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Chapter 97: ’Azure?’

Chapter 97: ’Azure?’

"Then, we’ll be going now. Cashew, you stay here and wait for His Highness to return," Lucius said, his voice crisp and authoritative the moment Florian stepped out of his room, fully dressed and ready.

Cashew’s face fell almost immediately. His fingers clenched at the fabric of his sleeves, his shoulders slumping ever so slightly. The disappointment in his eyes was subtle but unmistakable.

Still, he nodded. "Okay..." he mumbled, bowing his head. His voice was quiet, small—like he wanted to argue but knew it wouldn’t change anything.

Florian sighed. Without thinking, he reached out, his hand settling atop Cashew’s soft, messy hair. He gave it a light ruffle, the way he always did when he wanted to reassure the boy.

"This’ll be quick, like last time," he murmured. "Don’t worry, I’m not going anywhere else anymore."

Cashew leaned into the touch ever so slightly, as if reluctant to show how much he appreciated it. His lips pressed together, still uncertain, but the tension in his shoulders eased.

Lucius, ever efficient, didn’t wait long. "Let’s go, Your Highness." His tone was polite, as always, but there was something firm about it—something that left no room for delay.

Florian cast one last glance at Cashew before stepping forward. The boy remained where he stood, watching them leave with wide, uncertain eyes, before slowly lowering himself to sit on the edge of the bed.

Florian didn’t linger. He walked beside Lucius, following him down the familiar hallways, his mind shifting to the matter at hand.

He should have been focused on the announcement.

Whatever Heinz had planned, it had to be significant. Something big enough to warrant his presence.

And yet, Florian’s mind was elsewhere.

More specifically, on Lucius.

The butler walked ahead of him, posture rigid, movements precise. At a glance, he seemed composed—calm, even. But Florian wasn’t stupid. He noticed the small things. The way Lucius’s grip tightened ever so slightly at his sides. The way his steps carried an unusual stiffness. The way his presence—normally comfortable, even if overbearing—felt distant.

’He’s still upset.’

Florian had felt it the moment Lucius entered his room earlier.

The air had been off. Tense in a way it hadn’t been for a long time.

And then there was the way Lucius had waited outside instead of staying in the room with him—something he hadn’t done for weeks now.

That confirmed it.

’Yesterday, I thought we settled things. But... apparently not.’

Florian wasn’t sure why it bothered him. Lucius being upset wasn’t his problem. He could sulk all he wanted—it wouldn’t change anything.

And yet...

Florian frowned, glancing at Lucius’s back.

’I don’t care. But still... I feel off.’

He debated whether or not to address it, but in the end, it didn’t matter. Knowing Lucius, the man wouldn’t keep his thoughts to himself for long.

And right on cue—

"How are you feeling?" Lucius asked, glancing at him.

Florian raised a brow. "Haven’t you already asked this?"

Lucius didn’t waver. "Well, I’m hoping for a more honest answer now."

Florian’s steps slowed slightly. His brows furrowed. "I am being honest."

And he was. He felt fine.

Yes, he had been kidnapped. Yes, he had almost been assaulted. Yes, Levi—the rogue who had saved him—died a brutal death in his place. And all of it had been unnecessary, because in the end, Lancelot would have come for him regardless.

Then Arthur, of all people, had casually implied that this wouldn’t be the last time Florian suffered.

But he got a laugh out of it. So it was fine.

Besides, now that he knew Heinz was a regressor—and that Heinz knew he wasn’t the real Florian—it was a relief, in a way. He could be more relaxed around him.

And more importantly, he could use that knowledge.

They were both trying to avoid terrible fates, after all.

Lucius, however, was still watching him.

There was something unsettling in his gaze.

That same look.

The one he had given Florian when he laughed—really laughed—at Arthur’s head exploding into a mess of blood and bone.

It was a look of fear.

Florian tilted his head slightly. "What?"

Lucius narrowed his eyes, observing him with that sharp, scrutinizing stare—the same one he always had before he spoke, like he was trying to read him before saying anything.

And then, after a beat of silence—

"This isn’t normal, right?" Lucius asked.

Florian blinked. "What isn’t?"

Lucius exhaled sharply, as if frustrated by the question. "After everything you’ve been through... you’re smiling like nothing happened?"

Florian didn’t even hesitate. "Why shouldn’t I? I’m here. I’m alive. No point crying over it."

Lucius’s expression darkened. "But to move on so quickly?" His tone was sharper now, disapproving. "I hardly think that’s healthy, Your Highness."

Something flickered in Florian’s chest—something sharp, irritated.

He narrowed his eyes. "It’s healthy for me."

Lucius sighed, rubbing his temples as if he was the one who should be frustrated.

Florian felt his annoyance spike.

’Oh, he’s frustrated? He’s the one trying to force me to be upset.’

Lucius gave him another long, assessing look before finally exhaling, as if conceding the argument.

"Fine," he muttered. "I’ll let this matter go for now."

But before Florian could feel any relief, Lucius’s tone shifted.

"But I have more things to ask you, Your Highness."

Florian scoffed lightly. "Of course you do."

"What did you talk—"

Lucius abruptly stopped mid-sentence, his words cutting off the moment he noticed a group of maids passing by.

The maids, upon seeing him and Florian, immediately lowered their heads in polite bows, offering soft smiles in greeting. Florian returned the gesture with a faint, almost absentminded smile. His focus, however, wasn’t on them—it was on their hushed conversation.

"I heard His Majesty was so pleased that he used Azure!" one of the maids whispered excitedly.

The other gasped, her hands flying to her mouth. "Azure? Seriously? But His Majesty never—"

"I know!" The first maid’s voice dropped even lower, thick with barely contained excitement. "But one of the senior maids said they saw it personally..."

Florian’s expression remained neutral, but his mind sharpened at the name.

’Azure?’

The word struck something in his memory, something distant and hazy. A name that meant something.

The maids walked further away, their voices fading into murmurs before disappearing entirely. Florian’s brows furrowed slightly, his mind turning over the name again and again.

’That sounds familiar... Azure... Azure...’

"As I was saying, Your Highness—"

Lucius started again the moment the maids were out of sight, but Florian barely registered it.

Lucius had only managed a few words before Florian cut him off.

"Hold that thought, Lucius."

Lucius blinked. "Huh?"

Florian turned to him, his expression unreadable but his tone firm. "What’s Azure?"

Lucius hesitated, caught off guard by the sudden question.

Florian wasn’t asking out of idle curiosity. Whatever Azure was, it had been important enough to cause a stir—even among the palace staff. And if it had something to do with the king, then it was definitely something worth knowing.

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