The palace halls were cold and hushed, lined with portraits of past Emperors whose painted eyes followed his every step. Cassian's skin prickled. He had the distinct feeling he was being watched—because he was. Somewhere behind the polished walls and towering columns, Hadrian was there.
The antechamber loomed, guarded by two soldiers whose spears crossed in an X before the doors. The butler knocked in a measured rhythm. A pause. Then a voice: "Enter."
Cassian stepped in. The doors closed behind him.
He bowed, right hand against his chest, left behind his back. "Your Majesty."
There was the rustle of parchment. He clenched his fist to steady himself.
"You may rise," the Emperor said without looking up.
Cassian obeyed. The Emperor finally glanced at him—sharp as a drawn blade. A brief look, then back to the papers, as if Cassian had already been measured and dismissed.
"The youngest Caerwyn," the Emperor murmured, boredom dripping from every syllable. "I wondered when you'd crawl out from your crumbling walls."
Cassian smiled faintly, the insult sliding off like frost. "Some of us still prefer to build our walls, Your Majesty. Not tear them down for sport."
That earned him a look—longer this time. Cool amusement flickered in the Emperor's eyes, the faintest curve at the corner of his lips.
"Clever boy," he said at last. "We'll see if you remain so in the days ahead."
Cassian said nothing. There was nothing to say.
The Emporer waved his hand"You're dismissed".
Cassian bowed again and left, only allowing himself to breathe once the doors shut behind him. He followed the waiting butler in silence, exhaustion creeping through his bones. The sunset painted the palace in long shadows and gold, beauty and foreboding entwined.
He longed for sleep.
He didn't get it.
"Well, well, well," came a voice soaked in arrogance. "If it isn't the recently returned heir."
Cassian stopped, the words grating against his already raw nerves.
A group of young nobles blocked the path. At their center stood the scion of House Aestis, sneering.
Cassian's gaze was impassive. "And what of it? I don't recall it being your concern, young master Aestis."
The noble's face darkened, shame and anger boiling together. His companions snickered until Cassian looked at them—one glance, and they fell silent.
He walked past them, their hostility trailing behind him like smoke.
---