asked Matthew in a voice stifled with shock.

he accused, squeezing his neck tightly.

shouted the bandits' chief in tears.

Matthew released him abruptly and let him fall to the ground like a vulgar object. Then, he stepped back to go out of the room.

He felt suffocated and his surrounding began to spin. He tried to keep his balance by leaning against a wall and putting his hand on his temple.

he thought bitterly.

One of his companions came to help him while the other put handcuffs on the bandits' leader.

asked the knight worriedly.

he reassured.

The knight was surprised by his captain's words.

he ordered.

Once out of the villa, one of Matthew's comrades who had freed the little Hugo from the stables approached him.

he called.

Matthew looked ahead, near the horses where one of his comrades stood, accompanied by the little boy who barely reached his waist.

Matthew slowly approached him, smiling affectionately at him. The little child's eyes were swollen with tears and his small cheeks were red.

He knelt in front of him and wiped away his tears.

he asked, sobbing.

he said bursting into tears even harder than before.

Matthew hugged him tightly in his arms.

asked the little boy with his innocent, sparkling eyes.

he replied, smiling slightly and wiping his tears.

Matthew carried the little boy in his arms and sat him on the back of his horse before climbing up behind him.

Matthew turned to the others to give them the signal.

They had tied the handcuffs which they put on the bandits' leader with ropes so that he can't escape.

he ordered.

══════ ∘◦❁◦∘ ══════

Meanwhile, at the palace, Azusa was sitting with Mina in the small living room while having tea.

Azusa said with a sigh.

she suggested, smiling.

she replied, blushing slightly.

Azusa asked, teasing her.

Asminah's cheeks got more red.

she said, taking a sip of her tea.

A little moment of silence settled down.

Mina asked, confused.

Azusa replied, staring blankly at her cup.

she mumbled.

"

Mina took Azusa's hand and squeezed it gently.

she reassured.

replied the young girl, smiling softly.

A few seconds later, someone knocked on the door.

Azusa ordered.

It was Gardner who appeared in the room, a letter in his left hand. He stepped forward and bowed to the two young girls.

asked Azusa.

he said, giving her the small white envelope.

she said, smiling at him.

The butler bowed one last time before leaving the room.

Asminah asked curiously.

she replied, smiling slightly.

she said, opening the envelope.

She took it and began to read it aloud.

┌─────── ∘◦❁◦∘ ───────┐

Your Highness,

Princess Luana Aubretia,

I heard the news about His Majesty's illness and very serious condition.

I'm sincerely sorry about that

and I praying that he recovers quickly.

I wanted to let you know that

the mission he gave me is accomplished.

So, I'll be back at the palace in about two weeks from now.

Take good care of yourself.

Your faithful

servitor and friend,

Elion Andvari,

└─────── ∘◦❁◦∘ ───────┘

remarked Mina.

she chuckled softly.

Azusa did the same.

══════ ∘◦❁◦∘ ══════

Matthew and his companions arrived at the palace after a three hours ride.

Once in the courtyard, Ruth, who remained planted in front of the window all day, ran out of the building towards her son.

she called out.

The young boy dismounted the horse with Matthew's help before running towards her.

She took him in her arms and lifted him into the air, hugging him tightly, tears streaming down her face.

replied the little boy in tears.

she reassured, stroking his cheek and hair.

At that moment, Azusa came out of the building and walked towards Matthew. The latter felt a pain emanate from his chest when he saw her. An enormous sadness filled his whole being.

she said with a smile.

he replied, bowing.

After that, Ruth turned to Matthew and smiled affectionately at him.

he said, stroking the child's head.

Ruth asked, chuckling lightly.

asked Matthew, smiling.

After that, Ruth took her son inside while the captain ordered one of the knights to take the bandits' leader to the dungeon.

Azusa said.

Azusa looked at him in confusion.

Matthew stayed silent for a few seconds, looking her in the eye.

he said, bowing.

Matthew followed the others inside, leaving the confused and slightly sad girl behind.

Walking down the hall, Matthew saw Angus coming from the opposite direction. Seeing them, a big smile appeared on his lips.

he said, bowing and pointing to the man behind him.

Angus gave him an icy glare that made the bandit tremble.

Angus said in disgust, stepping in front of him.

he was hit hard by the knight who was guarding him.

Angus ordered.

answered the guard.

The criminal was taken away while Matthew stayed silent, a very confused expression on his face.

Angus said angrily.

Matthew was snapped out of his thoughts and pulled himself together quickly.

Angus sighed heavily.

he said, smiling tiredly.

Matthew replied bowing.

══════ ∘◦❁◦∘ ══════

As night fell, Angus went to Arthur's room. There, he found Gardner accompanied by the doctor who was examining the emperor's condition.

he greeted.

The doctor stood up and bowed to him.

he asked, a glimmer of hope in his eyes.

The doctor looked down. Then, he walked over to the duke and put his hand on his shoulder.

he replied sadly.

Angus stared into the void in front of him, not saying a single word. He opened his mouth to speak, but no words could come out.

he asked, shaking slightly.

replied Gardner.

Once the two men left the room, Angus burst into tears as he fell to his knees on the floor.

he whispered, clenching his fists.

He stood up slowly and walked over to the emperor's bed and looked at him. His eyes were closed and his face was very pale. He looked like a dead man.

he called softly.

He got no answer.

He took a chair and sat beside him, taking his hand in his and squeezing it tightly.

His tears continued to flow down like rivers, reflecting the agony he felt inside.

He continued to cry like this for long minutes, not knowing that on the other side of the door, stood Matthew, his forehead placed on the hard surface, lost in thoughts while clenching his fists.

Then, abruptly, he pulled himself together and strode away from the room, walking along the long hallway.

══════ ∘◦❁◦∘ ══════

The young knight went down to the dungeon and walked towards the cell of the bandits' leader.

When he got there, he found a guard who opened the door for him.

he asked.

As he entered the cell, he found the man sitting on the floor, staring into space. The latter looked at him.

he said, annoyed.

Matthew asked.

he asked in a very angry tone.

Abruptly, Matthew took a dagger out of his pocket, pressed the criminal against the wall and placed the sharp blade on his throat.

he ordered coldly.

he ordered, shouting in his face.

Matthew asked, surprised.

he thought.

Matthew recovered quickly and pulled the dagger closer to the man's throat.