Chapter 486: Shuk’ha Province

Despite the gravity of the situation that had brought them together, she felt a warmth in her heart at the prospect of seeing her former students again.

The room itself was a testament to the blend of comfort and functionality that characterized the entire estate. Large windows showed the outside rain and green forest.

Comfortable sofas and armchairs were arranged in conversational groups, upholstered in rich fabrics that showed no sign of wear despite their obvious age.

There, arranged around the room’s central seating area, were some of her most accomplished former students—young people she had taught and guided and who had since become influential figures in their own right.

"Professor Lovett, you are here," said Veronica, rising from her place on one of the elegant sofas. The young woman—though she was young only in relative terms, being nearly thirty—carried herself with the poise and authority that came with her position as an Arcnyte of the Ministry.

Her hair was styled in the latest fashion, and her robes bore the silver trim that marked her rank, but her eyes held the same keen intelligence that had made her one of Professor Lovett’s most promising students.

The others rose as well, showing the respect due to their former instructor.

Pierre and his wife, Jennifer, sat side by side on the facing sofa, their hands clasped together in a gesture that spoke of both their bond and their shared concern.

Beside them sat Fiona, Pierre’s mother.

Arthur and Imogen occupied chairs near the window, both having studied in the same year as Pierre and Jennifer.

Arthur, with his grey hair and scholarly demeanor, had become one of the Empire’s foremost researchers in defensive magic.

Imogen, her red hair as vibrant as ever, had chosen the path of a healer, establishing herself as one of the most skilled practitioners of curative arts in the capital.

-

Veronica wasted no time in explaining why she had brought them all together.

"I called you all here because of Jaegar," she began, her voice heavy with concern.

"The Ministry no longer wants to protect him. They believe he has become too dangerous to shield."

"What do you mean, dangerous? What’s happened with him again?" Lovett asked, though everyone wanted to ask where he was.

"As you all know about the rebellion of Angus Gadfraye, though he hadn’t made any since the attack in the capital, they suspect that he is involved with Bande de serpents."

The room fell silent except for the gentle ticking of the mantle clock.

Professor Lovett’s hands were folded in her lap, but her knuckles had gone white. She was devastated when she heard the news of Angus turning back on the empire. She had always been an admirer of him, but to think he had done such a grave crime, she shook her head.

"His father, Angus, has caused such discord in the Empire," Veronica continued, pacing now before the fireplace.

"The ministry council met yesterday. They say Angus is planning something big with Bande de Serpents. The whole Empire is in uproar."

Pierre shifted uncomfortably on the sofa, Jennifer’s hand tightening on his.

"But Jaegar is not his father," he said quietly.

"Try telling that to the Ministry," Veronica replied with bitter frustration.

"They see him as the son of a traitor. Nothing more. They want him found, and I fear..." She paused, looking directly at Professor Lovett.

"I fear they might kill him rather than risk another uprising."

The words hung in the air like a death sentence. Veronica wasn’t aware of what’s happening exactly with the Ministry or with the Bande de serpents; she was worried about Jaegar.

Arthur cleared his throat nervously while Imogen pressed a hand to her mouth in shock.

"Where is he now?" Professor Lovett asked, her voice steady despite the storm brewing in her eyes.

Veronica turned to Pierre hopefully.

"You were always close to him at the Academy. When did you last see him?"

Pierre shook his head slowly. "It has been months, Professor. After meeting him in the city, I haven’t seen him around. And I was so busy with my business and home that I didn’t have time to send a word for him."

Fiona was wearing a sad expression; she missed him, unlike her son.

"Ever since he graduated, he has been secretive about what he is doing," Pierre said.

"That secretive nature might be what keeps him alive," Professor Lovett observed.

"But we must find him before the Ministry does."

Veronica nodded eagerly.

"That’s why I wanted to meet here, away from the Academy, where Ministry ears might listen. We need to use every connection we have."

"I agree," Professor Lovett said, rising from her chair.

"We should send word immediately. A letter, carefully written, that only he would understand."

"Where shall we send it?" Arthur asked.

"I know a place where he might be, we shall send a letter first, if we get response, we can ask him meet us," Pierre said as he thought about the farmhouse.

"Where is it?" Veronica asked.

"It’s the farmhouse, his grandmother’s place."

"Oh, that’s right. Why didn’t I think of it," Veronica said.

"All right, send a letter to him immediately," Lovett instructed. "Let’s hope that we will get a response soon."

-

Meanwhile, far from this urgent gathering, the affairs of the Empire continued their grand dance. Prince Vlaran, eldest son of the Emperor, sat in his ornate carriage as it rolled through the countryside toward Shuk’ha Province.

The black lacquered vehicle, decorated with the seal of the Imperial house, moved steadily along the well-maintained roads that connected the Empire’s far-flung territories.

The Prince was a man in his mid-twenties, with the sharp features and dark hair common to the imperial bloodline. He wore traveling clothes of deep blue silk, cut in the military style favored at court.

This was no pleasure trip but a matter of state that would bind two great powers together.

He was traveling to meet Princess Shuyin Zhou, daughter of the Qashaidan Dynasty, who would become his bride in a marriage arranged to strengthen the alliance between their two realms.