174: Entangled in deception

Entangled in deception

"We left for the same place, but we didn't see each other there. Then... My brother, uncle, and I had to go back without bidding goodbye. I wanted to come and apologize for that," Bastian explained regretfully.0

"That's quite alright, Sir Bastian. How are you? How is your family?" Adela asked innocently, attempting to conceal her curiosity about Egon and the struggles of House von Conradie.

Bastian blinked once, his hazel eye losing some of its shine, and he replied, "They are doing well. Thank you for asking. We are all well."

It didn't sound like everything was well with his family at all.

"I have to go now, Adela," Aldric interrupted, handing her falcon back to her. "I will be back this evening," he said, looking straight into Bastian's eye. "Bastian, you remind me of someone I once knew..." Aldric's lips curled into a subtle, nostalgic smile. "Come to my ship later today, it's parked at Lanark's dock not too far away from here."

Bastian's single brow creased closer to the scar as he stared at Aldric's back. The latter had turned and walked away with Kaiser, engrossed in a friendly conversation.

"Would you care to take a walk with me?" Adela offered to Bastian whose eye was still silently following the two men.

"What about your bird? Aren't you here for the training session?" 

She stared at him for a moment, he needed her company more than her bird right now. Adela beckoned to a nearby knight and handed him her fledgling.

"Make sure he gets plenty of time to stretch his wings," she instructed with a warm smile.

"Yes, My Lady," the knight replied respectfully.

The two walked around the mews, which were empty of birds during the training session. Bastian's eye measured the sturdy structure, constructed of aged timber beams and weathered stone walls. Small alcoves were interspersed among the perches, housing an array of falconry equipment and supplies. Leather hoods and jesses dangled from hooks, while intricately designed gauntlets and gloves lay neatly on a nearby shelf.

"...The smell doesn't bother you?"

"I actually like earthy smells," Adela replied, glancing down and enjoying the sound and feel of the soft straw underfoot. "Fresh hay, the musk of feathers, and the faint fragrance of wildflowers that seep through the cracks in the walls... They're all to my liking."

Bastian scoffed, then quickly covered it with a cough when a nearby knight glared at him. Leaning closer to Adela, he said, "I can't smell flowers at all."

They both shared a laugh, and she was relieved to see his face regaining some of its normal expression.

"I envy them," he suddenly admitted.

"Hm?"

"The birds,"

His dark tone alarmed her, and though she was willing to listen, she wanted to maintain a light atmosphere for both of their sakes.

"Who doesn't dream of having wings?" Adela closed her eyes for a moment, remembering the feeling in Aldric's carriage. She then opened her eyes and looked up at Bastian. "You should definitely try King Aldric's carriage... It's the closest thing to flying, I guess."

In a painful gesture reminiscent of his brother, Bastian rubbed his growing stubble. 

"It was very strange to receive an invitation to his ship... He's very easy-going," 

"You're right,"

It wasn't necessarily a bad thing.

"Will he stay in Lanark for long?"

"I'm really not sure," she replied honestly.

"I heard he was going to invest near the borders of Latora..."

Adela wished that Bastian would hurry and join Aldric on the ship, for her spirits were sinking as their conversation progressed.

"...Tian, it's not every day that you're invited to somewhere so special. Just think of all the inventions you'd get to see!" Adela suggested, hoping to uplift Bastian's mood.

He looked up and then back at her face. "You're right, I should."

"Hurry then!" she encouraged.

"I'm only going because I don't want to be an accomplice..." Bastian murmured to himself, his expression suddenly changing as he glanced around to ensure their conversation remained private. "Look, Adela, I was supposed to stay with you while your mother visits my Uncle."

She bit her tongue, suppressing the intense desire to stomp her foot in frustration. Taking a deep breath, she counted to ten, finding an excuse for the Archduchess's actions was pressing.

"...Thank you for being honest with me. Is something wrong with your uncle?" 

"He's sick," Bastian muttered, his face revealing no emotion.

Her mind flashed back to the sight of numerous physicians leaving the King's former estate when she went there to look for Egon after he broke his promise. Could his uncle's illness be the reason for all this?

She blinked away those thoughts. The exact reason didn't matter as much as the outcome. Egon chose to push her away and keep everything to himself, and she wasn't going to force herself into whatever it was he was dealing with.

"...You can go to the King's ship, Tian. I will be with my falcon all day today," she replied, trying to maintain a composed demeanor.

"Don't get upset about it. The Archduke knows as well," Bastian said, his hand unconsciously tapping against his leg.

A small scoff escaped her, and then she smiled at him. "I won't take it to heart, so don't worry about it."

What was another deception from her supposedly honorable and upright family?

"Now go... And come with the King to the meeting in the evening, okay?" she urged, genuinely wanting to see him in better spirits.

Bastian looked exactly how Adela felt on the inside. Troubled, lost, and scarred.

He hesitated for a moment. "...Why don't you come with me?"

Because it would cause a scandal!

She smiled at him. "Emoria is more reserved than Kolhis. Going to another royal's ship and staying there with you and him might not be appropriate."

He gave her a sympathetic look.

She forced a smile. "Tell me all about his ship in the evening."

Bastian suddenly seemed more excited about going. "See you in the evening then," he said, his expression turning slightly pained. "You're truly well, right?"

She nodded and forced a wider smile, though deep down, Lady de Lanark was far from alright.

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