CHAPTER 250: CHAPTER 249: THE GOLDEN HEIR

As they strolled through the courtyard, voices echoed faintly off the stone walls. Then, from across the path, a figure approached with a radiant smile.

"Viscount Liraeth."

The man’s voice was warm and confident. He was young, strikingly handsome, his golden hair gleaming under the sunlight like a crown, and his blue eyes sharp yet inviting. His steps carried the ease of one born to nobility.

Liraeth’s expression shifted into one of polite acknowledgment. "Ah, isn’t this the empire’s most famous young hero, Lord Lucian Ardent, heir of House Ardent."

Lucian chuckled, lifting a hand in mock protest. "You speak too highly of me, my lady. Fame clings to me only because of my grandfather’s shadow. Without him, I’d be just another knight swinging a sword."

Liraeth shook her head, her tone light yet firm. "You are too modest, young Heir Ardent. No one can deny the weight of your own deeds. Your victories at the border have already become songs sung by soldiers."

Lucian’s smile softened, though pride glimmered behind his modesty. "Songs, perhaps. But songs are often kinder than the truth. Still... I thank you." His eyes then drifted toward Lumberling, who had been quietly observing.

"I heard of you from Thalia," Lucian said, his tone light but sincere. "You and your mercenary band, saving villages, protecting our people."

Lumberling regarded the young man carefully. Beneath that bright smile and casual air was strength, his aura told the truth. Knight Three Stage. Young, talented, and dangerous.

He inclined his head politely. "I was only doing what I could, Heir Ardent. Just warding off stragglers. Nothing much compared to your victories."

Lucian chuckled and waved off the humility. "Don’t be too modest. Thalia told me you faced someone beyond your stage, and won. Few can boast such a feat." He stepped closer, clapping Lumberling’s shoulder with the easy confidence of a comrade.

"I got lucky," Lumberling replied evenly, though he did not step back.

"That couldn’t be luck." Lucian’s grin widened. "I can feel your strength. How about it? Why don’t you join me? Together, we could strike the invaders." He spoke casually, as if inviting him for wine rather than war.

Before Lumberling could respond, Liraeth’s voice slid into the space between them, smooth and deliberate.

"Recruiting him already, Heir Ardent?" she said with a smile that carried both grace and warning. "Lord Lumberling has lived long in the mountains, away from the tangled webs of politics. Let him enjoy a few quiet moments before being dragged into campaigns."

The softness of her expression belied the firmness of her intent. Anyone watching would see courtesy, only Lucian would feel the barrier she’d just set between him and Lumberling.

Lucian blinked, then laughed, disarming as ever. "Of course, Viscount. You’re right, I may be too hasty." He glanced at Lumberling once more, his smile undimmed. "Still, Baron Lumberling... in the future, I hope we can fight side by side. Our empire needs men like you."

Lumberling met his gaze. "Our paths may cross again, Heir Ardent. I’ll keep fighting against the invaders as long as I draw breath."

"Good," Lucian said brightly, stepping back with the same carefree air he had arrived with. "Keep that fire. It suits you." With a cheerful wave, he turned and strolled down the courtyard, as if nothing in the world could weigh him down.

As the young man’s golden hair disappeared, Lumberling turned to Liraeth. "Who exactly is that man?"

Liraeth’s gaze lingered where Lucian had gone, her tone carrying both admiration and caution. "Lucian Ardent. Successor of House Ardent, grandson of Grand Duke Lucan Ardent... and the empire’s most praised hero. His deeds in saving the common folk are sung in every city."

"That’s quite a list of titles." Lumberling let out a quiet laugh. "He almost feels like someone pulled out of a fairy tale."

"Fairy tales have teeth," Liraeth replied dryly. "Don’t get entangled with him. He may sound casual, even kind, but many nobles despise him. Especially..." Her eyes darkened. "...the emperor himself."

Lumberling raised a brow. "So he’s standing with Grand Duke Cassian Draemont, then?"

Liraeth gave a slow nod. "He was actually the first to openly question the emperor’s choice to abandon the common people. Cassian followed, but Lucian made the spark."

Lumberling’s lips tightened, thoughtful. "So he truly is a hero." His voice dropped lower. "If he’s heir to Ardent and Cassian is already defying the emperor, that means there are two Grand Dukes on the same side. Are there more?"

"Not yet," Liraeth answered, her voice steady. "But war has a way of reaching even the proudest halls. More will join if their lands begin to burn. For now, it’s just the two... and the Church of the Twilight Prayer."

"That makes sense," Lumberling said, recalling the name with a faint nod. "He does know Thalia, after all."

Lumberling cast one last look at the towering palace. Its spires glittered like daggers of light, yet all he felt was the crushing reminder of how far he still had to climb.

The auras he had sensed within, Knights at stages he could hardly imagine, power that warped the very air were far beyond him.

’I’m still too weak.’

His hand tightened into a fist at his side. ’Next time. I’ll be stronger. Strong enough to stand, no matter what storms wait inside.’

He turned to Liraeth then, the tension easing as a small, genuine smile touched his lips. "Thank you for coming with me. Our business is done here... let’s return."

Liraeth raised a brow, a faint smile curving her lips. "Return? Just like that? You step into the heart of the empire and already you’re running back to the shadows?"

Lumberling blinked, then chuckled softly. "What do you suggest?"

"If you really want to thank me," she said, her eyes glinting with mischief, "then let’s walk the city. This is your first time here, you should see it with your own eyes before we leave."

For a moment, he considered refusing. But the eager spark in her gaze was enough to make him nod. "Very well."

Liraeth’s smile widened, almost boyish in its delight, though she quickly hid it behind her usual composed air. "Good. Then follow me."

And so, side by side, they wandered the capital.