Harmonia Calendar 715, Thal 25 - Capital Lionsgate, Elandor
Late Afternoon - Capital Holding Cells
I sat with my back pressed against the cold wall. My gaze fell to my hands, blackened with dirt, wrists heavy beneath the weight of shackles. Drops slid from my cheeks, falling warm against my skin.
The blue tunic hung in tatters, the fabric torn wide enough for stone to touch skin. The cold seeped in.
I dragged a sleeve across my face, brushing tears away. My eyes lifted. The cell was smaller than a room should be, barely enough space to lie down. Stone walls covered with mold and vines. Light shone dimly through the door, it barely reached me, only enough to see my own hands.
The air stank of rust and rot. Each breath scratched my lungs.
My lips opened. The words I had repeated for hours came out once more, hoarse, weak, and barely above a whisper.
"I am innocent…I didn't do it."
The words carried through the cell, swallowed by the dark.
In my mind, the tribunal replayed again and again.
The scratching of a quill. The hammer's thud. Sarah's tears. Selene's soft voice. Favian's smirk. Anton's cold eyes.
The verdict.
Despair had not settled in. I still refused the outcome, clinging to denial.
Click.
Keys turned in a lock somewhere ahead.
Boots broke the silence. Heavy, growing louder down the corridor with each step.
Step.
Step.
My eyes turned toward the door.
Step.
Each one slow, closer and closer, until a silhouette filled the corridor.
I knew it without seeing the face.
The Marquis.
Step.
Light started to illuminate his frame. Clean cloak, loose around his broad shoulders. His face carried no emotion. There was nothing in his eyes. No pity.
He stopped just beyond the bars, watching me in silence. Then his flat voice came.
"That's it. In a few hours, you will be sold and sent away."
The words were final.
I lifted my head, forcing my gaze to meet his. My lips were dry, and the words came out of my throat in a hoarse rasp.
"It wasn't me. Favian did it, and you know it."
His reply was flat, unshaken.
"It is finished."
Clang.
I staggered to my feet, the chains clinking as I gripped the bars. My voice rose.
"Answer me at least!"
His gaze didn't waver. His tone was calm.
"Favian is my blood. He is the heir I raised."
He didn't even flinch as he said it.
"For the family. The hall wanted a name. I gave it yours."
My stomach twisted. My voice shook, desperate.
"That's it? He's more useful? I awakened. I have talent. Why? Why me?"
The Marquis's eyes narrowed slightly, but his tone stayed flat. His hand brushed over the bars as he spoke.
"Talent is a spark. Nothing more, nothing less. A house does not bend around a talented child. It holds around an heir... You are not the heir."
My chest heaved, hands trembling against the bars. The words left me before I could hold them back.
"So this...is more important than the truth? I am innocent...and he...he is a criminal!"
His eyes didn't leave me.
"I know."
Then, his hand reached out, one finger tapped the iron bar between us, before he spoke.
"The truth doesn't matter. What matters is what the people will believe."
The words struck, and my hands gripped the bars tighter to steady myself. My voice shook before it broke into a plea.
"No…that's not true—. It can't...I can fix this. I can be better. I will work harder. Tell them his name! Please—"
But his red eyes held only silence.
My strength broke. My forehead pressed to the bars. My voice thinned into a whisper.
"Uncle…"
Something flickered in his eyes at my words. Then it vanished as if it was never there, and he leaned closer. His tone stayed low, heavy enough to stay with me forever.
"You may hate me. Hate keeps men alive. Keep it."
His gaze lingered, searching my face, before softening just slightly.
"And I regret less if you live."
He turned away. His steps echoed down the corridor.
The strength drained from my body, my grip slipped from the bars, and I slid down against the iron, collapsing onto the cold stone floor. Tears blurred my sight as I searched for his back in the dim corridor. But he was gone.
My chest began to rise and fall faster and faster, as if the air itself was too thin. I dragged in breath after breath, yet no air filled my lungs.
My head spun. The walls pressed closer. My hand rose to my temple, trembling as I clutched my head.
My vision tunneled. My ears rang until only the sound of my own voice remained.
"Don't…"
"Don't leave…"
The words fell apart as my lips quivered, repeating them without sound. My body shook and legs buckled, arms wrapped tight around myself.
The last thing I felt was the pounding in my chest, too fast, too strong, before everything went dark.
***
Dusk - Capital Holding Cells
Thud.
A guard's boot slammed against the bars, waking me up. A rough voice followed.
"Stand up."
My eyes opened heavy, my body sluggish and weak. The door opened, and hands seized me, yanking me upright.
My legs needed a moment to regain their strength. But the guards didn't care, they dragged me through the corridor, my boots scraped the floor.
The corridor went by in a blur. Rows of iron doors, dim lightstones, until we reached the exit.
The door swung wide open.
The outside air hit me like a wave. It was colder than I remembered. I was pushed forward, sunlight turned my vision white for a moment, before I saw again.
Lionsgate.
The sky burned orange, with streaks of red. The marble towers of the capital caught the glow, each column ablaze, and every window shimmered in gold.
It lasted only for a moment before the guards pushed me forward again.
Clang.
The shackles rang with every step.
Clang.
I followed them down the stairs. At the base waited a wagon. Its iron door already open, waiting.
Next to the wagon. A few dozen meters away stood people.
Lined up and waiting.
My family.
I glanced at each one of them.
Mother's body trembled, her hand pressed to her mouth as if to keep words from coming out. Tears streamed down her cheeks, but she didn't move. She stood rooted in place.
Theodora was held tightly by two guards. She pulled against them, her face full of tears and her voice raw as it broke through.
"Adonis!"
Lucien…he didn't shout. He didn't fight the guards holding him. He just stood, his jaw clenched shut, hands balled into fists at his sides, eyes burning as they locked on me.
The Marquis stood a few paces back, hands folded behind him. His shoulders straight, his face calm. He looked at me the way men watch cargo being moved. Waiting for it to be done.
Beside him stood Favian with a broad smile on his lips. His posture was loose, almost casual, as if this were a festival and not my ruin. His red eyes looked at me with satisfaction.
My gaze lingered on the Marquis and Favian.
I burned their faces into memory.
The Marquis's calm and cold eyes.
Favian's wide, satisfied smile.
Other people rose in my mind.
Selene's soft voice wrapping chains around my neck.
The servant who lied.
The maids who lied.
The guard who lied.
The Head Magistrate's hammer as he called the verdict.
One by one, I named them in my head.
'I will not forget.'
'I will remember.'
And beyond them all.
The Empire itself. Corrupt to the core.
A guard shoved me forward. His words broke my thoughts as I stumbled.
"Move."
Their hands stopped me in front of the wagon, they unlocked my shackles before shoving me inside, but I turned once more, one last look.
Theodora shouted until her voice cracked, screaming my name.
Lucien made one step before three guards pulled him back.
Mother fell to her knees, too broken to rise.
Favian raised a hand, waving his fingers as though this were a game.
The Marquis had already turned around. His back was the last thing I saw before the door slammed shut.
Thud.
***
Night - Ashspire Estate, Great Hall
The ride back from the capital had been silent. Wheels rattled over stone, hooves struck the dirt, but no one spoke. The wagon that had taken Adonis away was long gone, yet the weight of it all clung to us.
By the time we reached the estate, the sun had fallen. Lightstones illuminated the building. The house was silent, doors that had always stood open were shut, and the servants kept their heads down.
We entered the great hall together. Father led, hands folded behind his back. Mother followed, shoulders hunched as though weight pressed down on her. Theodora walked at my side, eyes red, her hands clenched her skirt. Favian trailed behind with his usual light step, almost humming.
Everyone turned to go their separate ways, back to their chambers.
I didn't let them.
"Mother. Father. Favian. Theodora."
My voice stopped them mid-step. They turned. Four pairs of eyes fixed on me.
I drew a breath, steadying myself. My voice came low but firm.
"I am leaving for the Center. I depart tomorrow."
The words hit harder than I had expected.
Mother's lips parted, a sharp breath caught in her throat. She reached for me at once, her trembling fingers clutching at my sleeve.
Tears fell down her cheeks as she whispered, her voice broke.
"Not you too… Please, Lucien."
Theodora collapsed at my feet, her hands gripped my coat, her voice raw.
"Don't leave me here. Please, don't leave me alone!"
Her tears fell down against my coat.
'It hurt to see them like this. My heart ached, but I made my decision. I need strength. Enough to protect the ones I love.'
I didn't move to comfort them. If I did, I might change my decision. My eyes traveled to father.
He stood with his back straight, his face calm, tone flat.
"Do as you wish."
No surprise. No anger.
Favian blinked, surprise flickering across his face before he hid it. He stepped forward, a smile curving his lips as his hand clapped my shoulder lightly.
"Good luck, brother."
I brushed his hand off, my glare sharp.
"Keep your luck."
Mother's and Theodora's sobs filled the silence. Their hands were still clutching my clothes. Father turned away, as if nothing had been said at all. Favian followed him, smirking.
Father didn't stop me.
And that decided it.
'I will go. And I will return stronger.'
***
Night - Lord's Chamber
The door clicked shut behind me. I leaned against it for a breath, steadying myself before my eyes looked toward him.
He sat at the edge of the bed, shoulders straight, hands resting on his knees. I hated how calm he was, as though the man I had married had never existed. It made my blood boil.
My voice broke the silence first, shaking but sharp.
"You have broken this family... *Do* you see it?"
His head lifted slightly, red eyes cutting toward me. His tone carried no tremor, only that cold finality I had grown to hate.
"I saved it. The heir remains. The house stands."
My hands curled into fists at my sides. My nails bit into my palms as I stepped closer. My voice rose.
"At what cost? We are not pieces on a board. I am not your tool. You...you have broken your own family."
His gaze stayed fixed on me, unflinching. His silence stood heavier than any reply.
My chest heaved. I closed my eyes, unable to look at him. I took a deep breath before I spoke again, my voice was lower, but steady with conviction.
"I will protect Theodora...she won't be your tool anymore. From this day, I will not stand beside you as though this is still a marriage."
His jaw tightened once, then stilled again, as if my pain were nothing to him.
'I can't stay here any longer.'
I turned, stepping toward the door. My voice was resolute as I spoke over my shoulder.
"I will not sleep in this room again. I will sleep in the guest chambers from now on."
My hand brushed the knob, pausing only for a breath before I pulled the door open. The silence followed me into the corridor as I stepped out.
'I will protect her. No matter the cost.'
***
Night - Favian's Room
The mirror held me as it always had. Shirt open, wine swirling in my hand, the smile I had perfected since childhood across my lips.
I raised the glass slightly as I told the man in the mirror.
"Adonis is gone. Lucien is leaving. The path is clear."
The words pleased me more and more.
Knock.
The smile deepened.
'Finally, it came. I needed something to celebrate.'
"Enter."
The door creaked open. Sarah slipped inside, shoulders hunched, her steps uneven as if the bruises still hurt. Her eyes darted once toward me, then down.
My voice came firm.
"Close the door."
She hesitated, then closed it.
Click.
I set the glass aside and crossed the room, slowly. My voice came smooth.
"Your family's debt is nearly paid...nearly."
Her lips parted. Her voice trembled as she spoke.
"My lord… I did what you asked."
I circled her, fingers brushing lightly against her arm. The flinch that followed fed the smile tugging at my mouth. My hand closed, grip tightening around her arm until she winced.
"Yes. You did what I asked, but you hesitated...because of him."
Her eyes lifted for a heartbeat, tears began to form, but she held them back, and then her gaze fell again.
My grip around her arm tightened. The words I spoke were sharper, laced with anger.
"I saw it. Your feelings for that bastard."
Then I let the grip soften, replacing it with gentleness. My tone smoothed.
"I cannot allow hesitation. Not when you almost ruined everything."
I released her arm and moved to the desk, pouring a dark liquid into a small glass. The scent rose sharply into the air.
I turned back to her, smile warm, the same one I practiced for years.
"It's simple. Just one glass, and your family is free."
I stepped back and sat down, leaning back as I gestured toward the glass.
"Drink."
She froze. Her body shook as tears slid down her cheeks. Her lips quivered, but no words came.
Her hand lifted hesitantly, trembling as it hovered above the glass.
At last, she wrapped her fingers around it. Her jaw clenched tight before she spoke.
"I..."
I watched, satisfaction spread through me as I studied her eyes.
'Would she submit? Or break?'
I glanced back toward the man in the mirror. The smile on his lips grew wider.
'I love it.'
***
Harmonia Calendar 715, Thal 26 - Ashspire Estate, Elandor
Dawn - Front Gate
Snow fell, covering the Ashspire banners that hung from the walls in a blanket of white. The estate stood quiet beneath the pale light of dawn. Once, this place had felt alive. Now, even the air seemed hollow.
I tightened the strap on the saddle, and my breath left white smoke behind. One last bag rested against my boot. I lifted it and secured it at the back. My hands lingered a heartbeat too long.
I glanced back.
Behind me, Theodora and Mother stood close, their eyes red from tears, cheeks pale. They embraced each other as they watched me leave.
'I'm sorry.'
I spoke a silent apology in my mind before my eyes lifted.
Above, on the balcony, Favian leaned on the railing. He waved his hand, smiling. It sickened me how none of this mattered to him at all.
Father hadn't come. His study door had stayed shut.
'Of course it had.'
My eyes turned back toward the estate. The same stone walls rose, the same banners hung. Yet nothing about it felt like home anymore.
My hand brushed over the horse's reins before I pulled myself into the saddle. The guards at the gate shifted, and the metal creaked as the iron gate opened.
I glanced back, one last time.
Theodora's sobs muffled against Mother's shoulder as they embraced each other tighter.
I promised them and myself. Jaw clenched, voice firm.
"I will return stronger and...I will find him."
My heels pressed into the horse's side. It lurched forward, hooves breaking the snow-crusted ground.
The gates closed behind me.
The estate shrank with each breath, as I rode further away.
I didn't look back.
The cold air filled my lungs. My hands tightened on the reins, the words burning through me one last time.
"I will return stronger. I will find him."