361: Parental authority

Parental authority

Her gaze shifted as she surveyed Egon's hopeful eyes. Noctavian carrying any name other than de Lanark? It sounded more like a fairy tale than reality to Adela's ears. That is why she wasn't offended by his audacious statement.

But the idea that this man could come and assert rights over her son whom he had yet to truly know struck her as remarkably immature—a behavior she would have expected from Egon.

"I wasn't suggesting that it should happen immediately," he added in haste, finally, it appeared he had grasped the gravity of his earlier presumptuous demand.

"...Noctavian is the Crown Prince of this esteemed Kingdom. Regardless of the passage of time, what you're proposing lies entirely within his purview."

"Then I would like some time alone with him," he admitted, looking somewhat uncomfortable for a moment before adding, "With your permission."

She raised a weary eyebrow at him. "You mean with my persuasion?"

"No. I will do the persuading here."

"Good luck," she murmured under her tired breath, her fatigue veiling the sarcasm. Noctavian was as stubborn as they come, and she wouldn't have it any other way. What Egon had witnessed thus far was just the tip of the iceberg.

She was on the verge of ending their conversation when his face suddenly multiplied and then blurred. Unexpected silence descended with the absence of anything to see, and a loud ringing echoed in her ears.

"-delaide! Adelaide!"

Small, colorful dots fought against the darkness before Adela felt her shoulders being gently shaken. "...Yes?" She responded with numb lips, blinking a few times in disorientation then wincing as she found Egon invading her personal space, leaning over the leather chair she still sat in, his warm hands covering her shoulders.

The fact that he managed to appear so concerned for her defied common sense. Was he attempting to earn her favor in order to gain Noctavian's trust?

"You should be in bed," he murmured in the softest tone he had used since his return.

"Right," she replied, trying to find her footing and not reveal her discomfort.

"I'll carry you."

"No," Adela's response overlapped with the exact same one in a masculine tone coming from the corridor. "Certainly not!" Kaiser added, entering Adela's study with exasperated blue eyes that narrowed when they landed on Egon's hands still on Adela's shoulders.

"Keep your hands to yourself," The King of Emoria ordered with anger.

Egon retreated a step and composed himself, while Kaiser approached Adela's chair and lifted her gently, carrying her out of the study. He paid no attention to the man who remained standing there observing them, much like Noctavian had done a short while earlier.

"...You could have summoned one of the knights for this," she remarked, smiling up at him as he carried her through the hallways of what had once been his sanctuary.

"And miss the opportunity to have some time alone with you?" 

His expression grew more serious as they approached the door, and the four guards on duty thumped their chests to salute their royals.

"Remove that man from here," he instructed, not singling out anyone in particular.

"Yes, Your Majesty!" She heard two of the guards respond, but their voices came from behind them now.

"Feel free to sleep if you'd like," there was kindness in his tone as he spoke.

"And miss the chance to have some time alone with you?" She smiled brightly after repeating his words.

He smiled back, but his eyes held questions she preferred to answer with a clear mind.

"How is Viscount Mathew?" she asked, steering the conversation toward safer waters.

"The Viscount's bravery is commendable," Kaiser began. "But he wouldn't have made it out alive if not for you."

Her relief was palpable.

"Noctavian informed me that he followed a direct order from Arkin. It must have been an unfair situation for everyone involved."

"Indeed," she sighed the word out, resting her head on her father's chest. "It was a matter of basic survival. Arkin issued the correct order because he was better equipped to provide superior defense for the human shield surrounding Noctavian. It must have been a very difficult decision, considering it was his father next to Sasha, exposed to the warlock's threat as he descended back there... While the Viscount undoubtedly aimed to eliminate the threat without jeopardizing our safety."

Kaiser appeared thoughtful; his crystal-blue eyes contemplative beneath the fading light of dusk.

"The Order of Knights falls under your jurisdiction, but you should be aware that the Viscount's final order for the platoons to be under Sir Arkin's command has not yet been rescinded."

"...I see," Adela replied, recognizing that the Viscount was gracefully entrusting the matter to her discretion. "House Valder's loyalty to House de Lanark is truly remarkable."

Her father's sidelong glance prompted a slight frown from her.

"I've noticed the way the Viscount looks at you, Adelaide. Haven't you seen it?"

"...I am a married woman, Father," she reminded him.

"The Baron and the Baroness have arrived," Kaiser smoothly changed the subject, as though her last statement had gone unheard.

"Oh, thank goodness for their safety."

"Gustav was the one who slew the warlock that attacked the falcons."

Lanark had been fortunate to have him there.

"... Are there any casualties among the falcons?" she inquired.

"Kannen and the rest of the falcons haven't suffered life-threatening injuries," Kaiser reported. "But the battle Gustav fought today against that warlock appears less violent than the one he's been waging against Arkin."

Oh no.

"I'm telling you, Adelaide. That man never kept anything from me throughout our entire lives. But it seems that neither he nor the Baroness want Arkin to return to Lanark." His frown deepened, then momentarily vanished as he nodded at the patrolling guards they passed by on their way to the fountain. "Whatever the reason for such harshness, that man and that woman have missed Arkin every day for seven whole years."

"...You're right, Father."

"Strange, isn't it?"

More than strange, it's suspicious.

"To be honest, I formed a conclusion back when Arkin first left. The Baroness seemed to possess knowledge of the true reason behind his sudden departure... why he chose to abandon Lanark after becoming a Commander."

The King nodded, his eyes reflecting concern.

"I'm taking you straight to your chambers, but by tomorrow, those two may as well have driven Arkin out of Lanark." 

If the King of Emoria had desired it, he could have imposed his will upon everyone around him. But Adela's father remained true to his principled nature from his days as the Archduke. The Commander's desire to distance his son clashed with the Queen's wish to keep him close, yet Kaiser refused to intervene directly between the two.

But not Adela.

She had long understood that at times, imposing her will on those around her could be more beneficial than allowing them to follow their own path, especially when emotions were running high. This was particularly true when her son was involved.

"Regardless of the reasons that led Arkin to make that choice, even if it was wrong for him and the kingdom, he wouldn't have returned to Lanark if those reasons were still valid," she spoke, defending her brother without reservation.

Arkin was a mere mortal, and mortals were prone to errors and changes of heart.

"Your Majesty, please, convey to your Commander that I won't tolerate any mistreatment of Sir Arkin during his stay in Lanark. And that he will remain within this Archduchy."

They halted just as they arrived at the stairs leading to his daughter's manor, and he regarded her with a desolate gaze.

"Arkin von Conradie is undoubtedly stronger than Viscount Mathew, Adelaide. But can his loyalty be relied upon?"

By emphasizing Arkin's family name and raising doubts about his allegiance, Kaiser made himself abundantly clear. The King remained silent, but his heart sided with Commander Gustav.

"... Strength can be cultivated, and loyalty can be assessed."0

Pride sparkled in Kaiser's eyes as he watched his daughter defending both of her men, noting her kindness despite her exhausted state, her eyelids nearly closed, desperate for several hours of rest to restore her energy.

The Archduchess's kindness weighed on the King's mind, often keeping him awake at night.

"...Aren't you going to be the one to send him away from Lanark?" 

"…"

Adela knew precisely to whom the 'him' in her father's question referred. They had come full circle back to the topic she had wanted to avoid until after getting some rest.

She opted not to provide a serious response. "Is Your Majesty offering me a choice in the matter?"

"It was a lesson I learned three years ago: I don't make the same mistakes twice, Adelaide," he remarked, alluding to the time when she ventured into the Empire's mountains after their argument about marriage annulment.

Certainly, Kaiser de Lanark didn't repeat his mistakes and pushed her in directions she wasn't eager to pursue, whereas Egon von Conradie appeared to persist in his errors.

She sighed.

"He was helpful to Noctavian today with his archery skills."

"You're prioritizing Noctavian's well-being over your own. My grandson does not approve of that."

"He doesn't have to endorse everything I do. I'm the parent, and he's the child."

Kaiser shook his head. "Well, enjoy that while it lasts, then," he said with a touch of bitterness that she found both heartwarming and slightly amusing. Unlike his days as the Archduke, Kaiser de Lanark was now a father first and a ruler second, and Adela couldn't be prouder of him.

That night as she rested in her bed, the Archduchess of Lanark received another prophecy.

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