- A few hours ago -
"Your Highness, you’ve arrived!" The elderly man adjusted his glasses, peering up at Lucian as he strode into the hall.
"Yes..." Lucian’s gaze swept over the room, scanning the scattered pieces of rock the man had been analyzing for perhaps years.
Maybe since he had returned from the battlefield...
As Lucian pondered, his gaze softened, looking at the before him. He used to love his sword more than anything, yet now, he was bound to limp with every step he took.
"I went through them as quickly as I could, sacrificing some sleep. Considering the situation in Erion seemed very serious. I even cut off some of my sleep so that—"
The man rambled on about details Lucian had little patience for.
The sympathy Lucian felt towards man gradually began to fade— a feeling of anger rising within him. All he needed was to know how old the democore was and if Cynthia had told the truth about a demon attacking him, or if she was, once again, playing one of her mind games.
He clenched his jaw, feeling foolish for even considering her words.
An Eldorian could never be trusted. And yet I am trusting one...
"So, what I’m saying is, I believe it’s at most a week old. It’s small, so it might be from a weak demon, or..." The man’s voice faltered, his gaze drifting as if considering something too impossible to say aloud.
Lucian narrowed his eyes, curiosity creeping.
"Or?"
The man blinked, shaking his head as if to dismiss the thought, his gaze shifting to the grand duke.
"Nothing, Your Highness."
That’s impossible. That spell is rare for anyone to know of its existence and it’s kept secure in the temple.
The man thought to himself.
"You should return to where you’re staying. It’s late, and your wife wouldn’t appreciate you staying away for too long," he smiled weakly, trying to shift the conversation.
Lucian’s lip twitched at the mention of Cynthia, the uneasy feelings he tried to forget crept in.
"My wife," he muttered under his breath.
How he hated being bound to an Eldorian, their very blood reeking of deception. Yet, her words echoed in his mind. What made him feel more bitter towards her was despite everything, she had been right.
A demon had been there in that forest, even though Lucian couldn’t remember seeing it nor sensing its presence among the crowd of paysans and knights.
"Want me to teleport you to Erion? You can join your wife quickly that way" The man winked, trying to lighten the mood which seemed to have darkened for a reason he couldn’t comprehend. Who’s complexion would shift such as the grand duke’s had upon the mentioning of his?
"Even if it’s an arranged marriage, his expression is too much..." the man thought, letting out a soft sigh.
Lucian shook his head, forcing a chuckle.
"You know I can’t use teleportation."
The man before Lucian flashed a grin at him.
"I won’t tell His Highness."
Lucian extended his hand, palm open. The man quickly placed the cold black steel object into his grasp. Lucian clenched it tightly, the weight despite being light grounding him.
"I’ll be on my way."
"Good night, Your Highness," the man said with a slight bow.
Lucian walked back to the inn, taking a seat at a small table. His thoughts swirled in his head. He hated Cynthia, hated her lineage, hated that he was bound to someone whose very existence challenged everything he believed about the Eldorians. Yet she had been the first to warn him about the demon— rushing his way to safe him.
Once again.
Why does she keep trying to save me? Does she want me to own her my life?
A scoff escaped him.
"She doesn’t want my life. She will probably say that she only wants this marriage to work with that smile of hers."
Just then, a young blonde woman approached his table, interrupting his thoughts.
"Greetings, Your Highness. May I know what has you laughing by yourself?" Lilith asked, bowing slightly before sitting down without permission.
Lucian raised an eyebrow. "Shouldn’t you wait for permission before sitting, Lilith?"
"Is that important right now?" she replied, brushing off his question with a smile.
He sighed, tired of these games. "What did you want to speak about?"
"I haven’t seen you since the war ended," Lilith began. "You asked me to keep an eye out for suspicious activity, especially Edorians, and I’ve done that, but aren’t you being a little heartless, Your Highness? I thought I deserved something for my hard work."
Lucian stood up, rubbing his temples. He didn’t have time for her attempts to reel him in. "If you keep calling me for no reason, I’ll leave."
Lilith quickly rose and followed him as he made his way up the stairs.
"I never said there wasn’t a reason," she insisted. "But don’t I deserve something in return?"
Lucian turned, a flicker of impatience in his eyes. "How much?"
Lilith flinched, her lips twitching into a forced smile. "What do you mean?"
"Name your price. I’ll send it to you."
Her frown deepened, but before she could reply, Lucian entered his room and slammed the door in her face. He exhaled sharply, the quiet of the room finally offering him some relief.
Lucian lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling, the black steel still clutched in his hand. The puzzle in his mind was growing more complex by the minute. It had started simply enough—kill the demons that had appeared in the forest. But then people began disappearing. Cynthia had been one of them. When she reappeared, she spoke of demons, of danger, but her words seemed too convenient, too rehearsed. Others who had disappeared had their own explanations, but none had felt real. Then the fire broke out, destroying the building those people frequented in secret.
Could it be a demon? Lucian frowned, turning the black steel over in his hand. But this democore is too small... He sighed, his thoughts spiraling as he tried to fit the pieces together.
Maybe she was telling the truth. But maybe not.
Her voice echoed in his mind: Protect him from the demon. She had screamed those words at the knights. Did she truly see it? He hadn’t had the time to question her before rushing to the capital to investigate. Now, the more he replayed that day in his mind, the less he understood.
Damn it, he cursed, angry at himself for trusting her even a little.
[Don’t tell me you’re starting to believe her,] Keal’s voice scoffed in his mind.
"I never said that," Lucian replied aloud, though the doubt lingered.
[Lucian, Lucian, Lucian. You seem to forget I can read your mind. We might not share a body, but we are one.]
Lucian didn’t respond, closing his eyes in a futile attempt to quiet his mind. Cynthia’s words, the fire, the demon—all of it swirled in his head, refusing to settle. He couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more going on than he could grasp. Yet, his gut told him there had been no demon there that night, despite what Cynthia had said.
"Aren’t demons usually large? Don’t they have an overwhelming aura?"
[Usually, yes,] Keal replied. [But maybe there are other types of demons we don’t know about yet.]
Lucian’s thoughts drifted, the weight of uncertainty heavy on his chest. If Cynthia had seen something, then why hadn’t he? And why did it feel like the more he uncovered, the less he understood?
"What is going on?" he wondered, stepping outside into the cool night air.
Just then, a familiar silhouette rushed toward him. It was Dylan, who sprinted forward, his face a mix of urgency and relief. When he saw the grand duke, he let out a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding, though it caught in his throat as he approached.
"What happened for you to rush here, Dylan?" Lucian narrowed his eyes, his irritation palpable. He had explicitly instructed his knight to remain vigilant and not disturb him unless it was urgent. "Was protecting the grand duchess too much work for you to handle?"
"Th-That’s not right!" Dylan huffed, glancing up at the taller young man, his cheeks flushing with embarrassment. "I—" He gasped, suddenly remembering his manners, and quickly bowed low before Lucian, attempting to regain his composure. "Forgive my intrusion, Your Grace."
"No need for formalities," Lucian replied, waving a dismissive hand. "Tell me what brings you here at this late hour. Is it urgent?"
"Once you hear me out, I’m sure you’ll realize this is urgent, Your Highness," Dylan stated, his voice firm and devoid of the usual joking tone. This shift only deepened Lucian’s curiosity about what could possibly be so pressing.
***
After hearing Dylan, Lucian decided to use teleportation to return to Erion, leaving Dylan to notify Adrian about what had happened. As he stood before Cynthia’s bedroom, staring at the large door, he hesitated, unsure whether to knock or not.
Inhaling deeply, he let his emotions take control, and the faint knocks he attempted turned into loud bangs.