The guards quickly took the emperor to his room, followed by Luana, Gardner and Doctor Cross. Once there, they laid him down on his bed.

The doctor sat down next to him and began to examine him. Then, he made him drink a potion that was preserved in a small bottle that he took out of his satchel.

Luana stayed close to her father, holding his hand with a look of shock and concern on her face.

The doctor picked up his utensils and stood up. Luana did the same.

she asked, trembling.

he said gravely.

she asked again, worried.

he replied seriously.

she asked, confused.

Suddenly, the bedroom's door was thrown open revealing Angus who came running, accompanied by his son, Eric.

He walked quickly to the emperor's bed.

he called worriedly.

reassured the doctor.

The duke sighed in relief.

he whispered.

asked the princess again.

The duke and the doctor looked at each other and stayed silent.

The two men looked at each other again.

she concluded, trembling.

Angus began.

the emperor whispered weekly.

Luana rushed over to him.

she exclaimed, holding his hand.

he whispered again, slowly opening his eyes.

she replied, smiling affectionately at him.

he whispered, stroking her cheek with his trembling hand.

she reassured.

she said, stroking his cheek.

Arthur nodded softly and closed his eyes to sleep again.

Luana gave him a small kiss on the forehead before leaving the room.

══════ ∘◦❁◦∘ ══════

Luana sat down on her father's desk chair, in his office, facing Duke Lobelia and Doctor Cross.

she asked.

After a little moment of silence, it was Angus who answered.

she asked again, impatiently.

the duke began.

Suddenly, someone knocked on the door.

Luana ordered.

Captain Koraxos entered the room. He walked toward the small group and bowed.

he said worriedly.

Luana replied.

Angus answered.

Lucas said, sighing in relief.

An icy silence settled in the room.

the princess asked anxiously.

Angus replied sadly.

she asked again, biting her lip.

answered the doctor.

Luana felt a shiver run down her spine. She couldn't move anymore because of the shock.

she asked, holding back her years.

Lucas said.

Luana asked, confused.

he continued.

Angus said.

she asked, angrily.

Lucas started.

he continued.

she exclaimed enraged.

Angus said.

she asked, dejected.

said Lucas.

she asked with a hint of hope in her eyes.

he replied.

retorted the doctor.

Luana sighed heavily.

she said, disappointed.

remarked the doctor.

Angus replied.

added the doctor.

Luana suddenly stood up.

she said determinedly.

they replied, bowing.

══════ ∘◦❁◦∘ ══════

Luana stayed close to her father until nightfall. She helped him eat his dinner. Then, she laid him down on his bed to rest.

he whispered.

she replied, smiling affectionately at him.

Silence settled between them.

she asked.

Arthur sighed heavily.

she replied.

she said worriedly.

Arthur took his daughter's hand in his and looked her in the eyes.

she said, determined.

Arthur smiled weakly at her and closed his eyes to rest a bit.

══════ ∘◦❁◦∘ ══════

A few minutes later, Angus entered the room.

he greeted her, smiling slightly.

she replied, smiling back.

The duke approached her, and sat down on a chair, near the emperor's bed.

he said worriedly.

she retorted.

he replied.

Luana sighed.

she replied, smiling.

he smiled back at her.

The young princess left the room, leaving the duke behind.

Arthur whispered.

Angus remarked.

══════ ∘◦❁◦∘ ══════

Luana was in the emperor's office, tidying up the place. She was almost done when she heard someone knock on the door.

she ordered.

Lucas entered the room, carrying a small book in his hand.

he greeted, bowing.

she greeted back.

The young knight walked over to her.

he said.

she asked.

he replied.

he handed her the book he was carrying.

she said, picking up the book from his hand.

The princess sighed heavily before flipping through the pages of the book to see its contents.

she whispered, confused.

" she replied.

he said, confused.

Lucas exclaimed in surprise.

she said, showing him the book.

A silence settled down between them.

They looked at each other for a moment, a confused expression on both of their faces.

she began hesitantly.

he said, looking her straight in the eye.

she replied, smiling slightly.

He smiled back at her.

he replied with determination.

Luana sighed.

she said with a little smile.

══════ ∘◦❁◦∘ ══════

The two young people walked along the halls, chatting lightly, until they reached the princess's bedroom's door.

she said, smiling slightly at him.

he replied.

she said before turning around to enter her room.

he called her.

she turned to look at him.

Lucas smiled slightly at her.

Luana was surprised by his words. She felt a certain warmth emanate from her heart.

she replied, smiling back at him.

he said, bowing.

The princess nodded and entered her room, leaving him behind.

Once inside, she fell to the floor in tears.

she whispered, shaking and crying very hard.

She leaned her back against the door and hugged her knees.

she said between sobs.

She continued to cry very loudly, not knowing that on the other side of the door, Lucas was leaning his back against it too, listening to her.

He had a sad and painful expression on his face.

he thought.