Lucas remained with the group for a short while longer after Henrietta fell silent.
The weight of the truth had settled on all of them now. No one tried to argue against it anymore, because deep down they all knew Lucas would never say such a thing unless it had already been confirmed beyond doubt.
Lucas glanced once more at Nyx.
She had grown quiet again, standing beside Lira and Selene, her arms folded tightly as though she were holding herself together.
He had already made her a promise.
Now he needed to act like a man who intended to keep it.
Lucas turned away from them.
"I need to speak with the King," he said.
No one stopped him.
They all understood that the next steps depended on what the King would decide.
Lucas walked across the camp toward the command tent.
Two guards stood outside, both of them looking far more tense than usual. They straightened when they saw him approaching.
Lucas did not slow down.
"I need to see His Majesty."
