196: Left behind

Left behind

As early summer arrived at the doorstep of Lanark, the Archduchess's renowned garden bloomed with the colors of life. Thirsty birds flitted around the fountain, dipping their beaks into the crystal-clear water to quench their thirst before taking flight again.2

"Let's stop here for a moment. You used to spend hours watching them," Kaiser reminisced, his gaze following the direction of his daughter's eyes as they lingered over the enchanting sight, "...Are you feeling well enough for this stroll?" he asked, absentmindedly massaging his temple for the third time since they had ventured outside after breakfast.

"It's your well-being that concerns me. Are you certain you don't want to summon a physician?" 

His eyes mirrored the smile on his mustached and bearded lips. "With my talented daughter by my side, I have everything I need,"

Adela mustered a smile despite her fatigue. Once again, she felt utterly useless to him. "Father…" Her hand on his arm gave a slight squeeze. "The problem is not with your body."

His eyes shifted down to her hands, which displayed signs of improvement due to the Baroness's soothing ointment. "...I prefer the power of your company over that of a physician... But I must ask again, are you absolutely certain about not pressing charges?"

Adela nodded.

Disapproval filled his gaze. "May I inquire as to why?" he probed, attempting to drive the conversation back to the topic she had avoided earlier during breakfast as he took her hand and resumed their walk.

"...Perhaps because I want him to be indebted to me?" she fabricated. "For the time being, it is best to proceed with the industrial zone as planned."

In truth, Adela was gripped by fear when it came to Aldric of Varinthia. She knew that the industrial zone couldn't magically appear overnight, and she was uncertain if Egon had even signed the agreement yet. Stalling might be seen as cowardly for someone of royal status, but she was willing to do whatever it took to avoid stepping foot on that ship again, at least for the time being.

"I will never forgive him for what he did to you. Please reconsider your decision to press charges. If it is war you fear, according to Varinthian law, I could just…" Kaiser's words trailed off. His expression grew conflicted, and his eyes darkened like a sky before a thunderstorm.

At that moment, the conversation echoed the earlier discussion during breakfast, revisiting the events of the previous night when Kaiser confronted Aldric. The King had justified his actions, going to the extent of offering his own life as recompense for the one Kaiser had spared during their duel years ago. In response, Kaiser expressed his intention to consult Adela regarding pressing charges.

As if she could do that to Emoria.

The idea of inviting the wrath of Varinthia's warlocks who would seek vengeance for their honorable King was not something Adela was willing to entertain. Her attention shifted to the conspicuous absence of any mention of Egon, but despite her growing concern, she couldn't muster the courage to inquire about him.

Kaiser released a weary sigh.

"I should have requested Grace to postpone their departure until your return. The Baroness insisted it would be beneficial for you to be there..." Regret colored Kaiser's voice, " And as for the birthday celebration today, we can easily reschedule it."

Adela's head shook in firm denial, "I have no desire to journey to the capital. As for the celebration today, you have ingrained in me the belief that Lanarkians deserve to celebrate their royal family."

"...How did I end up burdening you with all my baggage like this?"

Her gaze averted, her memories of being disconnected from reality lent his words a deeper significance. Yet, she opted to feign ignorance and pretend she didn't fully understand what he meant, just as he chose to ignore the events involving Leopold that transpired in the early hours of the day.

Let's keep pretending, Father.

"So, you don't want to go to Destan," he said in a relieved tone.

"No, I don't,"

He tapped her hand with his other one, emphasizing his agreement. "I, too, never wanted you to go to Destan, but I believe in giving you choices. Remember that," he hinted.

A cynical smile played on her lips as she redirected the conversation. "Thank you, Father. I value having choices... And I must admit, I am relieved that Larissa is no longer in Lanark, at least for the time being,"

"...I owe His Highness Claude de Lanark a debt of gratitude for his actions in helping Larissa," Kaiser shared, his gaze fixed ahead. "He has been sending me messenger birds all the way from the Empire, providing updates on their well-being and activities. I must say, he is a remarkably promising young man."

Adela's gaze remained steady, her comprehension of her father expanding with each passing second. She came to understand that his emotions and genuine intentions were not always in harmony. A nagging question tugged at her thoughts: Could there have been an unexpected element that had wounded Kaiser's heart during Claude's visit? Was he burdened by a sense of guilt for obstructing Claude's pursuit of the Emorian throne?

"We have arrived," Kaiser declared with a grin.

Adela looked around. They had unconsciously reached a secluded section of the garden closest to his study where no one dared to disturb him.

"Where have we arrived exactly, Father?"

"I am granting you this portion of the estate as your next endeavor. I have collected the most exquisite medicinal herbs in all of Emoria, which will be planted in a splendid greenhouse here, solely for your use," he declared.

Overwhelmed by gratitude, Adela couldn't contain her emotions. "You have already bestowed upon me so much," she said.

Kaiser leaned in closer, his cheek gently touching the top of her head. "The gifts from yesterday were self-indulgent offerings. This," he gestured expansively to the expansive land he was assigning her, "this is something I know will bring you immense joy. If any seeds are missing, inform me, and I will procure them for you. Meanwhile, someone insisted on accompanying you to the market to personally acquire the necessary gardening tools. It seems like that someone is hijacking another person's present." He smiled, displaying a carefree demeanor.

Emerging from the study with a large scroll strapped to his shoulder was none other than Arkin. He greeted Adela with a wide smile upon spotting her.

"Happy birthday!" He warmly greeted her as he approached.

"Arkin!" Adela released her father's arm and closed the distance between her and her brother, giving him a light hug. "Thank you for remembering."

"Have I ever forgotten?" He replied, looking down at her face with kind hazel eyes.

Her heart thumped uncomfortably. Their relationship had undergone a drastic change this year, not to mention what he must have gone through with Leopold at dawn. She noticed the dark circles under his eyes, a clear sign that he hadn't slept a wink the previous night.

It meant that both of them could really use each other's company right now.

"Let's go then!" Adela said excitedly.

"I will ensure you return in time to get dressed for the party. It's nice to attend a celebration without having to prepare for it, right?"

She forced a smile, masking the ache in her heart, trying to attribute the pain to her mother and sister's absence on this special occasion. Yet deep down, she couldn't deny that the sadness stemmed from elsewhere.

Surely, her birthday would not make it into Egon's list of priorities. Would it?

pqdm.com