In the study room of the Duke, Elafi was pacing in front of the fireplace with anxiety and worry while Alepou was sitting on the couch picking at the threads of his sleeve cuffs. This sight wholly amused the Duke and Chrysos. The Duke is none other than Lykos Vasilias, the first born of the Vasilias Family. Chrysos is the second son while Elafi is the third son. Alepou and Chrysos are engaged to each other while Elafi is still single. Lykos was very surprised that Elafi was sincerely worried about someone other than family. Despite being popular with the ladies and men, he was always polite to everyone.
Chrysos took Alepou's hands in his. "Alepou, how did you find former Countess Keyes ?" he asked. Alepou took a deep breath while Elafi stiffened at the question. Lykos caught it and admitted that he was curious. "He stumbled out of Alempos Forest." Alepou answered. Chrysos looked shocked while Lykos ended up gaping open in shock. At first they thought that it was a prank but seeing the unchanging expression on both Alepou's and Elafi's face....
"Say WHAT !!!!!!!" Lykos and Chrysos yelled in shock. They couldn't believe it ! They felt their souls leave their body in shock. As they were about respond, "THEY DID WHAT ? I WILL PERSONALLY MURDER THEM ALIVE !!!! HOW DARE THOSE BASTARDS !!!". Lykos paled in fear as he heard Lucian's raised voice. Lucian never got angry and if he did it was explosive. He knew while their marriage was arranged and that they had a degree of understanding, there were certain things Lucian hid and refused to speak of. Lykos is aware that Lucian has a mission of sorts that he had been secretly doing.
After hearing the yell, Elafi shot out of the room with Alepou on his heels. Chrysos and Lykos got up and flew out of the room as well. They ran up the stairs and to Soleil's room. Elafi burst the door open and stood still. Alepou nearly crashed into him and was about to yell when he suddenly stiffened. Lykos and Chrysos looked at each other and peeked in to see what was going on. What they saw astounded them.
They saw Lucien in front of a man with fair skin, champagne gold eyes and deep bronze hair with rose gold streaks on the bottom of his hair. They couldn't help but stare at him in shock. The man was quite beautiful and it didn't diminish despite being covered up in bandages. The man started fidgeting feeling uncomfortable from all of the stares.
Lucian noticing this, stood in front of the man, effectively covering him from sight. "If you morons have finished gaping like fishes, come in and close the door." he said. That stirred them out of their stupor and quietly entered the room. Elafi walked to the man on the bed and sat next to him. The man looked nervous. Elafi suddenly smiled and gently took the man's hand in his and grasped it. "Hi, Soleil. You look very beautiful." he suddenly said. Alepou, Chrysos and Lykos suddenly looked at Elafi as if he had grown two heads. Lucian noticing this couldn't help but laugh causing Soleil to let out a keen groan and hiding his face in his hands.
Elafi suddenly smiled. "So, Soleil, how did you hide your true appearance ? It must have not been easy." he asked. Soleil removed the hands off his face and grabbed the necklace that lay on the table. Alepou took and muttered a few words. The necklace glowed red, green and blue. Alepou looked impressed at the necklace. "Impressive. It is covered in protection, barrier and glamour spells. It is quite a piece of complex spell work."
He handed it back to Soleil who put it on, revealing the look he had when he met them. He looked at Lucian who sighed and pouted to which Soleil just stared. Lucian finally gave in with a resigned sigh and turned to Lykos. "We need to talk and preferably alone." he said. Lykos nodded and got up. They both left the room leaving the others behind.
Lykos and Lucian walked down the hallway. Lykos could see the tension in Lucian's back and he knew that what they were going to talk about would be very serious. They entered his study room and sat down. Lykos squeezed Lucian's hand as a signal to show that he would wait and to talk slowly. Lucian flashed a grateful smile at him. "I know that I have been hiding things from you. I was ordered not reveal them unless I had a good reason. I am grateful that you did not push me. I know that you deserve to know them. Please don't hate me for not telling the whole truth." Lucian spoke, voice trembling with fear and sadness. Lykos felt his sincerity. He squeezed Lucian's hand and spoke "I know that you had your reasons. I can't hate you for choosing to protect yourself and the people for no reason. I will never hate you. I love you no matter who you are and who you serve." Lucian hugged him with tears in his eyes. Lykos embraced him tightly reassuring him with all of his heart that he will not leave.
They separated and looked at each other. " Countess Keyes is not the son of the Asteri Clan. He has a higher standing than anyone in this kingdom." Lucian said. "If he did, then why is he in a situation like this ?" Lykos couldn't help but ask. He was genuinely curious about the entire thing. Why did Soleil Asteri hide his identity to such lengths ? It did not make sense. Lucian got up and looked out of the window. Lykos followed and looked in the direction Lucian was looking at. It was the bell tower that acted as a guard post for the Ilios Empire. Lucian turned around and took Lykos's hand into his own. "Let me tell you something interesting. That bell tower you see, it was graced with the person who had the most authority after the Emperor of Ilios Empire. He was well loved by the people of our Empire. However, forces conspired and kidnapped him. We haven't stopped searching for him and now, he has returned home." Lykos immediately put the pieces together.
Lucian smiled and knelt in front of Lykos. "I, Lucian Royale, Envoy of Ilios Empire greet the Duke of Vasilias Duchy and the guardian of Crown Prince Soleil Ouranios. Please receive my thanks." He bowed his head. Lykos was stunned. He felt faint and fell backwards. Lucian caught him. "What a wimp." he chuckled. He carried him over to the sofa. Lykos just stared at him dazed. "Arghhhhhhh...why do we have to suffer this ?" he groaned. Lucian laughed which made Lykos smile.
They shared a small smile together. They would get through this together and return Soleil to his rightful place together.