157: Unfulfilled promises

Unfulfilled promises

"...Adelaide, are you alright?"1

Her father's voice was somewhere between concerned and annoyed, drawing her back to the present moment. The meeting he had requested her to attend held significant importance for him and the entire Archduchy of Lanark.

With a smile that masked her wandering thoughts, Adelaide replied, "Of course, father. I was simply reflecting on the gentleman's remarks."

In truth, her mind had not been occupied by the man's words at all. Instead, she found herself consumed by the absence of Egon's presence the previous night.

He promised...The sense of disappointment she felt towards him was beyond belief. As she looked at her intertwined hands resting in her lap, memories of the previous night came back to her.

She had worn a flowing black silk nightgown, its fabric skimming her slender figure. She had intentionally chosen black, knowing it was a color that Egon found particularly alluring on her. But as the night progressed, a sense of disappointment seeped into Adela's heart.

Egon's absence persisted, casting Adela into a desolate embrace with solitude as her only companion.

As the hours stretched on, she remained perched in her room, ensconced in a plush armchair. From this vantage point, she observed her falcon, nestled comfortably in his cage, The rhythmic sound of the falcon's breathing and the gentle rustling of its feathers offered a small measure of comfort amidst the lingering ache of dependency.

A pathetic display. 

Kaiser cleared his throat, breaking her reverie. "Adelaide, it will be your responsibility to organize the soirée where Aldric will have the opportunity to meet the aristocracy. Can you manage to arrange it on such short notice?"

Adela's countenance remained poised, revealing no hint of her inner struggle. Fatigue tugged at her from within as she contemplated the absurdity of assembling the nobility and demanding their readiness at a moment's notice simply because her father's friend had suddenly decided to visit Lanark.

To compound the situation, there was a disconcerting silence from Egon.

It was perplexing. He was not known to make commitments lightly, and the absence of any communication left Adela wondering if something unexpected had occurred.

Gathering herself together, Adela summoned a polite smile in the presence of one of the most prominent merchants in Lanark—a man fanned by a large feather held by a boy, a sight that she found objectionable on multiple levels.

She despised nothing more than arrogant nobles, except perhaps wealthy commoners who assumed an air of pomposity.

"Please, do not concern yourself with the aristocracy," she reassured the merchant. "The house representatives will ensure their attendance. Can I trust that the merchant's side is secured on your end?"

He bowed deeply as he took his seat, appearing slightly flustered.

"My Lady... The merchants remain skeptical. Establishing a partnership with a distant and exotic land could potentially resolve many of our outstanding problems. If we become a gateway for their commodities, the whole of Emoria, along with the kingdoms on this continent, will flock to us. It would greatly enrich our renowned market. However... we must find a way to make this partnership happen at any cost!"

Adela's conscience pricked at the merchant's words. He was absolutely right. She needed to focus on the matter at hand rather than allowing her thoughts to wander to Egon's whereabouts. But in order to plan for the upcoming soiree, she needed to ensure that Egon was doing well.

How?

The merchant's gaze shifted sheepishly between the Archduke and Adela. Finally, he turned his gaze to her, seeking her guidance. "My Lady... the merchants will be more willing to participate if Sir Egon von Conradie is present," he admitted, his voice saturated with uncertainty.

Adela's eyes darted towards her father, half-expecting to see an angry expression on his face. However, Kaiser de Lanark wore a thoughtful look instead. It was evident that his friend, Aldric, held great significance for him.

Her father's tolerance for what could be perceived as an insult on any other day, and her own desire to establish a connection with Egon, intertwined neatly. Adela nodded once, understanding the implications.

"I shall personally extend an invitation to Sir Egon," she declared, swallowing against the accelerated beat of her heart.

Regardless of the fact that Egon was her mate and the man she loved, the von Conradies could not be perceived as a separate entity within the Archduchy. She needed to assert de Lanark's authority.

In an unstable economy, the Archduke had shown leniency towards the capital holders in Lanark. Unlike the peasants and blue-collar workers, businesspeople possessed a certain level of autonomy. The extremely wealthy ones often married into noble houses, bringing their wealth and earning a noble title in the process. They were, in many ways, a force to be reckoned with.

We cannot allow them to look up to the von Conradies instead of us.

Adela's thoughts resonated solemnly within her. With her head held high, she spoke with conviction, "You may inform the merchants' community in Lanark that Sir Egon's presence is required by the order of Kaiser de Lanark."

The merchant flushed, waving a hand to the boy next to him, who began fanning him more vigorously. For a brief moment, he realized that unintentionally he had undermined the authority of the Archduke over the business community in the Archduchy. A hardworking smile spread across his face as he tried to rectify the situation.

"Certainly, My Lady. I will ensure to convey your exact words," he replied.

Adela could no longer bear to spend another moment in the meeting with the merchant and not know how Egon was faring. She looked at her father, seeking his permission.

"May I be excused, Your Excellency?" 

Kaiser smiled, his blue eyes warm as he regarded his daughter. "You have much to attend to, Adelaide. Be on your way,"

Adela rose gracefully, curtsying to her father, she made sure to leave the room without bidding farewell to the other man. Her mind was consumed with thoughts of Egon's well-being, and she couldn't bear the distraction any longer.

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