The dining hall was terribly quiet; the maids held their breaths as they served Lucien's food.
Lucien sat still... too still, staring intensely at the end of the table, his mind loud.
He knew Elian was out there—cold, hungry, and hurting.
He was starting to wonder if it was right to let him stay out, since he was still recovering. What if his injury got worse?
He needed him healed, right?
Then why did he send him out?
Because of what Rowan had said.
Elian was right; why did he have to punish him for what Rowan said? Especially when it was a lie?
But where was Rowan? Why was he absent from dinner?
He stood, moving toward the door.
"Y-Your Grace..." one of the maids called as she saw Lucien leaving.
"Cover it up," Lucien said without looking back.
He left the dining hall and asked one of his guards at the door to go fetch Rowan.
"Tell Lord Rowan that his presence is needed in the dining hall," he ordered.
