Whispers in the Dark
Dorian was smiling like the devil when Cyrus entered.
"What good information is it that you bless me with such a smile, Sir?" His voice sounded crude and not elegant.
"I have some information about that place. The time is not certain, but within 6 months to at most a year, we will be able to enter the dome."
"That's certainly good news, sir, but before that, we would need to do something about the government and 'them'."
"For the government, the people have always hated the monarchy and the force they use. We can use freedom and democracy as key words to rebel and keep them in check. But..."
"Nexus is quite mysterious. We don't know if what we've prepared is enough for them."
"We don't know what trump cards the government has either."
"Yes, sir. We might need to work on our trump cards a little."
"Will you help me in these tough times, Cyrus?"
"I am yours to order. I can kill or get killed as per your command!"
"I am moved! Well then, let's see how dangerous this place called 'Automara' really is."
Lucian overheard everything, and it sent shivers down his spine. The minister who seemed gentle and the butler who was so elegant... Were they such scum all along? Using people as chess pieces, rebelling against the government, and invading Automara?
And who is Nexus? Are they involved with Automara too?
"What trump card does Dorian have that he is ready to fight against both of these powers? And what does Automara hold that all powers seek to control?"
A Battle of Heart and Mind
Lucian was confused, his heart and mind conflicted. He wanted to know about Automara and his parents, but he didn't know if he could go against these powers.
He went back to his room, claiming to be sick, and stayed there all day, battling between his heart and mind.
"If I don't go to Automara, will it get destroyed? Will the last fragments—the last information about my parents—be lost? What is it that Automara has that my parents had to leave me all alone? I need to see..."
After brainstorming for a full day and night, he came to the conclusion. "I will go to Automara," he said. "I will find out all the secrets Automara contains. Who built it and why? How are my parents connected to it? And the voice I heard... is it related?"
He couldn't just leave; he had to devise a plan first. Cyrus had now allowed him to go to the library to borrow and read books.
So, he went to the library the next day and sat at the center table, where he could see the map of Civitas on the wall.
To avoid suspicion, the book he grabbed was about cooking. Lucian had come from Halcyon to Civitas Primus. Now, he needed to go to Ironclad, then to Ashen Ridge, and Sylvara to reach the dome at the end of Sylvara.
A Request
But Lucian wanted to meet Viril and Mr. Otto before his departure. He decided to tell Dorian that he felt his lack of experience and wanted to travel the world and go back to meet Otto and Viril.
Though he wasn't sure how Dorian would react to that.
He worked up the courage and went to Dorian's study, serving him tea, and then sat down.
"You have something to say, Lucian?" the minister asked.
"Yes, sir. I had a request," he said nervously.
"You can tell me. No need to be nervous."
"I've long felt that I am ignorant of the world and its ways and lack experience. I would like to travel to various places and learn, and cook food there."
"So, I... I..."
"Oh, is that so? Very well," said Dorian.
Lucian was surprised by Dorian having no problems with him going.
"What is life with no new experiences? Go travel to your heart's content and come back to cook me some even better meals."
"I wanted to meet Mr. Otto and Viril before that."
"I will make arrangements for that as well. You can go rest today and set off the day after tomorrow."
Lucian excused himself. "If I didn't overhear them talking yesterday, I wouldn't be able to tell that he is actually evil," he thought.
The news soon spread all over the mansion, and the next day when Lucian woke up, he found the whole place decorated. He wondered what occasion it was for the mansion to be decorated.
"Come here, Lucian," he heard. Dorian and Cyrus were there with other staff.
"Why do you look confused?" said Eleanor, pulling him to the cake.
"Happy Birthday, Lucian," it said. He had forgotten he turned 16 today, and he didn't expect such a party.
"It's for your birthday and your farewell."
"Thank you, guys," he said, happy about the event but having mixed feelings about all this. The bittersweet feeling didn't let him enjoy much of his birthday.