The next morning, Luana got up in her room, took a bath and got ready before having her breakfast which her maid brought her.

the latter greeted, bowing to her.

the princess replied, smiling at her.

The maid put the breakfast tray on the small table near the patio door and put a white colored envelope next to it which caught the girl's attention.

she asked, confused.

she wondered curiously.

The young princess took the envelope and opened it to find a letter folded in half inside.

she said smiling.

replied the maid, bowing again before leaving the room.

The young girl drank a small sip of the delicious tea that was served to her on a pretty cup before unfolding the piece of paper and reading it.

┌─────── ∘◦❁◦∘ ───────┐

Good morning, Your Highness,

I hope you're doing well and that you're in good health.

I know that the content of this letter may seem shocking or even absurd to you, but I simply cannot hide the truth from you.

I was informed, not long ago, that the Grand Master is preparing to attack you again. This time, instead of sending one person to take on this mission, he sent three, one of them is someone that you and I know personally.

I can't tell you more than this, but be very careful. This army is, for the moment, getting prepared in their headquarters. Once I have information about where it is, I'll let you know about it.

I hope that by doing this, I would have been useful to you. Take good care of yourself.

Greetings from a friend.

└─────── ∘◦❁◦∘ ───────┘

After having finished reading, the young princess put the letter back on the table with a small sigh.

After a short moment of reflection, she got up while taking the letter with her before leaving her room.

she thought.

══════ ∘◦❁◦∘ ══════

Back to the house of the former captain of the Imperial Army, the latter was preparing himself to leave before hearing someone knocking softly on his door.

he wondered, very confused.

He left his bedroom, going towards the corridor which he crossed before arriving in front of the front door and opening it.

He was taken by surprise when he saw Hastia in front of him, dressed in a long black cape that hid her head.

she greeted coldly.

he replied with a puzzled look.

The two people remained silent for a short moment, looking at each other.

she asked sarcastically which made Hector come to his senses.

he replied, stepping aside to let her in.

Once inside, the old woman took off her hood and walked down the long hallway to the small living room. She sat on one of the armchairs that were next to the window while the former captain sat on a chair opposite to her.

she said, looking at him insistently.

he lied.

she whispered, not entirely convinced.

A heavy silence fell between them again. It was Hastia who broke it by clearing her throat.

she began.

wondered the former captain.

she declared.

Hearing those words, Hector's eyes widened in shock. He felt his blood freeze in his veins.

he asked, frowning.

he growled in displeasure.

Arminel looked at her with very surprised eyes before letting out a long sigh while massaging his temples.

he asked with boredom.

the old woman declared.

he replied, chuckling sarcastically.

she said with determination.

he wondered.

he deduced.

The old lady smirked as she looked at him with a knowing expression on her face.

she replied.

With these words, she got up from the armchair and walked towards the hallway to leave the house. Arrived at the front door, she stopped and turned around to look at the former captain of the Imperial Army.

she answered.

Captain Arminel froze in shock as cold sweat ran down his back.

he asked insistently.

he remarked.

she offered.

he asked, very confused.

she explained.

The former captain remained silent while looking at Hastia which made the latter shrug.

With these words, she left the house, leaving Arminel more perplexed than ever behind her. He stood frozen in place trying to figure out what had just happened.

he thought.

After a few minutes, he put his cape and hood on his head before leaving the house as well.

══════ ∘◦❁◦∘ ══════

Arthur asked.

the young princess replied confidently.

They were all together in the latter's office, accompanied by Lucas, Angus and Edgar. The latters sat on the armchairs while the emperor stared out the window, deep in thought.

Edgar stated.

Angus confirmed.

Lucas retorted.

asked the young princess, very confused.

With these words, someone came to knock softly on the door while the others turned their heads towards it.

Arthur ordered.

It was Gardner who entered the room before bowing to them.

he informed.

asked the emperor, confused.

a male voice answered.

Captain Arminel entered the room while removing his hood from his head, a big smile on his face before bowing.

he greeted.

Seeing him, the emperor couldn't help smiling back at him before dismissing his butler.

he asked.

replied the former captain.

Lucas asked.

Listening to these words, everyone looked at each other in amazement except for the former captain who was puzzled by their reaction.

he asked, very confused.

Angus explained.

he asked, confused.

the young princess replied.

he wondered.

Arthur asked in confusion.

Arminel told them what happened to him with Hastia earlier that day and told them everything she had told him.

Edgar muttered.

Angus asked.

offered the former captain.

Edgar asked.

the young captain suggested.

Arminel asserted.

Arthur said.

added the former captain.

Arminel smirked as he looked the emperor straight in the eye.