An hour earlier…
"Your Majesty, I've brought Afton." Lucius's voice was steady, but his eyes flickered with mild curiosity as he stepped into Heinz's office.
Behind him, Afton entered—bright-eyed and, strangely, almost cheerful.
"Your Majesty, I was about to come to you before I got summoned," Afton said, already reaching into his coat.
He pulled out a folded piece of parchment with a kind of quiet triumph. "I heard back… and I got the spell that can recover memories."
Lucius's brow arched slightly. His gaze darted from Afton to Heinz, lingering there a moment, but he didn't voice the questions sitting on his tongue.
Instead, he shut the door with a muted click and took his place along the wall.
Heinz, who had been in no mood for conversation—let alone surprises—lifted his head at that.
Despite the irritation coiled in him from earlier, interest sparked faintly in his eyes.
"That was rather quick," Heinz said, his tone skeptical yet not dismissive.
