Two large carriages were pulled up in front of the Valen mansion in town, however, the knights and servants were standing in front of the procession like dolls that didn't move.
Dante walked up and took the hand of the mistress of the house, even if she had only recently returned to the family, her elegance was still deeply rooted in her behavior, and she composed herself in front of the staff.
Still, a small voice whispered to Dante.
"Where is he, is he ok?"
Dante's insides were turning, he could not answer the lady's anxious questions, and every fiber in his body wanted to finish the escort, so he could run into the city to look for Kilian himself.
'He is…fine.' He told himself, something he had repeated the whole morning after they had discovered the young Duke had not returned the previous evening.
'So much time has already passed.'
Dante clenched his free hand into a fist but tried to keep calm, as they met the old butler at the entrance to the mansion.
He relinquished the hand of the lady for the butler, to let the old man escort the trembling small woman who resembled her son so much he felt like hugging her.
The lady Ameria was supposed to have traveled to the North residence together with Kilian the same morning, but it had been quickly evident that the young lord was nowhere to be found.
Most of the Valen knights were scouring the city while he was standing there at the entrance feeling useless.
He had been told to stay, to be on hold and ready for whatever news may come regarding Kilian.
However, he could not just sit still and do nothing. His lip had taken the damage from his nervousness, and he was already dressed to go out.
"Calm down Knight Dante."
The voice was deep and the presence of the duke came through the foyer.
Dante bowed respectfully at the sight of Cratos and looked up at the man when he straightened his pose.
Dark circles were visual under the green eyes, and the blonde hair was a mess.
'Did he already know last night?'. Dante speculated, seeing as he did not know what other concern this man would have but the disappearance of Kilian.
The green eyes stared daggers back at Dante like they were searching him for answers.
The cold expression made Dante look away, and he was sure the surroundings had become colder.
"I will ask you once." There was a pause but the tone was almost threatening, and Dante's whole body tensed up.
"Do you know where he is?"
Cratos spoke the words while taking in every little change in expression Dante had, as the words were relayed.
Dante clenched his fist til his palms hurt and looked down with regret.
"No."
"Alright, then come with me."
Dante felt relieved the huge man had believed him so easily, though it had not been a lie, he could understand why Cratos would think Dante of all people would know where Kilian could have gone.
"An informant says she has found something of Kilian's"
Dante immediately followed Cratos who left through the front entrance.
Their walk took them down a side street and Dante was the only other person with the Duke.
They entered a small side tavern on one of the side streets to the main road, and a gloomy atmosphere met them when they stepped foot between the small wooden tables and chairs.
Cratos Valen had an imposing figure, and the small tavern had become quiet as soon as he entered, some people even got up and walked past them to leave, while others sat as if rooted to the chairs.
A skinny man walked up and bowed with a small grin, his fingers holding on to something long and thin.
Dante looked up at Cratos and could tell Kilian's grandfather had also recognized the object right away.
"Where did you find this?"
Cratos took out a gold coin which increased the size of the man's pupils, who greedily accepted it.
"Mercenaries in town were selling some things before leaving this morning."
Dante's stomach turned.
'Mercenaries, was he kidnapped for ransom?'
His insides were raging, but the cold air emanating from the Duke kept him from not threatening this sleazy-looking man in front of them.
Cratos grabbed the cane the man was holding, studying the amber top. The expression never changed, but the air around them was slowly getting colder.
'He is furious.' Dante thought, knowing he felt the same.
He had failed again, his master the one he was meant to protect as a knight, had been taken…again.
The regret of him constantly failing Kilian was slowing his movements as they left the place.
It was his fault this time, he knew cause he had deliberately stayed away from Kilian more lately.
'After that night...'
He looked down, his eyes only seeing the cobblestones on the ground and the hem of Cratos cape as they returned to the mansion.
The night he had heard Rayden and Kilian.
His thoughts had vividly spun some elaborate tale about them, and his jealousy had kept him away from Kilian.
Maarten's attack at the training grounds had brought them together again, and they had reached some sort of understanding he thought.
He had tried to steel his heart to not think of the young master as any more than that, the one he served, but in return, he had forgotten his duties which were to keep him safe.
'I have been too selfish.' He realized, knowing how he had acted arrogant and had felt entitled to Kilian's touch.
'I was wrong.' He knew now none of it mattered, all he needed to do was protect that small frame, and let go of any personal wants.
"I really did fail as a knight."
He had said the words out loud, and Cratos had not corrected or responded to them.
A small golden bird was flying around just high enough for the butler to be unable to reach it, and as soon as Cratos and Dante came into view it set off to land on Dante's shoulder.
The little golden bird was chirping angrily, and a small note appeared.
Dante read the few letters and words scribbled on it.
'I saw the draft for the frontline troops.
Kilian Heathgrave has been signed up as a representative of the Heathgrave family.
My bird can't locate him.
Rayden.'