351: An absence worthwhile

An absence worthwhile

Viscount Mathew extended a hand to assist the Archduchess of Lanark as she disembarked from her father's carriage. Her eyes on her son's face, he appeared perfectly normal as he proudly took his place at the front of the entourage prepared to receive the King of Emoria. Flanked by the Queen on his right, the Crown Princess of Kolhis on his left, and the surrounding knights and guards around them.1

What was that about an encounter between Noctavian and Egon then?

The prince's entire face lit up upon seeing his grandfather step down from the carriage after the Archduchess. Kaiser de Lanark was, without a doubt, a man the young Prince looked up to.

"How have you been, Your Majesty?" he greeted, bowing to the only figure he showed such respect to in the entire Kingdom.

"Better now that I have seen you, Noctavian," the King replied, patting the Prince's shoulders, while the women of House Lanark exchanged warm greetings and hugs.

"Where is the Baron?" Grace de Lanark asked, addressing the most pressing topic on her mind as she remained unaware of the other developments taking place in Lanark.

"He went to his fief to fetch the Baroness," Adela answered carefully, knowing that Arkin had indeed been brought to her estate as she had instructed. "Have you had the chance to meet Sir Arkin yet?"

Grace nervously fluttered her handfan. "Not yet."

"I have already met him, Mother. He is currently in the knights' annex, awaiting the Archduchess of these lands."

All eyes turned to Noctavian, who seemed entirely innocent with his wide brown eyes and an air of nonchalance. Adela's mind was crowded with numerous questions, mirroring the bewilderment of the other members of House de Lanark who stood in stunned silence, observing the young Prince revealing information only when he deemed it appropriate and on his own terms.

Noctavian turned his innocent gaze toward the King. "We were not aware of your Majesty's imminent arrival due to communication issues. May I request a private audience with you?"

"Of course," Kaiser agreed without hesitation. "But first, let us escort your mother to the knights' annex."

Noctavian's satisfied smile indicated that this had been his original plan all along.

Adela smiled at Larissa and Grace, both of whom appeared worried, while her sister gently touched their mother's arm in an attempt to calm her vigorous fanning.

"I will arrange for him to see you after that," Adela assured them, suppressing her own concerns about what her son might discuss with her father in her absence, trusting the King to guide Noctavian along the path they had agreed upon years ago.

The King and the Archduchess had established three essential ground rules concerning the Crown Prince: Noctavian must never be deceived, his father's image must not be tarnished in his mind, and he must continue on his destined path peacefully under the strong umbrella of House de Lanark.

The walk from the manor's front entrance to the knights' annex proceeded normally. The King and the Prince were as enthusiastic as ever about exchanging news related to politics and warfare with royal guards in golden armor trailing behind them. Adela, on the other hand, was deep in thought, unable to shake the image of the bear-like man from her mind. What's worse, he appeared even more ragged than he had three years ago.

"Mother," Noctavian called out, breaking Adela from her dazed state, "We have arrived, and Sir Arkin is in his old room. I gave it back to him and asked him to stay there until you come."

Adela squinted at her son, sensing that something was amiss, something she was overlooking. "The two of you, did you have a proper conversation with each other?"

Her son's wide, innocent brown eyes grew even larger. "I thought Your Excellency wanted to speak with him first."

That was accurate. However, it wasn't exactly an answer to her question.

"If you'll excuse me, Your Majesty, Your Highness," she said, curtsying in exasperation before she made her way into the annex.

As she ventured deeper, Adela gradually grasped the extent of Noctavian's influence and involvement. The only sound accompanying her were the echoing footsteps, signaling that the knights had been effectively cleared from the area—an accomplishment achievable solely through her son's authoritative commands.

The last room on the left, the one farthest from the entrance...

That was the only room with a window that offered a direct view of her chambers. This was the room Arkin had occupied, the one place she visited whenever she missed her best friend throughout the years, and it had always been empty.

The door creaked open from the inside, and almost like a mirage, Arkin stood before her, hand still on the doorknob.

Adela fought back the stinging sensation in her eyes as she beheld him. His face bore three fresh cuts, his once-long hair now shaved close, and his shoulders appeared broader while his frame had lost noticeable weight. Her gaze settled on his hazel eyes, under which hung two permanent purple circles.

"You're alive," she whispered, relief washing over her. "Thank God for that... I feared Noctavian might have welcomed the wrong man in here..."

Arkin met her eyes with a solemn look. "I should have visited you first, but it was complicated," he said, his voice thick with emotion that ended in an unexpected laugh. "Your son," he shook his head with a bright smile, "he's going to be quite the man."

Adela swallowed the lump in her throat. "I need people I can trust by his side."

Arkin placed a fist over his heart. "I'll be there for him... if he'll have me?"

Adela frowned at the strange statement. "You're his only uncle. Of course he'll want you."

She forgot all the carefully planned words she had intended to say, surrendering to the one overwhelming desire she had harbored if she ever saw him again. She threw herself into her brother's arms, hugging him and allowing silent tears to flow on his chest.

"Adela..."

As he held her just as tightly, a profound sense of peace washed over him. These were the emotions he had longed to share with her ever since discovering they were siblings. And for him, it made all the years of separation worth it. But amidst the happiness, her tears tugged at his heart, a poignant reminder of his guilt.

"Regarding Noctavian de Lanark," he stressed the House affiliation of her son, "Rauul had to leave because of his wife, and I had only a brief opportunity to converse..."

"Come," she interrupted him. "Mother and Larissa are eagerly awaiting your arrival. We can catch up on everything with them present."

"Larissa... Has she married?"

Adela sighed deeply. "She's betrothed to the next Emperor of Kolhis."

Arkin didn't find the news surprising. In fact, it seemed perfectly natural for Larissa and Adela to marry into higher ranks. However, the undertone of Adela's words caught his attention.

"Forgive me for being a fool who completely turned his back on civilization as we know it. But do I happen to know the next Emperor in line for the throne of Kolhis?"

Adela nodded, biting her lip before releasing it. "Claude de Lanark."

Arkin remained silent, but the way his hazel eyes took on a darker tine, and the tight line that formed on his lips revealed his disapproval.

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