Harmonia Calendar 715, Thal 25 - Ashspire Estate, Elandor
Night - Ashspire Estate
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, 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 breaking.
"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 on 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 tapped 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
Click.
The door shut behind me.
I leaned against it for a breath, steadying myself before my eyes looked toward him.
Anton.
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, voice rising.
"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, and took a deep breath before I spoke again, my voice was filled 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 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 at least her.'
***
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.
A maid 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 out smooth.
"Your family's debt is nearly paid...nearly."
Her lips parted, voice trembling.
"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... did you speak every line I told you? No, you hesitated."
Her eyes lifted for a heartbeat, tears began to form, but she held them back, and then her gaze lowered 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 disobedience. 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 spreading through me.
'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 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, my breath left white smoke behind.
One last bag rested against my boot. I lifted it and secured it at the back, hands lingering a heartbeat too long.
I glanced back.
Theodora and Mother stood close, their eyes red from tears, cheeks pale.
They embraced each other as they watched me.
'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, metal creaked as the gate opened.
I glanced back.
Theodora's sobs muffled against Mother's shoulder as they embraced each other more tightly.
I promised them and myself, jaw clenched, voice firm.
"I will return stronger."
My heels pressed into the horse's side.
Neigh!
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.
Cold air filled my lungs.
My hands tightened on the reins, the words burning through me one last time.
"I will return stronger."
And—
"I will bring him back."