n

n

n

"No. I will guard her.

"

nLukas' assertion earned him stares from the rest, especially Nathan, whom he had interrupted.

n

"You…

"

nHe was about to protest but Lukas beat him to it.

n

"These people are my mission,

" he declared.

nNathan was conflicted. It was true that Lukas' mission was to find these people's hideout and track them down. But he is also unwilling to leave the matter of his sister in someone else's hands.

nThe others can't refute him either because after all, it is convenient for him to stay with Nadia. While he guards her, he could just wait for them to come out and capture them. That's two birds hitting with one stone.

nThe emperor also thinks this way, thus, he doesn't have any protest.

n

"Fine. Then, Lukas, I will entrust Nadia to you.

"

nLukas nodded and reverted to his idle posture.

n

"If our assumption is correct, then there is a big possibility that these people will return for her. That's why we need to prepare a plan.

" The emperor continued.

nThe corners of Lukas' lips lifted into a half-smile.

n

"Let's lure them out. We have what they need, don't we?

"

nHis suggestive words sank into their brains and the first one to react was Ezekiel.

n

"Are you saying that we should use Nadia as bait?

" He was looking at Lukas with raised eyebrows, feeling kind of disturbed by this.

nThat's his cousin they are talking about, he doesn't know if he is up to that idea.

nEven the marquis was shocked.

n

"Duke Lukas, you--

"

n

"She's their target. She's going to be the bait no matter what, why can't we use this opportunity?

" His purple eyes didn't even flinch when he said this, as if it is so natural to him.

nThe others felt even more uncomfortable, much more when both father and brother of the said 'bait' was here. How can they just accept this plan? That's like escorting Nadia in peril with their own hands.

nNathaniel was already unwilling from the start and now he is even more averse to whatever Lukas was suggesting. How can a man like him be ever qualified to protect someone?

n

"Then what will happen to my sister? You are throwing her on the frontline!

"

nLukas' met his infuriated gaze calmly. The contrast was so vast between Nathan's dissatisfaction and Lukas' confidence.

n

"I said I will protect her, didn't I?

"

nNathan sneered.

n

"Are you so confident that she won't be in danger?

"

nLukas did not answer and just stared at him with his unchanging expression. He had never been questioned about his ability until now. Most of the time, when someone belittles him, they're either dead or incapacitated.

nBut looking at this man, wearing the same hair and eyes as that woman, he was amused. A man like this won't last an hour in a duel with him and yet he's here doubting him. He doesn't understand the strong need for clarity regarding Nadia's wellbeing. He already said he will protect her, why is he not satisfied?

nSurely, he doesn't understand human emotions that well, aside from anger and hatred that is.

nEzekiel felt the pressure originating between them and jumped in to diffuse it.

n

"Nathan, Lukas is very strong. You don't have to worry about him protecting her.

"

nNathaniel frowned harder, still not moving his gaze away.

n

"I don't know that. I have never seen him in action so I have no way to judge it myself. I am only worried about my sister. He may be a general who had single-handedly solved the barbarians, but those are ordinary people and the current enemies are mages. Didn't he let them get away before?

"

nA crack showed on Lukas' mask.

n

"That was my negligence. It won't happen again.

"

nBeing reminded of that one failure wasn't fun for him, it only brought annoyance. He got too engrossed in the fight, he admits that. But that won't happen the second time around.

nNathaniel raised his chin arrogantly.

n

"How could we be assured?

"

n

"Nathaniel…

" Leon called out.

nAs the prime minister and the emperor's confidant, he is aware of Lukas' skills but is not entirely familiar with them. So he also had misgivings but he had full trust in the emperor's decisions.

n

"No. My sister's life is at stake and I don't trust him yet. If he will guard her then I will also volunteer. One person won't be enough.

" His firm resolve couldn't be shaken, as seen with his steady gaze on Lukas throughout the conversation.

nLukas was even more amused.

nDare to announce straight to his face about his distrust on him? Who was brave enough to do that?

nA chuckle escaped from his mouth.

n

"Heh. I like this guy…

"

nStraightforward and stalwart. No wonder he is the captain of the royal knights.

nThe emperor saw that Lukas was not in disagreement with Nathan's remark. Still, he went on his way to appease the latter.

n

"Alright, you two. Nathan, I understand your sentiments. But among anyone gathered in this room, he is the one person you can be rest assured to entrust Nadia's safety.

"

nNathan remained tight-lipped, his frown lingering.

nIn this room? Is he excluding him?

nThat conclusion really doesn't sit well with him.

n

"I have no problem with Duke Lukas guarding her but as her father, I would also want to protect my daughter in my own way,

" Leon added.

n

"Of course. Do as you see fit,

" the emperor responded affirmatively.

n

"Thank you, your majesty.

"

nHis golden irises measured them one by one.

n

"These people's main aims are those who can use magic so we can't lower our guards as well.

"

nWith the appearance of those fake mages, it is certainly not impossible for them to just focus on one person. They will surely attack the other blessed genes as well. The palace won't be safe either.

n

"Then I will strengthen the security around the palace, leave this to me, emperor father,

" Ezekiel volunteered.

nHe nodded dutifully,

"The silver wings will have to divide themselves and observe in the shadows with Lukas and Nathaniel staying at Nadia's side.

"

n

"Duke Lukas?

" Nathan mumbled and stared at Lukas in confusion again.

nIs he also part of the silver wings?

n

"I will gather them at once,

" Lukas affirmed.

n

"I will also call forth the elite men in my army to add manpower in the palace,

" Leon continued.

n

"Regarding her highness, the queen…

" Ezekiel then ushered another topic, looking cautious all of a sudden.

nThe emperor naturally guessed what he meant and got attentive.

n

"Is there any news about her?

"

nEzekiel's usual bright countenance was particularly bleak that moment, at a loss even.

n

"The reports of the people we sent to serve her are all the same positive responses. But those that are watching from afar say the queen's palace is… weird.

"

nThe emperor paused for a second, his eyes inquisitive.

n

"Weird?

"

n

"The hawk had been monitoring the Queen's palace for some time now and he reported that he couldn't infiltrate inside. He said that there seems to be a barrier that prevents the outside from listening to what is going on in that place,

" Lukas followed up.

nThis time, he was a bit thoughtful. After he heard that report, he also sent Yvan to confirm it and he got the same result. No wonder, he could fathom that that side of the palace was rather peculiar.

nHis hearing is more than average and could hear further and much clearer than the human ears can. But there is a part of the palace that was silent as a mouse and it never bothered him before because he never paid attention to it. Until now.

n

"Your majesty, are you suspecting the queen?

" Leon couldn't help but be surprised.

nHe was his confidant but this matter was never mentioned to him at all! And the fact that they had known Regina for a long time so his reaction is natural.

nThey were friends before they got to where they are now, you know.

nSilence pervaded the room and with every passing second, the question uttered got heavier to answer.

nAfter a while, the emperor let out a weary sigh.

n

"I don't want to.

"

n

"We are dealing with something serious at the moment so I don't want to anticipate the worst. But I also don't want to set Regina's matter aside.

"

nLeon's lips thinned as he stared at his majesty and his friend. He had never imagined that he would ever get to the point where he would witness a crack on the glass he always presumed unbreakable.

nBefore there were titles in their names, they were young people with a bond. Him, the emperor, her highness Regina, his late wife, and both dukes Reichen and Ethalion; the six of them go way back. He had thought that this bond would never change but looking at the face of the troubled emperor…

nLeon kept his silence. He will get to the bottom of this topic later when there are only the two of them.

n

"Do you think she's planning something?

" He pried.

nMicahel looked down at the royal seal on the table, hiding his gloomy eyes.

n

"I hope not…

"

n