Duke Slater was shaking with panic and fear. It was very dark in the room and he couldn't turn to see his attacker's face.

he asked nervously.

the person behind him ordered harshly.

Slater dropped his dagger to the ground.

added the aggressor coldly, bringing the blade closer to his neck.

Rufus's body stiffened in horror and an icy shiver ran down his spine.

he exclaimed.

replied a female voice from across the room.

slater asked with a start, completely frightened.

Suddenly, the lights flashed in the room, revealing Luana and Angus in front of him.

Rufus exclaimed, gritting his teeth.

Angus walked over to the emperor's bed, looking Slater in the eye. Then, he pulled the covers away.

Rufus whispered, not believing his eyes.

In place of the emperor, there were pillows placed vertically to imitate the shape of a human's body.

he asked angrily.

Lucas tightened his grip on him, making him scream in pain.

he ordered menacingly.

Slater stopped moving and kept his mouth shut, scared of what might happen to him.

Angus replied coldly.

Luana called while giving him a look of pure hatred.

Under her orders, the guards entered the room quickly.

Luana ordered.

Lucas delivered Rufus to the guards who handcuffed him.

he yelled angrily.

The guards left the room, dragging him with them.

Luana turned to Angus.

she asked, worried.

he replied.

Luana said angrily.

Lucas suggested.

he replied, bowing.

══════ ∘◦❁◦∘ ══════

When they got to the dungeon, the guards locked Slater in a dark and wet cell.

he yelled angrily.

one of the guards ordered.

A few minutes later, Luana went down to the dungeon accompanied by Lucas.

she asked mockingly.

he said angrily.

Lucas threatened coldly.

The duke growled in annoyance.

Luana said hatefully.

Rufus laughed loudly like a maniac.

Lucas grabbed him hard by the neck as he lifted him up, and pushed him harshly against the wall.

he ordered threateningly.

Rufus replied, strangled.

Lucas tightens the grip of his hand on Slater's neck.

he asked coldly.

Rufus's eyes widened in surprise.

Luana replied.

he asked with a murderous look.

Lucas let go of him roughly, causing the man to collapse on the floor, coughing very hard.

he said coldly.

After catching his breath, the duke looked Luana straight in the eye.

he said.

Luana replied, clenching her fists.

Slater was punched very hard in the face by Lucas.

he said angrily.

The duke stiffened in terror.

Luana asked.

Slater replied, puzzled.

she asked bitterly.

Rufus laughed loudly.

he answered maniacally.

she yelled angrily.

Rufus stayed silent for a moment. Then, he burst out laughing to tears.

he said sarcastically.

the princess asked, surprised.

he revealed, smirking.

Lucas pointed his sword to his neck.

he asked.

Lucas tightened the blade on the duke's neck, drawing some blood.

he ordered.

Lucas grabbed him by the collar aggressively.

he asked threateningly.

Slater stayed silent for a moment, trembling.

he finally said.

he answered breathlessly.

Lucas let go of him.

Slater's eyes moistened with tears.

he exclaimed, sobbing.

Lucas replied coldly.

he begged.

the young knight ordered.

Slater was shaking like a leaf. Lucas raised his sword at him.

A very strong purple light emanated from Rufus's chest, followed by the latter's cries of pain.

Lucas stepped in front of Luana to protect her.

The Duke collapsed to the ground, a pool of blood around him.

Luana asked, terrified.

Lucas approached the body to examine it.

Luana asked, disappointed.

Lucas turned to her, smiling.

══════ ∘◦❁◦∘ ══════

The next morning, Luana and Lucas went to the royal library that was on the east wing of the palace.

Luana wore a simple, casual outfit that consisted of pale pink pants and a white shirt with a pair of black boots. She had pulled her hair up into a messy high bun.

As for Lucas, he wore his usual armor with his long, dark blue cloak.

he asked.

They continued to search for books that might point them to the location of the Neldor Forest.

she said.

he asked.

Luana stayed silent for a moment.

she replied.

he said with a smile.

Luana climbed the ladder to look for more books on the shelves.

said Lucas.

He turned his back to her to search in the parallel shelves.

she asked.

he replied, smiling.

'Even if it doesn't have any importance or power, the fact that you gave it to me makes it so special and dear to me,' he thought, smiling.

Luana's eyes rested on the border of a book titled "The Most Hidden Places in Auvrovaria".

Luana lost her balance and fell off the ladder.

Lucas rushed over to her and grabbed her by the waist, wrapping his arm around her as Luana regained her balance by gripping his shoulders.

she apologized hurriedly.

He looked up at her and then, their eyes met.

Lucas felt that his heart was going to come out of his chest from how hard it was beating.

At that moment, they heard the library's door open. The two young people separated and stood beside each other.

It was Gardner who entered.

she replied, smiling.

Before leaving, Luana turned around to look at Lucas.

he replied, bowing.

Luana left the library with Gardner, leaving the young knight behind.

Lucas raised his hand and put it on the left side of his chest, over his heart who was beating furiously. He smiled softly.

'No matter how hard I try to hide my feelings for her, my heart always ends up betraying me.'