I flipped through my window panel in my office about the reports on the Holy City. Damage was major, deaths were recorded, and the Cathedral that once stood high in the middle of the city, was just gone. Nothing but the foundation stood. They said that only the Holy City was hit, no other places in Solaria were damaged and the damage reports only seemed to be in the middle of the city. Citizens reported that the dragon seemed to just disappear as it was never there to begin with after it was done wreaking havoc.
Luminark, the ancient god from the skies, finally shows up because of why? Something must have piqued their interest just to show up again after being gone for so long. The last reports on Luminark was over a thousand years ago.
A knock sounded and Seth came in with a plate of cookies and milk. He looked very tired. Seth placed the cookies and milk on my desk and turned away.
"Seth…" I pulled at the end of his coat.
Seth sighed painfully.
"Seth… dear." I tried again.
Seth turned quickly and his face was full of agony, "I did it! I did it…" He said in distress.
I frowned at him, "Did what?"
"This!" He points to my screen, "If I wasn't there, this wouldn't have happened!"
I looked at him bewildered, "Seth, don't blame yourself, what is done is done. Plus according to the real Lucas, they deserved it." I wrapped my arm around his torso and pulled him over to me.
"Real Lucas?" He blinks at me.
"Uh yeah, while you were knocked out, we talked to the actual Lucas, or well, the god occupying his body in some grove. The one we met in the Cathedral was some doppelganger of him." I dipped a cookie in the milk and offered it to him, "Cookie?"
Seth took the cookie and bit into it, "Thanks." He said quietly.
"Also, why do you blame the destruction the dragon did as your own doing?" I asked him, "It isn't under your control." I took a cookie for myself and took a bite.
"Well…" Seth said dully, "It was like it was summoned."
"By you?" I snorted and rolled my eyes.
"Yes."
I froze and looked at him, "What? Seth, hon, you're a whole lot of crazy, but this is just absurd. That's an ancient god. Luminark."
"Yeah, well, what if I did summon them, your Highness?" Seth pulls away from me.
I sat up and sighed, "Seth, how much sleep have you lost over this?"
"A lot." He snaps.
"You're human, that's a god. If you did summon them, you didn't control its actions."
Seth sighed and rubbed his head, "Fair enough."
I turned back to my window panel as Seth popped the last of the cookie into his mouth. He turned away and stayed silent as I went through the rest of my messages. Requests to visit. Audience request. Due Dates. Another Audience request… meeting reminder. I scrolled more. Seth shifts and I glanced at him, he really does look tired.
I sighed and closed my window, "Seth, go sleep for gods sake. Out of love, you look horrible."
Seth moistened his lips and only responded by blinking his eyes. His eagle brown eyes were blood shot and his posture was a bit lacking. Only I would notice these things due to being around him so much. I sighed and stood up. I grabbed Seth's arm and tugged him into a walk.
"Come on… Prince's orders. You're going to sleep." I said sharply.
Seth protested. I ignored him and we exited my office. The other palace staff shot glances at us concerned as I really don't man handle my guard, or let alone, any of my staff like this.
"Must be serious." One whispered to another palace staff.
"Seth's in trouble?"
"What did he do to make the High Prince mad?"
"Shhh, Seth would never do anything to make him mad, his Highness loves that man too much."
Seth grumbled and tried removing my hand while I was pulling him back to his room, "You're Highness, please." He whispers, "You're making a scene."
I ignored him again. We rounded the corner to his room and I opened his door. Auri looked up at me and smiled brightly.
"Hi!" She chirps and jumps down from her bed, "Oh, momma is back."
I shoved Seth onto his bed and folded my arms, "Yes, yes he is, and he's going to take three days off to get some proper sleep." I looked down at Seth.
Seth splutters and tries getting back up, I shoved him back down and he blinks at me wild eyed. "Your Highness!"
"Kliene." I corrected him.
Seth pressed his lips into a fine line and looked away. I folded my arms and continued to look at him.
"I will be sending some palace staff here for you. Ask if you need anything. You're not returning to work until three days are up, you hear me?" I said sharply.
Seth nods, still avoiding my gaze.
I turned and left him, Auri said good bye as I left the room. I shut his door and sighed, pausing outside his door. I really need to find a secondary staff member for myself… Maria was right.