369: Letting go of the past

Letting go of the past

Well past noon, Adela and the Crown Prince made their way back to her estate, returning to the heart of the Archduchy with more than she could have ever anticipated. They brought with them a report detailing the recent border skirmish, the revelation of the Crown Prince's unique affinity for mind control, and the official induction of Egon into her son's service as a knight.2

It had indeed been an eventful day.

As they rode side by side, Adela surprisingly found herself untroubled by Egon's proximity to Noctavian. There were moments when her gaze lingered a bit too long on her husband's posture in the saddle, the way his eyes held a different sort of light when focused on her son, or even how the sunlight beautifully accentuated the bronze tone of his skin. Yet, she told herself that these feelings were merely temporary and that she needed to accept the reality that Egon was here to stay as Noctavian's loyal companion.

No more departures...

He is here for his son.

She repeatedly reminded herself to trust her own prophecies, acknowledging that Egon was already a vital part of the vision she had long since seen about her son, surrounded by his faithful comrades.

In truth, it made perfect sense for Egon to serve as Noctavian's knight, especially at this juncture in time.

Their journey from the border to her estate passed in a blur for Adela, her mind preoccupied with various thoughts, and upon their arrival, the Archduchess and the Crown Prince separately conversed briefly with their accompanying knights, granting them obligatory leave for the rest of the day as previously agreed during the journey.

She watched with wide eyes as Egon obeyed the direct order and went along his way.

When they dismounted from their horses, Bernard was already waiting at the entrance to greet them, his expression notably solemn. The reason for the Majordomo's demeanor became apparent even before Adela had a chance to react to the chilly reception.

The loud noise of an argument filled Adela's manor as she and the Crown Prince entered. It was a heated dispute, and the voices of those involved echoed throughout the grand hall.

Sharing a concerned glance with Noctavian, they both made their way inside, following the noise to the Conference Room to discover the source of the altercation.

"—Just go back wherever the hell you came from!"

Gustav, the King's irreplaceable knight and Commander of the Emorian army, was engaged in a heated exchange with Arkin. Such palpable tension was not uncommon when it came to these two, as their disagreement had been festering for seven long years.

"I should have arrived earlier…" Adela murmured.

Gustav's visage was flushed with anger, while Arkin's expression conveyed frustration and defiance. The raucous argument between them had grown so loud that the arrival of the royal pair went unnoticed by the quarreling parties. The other knights present watched uncomfortably in silence, uncertain whether to intervene. One of them was poised to announce the arrival of the Crown Prince and the Archduchess but halted when Noctavian raised a commanding hand.

Stepping forward, Adela spoke, "That's enough!" Her tone brooked no dissent.

Gustav and Arkin fell into silence, both fixing their gaze on Adela who exuded an air of regality that quelled any further escalation. Her eyes then shifted to the Baroness, who stood in a corner, appearing lost and overwhelmed.

Arkin's countenance shifted, displaying the pain in his heart as his gaze followed Adela's, settling on the Baroness. His voice trembled with emotion as he beseeched, "Mother, please… Adela is a mother too, won't you ask her about a mother's heart? I can understand why Father might not, but I fail to grasp why you refuse to forgive me for the decision I made seven years ago... I won't defend my actions then, but how can you be so cold toward me now?"

"Don't you dare use that tone with your mother, Arkin!" Gustav's thunderous voice restarted the tumult in the room.

Adela suppressed a sigh. Despite being in the estate, the royal family remained conspicuously absent from the scene. The King's instructions for her not to intervene in the matter of Arkin echoed in her mind.

Father...

King Kaiser's wisdom was unquestionable, and could she truly intervene when she lacked knowledge about Arkin's reasons for leaving Lanark seven years ago?

"Commander, listen to me."

Noctavian took it upon himself to mediate on behalf of his mother, taking sure steps inside and approaching the two men who reluctantly took a step back from each other.

Adela wished it were otherwise, but at this point, it would be impolite to halt Noctavian in front of his subjects.

"I happen to know the true reason behind Sir Arkin's choice to leave Lanark back then, and I want you all to understand that I wholeheartedly approve of his actions. Just as Her Excellency and I approve of his return now."

The Baron and Baroness watched in shock and disbelief, their faces drained of color as they absorbed the unexpected pronouncement from their Crown Prince.

Noctavian then shifted his focus to Adela. "I want him as one of my men, Mother. Viscount Mathew should return to his role overseeing your knights, and Arkin von Conradie shall be appointed as the head of the Crown Prince's Platoon after he meets me for a duel."

Adela stared at Noctavian in awe, once again, her son navigated the challenges life threw at him, treating them like pieces on a chessboard. With this strategic move, he managed to directly yet politely intervene in her affairs, putting distance between her and the Viscount, while also confirming his uncle's leadership of his platoon in front of the Baron and Baroness.

Whatever conversation had transpired between Noctavian and Arkin before this moment, it was clear that the Crown Prince was standing firmly in support of his uncle, a courtesy he rarely extended.

Adela's bewildered green eyes met her brother's, silently hoping that Arkin understood and appreciated the trust Noctavian was placing in him. However, Arkin's hazel eyes were fixed on the Crown Prince, his expression one of disbelief.

"…Do you have a problem, Sir Arkin?" Noctavian asked.

Arkin swallowed hard, "Did you just say duel?"

"Yes, naturally. You don't have to win; I just need to make an assessment."

Gustav, with his emotions running high, couldn't help but interject, "Your Highness, please."

Not one to be deterred easily, the Prince pressed further, "Do you have an objection? Or do you think Her Excellency's best interest is not something I would consider?"

Adela's heart was heavy as she discerned the layers beneath her son's question. She realized that she was, indeed, the reason why Arkin had left Lanark years ago.

Should I dig deeper into this matter?

A nagging feeling in her heart told her that perhaps it would be best to let it go once and for all.

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