Chapter 34.
Lucien's POV.
As I got closer, the walls of the kingdom loomed in the horizon; the sounds of laughter and music got louder with every stride. The idea that the people could still celebrate following all that had happened was difficult to accept. The day supposed to honour the king's loss, the Festival of Dawn, appeared more to me like a cruel joke. Guilt tore at my heart as I approached; the weight of my father's sins lay down on me like a heavy shroud.
Hoping to go unseen inside the realm, I drew the hood of my cloak further over my head. But I ought to have known better. A silence descended the audience as soon as I passed the gates. Whispers like wildfire spread, and shortly furious glares followed. "It's him," someone said, their voice full of contempt.
