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The council chamber held still, filled with ministers awaiting the Crown Prince's arrival.
A few conversations rose, but fell silent upon Prince Erik's entrance. One by one, the council members rose inclining their heads.
"You may sit." The Crown Prince said, his voice calm but final. He took his seat at the head of the chamber, his hands resting on the armrests.
For a moment, silence settled among them. Then the conversation picked up.
"Your highness…" the Minister of Defense began. "The unrest is spreading." He said, a grin slowly curling on his lips. "But, it remains within the lower district. No need for alarm."
A few nods followed with small smiles across their faces. Across the table, Marquis Damarcus remained composed. His fingers tapping against his seat.
"And yet," his voice measured. "a mob still forms." A faint pause followed, the ministers exchanged glances.
"It's no news. People in the lower district are currently moved due to fear." Another minister added. "Give them a spectacle and they will disperse easily."
A murmur of agreement spread across the chamber. The matter to them was beneath their concern.
"Then Contain it." The Crown prince waved.
The ministers gave quick nods.
For a moment, the room stilled, then.
"I heard the Grand General has returned." A voice cut through the room, edged with mild irritation.
"And yet." The Minister of defence continued. "He has not made an appearance."
"For someone of his position, that's rather….discourteous," another minister muttered.
The Damarcus's lips curved into a grin. "He has only just returned from war," he replied. "I will suggest you allow him the dignity of rest."
"Or," the chancellor interjected, his brows furrowed. "Do you take his side, because he is soon to be your son in law?"
Quiet laughs broke the tension, but the Marquis did not react. Slowly he leaned back. "Victory is not easily earned." He said. "One does not come from war untouched."
His gaze sharpened, his mind drifting elsewhere. "I know, because I have experienced it."
The room stilled for a moment. Then his focus shifted, even sharper.
"How is your son?" He asked, his voice even softer. Sending a chill down their spines.
"I heard he is still overseas." he released a scoff, "quite the opportunity to escape from the chaos of war. Not everyone has such privileges."
The ministers shook their heads. While others avoided locking eyes with the Chancellor, greatly embarrassed for his sake.
Then, the door opened. The conversations died instantly, as a tall figure entered the chambers.
Lucian.
No announcement was made, because his presence alone was enough. Several ministers straightened unconsciously, including the chancellor as he crossed the room.
The Marquis released a quiet chuckle.
Lucian inclined his head to the Crown Prince briefly, before taking his seat.
Erik's lips curled, but his eyes sharpened.
"You are late." The Minister of Defense remarked. But Lucian did not look his way.
"I was summoned," he said simply.
Erik leaned back slightly, observing. "And now that you are here, there is work to be done." He said.
The weight in the room became heavy. The Marquis stood. "There have been continuous disappearances, at first among the commoners. Now…" he paused, "A Noble has gone missing."
Lucian's gaze lifted. "Which household?"
"The Van Buren's estate." One of the ministers replied. "The viscountess' niece was last seen two nights ago."
A faint murmur arose across the room, Lucian remained silent.
The Crown Prince lifted a hand, the murmur ceased. "This matter will be investigated," he continued. "By the Grand General."
The ministers exchanged uneasy glances. Lucian simply inclined his head.
"And the unrest caused by the mob?" Erik asked.
"It is being handled, your highness." The Minister of Defense said quickly. "Guards have already been dispersed. Whoever is responsible will be brought in."
Erik simply gave a nod. "It's that all for the day?" He asked.
About to end the meeting, the door suddenly bursts open. The sound echoed through the chambers like a crack.
A guard stumbled in, his armour clacking against stone, as he dropped to one knee.
"Long live the Crown of Cordova."
"How dare you interrupt a council meeting?" The Minister of Defense rose.
Erik gave a quick wave, as the minister slowly took his seat. "Speak!" he commanded.
"Your highness, the perpetrator has been identified." The air instantly shifted.
"A commoner?" Someone asked.
The guards shook his head. "No… my lord."
The ministers stared, confused.
"It is a Noble."
Their voices rose at once, slightly overlapping.
"That's impossible!"
"A Noble?"
"Which household?"
The marquis remained silent, watching everyone.
The Guard hesitated, taking quick glances at the ministers.
"Name them." The Crown prince said, his tone cold.
The guard swallowed, then forced the name out of his mouth. "Lady Celestine…. Of the Varondulf's household."
Silence fell. The Marquis froze, the name registering in his mind.
Then, heads turned. Slowly and deliberately towards him. Some stunned, others curious.
A few…satisfied.
"How unfortunate…" one murmured.
"All that composure." Another chimed in.
Lucian heard it all but chose to remain silent.
"Where is she?" The Crown prince asked.
"She has been taken under custody," the guard answered. "The crowd has been contained, she is being held under royal order."
For a beat, there was quiet. Then the Crown prince exhaled deeply.
"Prepare the court," he added. "This matter will be addressed immediately."
Quickly he rose, the ministers followed giving a bow, as he left the chambers.
The marquis sat down, his expression plain.
Mockery whispered among the ministers.
Lucian's brow narrowed. He didn't turn to the marquis, nor said a word to the ministers.
Suddenly, he stood and walked out the chambers.
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Celestine crouched on the cold stone floor of the royal prison.
Once again, her hands were bound. The weight of the chains felt familiar. This was how her story was meant to end.
But this time, it was too soon.
Her head rested against her knees, the air felt heavy and suffocating. But she didn't fight it.
Not this time. There was no point, everything eventually came back. The sound of footsteps approaching echoed around the corridor.
She didn't look at first, she didn't care who it was. The prison door opened. "Celestine!" A voice called with warmth.
Her head slowly lifted. "Father?" she rose to her feet.
The marquis stood at the entrance, his expression unreadable for a moment. Then he took a few steps forward and pulled her into an embrace.
Celestine's body stiffened in his arms, her mind trying to register the moment.
"Are you alright?" His hands moved to her shoulders, checking her as though she might break.
Celestine blinked, her mind searched for the words.
"...I…i," her voice faltered. "I am fine."
His gaze sharpened, studying her.
"They say you killed someone." His tone, gently. "Tell me," he continued, his voice lowered. "What do you remember?"
Her chest tightened. This was it. The question that came before everything collapsed.
Celestine's gaze lingered on him as he spoke. "It doesn't matter what you remember." He said. "Everything will be—"
"Do you believe I did it?" She interrupted, a fragile kind of light glinting in her eyes.
He held her gaze for a second too long. But he didn't answer.
Celestine broke the stare, her lips releasing a quiet scoff. "I didn't do it."
The marquis studied her for a moment, then exhaled. "There is no evidence." He said calmly, "and even if there was…"
His voice hardened. "I will not let anything happen to you." Her breath caught. There it was again. The same blind certainty. The same path.
Her fingers curled by her side, she had seen this before. And how it had destroyed everything.
Everyone.
Her eyes lowered briefly then, "No!" The words were quiet but they shocked him.
"I didn't do it." She said again, much slower this time. "And I won't hide behind you."
The Marquis's brows narrowed.
"I don't know what's happening," she swallowed. "But, I will prove it."
"I am not what they say I am." She added.
The marquis simply looked at her, surprise flickering across his face. Then, a knock grabbed their attention.
A guard approached them. "My lord!" He said.
"It is time."
The moment shattered. The marquis stepped aside, as the guard walked forward, taking her by the arm. The chains at her hands shifted with a soft click.
She glanced at her father quickly, as the guards led her through the corridor.
Something in her eyes changed.