Lost Ones - A False King

Chapter 5 - Gathering of the Officers

Late in the evening, after the shocking attacks, the royal family finds themselves back in the castle—exhausted but unharmed. Riffin Champell, the officer from the Merchant District, has accompanied the royal family from the marketplace to the castle. It was the least he could do after the tense situation in the marketplace was finally defused earlier that evening, ensuring the safety of the royal family.

Butler Stewart and the housekeeper Suse were deeply concerned when they heard the explosions and shocked when they learned about the attacks. They were all the more relieved to greet the family safely back at the castle. Dinner, however, faded into the background, overshadowed by mourning for Stiham, who succumbed to his injuries. Much to the dismay of Chef Recaprio, who, while understanding the family's lack of appetite, was the only one upset about the events after seeing his efforts once again go unappreciated.

In Vyncent's room, the lights were dim. He and his father exchanged serious glances and a few words. Edmur worried about the future of the kingdom, but even more so about the future of his family. Meanwhile, Joane took the lead in talking with their daughter after the maids had prepared Lina for bed. Lina hadn't yet come to terms with Stiham's death, but her mind was already overwhelmed with countless other thoughts.

"I'm so sorry," Lina begins, panicked. "There was this boy. I..."

But before Joane could respond, she asks Suse and the maids to leave the room so she could speak with her daughter privately. Lina is exhausted, but her mind remained wide awake. Once the door closed, she starts again.

"The chain... Father's gift... There was this boy... I ran into him... I think he took it," she says, breathing heavily and gripping her blanket nervously.

She blames herself for losing such a significant heirloom and fears her father's disappointment, as well as the potential consequences of the loss. Tears welled in her eyes until Joane wrapped her in a firm embrace, an instinctive gesture that calmed Lina down.

"What matters to me and your father is that you're safe," Joane says firmly. "A chain can be replaced, but you cannot."

Joane's eyes glistened with tears as well, prompting her to end the embrace before her own tears could spill onto her daughter.

"Are you hurt?" Joane asks.

"Besides this bump, I'm fine," Lina sniffled, pointing to a slight swelling on her head.

Joane brushed Lina's bright red hair aside to examine the spot. A small smile tugged at her lips.

"Looks like that boy had a real hard head," Joane says with a grin, which brought a smile to Lina's face, lightening the mood.

"He really did," Lina laughs, wiping away the last of her tears.

But her good mood is short-lived.

"On the way back, I overheard Father talking," Lina says, worried. "Will I never be allowed to leave these walls again? I just wanted to see the sea and the Sacred Green Tree."

"We'll work it out," Joane reassures her daughter. "Trust me, I'll speak with him. Don't worry." She kisses Lina's forehead.

However, Joane's words aren't enough to fully put Lina's fears to rest.

"I've positioned soldiers in the hallway. They'll guard your rooms for now. We'll handle everything else tomorrow. Goodnight, my love."

And just as Joane is about to leave the room, a familiar face suddenly burst in.

"I heard what happened, Miss Elmhart. I hope you and your family are well. It must have been terrifying," says the girl with her shoulder-length, dark brown hair and arched eyebrows.