The Emperor's private council gathered before sunrise.
The atmosphere inside the chamber was heavy, stifling, and cold.
No one dared to speak first.
Emperor Cedric stood before the tall windows with both hands resting behind his back, quietly looking over the sleeping capital below. Beside him stood the Empress, her eyes swollen and red from crying throughout the long night. Adrian remained seated in a velvet armchair, still recovering from his injuries and processing the whole situation. While Elias stood silently behind him with his head bowed low.
Lucien knelt in the middle of the cold marble floor.
His wedding clothes were still stained with dried mud, dark blood, and old rainwater.
He had not changed his clothes.
He had not slept a single minute.
His hollow eyes never left the polished stone beneath him.
Just then Cedric finally broke the long silence.
"Nobody outside this room is to learn of the truth,"
the Emperor said, his deep voice cutting through the room. Everyone slowly looked toward the Emperor, listening attentively.
"The Crown Prince's disappearance must remain a strict state secret."
His voice remained calm, but every single word carried immense weight.
"If word spreads that the heir to the Empire has disappeared into another world....the court will descend into pure panic. The noble houses will begin fighting among themselves for succession, the neighboring kingdoms will smell our weakness and the Empire will become unstable before we even begin searching for him."
Cedric slowly turned around to face the council.
"So until we find a way to bring my son home.....the official story will be simple."
"–Crown Prince Cassian has departed on a private expedition to the Northern Continent."
"He wished to inspect the northern borders and ancient ruins before assuming greater duties as Crown Prince."
"And no one is to question it."
The Empress nodded her head first.
"I understand,"
She whispered, wiping a tear from her cheek.
Adrian quietly lowered his head, his face set in a grim expression.
"I will tell no one."
Elias pressed his trembling hand firmly against his chest, bowing deeply.
"I swear it upon my very life, Your Imperial Majesty."
Cedric's nodded, his cold eyes finally settled on Lucien's kneeling form.
"And you?"
Lucien remained completely still, staring at the floor.
"...I understand."
"I won't allow anyone to interfere with bringing him back."
His voice was thin and lifeless. Cedric studied the broken knight for several long seconds. Then he slowly walked over, stopping just a few steps away.
"You are in no condition to continue serving right now."
Lucien didn't respond.
"Go home,"
Cedric said, his tough tone softening slightly.
"Wash."
"Rest."
"Gather yourself and when your mind is clear, we will begin searching for a way to reach him."
Lucien remained perfectly still, his body trembling faintly.
"I can't."
Cedric frowned down at him.
"I can't leave him."
"He might come back."
"And what if–..."
"What if he wakes up while I'm gone?"
"What if..."
"...–he needs me, and I'm not there?"
The Emperor let out a heavy sigh, looking down with deep pity.
"Lucien."
"He won't awaken today."
"No..."
Lucien whispered, shaking his head slightly.
"What if he truly comes back today?"
"I have to stay."
"I have to wait."
"I have to be here."
Adrian scoffed, spitting out his fury as he looked down at Lucien.
"How repulsive."
"Just where were you when he needed you the most?, who was the one who broke him to that point and forced Cassian to leave this world?"
"I never wrote that letter!, I–"
"Even so!, where were you?....if you had paid attention to my brother do you think this would have happened?"
"And now that he is gone you've truly realised that you love him?... don't make me laugh Sir Arden. You are the one who sent my brother to the void of consciousness."
Lucien sunk down even further, his tears trickling to the marble floor shouldering all the blame. It was a sight no one had ever expected the swordmaster to be in.
But Lucien embraced it and allowed himself to express his wounded heart.
"That's enough Adrian."
The empress finally spoke up. Her silk handkerchief wiping her eyes.
"Just like Cassian, Sir Arden is merely a victim of deceit. And right now you are only looking for someone to blame."
The Empress slowly approached the kneeling man. And without saying a word... She gently rested a warm hand upon his shaking shoulder.
"Lucien."
Her own voice trembled with deep grief.
"My son entrusted you with living. He would never forgive himself if he knew you destroyed yourself waiting beside an empty room."
Lucien finally looked up from the floor. His exhausted, bloodshot eyes met hers.
And for the first time, he looked like a lost child.
"...What if I leave..."
"...and he comes back?"
The Empress could no longer hold back her tears, her lips shaking.
"He won't hate you for going home."
"But he would hate seeing you broken like this."
Silence returned to the high chamber. Several long, agonizing moments passed.
Finally...
Lucien slowly lowered his head back down.
"...Very well."
"I'll return tomorrow."
"But after that...I will begin searching."
"I don't care whether the answer lies in forbidden ruins..."
"...lost relics..."
"...or another world."
"I will bring him home."
Cedric gave a small, solemn nod.
"So will we."
With that, Lucien was finally convinced to leave the palace and go back home.
*****