After their mission ended, Lucas and Hector parted ways in the middle of the way back home. The young knight took the one leading the palace while Arminel went to the place where he lived for the moment, awaiting orders from the Grand Master.

After two days, Lucas finally arrived at the capital and went straight ahead to the palace. Arriving there, he ordered the servants to take his horse to the stables while he went to the emperor's office. Arriving at the door of this one, he knocked on it softly.

Once inside the room, he saw the emperor alone reading some documents that had to do with the finances of the palace. The young man walked towards him and bowed.

he greeted.

Arthur looked up at him and smiled slightly.

he remarked.

he explained.

he asked, leaning back in his chair.

he exclaimed in surprise.

he wondered.

asked the emperor, crossing his fingers under his chest and putting his elbows on the surface of the desk.

══════ ∘◦❁◦∘ ══════

After lunch, everyone was gathered in the great hall. They sat down, as usual, around the table with the emperor who sat at the end.

he began.

Angus added.

Edgar exclaimed in shock.

whispered the young princess.

asked Eric.

replied the young captain of the Imperial Army.

Listening to this response, the princess stiffened while her eyes widened in surprise. Her little hands started to shake slightly.

she said to herself, trying somehow to calm down.

Eric suggested.

the emperor replied.

Matthew asked, confused.

Arthur explained.

Angus asserted.

Edgar added.

The emperor nodded affirmatively to them before turning his gaze to the other two knights.

he asked.

Eric answered determinedly.

Matthew added.

With these words, they began to discuss different possible strategies to apply. Completely unaware of the state of the young princess who was staring into space, completely lost in her thought. But the latter did not escape the worried gaze of the young captain.

══════ ∘◦❁◦∘ ══════

Before dinner, Luana went to the knights' pavilion in search of Lucas. She met a few if them on the hallways leading to the dorms.

a knight greeted her, bowing.

she corrected herself.

he replied.

she said, smiling slightly.

the knight replied, bowing before continuing on his way.

The young princess walked down the long hallway before taking the stairs to the upper floor. She saw the door of the captain's room at the end. She advanced slowly towards it before knocking gently on it.

she heard from inside.

A few seconds later, the young man opened the door for her. He was dressed in a white tunic which was slightly wet at the collar, black trousers and boots of the same color. His hair was also a little bit wet.

Seeing the girl in front of him, he was taken by surprise, his cheeks turning slightly pink.

he greeted, smiling warmly.

she asked hesitantly.

he said, pulling himself aside to let her in.

Once inside the room, Luana couldn't help but notice how tidy the place was. There was a bed in the middle of the room with a bedside table next to it. A small desk on the corner, a small full book shelve and a cupboard. There was also a large patio door that led to a nice little balcony.

she complimented.

he explained.

Looking at him, she could see two necklaces on his neck. She recognized one of them to be the one she gave him, but not the second. She gazed at them for a short moment which did not go unnoticed by the young knight.

he asked, smiling affectionately.

she replied, smiling back at him.

Lucas took the two necklaces and passed them over his head to remove them. He showed the second one to the young princess.

he explained.

she wondered.

Luana took the chain and gazed at it in amazement. It was made of silver with a small medal hanging on it, like a sort of pendant. Engraved on it was the same symbol that was on the music box he had given her.

she whispered.

he asked as he didn't hear her.

she continued.

she asked curiously.

she exclaimed in wonder.

he asked, pointing at it.

she asked again.

she marveled.

he explained.

she asked hesitantly.

he replied, a sad little smile on his face.

she asked, a sympathetic expression on her face.

The two young people smiled affectionately at each other without saying anything for a little while.

he said, a sad smile on his face.

she asked, slightly hesitant.

?"

" she whispered, completely disappointed.

he reassured, smiling at her.

These words emanated a gentle warmth in the heart of the young girl. A feeling of joy enveloped her whole being.

she replied, smiling back at him.

The young captain put the two necklaces back on his neck before wiping his hair lightly with a towel that was placed on the back of the chair.

he said curiously.

she said with determination.

he asked worriedly.

The young knight's eyes widened in surprise.

he whispered.

she said, determined.

she said gratefully.

══════ ∘◦❁◦∘ ══════

Alastair said.

The doctor laid down on the big bed that was in the room, next to his grand-daughter who had fallen into a deep sleep to travel to the world of dreams.

The little family had booked in an inn in Breham city. The building was close to the main library which made it easier for Sofia to bring books from there. The latter was sitting in the desk, a huge book in front of her that she leafed through with concentration.

He got no response from his wife who froze in place.

he called her out.

she whispered, her voice choking with shock.

The doctor sat up on the bed, very worried about the behaviour of the old lady.

she whispered, shaking.