked wryly.

She narrowed her eyes at him, failing to understand how that figure of speech was appropriate for the moment.

"First a mountain goat, and now an ostrich?" she retorted with a hint of annoyance in her voice as she took her seat next to his bed once more.

Ignoring her comment, Egon fixed his gaze straight forward, grumbling about unnecessary people knowing anything about her essence. He seemed to be lost in thought, pondering over the day's events and the implications of the miracle that had taken place.

Adela erased all emotions from her face as her parents went inside the open door of the chambers, followed by Leopold von Conradie after concluding a meeting with him. While Leopold hurried to his nephew's side and brushed his worried eyes on his face a couple of times, the Archduke looked between Adela and Egon with humor in his eyes.

"You two seem to be inseparable," he remarked with a playful smile.

Adela blushed, but Egon smiled confidently. "Yes, we are. And we intend to stay that way."

Grace let out a long sigh. "You are not listening to me, Kaiser."

Disapproving of her husband's relaxed demeanor, the Archduchess worried sick about the increasing attention her daughter's growing abilities were drawing to her.

"I understand your concerns," Kaiser said calmly, addressing his wife.

The Archduchess spoke up. "Healers' identity should remain classified. We should forbid any conversation about what took place today." She regarded her daughter with a concerned look. "The light of a Healer is as sacred as their own blood that runs in their veins. The conscious mind should not be able to witness it... I still fail to comprehend what happened in that carriage."

A low grumble drew their attention to the direction of the bed, where a very smug-looking Egon was nodding. "She was too motivated because of her strong feelings for me."

Grace scowled.

"She already has an antidote," came Egon's serious remark as he rubbed his growing stubble.

The Archduke and the Archduchess stared at him, their gazes filled with anticipation, waiting for an explanation.

Adela cleared her throat, feeling the weight of the moment as Egon simply stared back. "Er, it was something Egon gave me some time ago," she said vaguely, trying to find the right words, "A brooch."

"What are you talking about?" Kaiser asked, puzzled.

"The Empress's heart," Egon answered, his voice steady.

Kaiser and Grace exchanged a perplexed look before staring at Egon with bewilderment.

"Wasn't that buried in Latora?" Leopold wondered, surprised by the revelation.

"We unburied it a long time ago. It is extremely effective. Not to mention safe to wear," Egon replied, casting a loving gaze at his betrothed.

"…How come I never saw you wear it?" Kaiser asked, feeling slightly annoyed not to have been informed about it.

Adela swallowed, "It gave me some strange dreams. So I asked the Baroness to keep it safe on my behalf."

A paling Grace shook her head multiple times. "No... No. I don't want that thing on her."

"It is necessary," Egon interjected firmly. "You have seen the commotion the knights created. If the public sees her performing a miracle like this," he sighed before grumbling again, "I don't even want to think about it."

Adela hesitated for a moment, her mind racing through recent events until she recalled something relevant to this conversation. 

"Rauul... Duke Rauul, he promised he can teach me to control my abilities. Perhaps he can help? I would like to learn." 

Egon nodded, "I like the sound of that. I can take her to Latora for a while after the wedding."

Kaiser's expression grew stern, "She must stay here." 

"It wouldn't be permanent. I have lands there. We can move around; we don't have to settle in one place."

"I would truly want to go," Adela spoke softly, but she quickly recoiled when she received a sharp look from her father.

"I have agreed to all of Egon's terms. Both of you know that things could have been postponed until after the identity of the murderer was discovered."

"Father, your support means everything to us, of course."

"I am glad that you know so," Kaiser responded, though his tone was less than friendly. "For the time being, Adelaide, you may not leave Lanark. Not as a single noblewoman, nor as a married Lady."

Adela was taken aback by this unexpected edict. When she looked up at Egon's face, he was staring at her father. Her heart raced with worry, unsure of what was going through his mind.

"We understand and respect your request, Your Excellency," Egon finally replied on behalf of both of them, his voice calm and composed. But it was the intensity in his gaze that worried Adela's heart to no end.

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