The knights standing beside Lowell were just as shocked. After all, it was unimaginable that that Grand Duke could be seriously injured.
"There's no need to worry. We don't yet know the extent of the injury, and it's just loose talk from those with flapping mouths, isn't it?"
It was said to reassure Lowell, but it didn't seem to help. Understandably so—Lowell's expression had vanished, and his hands were visibly trembling. Anyone could tell he was in shock, and if even the knights showed signs of agitation, it would only make him more anxious.
"But it's true that Temple priests have been dispatched."
Lowell, having long since abandoned the playful attitude from earlier, murmured with tension. He knew he was being overly afraid, but he couldn't calm down. His hands continued to tremble slightly.
It's not too late to assess the situation and then be shocked. He knows I'm here, so if it were serious, someone would've...
Even as he tried to think rationally, the image of Felix drenched in blood kept flickering before his eyes.
"My Lord."
Tia, who had been near Lowell, spoke in a firm tone.
"Temple priests are always summoned once a battle with magical beasts concludes. If the subjugation takes long, they usually accompany the troops. So the presence of priests cannot be considered evidence that anything happened to His Grace."
At her calm, measured words, Lowell gradually began to regain his breath.
"Yes. Thank you for explaining."
His voice, which had been shaking badly, finally found a bit of steadiness, though his body remained frozen from tension.
"Let's head back to your room. It would be better to eat after you've regained some composure."
With a nod toward the other knights, Tia moved to support Lowell. He was about to refuse, but when his legs gave out, he gave in and let her help. For now, doing his best to ignore the unpleasant images that kept surfacing was all he could do.
"It seems the subjugation itself is over, so I'm sure news will come soon. If it's nothing serious, he'll return quickly."
Phil added gently. Lowell realized how dire he must look, but still couldn't bring himself to say he fine. He didn't have the strength to pretend.
As the sun dipped and a red-tinted moon began to rise, Lowell stood restlessly by the window, as if enduring an eternity. One knight, seeing his anxiety, brought over a chair. Lowell sat for ten seconds, then sprang up again, repeating the cycle.
Too much stress is bad for the baby.
It hadn't been long since he'd vowed to take care of the child in his womb, which made him feel all the more guilty. But his trembling only grew worse.
Why am I anxious? So scared?
Lowell scratched at his fingernails, afraid that the visions born of his anxiety might turn real.
"Perhaps you should at least cover yourself with a blanket."
Phil, seeing Lowell trembling, wondered if it was due to the cold and brought him a blanket. Without taking his eyes off the window, Lowell pull it loosely over himself.
The knights seemed to realize that nothing they said would calm him anymore and fell silent. How much time has passed? A group emerged from the darkness in the distance. Lowell immediately shot to his feet and threw open the door. The knights didn't stop him—they ran with him, staying close by his side.
At last, as they reached the lodging's front gate, the face he'd been waiting for all day appeared.
"Felix!"
Lowell called his name, not his title. Felix widened his eyes in disbelief when he saw Lowell stumbling toward him. Yet, worried he might fall, he quickly dismounted and rushed forward to catch him.
" It's freezing out here and you're not even properly dressed!"
Felix began to scold him, but stopped short the moment he felt Lowell trembling in his arms.
"Why you shaking so much? Are you cold?"
He asked, trying to smooth out his voice, but Lowell simply shook his head against his chest. Felix, swallowing his satisfaction at holding his mate quietly in his arms, gently pulled Lowell back to look at him.
"Why are you crying?"
Only then did Lowell realized tears were welling in his eyes. The fear that had gripped his entire body spilled out in drops on to the ground.
"I heard...you were injured, and I got scared, so...."
He couldn't finish the sentence, choked by the swell of emotion. Felix clicked his tongue and raised his arm, previously hidden under his cloak.