"Lady Selene Verdigris was found unconscious at a forest close to the western borderland."
Calen's brows scrunched.
"Unconscious?"
The messenger knight nodded.
"Yes sir, and... the Verdigris is looking for answers. The duke has summoned you both to his chambers."
Calen turned to him. "We should go. The duke will brief us."
Edward nodded, though a knot had already begun forming in his throat. He followed Calen back through the ivy archway, leaving behind the quiet sanctuary of the clocktower garden.
He already missed it.
Because he knew,
That whatever waited him, it wasn't going to be peaceful.
They navigated through the maze like hallways and reached in front of a familiar door. Edward remembered how the duke had reacted the first time he had seen him, it had stuck with him all this time.
Putting that aside, he walked in as Calen pushed the door aside for him.
Inside, the duke was sat in front of his table, his brows scrunched in extreme focus as he furiously scribbled something in a paper in front of him.
There was also a butler, one Edward didn't recognise by his side.
As soon as they entered, the duke quickly looked up, pausing his writing for a moment.
"Ah! Calen-"
He paused for a moment when his eye's fell on Edward.
"...Son. Come in."
They both stepped inside.
The duke finished what he was doing, then folded the paper neatly in two. He set aside his quill before leaning into his chair.
His warm smile from the morning was gone, set aside by a sharp frown.
"Close the door." He said, his voice echoing multiple times in the silent chamber.
Calen obeyed silently, and the soft click that followed the swing felt unnaturally final to Edward. He tried his best to not feel boxed in, like he had just walked into some sort of cage. But his meagre will power could only help so much.
"We received word from house Verdigris." The duke began after a moment of silence. "Lady Selene was found near the border, the state of her health is still unclear. And she remains unconscious and is yet to speak."
Edward stayed quiet, unsure if he was even supposed to speak.
The duke's gaze landed on him. "Edward. Do you remember anything... anything at all, about how Lady Selene had ended up in that state?"
Edward forced himself not to flinch, then meekly shook his head.
"No... I've told Emilia before, I don't remember anything before waking up in that town."
A muscle in the duke's jaw tightened, but he didn't look surprised. He exhaled.
His fingers tapped rhythmically against the wooden desk.
"She did tell me, however, we now face a complication."
Of course we do, Edward thought grimly.
The duke nodded to the butler beside him. The man stepped forward and opened a small wooden box, producing a polished silver pin inlaid with a crest of swirling ivy.
"This," the duke said, "was found hidden in Lady Selene's sleeve. The Verdigris family believes you gave it to her."
Edward stared at the pin for a long moment.
"I've never seen that before." He said honestly.
"I believe you." The duke replied without hesitation.
Edward blinked.
Calen looked a little taken aback too.
The duke continued, his voice steady but a little cold.
"However, belief does not matter much in noble politics. Evidence and perception does. And right now, with the evidence they have, they are accusing house Myrvale of orchestrating an abduction."
Abduction?
Edward felt a chill run down his spine.
"Why would House Myrvale abduct her?" He asked before he could stop himself.
The duke gave him a tired sigh. "Because... you, my son. And the young lady disappeared at the same time."
Edward had no response to that.
He didn't know what to say, because he didn't even know what the old Edward had done. Had he really run away with her by choice? Had he been manipulated? Had someone forced him? Nothing really made sense to him at the moment.
The duke rose from his seat.
"We do not yet know what truly happened. But we must find out—and quickly at that, before this escalates into war between our houses."
Edward's stomach dropped.
War?
Why did this keep getting worse.
"But… isn't that an overreaction?" Edward asked before his brain could stop his mouth. "Jumping straight from 'girl found unconscious' to 'prepare the armies' is a bit...uh... insane?"
The duke's gaze hardened.
"This is not about concern, Edward. It's about power."
Edward felt his throat dry as the duke continued.
"House Verdigris has been looking for a way to undermine us ever since the grain tariffs dispute. Now they finally have a weapon. Rumors are already spreading that House Myrvale is targeting their heir to force a political marriage."
"A what—?!" Edward coughed, eyes going wide. "With me?!"
The duke did not look amused. "I am aware of how ridiculous it sounds. Unfortunately, the truth is irrelevant to those who want conflict."
Calen stepped forward. "Your Grace, what are your orders?"
The duke didn't hesitate, looking straight into Edward's eyes.
"You will ride for Verdigris territory by dawn."
Edward nearly choked on air. "Wait, what?! Why him?!"
The duke raised a brow. "Calen is my strongest knight who is present and my appointed representative. Who else would I send?"
"No, I mean... why me? Why am I going?!"
"Because," the duke said, pinning him with a level stare, "you were the last person seen near Lady Selene." He spoke slowly, as if speaking to someone painfully slow. "You will accompany Calen and testify that Myrvale had no hand in harming her."
"That's impossible!" Edward blurted. "I don't even have memories! What exactly do you want me to testify?!"
"Your existence," the duke said flatly. "That is enough."
Edward stared.
The duke stepped closer.
"There are forces that may try to twist this disaster. I will not allow my son to become a powerless pawn. If you do nothing, others will speak for you. And I refuse to let that happen."
Edward felt a strange sensation pulse in his chest.
He couldn't tell if it was fear…
…or something dangerously close to gratitude.
Calen spoke up. "We will need supplies, documents, and a cleared route for travel. If Verdigris attempts something-"
"They will," the duke interrupted coldly. "Assume hostility."
"Understood."
The butler stepped forward and bowed. "We will make preparations at once."
The duke nodded, then turned to Edward again.
"You will leave at dawn. You will travel under Myrvale's banner. And until we uncover the truth," his gaze sharpened, "you will not leave Calen's side."
Edward opened his mouth, then closed it.
He had a feeling that no matter what he said next… he didn't have a choice in the decision that was just made for him.
***
Edward had slept terribly that day.
In the morning, right after he was finishing up his morning routine he had learned from Emilia, a knock came from his door.
Before he could even say anything, Emilia stepped inside carrying folded clothes. She stopped beside Edward and held them out.
"What is this?" He titled his head, a little confused at what was happening.
"Your clothes, make sure to pack lightly." Emilia said, her expression as stern as ever. But for some reason, her voice held something close to concern.
Edward blinked.
"I have to pack?"
"Yes, Since you are leaving." Emilia said flatly.
He awkwardly stared at her for a moment.
"I thought... I don't know.... people would pack for me?"
"Our workers are all busy, and this would be a good opportunity for you to learn."
Before he could open his mouth to reply, Emilia turned and left the room. Simply disappearing behind the door like some sort of maid ninja.
After packing, Edward found himself walking toward the courtyard under a beautiful lilac sky. Servants moved with purpose, preparing horses and securing supplies. Leather straps tightened around satchels. Crates of provisions were loaded onto the carriage. Armor glinted under the rising sun.
Honestly, it all felt too real.
Calen approached, now dressed in travel armour—fitted black steel marked with the silver crest of Myrvale. He moved with efficient calm, like someone who'd done this a hundred times before.
Edward swallowed. "So this is really happening."
"Yes," Calen said simply.
Edward rubbed his arm. "You know.... what if this is a horrible idea?"
"It is."
He glanced up.
"That was not the reassurance I was looking for."
Calen looked back at him, unreadable. "You asked for honesty."
Edward exhaled.
Fair enough.