193: His gamble - Aldric's POV (part 2)

His gamble - Aldric's POV (part 2)

Aldric fixed his gaze upon Kaiser's lips as they parted, the commanding air carrying the Archduke's words to his ears. "Descend immediately," the proud Kaiser de Lanark demanded, his tone devoid of the usual endearment he held for Aldric.0

Fuc*.

Sporting a disingenuous arched smile, Aldric put on a small performance of ascending and descending through the air, his white cloak billowing behind him for a dramatic effect. However, all the grandeur was spoiled by the copious amount of gravy sauce splashed onto his formal white Varinthian attire. The thought brought a chuckle to his lips as he landed near the man and beast who had recently dismounted.

"Your Holiness," Kaiser uttered through clenched teeth, his displeasure evident. "Pray, enlighten me as to what you find so amusing at this late hour of the night."

Your daughter.

Aldric tightly shut his eyes and released a forceful exhale. With a deliberate motion, he wiped the counterfeit smile off his face. His already complex position with the Archduke had grown even more intricate due to Andreas's unexpected return from Kolhis.

In the entire world, there existed a solitary being who possessed the power to vanquish Aldric, and that being was none other than the ancient vampire.

Had Andreas not arrived and issued a dire threat of exterminating every warlock in Varinthia that very same day, Aldric would have readily divulged the secrets of the mental maze to Kaiser. Adela's repetitive visits to the forest had opened up the possibility for the mines to flourish into thriving mana sources once again, which in turn could help alleviate Kaiser's burdensome debts and support the revolution.

What a shame.

The notion that deceased individuals should be laid to rest in the ground stirred distressing images of his mother's decaying body, denied the proper burial it deserved.

"Aldric!" Kaiser snapped, breaking the silence.

Shi*.

"...Ah, much better," Aldric responded, as if his previous silence had been a deliberate choice. "We have never resorted to the roles of King and Archduke, and it is not fitting to establish such a precedent now. So, tell me, Kaiser, what brings you here at this late hour, my old friend?" he inquired with a respectful tone, a glimmer of hope lingering that Adela had not revealed his actions.

Kaiser's cold blue eyes erupted with fury. "No man, no creature, living or dead, dares to lay a hand on one of my daughters and expect to keep that hand by the next sunrise," he declared vehemently.

Aldric anticipated the moment and observed a flicker of surprise on Egon's face, yet he allowed it to unfold for he desired to demonstrate the extent of Kaiser's power and capabilities. In an instant, the exceptional warrior that Kaiser was swiftly unsheathed Extermizer, pressing the blade against Aldric's neck. A formidable man like Kaiser would unquestionably stand as an opponent for an enigmatic creature like Egon, who, despite being connected to Andreas, did not seem to possess the same level of power as the vampire.

Sensing his skin rejecting the essence of Extermizer, Aldric inclined his head slightly to the side, sporting a half-smile. This adjustment allowed Kaiser to have more space with his blade while Aldric directed his gaze toward the face of the beast.

"You see, von Conradie, even Kings are subject to the laws of Varinthia. The life that Kaiser de Lanark granted can be just as easily retracted," 

Aldric discerned another fleeting trace of surprise within the beast's intense red eyes.

"If your memory of that incident remains intact, enlighten me as to how, in the name of all that is sacred, you could have subjected my daughter to such brutality!" Kaiser demanded, his voice seething with anger.

Finally, Aldric fixed his gaze upon Kaiser's beet-red face. "I provided her with a reality check because she appeared so detached. I did it with the intention of fostering greater collaboration between our kingdoms,"

"Bullshi*!" Egon exclaimed.

"It is true. My methods may appear unconventional, but it is because all of you treat her as if she were a mere child, when in reality she is a fully grown woman capable of making her own choices," Aldric asserted, defending his actions.

Kaiser's response was laced with surprise, "How did this become so personal all of a sudden, Aldric? It is unlike you to deviate from your original path." He removed the sword from Aldric's neck and sheathed it once more. "I shall grant you the opportunity to present your defense," Kaiser declared, "However, be aware that if Adelaide chooses to press charges against you, I will not hesitate to revoke your diplomatic immunity. Not even the threat of war will dissuade me from taking that course of action."

Aldric closed his eyes, silencing his inner doubts.

Stop being a coward!

When he opened them once more, he resolved to make his intentions clear, "The Oracle has foreseen Adelaide de Lanark," he began, his voice firm and sincere. "I cannot disclose the full prophecy she shared with me for I swore an oath upon her deathbed to keep it secret. However, it is clear that the Healer is destined to be protected by the army of a king. Kaiser, you believe you can continue to safeguard her here in Lanark."

Taking a deliberate step closer to Kaiser, Aldric ensured their conversation remained private. His eyes scanned the surroundings.

"Can't you see that the murderer desires her for the sake of the Crown Prince?" he spoke with a hushed tone of disgust. He then shifted his gaze to the expressionless beast before them. "It is only fair for me to vie for that role, as I possess every quality required to fulfill it."

"What about Samandra?..." Kaiser exclaimed, his expression shifting from horror to extreme confusion within seconds. His words trailed off, and a perplexed look clouded his face. 

As if a mana stone had been removed from a device, Kaiser's head suddenly drooped before rising slowly again, now wearing a stoic expression. He appeared different, almost unfamiliar. Aldric had heard whispers of Kaiser's stress issues from his spies in the palace at Destan, but he had not realized it could manifest in such a way.

"Kaiser?" Aldric called out, concern evident in his voice.

The Archduke's blue eyes became devoid of their usual light, "Initially, I desired to end your life for what you inflicted upon her," he muttered, his voice filled with an eerie calmness. "However, upon hearing her account of how you intended to teach her a lesson in self-defense, I felt compelled to come and repay the favor and teach you about your vulnerabilities, as*hole."

A sense of shock washed over Aldric as he listened to Kaiser's words. He glanced at the beast standing beside the Archduke, its red eyes gleaming with a sinister allure, a smug smirk on its face.

Impossible.

...Mind control?

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