Chapter 48 I Know Your Name
Silence raided the chamber like a thief.
Elian watched Lucien’s shocked face for a while and scoffed.
"That’s what I thought..." Elian mumbled, lowering his head.
He wasn’t going to let himself get disappointed by Lucien’s reaction. He knew the Duke wasn’t going to be as reactive as he was when he thought the captain was guilty.
This was about his lovely wife-to-be; how could he possibly react violently?
Lucien sighed, lowering his gaze to Elian’s lowered head. He stared at Elian for a while, trying to think of the best response that would be suitable for the moment. He was still battling his shock from Elian’s reveal, and he was also finding it hard to believe.
Yes, Elian was a Truth Seeker, but he also knew that Elian did not like the princess; therefore, he might say it to spite her.
"Are you sure?" Lucien murmured, pushing his hands into his pockets.
Elian paused, his fists balling on his lap in anger. "Am I sure?" he asked slowly, lifting his face to look into Lucien’s green eyes. "Am I sure?" he asked again, his eyes narrowing.
Lucien gulped, taking a step backward from the bed.
He knew exactly what his question implied, but he wasn’t going to back down; he couldn’t let Elian continue to defame the princess. "You have to be sure of what you speak, Elian. Else—"
"Else what?" Elian cut him off, his tone angry.
Lucien snapped his head, his eyes flashing with something dark. "Do not cut me off." He rounded back to the side of the bed, gripping Elian’s chin.
Elian only scoffed, "Else what, Lucien? You burn me alive?" he dared, his eyes glowing with hatred.
Lucien smiled so slowly. "Not now. Eventually," he spat darkly.
Elian was livid, anger soaring through his veins like lava. His hands itched to slap Lucien hard across his face, to shove him down on the bed and press a pillow over his face until he stopped twitching.
"Leave me alone, Your Grace," Elian murmured.
Lucien didn’t.
His grip on Elian’s chin loosened, his fingers trailing the side of Elian’s face. "You don’t get to ask that of me..." His hand moved, sliding down Elian’s neck, his fingers grazing the sensitive skin behind Elian’s ear. "Answer my question, Elian. Are you sure you’re telling me the truth? I have known Rowena for years... she might be many things, but she’s no murderer—"
"I do not need your compassion, Your Grace," Elian spat, angrily slapping Lucien’s hand away from his neck. "I am a Truth Seeker. I do not lie, and I did not say that to taint your princess’s image. I was only seeking the truth about my incident... for myself," he murmured, shifting away from Lucien.
Lucien stared at Elian for a long time. The slight sting on his wrist from where Elian had slapped his hand away was a gentle reminder of the growing freedom he was allowing his captive. He should fix that; if not, it would cost him a lot in the future.
But then, Elian had just survived a near-death experience; he couldn’t possibly punish him now.
"You will keep this information to yourself," Lucien spoke calmly.
Elian chuckled dryly. "And let everyone think Cassian is the villain?" he entreated.
Lucien’s face darkened. "Oh... I see." He folded his arms. "So, this is about you getting justice for Cassian rather than for yourself?" He gritted his teeth.
Elian sighed. "This is about getting justice for everyone who has been wronged in this matter, which is Cassian and myself..." He frowned.
"Although, I know the justice system is cracked, but at least I feel better knowing who the real culprit was. I never expected you or any royal to stand beside me, or smile at me, or even fight for me. I am for myself, and that is why I sought the truth myself. You don’t have to worry, I shall not mention it to anyone; that would only hasten my inevitable death." A single tear rolled down Elian’s cheek, but he harshly wiped it away, refusing to look up at Lucien.
Lucien stood still, watching Elian bite his lip to stop himself from breaking down. Everything Elian said carved a new kind of pain into his chest; he wanted to dissuade those points, but after listening, he knew they were all true.
Just now, he had doubted him and even asked him never to speak of it again. That was unfair, but the world was unfair. Even he himself had gone through unfair situations.
Without speaking, Lucien quietly left the chamber, leaving the unresolved conversation hanging between them.
The moment the door clicked shut, Elian broke down and cried. He just discovered that he was truly powerless; even with his abilities, people would still shut him out as a lie.
Perhaps he needed to do more to prove himself; maybe he should get the princess to lie while holding her hand. That way, when his eyes turned crimson, everyone would see the truth.
He chuckled in between sobs. "Of course, I can’t do that." Shaking his head at himself, he murmured, "I can’t do that."
He cried silently, wondering what would have happened if Cassian hadn’t come to check up on him when he did. Would Lucien hurt? Would Lucien miss him? Would Lucien wish he’d done things differently?
Elian sighed, rubbing his eyes tiredly.
Amid his crisis, he had a deeper crisis: Lucien.
It was getting out of hand.
Lucien’s words and actions were getting to him, deeper than he intended. A small part of him had hoped that Lucien would care, that Lucien would take his matter just a tad more seriously, but every time Lucien showed him the beast side, it broke him to pieces as if he hadn’t already known that Lucien was a monster.
A knock on his door startled him; he quickly wiped his tears and pushed his hair out of the way.
"Who is that?" he asked hoarsely.
"I have brought your dinner, sire," a female voice spoke behind the door.
Elian sniffled, clearing his throat. "Come in."
The door was quietly pushed open and a maid walked in carrying a large tray of food. Another maid walked in after her, heading to the corner to lift the small table toward Elian’s bedside.
"No, leave it," Elian said, gesturing to the maid to drop the tray on top of the table.
They nodded and placed his food down.
"Sire, His Majesty demands your presence in his throne room after your meal," the first maid informed.
Elian stilled.
Why?
Did Lucien really put him out there alone?
He nodded slowly. "Thank you," he said.
They nodded their heads and left his room.
Elian sighed loudly, gently bringing his legs down from the bed and onto the floor.
He groaned as he stood, walking over to pick up the pants Charity had left on his chair. As he wore them, he thought of what he had seen as he touched Charity’s hand.
Rowena had threatened to remove her from her post as a palace maid if she ever told anyone the truth. Seeing Rowena from Charity’s eyes was a different point of view.
He knew she was unkind, but he didn’t know she was evil and malicious. The way her face twisted into a completely dark, evil look as she threatened to rip Charity’s family of everything was very disturbing.
If Rowena was that darkened, how much more darkened could the King be?
No wonder Lucien worked perfectly with them; he was even darker than they were. Burning a man alive could only be done by someone without a soul... Lucien had no soul.
He sat himself down and ate his food, only because he was hungry and needed it to survive—not because he was enjoying his time there.
After two minutes, Elian stood, leaving most of the food untouched as his appetite dwindled each second he spent inside that forsaken palace. He wanted to go and meet this King and see what he had to say once and for all.
If he was facing his death, then he better get it over with than stalling and elongating his fear.
He picked up his gloves and wore them; he didn’t want to go around looking into the ugly minds of people. He smoothed his dark brown, loose pants and stepped out of his room, his eyes glaring once at Lucien’s door.
He wondered if Lucien was in there. Should he tell him that he was about to see the king?
No, he wouldn’t care... like always.
He was heading toward the hallway that led to the grand hall when Cassian appeared in front of him.
"Happy to see you on your feet, Elian," Cassian said, slowly looking at Elian.
Elian nodded, not stopping until he was a foot’s space from Cassian. "I’m sorry," he murmured, staring at the tended wound beside Cassian’s lips.
Cassian smiled. "It barely hurt. And I’m sure it was just a misunderstanding—"
"I know you didn’t do it," Elian murmured, taking Cassian’s hand.
Cassian chuckled. "I’m glad you believe me. But I’m afraid I have to face the law," he replied.
Elian frowned, his heart skipping a beat. "W-what law?" he questioned shakily, searching Cassian’s face.
He was scared and anxious. He hoped he wasn’t about to witness the killing of yet another innocent man.
"Tell me, Cassian, are they going to kill you?" His lip trembled as his gloved fingers clutched Cassian’s arm.
"Hey, come here," Cassian gently pulled Elian into his arms, patting his back softly.
Elian gritted his teeth as he cried again. This world was making him sick; the injustice was making him lose his mind.
"Do not cry, Elian," Cassian whispered. "You’re not going to witness it again, I promise."
Elian froze, slowly lifting his teary face to Cassian. "You... you know?" he asked cautiously.
Cassian’s hand tightened around him, something unreadable flashing in his eyes. "I know, Elian Morel." He nodded slowly.