280: Bastian's true significance

Bastian's true significance

Adela and Egon finally left the kitchen, ready to comfort Andreas with a hearty, homemade bowl of soup. Their steps were light, their hearts still filled with the warmth of their earlier banter, and the fragrant aroma of the chicken soup clung to their clothes like a delicious memory.0

As they entered the living room, they exchanged glances of surprise. The room was empty, void of the ancient vampire who had been the center of their conversation earlier.

With his free hand, the one not carrying the tray, he gently reached out and squeezed her hand. "Andreas needed some time alone."

Her gaze shifted from the vacant spot where Andreas had been sitting to Egon, her worry evident in her eyes. "But he was so upset earlier. I just hope he's okay."

Egon chuckled, a warm and boyish sound that never failed to make her heart flutter. "Why don't we have a taste ourselves?"

For a moment, Adela wondered if her husband was secretly happy to have her soup all to himself. She brushed aside the curious notion, instead focusing on ladling the aromatic soup into two bowls and placing them on the tea table situated between their comfortable seats.

Her stomach fluttered slightly, apprehensive about Egon's reaction. As they settled into their seats, she truly hoped that he would enjoy her soup.

Egon's first taste brought a genuine grin to his face.

"This is good," he said succinctly, but his eyes gleamed with genuine delight.

The mood shifted abruptly as Egon's countenance turned grave. He set down his spoon and locked his eyes onto hers, his voice filled with contemplation.

"It's been a while since I've seen him like that. You saw it too, right? His eyes?"

Adela responded with a curt nod.

"I used to think those were his permanent eyes," he continued, his gaze still intense. "Andreas was different back then, much more feral."

Feral? Andreas?

"...You've only seen him around his second mate, so you don't truly understand what he's like."

Suppressing a shudder, Adela asked, "You changed him, didn't you?"

Egon offered a soft smile and shook his head. "No, it was Bastian who changed us all."

Adela leaned in, fully engrossed in his words.

"After Andreas found us in that forest, I believe he planned to leave us to Leopold. But at that time, well, the three of us..." He struggled to get the words out. "...Bastian brought us together as a family."

"...Three fathers to a baby," she murmured, trying to fathom what their lives must have been like back then, especially since Andreas might not have readily accepted the Empress's offspring, even if they were his too.

The image of three broken souls coming together to care for a child was both, heartwarming and heart-wrenching.

"Bastian was the subject of many experiments," Egon added with a chuckle, but as his laughter subsided, Adela noticed the intensity in his gaze again.

"What is it?" she inquired.

His eyes drifted toward the soup before returning to her. "You have a heart of gold. I truly appreciate this."

"It's only soup..."

Egon's gaze hardened, and his tone grew serious. "Ever since I regained control over my body, I've taken it upon myself to protect my family... Tonight, you showed me that I'm not alone in this anymore. Someone else cares for them too."

"...I only did what I felt was right. Anybody in my place would have done the same thing."

Egon reached across the table and gently placed his hand over hers, his thumb caressing her knuckles. "My proud wife is truly humble at times... You need to teach me how to tap into that quality when needed."

Tears glistened in her eyes, and she decided to address their earlier argument.

"I want to apologize for upsetting you earlier today… The two of us are married now, and I think, no, I believe that means someone comes before my Kingdom now..."

"You don't have to apologize," he interrupted. "I just need to deal with that warlock once and for all."

She disagreed.

"I want to talk to you about something important," she continued, her voice steady.

He leaned in closer, his eyes encouraging her to share.

"When you put walls between us, when you distance yourself, it makes me feel very lonely... We were talking about trust... I trust you completely, and I need to feel that same trust from you."

Egon nodded, his expression serious.

"I am a very jealous man. But that doesn't mean I don't trust you fully."

Hearing that brought immense comfort, but there was more she needed.

"It's not just about men," she continued, her voice softening with vulnerability. "I need to trust that you won't turn away from me every time I make a mistake. Living in constant fear of making errors is a terrifying prospect."

Egon reached out to cup her cheek with his free hand, his thumb tracing gentle circles on her skin. He swallowed hard, his eyes dark with the depth of his emotions.

"I am trying my best to be the man you want me to be."

Her breath caught in her throat. His words felt disconcerting, as if their shared home and the tender moments within it were made of sand, ready to be swept away by the first gust of wind.

Suddenly, the topic of Bastian seemed lighter compared to her unspoken fears.

"T-there's something else I need to discuss with you," she began, her words slightly slurred in her nervousness. "It's about Bastian."

Egon's brow furrowed slightly, but he nodded for her to continue.

"It's just... something about his proximity to Aldric, it's strange," she explained cautiously. "At first, I thought he was just keeping an eye on Aldric for your sake, as you mentioned. But it feels like something changed in Bastian."

Egon's expression remained composed, "Go on."

"It's hard to explain, but… He's not like the Bastian I used to know."

Egon raised an eyebrow, his voice dry as he inquired, "And why do you say that?"

She hesitated, sensing his skepticism, feeling his walls coming up. It was disheartening, especially after the vulnerable conversation they'd just had. It felt as if everything they'd shared was on the verge of being dismissed.

"…I can't put my finger on it exactly."

"You are underestimating Bastian."

"And you might be underestimating Aldric," she retorted, not wanting her concerns to be brushed aside.

"It doesn't matter. I have a plan in mind. Let's stop talking now."

He gently tilted her chin upwards, their lips coming together in a passionate kiss. Yet, beneath the surface of their intimacy, there lingered a melancholic undertone.

Was it that her husband's mind was preoccupied with the impending challenges they faced? Or was it the accusatory gaze of Bastian, burning heavily in her memory as he had carried her away from Aldric that haunted her thoughts?

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