Chapter 295: v3 - 56: the truth I

Chapter 295: v3 Chapter 56: the truth I

The request for a private audience came the following morning.

Cassian was escorted through the quieter wing of the royal residence and into one of the King’s private chambers.

Marcus was already there.

Lorenz stood near the windows, a document in his hand. He glanced up when Cassian entered.

"Come in."

Cassian bowed.

"Your Majesty."

Lorenz gave him a look.

"You can stop being so formal when there are only the three of us."

Cassian straightened.

Marcus remained near the side of the room, his arms folded loosely across his chest.

Lorenz gestured toward the chairs.

"Sit."

They did.

For a moment, Lorenz simply regarded Cassian.

"You have been thinking about leaving."

It was not a question.

Cassian remained silent for a moment.

"Yes."

Lorenz leaned back.

"I thought so."

Marcus’s gaze shifted toward Cassian.

Lorenz sighed.

"I had hoped you would change your mind."

"I am grateful for everything you have given me."

"That is not what I asked."

Cassian met his eyes.

Lorenz’s expression softened.

"You know I don’t want you to leave."

Cassian did.

That much had become increasingly obvious during the past year.

Lorenz had given him land.

A title.

Authority.

Trust.

But beyond all of that, he had continued finding reasons to keep Cassian close.

There was always another matter that required his attention.

Another negotiation.

Another difficult decision.

Another situation in which Lorenz preferred having Cassian beside him rather than sending someone else.

"You have become one of the most useful men in my court," Lorenz continued.

"Perhaps the most useful."

Marcus raised an eyebrow.

Lorenz glanced toward him.

"Marcus may disagree."

"I did not say anything."

"You didn’t need to."

A faint smile passed between the three men.

Then Lorenz’s expression became serious again.

"If this is about the woman you have spoken of before..."

Cassian’s expression changed slightly.

Lorenz noticed.

"You are still thinking about her."

"Yes."

"After all these years?"

"Yes."

Lorenz shook his head.

"You are remarkably stubborn."

Cassian said nothing.

Lorenz leaned back.

"Then let me offer you another solution."

Cassian waited.

"If you want a wife, choose one here."

His expression remained impassive.

Lorenz gestured vaguely.

"Half the unmarried women in the capital would probably accept you."

Marcus’s mouth twitched.

Lorenz continued.

"You have the title."

"The land."

"The appearance."

"And enough charm to make matters worse."

Cassian almost smiled.

"You could choose almost anyone."

Lorenz paused.

"Even my sister... or perhaps his." He pointed at Marcus.

Marcus looked at him.

"Your Majesty."

Lorenz shrugged.

"What?"

He looked back at Cassian.

"My sister would probably be overjoyed, and his sister would be equally thrilled."

Cassian’s expression became slightly strained.

Lorenz laughed.

"I was just making a point."

"I understand."

"No, I don’t think you do."

Lorenz’s voice softened.

"You have built a life here."

"You are respected."

"You have friends."

"People trust you."

"You have a future."

He paused.

"Why abandon all of that for a woman you have not seen in nearly six years?"

Cassian’s jaw tightened slightly.

Lorenz watched him.

"She may have changed."

"She may not even want what you think she wants anymore."

"And if you return..."

He paused.

"You may discover that there is nothing left for you there."

Cassian remained silent.

Lorenz continued carefully.

"She may be married by now."

The words landed heavily.

"She may have children."

"You don’t know."

Cassian’s gaze lowered briefly.

"No."

"And what will you do if that is the case?"

Cassian looked back at him.

"I don’t know."

Lorenz studied him for a long moment.

Then he leaned forward.

"That is exactly why I am not going to simply tell you to go."

Cassian’s eyes lifted.

Lorenz’s tone had changed.

The teasing was gone.

"I want to understand what I am being asked to send you into."

Cassian remained silent.

"You have spent nearly six years in this kingdom."

"You have never once asked me to send you home."

"You never used my resources to search for this woman."

"You never asked for letters to be carried across the border."

"And now, suddenly, you want to leave."

Lorenz’s eyes narrowed.

"There must be more to this than a woman you miss."

Cassian did not answer.

Lorenz continued.

"I have watched you for years."

"I have watched you negotiate with men twice our age."

"I have watched you read a room before anyone else realized there was something to read."

"I have watched soldiers follow your instructions without question."

"I have watched noble houses change their positions because you spoke to the right person."

He paused.

"And I have watched you fight."

Lorenz’s gaze hardened.

"You are no ordinary man, Carlo."

Cassian said nothing.

Lorenz leaned back slightly.

"So tell me."

"What kind of man has the ability—or the resources—to send someone like you to his death?"

Cassian’s expression remained still.

"What kind of woman is worth all this?"

The question struck differently.

For the first time, Cassian looked away.

Not because he had no answer, but because the answer was one he had spent years refusing to say aloud.

Lorenz noticed the hesitation and did not press him.

He continued before Cassian could answer.

"And what kind of man were you?"

Silence filled the room.

Lorenz’s expression softened.

"I am not asking only because I am curious."

He paused.

"At this point, I have already treated you like a brother, Carlo."

Cassian’s eyes shifted toward him.

"We have fought together."

"We have bled together."

"I have trusted you with my kingdom."

"And you have trusted me with yours."

Lorenz’s voice lowered.

"Perhaps I deserve to know who I have been standing beside all these years."

He held Cassian’s gaze.

"And if you are going to place yourself in danger by returning to the Empire, then I need to understand what you are returning to."

A quiet pause.

"You can trust me with this."

Cassian looked at him for a long moment.

Then he glanced toward Marcus.

Marcus said nothing.

He did not need to.

–

To be continued.

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