43: They meet again

They meet again

The kingdom of Emoria, located in the middle part of the continent, was renowned for its advanced science. In point of fact, the Imperial College of Latora was well-known for producing top-notch scientists. Many of them owed their education to the beloved Archduke of Lanark who fostered scholarships for advanced students and those in need of financial support.  0

In line with the essence of nobility, it was only natural for many scholars to join the First Order of Knights upon graduation, for they earnestly wanted to serve Kaiser de Lanark. 

Under the accumulating snow, Adela stood between her father and her knight, observing the underground water samples and those collected from the shy stream that barely graced this side of the forest with its presence, a complete contrast to the vast river she saw on that fateful day.

Hers was an arduous mission. 

The platoon of scientists amongst the knights filled multiple test containers with water samples, dipping test strips inside each of them and waiting patiently after stirring. The comparison between color changes was vital to determine the level of toxicity in any liquid, but more importantly, the type of toxins.

She watched as their faces paled one by one, things in the eastern parts of Lanark's Forest were becoming very complicated, very fast. 

"Your Excellency, the first results collected from underground water have shown abnormal levels of toxicity. Water was, indeed, the cause behind the epidemic,"

Kaiser experienced a pressuring discomfort in the left side of his chest again.

"Are you saying that Lanark has been a victim of biological warfare?" 

Gustav's accompanying grimace did not waver, his eyes were on the remaining containers, "The samples taken from the stream will confirm that once and for all,"

At this point, Adela did not need an expert to tell her what was going on, the epidemic was contained when consuming water without boiling became punishable by law, after all.

Her main concern was who? Who had the means and the nerves to poison the water, the land's most essential source of life?

While the knights held their breaths waiting for the final results, a magnificent golden carriage made its way into the von Conradie's lands. Egon's uncle and his brother descended, then the four of them quickly gathered around a campfire. A huge faux pas in the book of Lanark's unspoken rules. And though the knights kept throwing dirty glances at them while they prepared it, the two merchants did not mind.

"It is true then, he lives," came the grave notice of her father who angled his large frame to face the blowing wind in order to shelter Adela from the blizzard.

"Do you perhaps mean Egon's uncle?"

"Yes… Leopold,"

He paused with an uncomfortable look on his face making her doubt the answer he just gave her.

"They had no last name back then," he added a moment later.

Adela wanted to part ways with Egon on a good note. But apparently, it was rather extravagant to hope for such a thing.

Her eyes wandered to him, standing with a protective arm around his little brother ushering him closer to warmth.

A beast he said… 

"Looking at their overall air, one can never tell their background was so humble," Arkin commented dejectedly. She had all but forgotten that he was next to her.

"Last I've heard, Leopold had gone to Kolhis with his nephew, he left right after the second tragedy hit them,"

The word 'second' sounded an alarm in Adela's head. However, piecing together disjointed fragments of information regarding that second tragedy had her refraining from making any inquiries about the first one.

She found herself oddly hoping that the grudge Leopold carried was no different than the one Egon did.

Gustav's feet made crunching sounds as he walked on snow with unfavorable results.

"Your Excellency, I am afraid the level of toxicity from the final samples is abnormal,"

Kaiser closed his eyes, "Could it have been the construction work?"

Silence was the master of the scene as all eyes were on the Commander.

The Baron shook his head, a firm no.

"It is a premeditated act of sabotage,"

Unanimously, the knights glared at the von Conradie merchants as if Gustav had singled them out as culprits behind the event.

While Egon who stood within hearing distance glared back, it was his uncle to take a step forward.

"Enough! The lot of you only know how to look down on people from the high towers of your titles, but if you cared to come down and check for yourself, you would surely see that all restoration works are too far to contaminate your precious waters!"

He paused, daring anybody to argue with his reason.

Kaiser's chest heaved, it was surely Leopold who had antagonized Egon and that miracle brother of his. Their small shoulders had to grow strong enough to lift the weight of the old resentment throughout the years.

It was unforgivable.

The ghost of a smile crept up Leopold's lips, and the light of mischief entered his hazel eyes, "Isn't the monarchy struggling to quiet down the revolution, or are the rebels innocent this time?"

Gustav took a menacing step to the right, "Permission to put a stop to the useless blabbering, Your Excellency,"

It was enough for the commander to grasp the handle of his sword for every knight behind to unsheathe his.

Right then, another purple wagon belonging to house de Lanark parked near the one that had carried Adela on the way here. Kaiser looked very disturbed as the Archduchess stepped out with the help of her accompanying knight.

Adela followed her mother's gaze, glued on Egon's uncle who stared back, silent for once.

"Put your swords away, none of that is allowed, not around me, nor around my daughter," 

The effect of her demand was immediate. And Adela gasped when Grace approached then embraced her warmly.

"How come I was not informed that you have woken up?" She softly reprimanded with teary eyes, her curls shimmering beneath the light reflecting off fresh snow.

"It was my fault for rushing her to come here," Kaiser interjected.

Adela wished her mother did not, but Grace fixed her gaze on Leopold again.

"None of this is your fault, Kaiser. Do not be so quick to take the blame as per usual,"

Leopold's calm façade slipped, the next look he directed at Grace de Lanark was that of a backstabbed man to his murderer.

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