Chapter 299: v3 - 60: the road home II

Chapter 299: v3 Chapter 60: the road home II

Once the delegation had been dispatched, there was little left to do but wait.

Cassian stayed at the Valmere residence in the capital.

But he did not spend the following six weeks doing nothing.

If he was going back to the Empire, he intended to do so looking like the man Marian had once loved.

Perhaps more importantly, he had no intention of allowing Adrian to look better than him.

It was, admittedly, a rather ridiculous concern.

Cassian knew that.

He also did not care.

He summoned the finest tailor in the capital.

Then another.

He had several sets of formal clothing prepared.

Dark coats.

Ceremonial attire.

Travel clothes.

Evening wear.

Everything was fitted precisely to him.

His wardrobe had to be suitable for a Marquess traveling with the King of Milicia.

But there was another consideration.

He wanted to look his best.

So he rested.

Properly.

For perhaps the first time in years, Cassian allowed himself to sleep as long as his body demanded.

He ate better.

He exercised, though he reduced the intensity of his training enough to give his body time to recover.

He took considerably better care of his skin.

He even found himself enduring preparations he would once have considered unnecessary.

All for one reason.

He was going home.

And if he was going to stand before Marian after nearly six years, he wanted to look as good as he possibly could.

He would not arrive exhausted.

He would not arrive looking like a man who had spent years fighting for his life.

He would arrive as Marquess Carlo of Valmere.

Strong.

Healthy.

Well dressed.

And, preferably, devastatingly handsome.

If he had to compete with an Emperor for Marian’s attention, he intended to make the competition unfair.

Marcus noticed.

He said nothing.

Lorenz noticed.

He laughed.

"You’re actually doing this."

Cassian continued adjusting the cuff of his shirt.

"Doing what?"

"Trying to become more handsome."

"I am not."

Lorenz stared at him.

"You’ve changed tailors twice."

"They were unsuitable."

"You’ve spent more time in front of a mirror this month than you have in the last five years."

Cassian looked at him.

"I have responsibilities."

Lorenz laughed.

"Of course."

Cassian ignored him.

He had one objective.

When he saw Marian again, he wanted her to see him.

Not the man who had disappeared.

Not the dead duke whose memory she might have carried.

Him.

Alive.

Standing before her.

That was enough.

For now.

--

Six weeks after Robert had departed, his report finally arrived.

Cassian was summoned to the royal residence.

Lorenz was already there when he entered.

Marcus stood beside him.

The letter lay open on the table.

Cassian immediately knew.

"Robert?"

Lorenz nodded.

"We have his report."

Cassian walked closer.

"Read it."

Lorenz’s expression was unusually serious.

"The Emperor and Empress are both well."

Cassian’s heart tightened.

Lorenz continued.

"Adrian remains firmly established on the throne."

Cassian said nothing.

"And..."

Lorenz looked at him.

"Marian Valmont is the Empress."

The room became very quiet.

Cassian had expected it.

He had prepared himself for it.

And yet hearing the words still felt different.

"How long?"

Lorenz glanced down at the report.

"Three years and ten months."

Cassian’s gaze remained fixed on him.

"They have been married for almost four years."

Four years. No. Three years and ten months.

Cassian lowered his eyes.

He had been gone for five years and eight months now.

Marian had spent most of that time believing him dead.

Almost four years of marriage.

Almost four years beside Adrian.

Cassian drew a slow breath.

"And children?"

Lorenz shook his head.

"None."

Cassian looked up.

"The court is apparently beginning to pressure the Emperor."

"The lack of an heir has become a matter of increasing concern."

Cassian was silent.

Then—

"Perfect."

Lorenz blinked.

Marcus looked at him.

Cassian realized how that sounded.

He cleared his throat.

"I mean..."

He paused.

"That is useful information."

Lorenz slowly smiled.

"Of course."

Cassian ignored him.

"How certain is Robert?"

"Certain."

"And Marian?"

"She remains Empress."

Cassian nodded.

That was enough.

For the first time, he had something concrete.

Not hope.

Not speculation.

Not a memory.

Information.

Marian was alive.

She was married to Adrian.

She had been his wife for almost four years.

And she had no children.

Cassian did not know what that meant.

He would not allow himself to assume.

But it meant the future had not been entirely decided without him.

The report contained other information.

The Imperial court was stable.

There was no immediate sign of internal rebellion.

The Emperor’s position appeared secure.

The Empire was not preparing for war.

All of it mattered.

They studied the report carefully.

Every detail was reviewed.

Every possibility considered.

There would be no reckless crossing.

No unnecessary movement.

No assumption that the Empire would welcome them simply because a diplomatic delegation had been proposed.

They had prepared for the worst.

Now they waited for the answer.

Five days later, it came.

The delegation’s message arrived shortly before noon.

Lorenz opened it himself.

His eyes moved across the page.

Then he smiled.

"They agreed."

Cassian looked up.

"To negotiations?"

Lorenz nodded.

"The Empire has formally accepted my proposal."

For a moment, no one spoke.

Then Marcus exhaled.

"So we go."

Lorenz folded the letter.

"We go."

Everything changed immediately.

Orders were issued.

Horses prepared.

Carriages arranged.

Documents checked.

The royal delegation was assembled.

Marcus took charge of the final arrangements.

Robert would rejoin them once they reached the agreed point.

Alex and Gary were included.

Additional guards and officials were selected.

The delegation had to be worthy of a king.

And Cassian—

Cassian returned to his residence.

For one final preparation.

He stood before the mirror.

His new formal coat fit perfectly.

His dark hair had been carefully arranged.

His face looked healthier than it had in years.

The scars he carried remained.

They always would.

But they no longer defined what he saw.

He adjusted his collar.

Then looked at himself for a long moment.

Marquess Carlo of Valmere.

That was who he would be when he crossed the border.

But beneath the title—

he was still Cassian.

And somewhere beyond that border was Marian.

He closed his eyes.

Five years.

Eight months.

Nearly six years since he had last seen her.

He had imagined this moment so many times that he had stopped believing it would ever happen.

Now it was real.

Though there were still weeks ahead.

The journey itself would take roughly three to four weeks.

Then there would be the formalities.

The negotiations.

The Imperial court.

And Adrian.

But none of that mattered yet.

For the first time, the road actually existed.

--

A knock sounded at the door.

"My lord?"

Cassian opened his eyes.

"Come in."

A servant entered.

"The royal delegation has already assembled at the palace, my lord."

Cassian glanced toward the clock.

It was still early.

Earlier than the appointed hour.

He raised an eyebrow.

"The King is already there?"

"Yes, my lord."

Cassian almost smiled.

Of course he was.

Lorenz had probably been ready since dawn.

"Very well. Tell the carriage to be prepared."

The servant bowed and left.

Cassian looked at himself one last time.

His coat sat perfectly.

His hair was in order.

He looked considerably better than he had seven weeks ago.

Then he smiled faintly.

"If Adrian looks better than me..."

He stopped.

Shook his head.

"Ridiculous."

He adjusted his cuff.

A moment passed.

"I still have the better personality."

Cassian stared at his reflection.

That, at least, was undeniable.

Or so he chose to believe.

He picked up his gloves.

Then left the room.

--

The royal delegation waited outside the palace.

Lorenz stood beside the carriage.

Marcus was already mounted.

The others were preparing to depart.

Cassian approached.

Lorenz looked him over.

Then laughed.

"You really did go all out."

Cassian gave him a flat look.

"I told you."

"You did not."

"I did."

Lorenz shook his head.

"Romantic sap."

Cassian ignored him.

He turned toward the road.

Beyond the city lay the border.

Beyond the border lay the Empire.

And beyond the Empire—

Marian.

For years, he had been forced to live with uncertainty.

Now, at last, he was going to find out the truth for himself.

Lorenz mounted.

"Ready?"

Cassian looked toward the distant horizon.

His throat tightened.

He swallowed.

Then nodded.

"Yes."

His voice was quiet.

"I’m ready."

His horse moved forward.

The first carriage began rolling behind him.

Then another.

The royal escort followed.

The gates of Milicia opened.

The delegation passed through.

Cassian looked ahead.

Three weeks.

Perhaps four.

That was all that stood between him and the border.

After nearly six years, three or four weeks felt like nothing.

He had waited years.

He could wait a little longer.

But this time, he was not waiting for a way home.

He was going home.

To the Empire.

To Marian.

And whatever waited for him beyond the border.

--

End of Volume Three

AN: FINALLY!!!!! I have been dying to get here. And now... finally!!! I want to cry!!!! Yesssssssss volume 4 here we come!!!!! I can’t!!!!