233: In Egon's chambers (part 1)

In Egon's chambers (part 1)

The sun had already set when the Ladies' carriage came to a halt outside the von Conradie's residence in Lanark.2

Adela and Larissa wore knee-length practical summer dresses paired with heeled sandals, allowing their hair to flow loosely and keeping their makeup subtle. Despite their similar appearances, their facial expressions couldn't have been more contrasting. Adela's expression carried a glimmer of hope against all odds, while Larissa's countenance revealed her nervousness.

Adela gently squeezed Larissa's hand, offering one final reassuring gesture. "I know you've made up your mind, and you have my full support. Just hear him out and don't be afraid to take your time while you talk to him, alright?" She smiled warmly, hoping to alleviate her sister's nerves.

Larissa took a shaky breath, nodding twice in response to her sister's words.

As the carriage door swung open, Andreas, donning a well-tailored navy blue suit, approached with a gentle smile.

"Welcome, Ladies. Thank you for coming this evening," he greeted.

"Thank you," both ladies responded softly and in unison.

He assisted Larissa out first, displaying his customary courtesy, but Adela noticed a subtle gulp that betrayed his nervousness. As she stepped out of the carriage, he turned to her and extended a hand.

"Your presence is indeed soothing, Lady Adelaide," he remarked as she placed her hand in his and gave him a polite nod before stepping out of the carriage.

"Please, don't mind me and carry on with Larissa, I will follow you inside." Adela assured him as she gestured for them to proceed without her.

"Much obliged," he politely spoke before striding where Larissa had been. She placed her arm on his as they both ascended the steps to reach the door of the manor. Adela, still finding them a very well-matched couple, did not know exactly how she was supposed to feel about what was about to take place. 

It was quite strange.

Adela's last encounter with Andreas was not the friendliest one, but talking with Larissa throughout the month they spent locked away from the outside world, she began to understand what Egon meant when he described the bond Andreas shared with Larissa as one-sided.

His unrequited love...

Larissa's feelings for Andreas were human; her heart did beat for him, but unlike Adela, who shared Egon's feelings as he experienced the bond between them, Larissa would never be able to understand the dark connection that Andreas had for her.

If only he did not have that very same connection with his deceased first mate, still lingering in his heart.

Focusing back on the present moment, Adela followed the engaged couple up the stairs and entered the manor through the door that was kept open for her. Andreas momentarily let go of Larissa's hand to close the door behind them.

"The place is empty tonight; I have dismissed everyone. Do come into the living area," Andreas invited warmly as he led them further into the manor.

As they entered the living area, Adela couldn't help but sense the awkwardness of being caught between the engaged couple. Sensing the need to give them time alone, she decided to immediately excuse herself.

With a small smile, she looked at Andreas and said, "Go ahead and start then. I need to freshen up. I'll use one of the bathrooms."

Andreas's face lit up, "Of course! Feel free to use any of the ones on the second floor," he replied, gesturing towards the staircase leading to the chambers.

Ascending the stairs slowly, Adela's palm brushed over the handrail, imagining Egon's hand and wondering how many times he had used these very stairs. She found herself inhaling, as if searching for traces of his scent, and with each step, she felt an unseen force pulling her in a certain direction, growing more intense with each passing moment. A gentle tug in her heart guided her towards a specific door, as if it held a magnetic attraction for her.

No, not this room.

She was about to turn around and leave when the tug on her heart became even stronger. Adela smiled at the door, knowing all too well who was behind it.

"…You leave out the door, only to go through the window?" she murmured softly, her voice laced with humor.

When she heard no response, she felt a sudden rush of flustered emotions taking over her.

"I… I didn't mean to intrude," she stammered, her eyes fixed on the brown door across from her.

"You didn't," came his deep voice, muffled from behind the closed door, "I lost the battle of will to remain outside while you were in my home."

The next thing she knew, the door opened from the inside.

With a smile, she let her eyes dwell on the broad chest that rose and fell rapidly, the barely buttoned shirt allowing the muscles of his abdomen to flex and contract right before her eyes. Her gaze then slowly moved up, admiring his prominent Adam's apple, causing one side of her face to tug backward as her smile widened in one direction when he swallowed twice. She looked up slowly and slightly frowned when she saw no traces of any facial hair, but that frown disappeared when her eyes finally reached his eyes, skipping the rest of their trip along his handsome face.

Desire… He wanted her so much… It was an explosion inside of her.

If his hand had not found her arm and pulled her inside his room, she would have pushed herself inside all alone.

"Adelaide," he murmured next to her ear, his voice a tender whisper in the dimly lit room.

"Egon," she replied with a heavy, breathy voice, her hands clutching his biceps, her nails digging into his skin.

He pressed her face against his chest, his hands feeling the roots of her hair.

"Please, let me speak. I need to say this," he implored.

She nodded, slightly worried by how fast his heart was drumming against her ear now.

"I'm a beast consumed by my feelings for you," he confessed, his voice raw with vulnerability.

Her breath caught in her throat, her heart torn between her duty and her desires.

"Spend the night in my room, I just want to watch you while you sleep."

"I will have to leave when Larissa does..." she said, feeling her lips burning to kiss him, she bit hard on them. "But until then…"

She pushed herself slightly away from him, and he pinned her hands on his chest in response.

"Kiss me… Kiss me… Egon," she implored.

pqdm.com