166: Different monsters (part 1)

Different monsters (part 1)

As the carriage glided forward, Adela's initial shock transformed into an exhilarating rush of adventure coursing through her veins. 0

Aldric chuckled softly, a twinkle in his eyes as he remarked, "I told you it would take a moment to get used to it."

She looked up at him, a delighted smile on her face. "It feels like floating above a windless, soundless Lanark... Like I have wings,"

"Ah, our shared love for homeland," he mused, a hint of nostalgia in his voice.

Her smile faded as they glided past the King's former estate, and an inexplicable sense of longing took hold of her. In that moment, Adela felt an urgent need to connect with Egon, to feel his presence or even a faint tug in her heart. But as her gaze fixated on the vacant space to the right, disappointment washed over her, for there was no discernible connection to be found. It was as if a shield had emerged, obscuring any bond that had once existed between them.

"Oh, our third partner is quite punctual as well,"

Following his gaze, Adela stifled a gasp. The golden carriage she once rode in appeared before them. She touched her bracelet, feeling the promise ring resting there, and a faint sense of unease washed over her. She vaguely wondered why she couldn't sense a connection to the carriage, attributing it to the shroud of Aldric's dark magic that seemed to envelop them both.

"Are you tired of standing?" Aldric's sudden question brought her back to the present.

"No, I'm fine, thank you,"

"He is with his family members," he stated unexpectedly.

"...Excuse me?" 

He gestured with a nod towards the carriage ahead of them. "I had informed him that I would be picking him up, but he sent word that he would be traveling with his brother and uncle."

The mention of Egon's family stirred a mix of emotions within Adela. Speaking of Egon alone was painful enough, and the thought of the secrets he kept from her, secrets she suspected were tied to his family, only intensified her inner turmoil.

"Sir Egon values his family deeply, much like Your Holiness cherishes Varinthia," Adela's words flowed with sincerity as she contemplated whether she was trying to rationalize Egon's actions to the young King or if she was acknowledging Egon's priorities aloud once again.

"Understood, you are a woman after all,"

"Pardon?" Adela's brow furrowed as she looked at him, unsure of what he meant by that remark and half-expecting a negative follow-up.

The scenery around her blurred suddenly, much like her previous passage through the mana gates, but this time the transition felt smoother and more controlled. As the blurring ceased, Adela found herself standing beside Egon's three remodeled houses. The sight stirred a rush of memories and emotions within her, evoking the time they had spent together within those walls.

"What I meant," Aldric clarified, "is that unlike my men who complain all the time, you have a tendency to conceal your weariness. And as you can see, we have arrived."

Adela looked up at him, her face awestruck. His talents were truly remarkable.

The carriage door opened and she felt lightheaded as the outside breeze caressed her face.

"Breathe in for a moment," Aldric suggested, as the carriage beneath them settled on the ground, its previously invisible tires disappearing. Both of them stepped out after that.

She looked at him and offered a weak smile. "Don't tell me, I'll get used to it?"

His midnight eyes gleamed with warmth. "Exactly!"

Flushed with the exhilaration of being in the presence of this extraordinary man, she felt a sense of liberation. Unlike the men in her life who treated her with fragility, as though she might shatter at any moment, Aldric offered her a refreshing perspective.

"That's better," he remarked, his eyes roaming her face. "You suddenly appeared quite pale inside. To be honest, I wanted the ride to be over as quickly as possible."

Adela laughed awkwardly, her unease dissipating. "Sorry for being such poor company."

"I'll forgive you this once!" he playfully replied. "So," he continued, his gaze fixed on the entrance to the forest, "this is the renowned cursed forest of Emoria?"

Adela nodded, a touch of melancholy in her eyes.

The young King crossed one arm over his chest, his thumb grazing his lips in contemplation. "I must admit, I'm somewhat disappointed."

Curiosity sparked within Adela as she looked up at him, an inquisitive glimmer in her eyes.

"It's just... trees and dirt," he explained, a hint of amusement in his voice.

Adela shook her head, laughing softly. Aldric reminded her of Kaiser de Lanark—he possessed the ability to read the atmosphere and guide it in his favor. He was open, conversational, and undeniably different.

Very different from the man she loved.

The ache of missing Egon surged through her.

"On second thought," Aldric continued, his tone suddenly serious as he looked down at her, "there is something peculiar about this forest. Doesn't it seem to be in much better condition than it should be?"

Adela's confusion deepened.

He nodded to himself, his expression thoughtful. "Last I heard, this forest was declared a war zone. The Second Order, led by a young Commander, waged war against the rebels infesting the area," 

Realization dawned upon her. The noise and commotion they had witnessed in Lanark, the powdergun weapons—they should have left a devastated forest in their wake. The mercenaries' massacre was a testament to the scale of the conflict.

No one knew that Egon himself, was an army.

Perhaps the noise had been exaggerated, or the bullets were fired in the air... Adela's mind raced to find an explanation.

She paled, trying to make up her mind swiftly. It was one thing to be honest with her business partner about personal matters, but divulging classified information regarding her homeland was an entirely different situation.

The intensity of Aldric's gaze felt like a test once more, and Adela's chin lifted defiantly. "Your Holiness, the state of the forest may not align with the official account. However, if it doesn't affect our mission of exploration, I implore you not to delve further into this topic."

Silence lingered between them for a prolonged moment. Aldric's gaze narrowed, but then his countenance returned to normal. "...You are a truly intriguing individual,"

"I am my father's daughter," she implied.

From that moment, Adela sensed a subtle shift in Aldric's demeanor towards her, as though a newfound understanding had blossomed between them.

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