บท 415: Gray haze

Time was a whirlwind. When it mattered, it always slipped through your fingers… No wonder it was impossible to catch something so elusive and twist it on itself.

A dozen days have passed since Dieter agreed to fully unite forces with Cael, but he felt like it was yesterday. Yesterday—plan. Today—execution of it.

He took a steadying breath and lifted his eyes, meeting the steady gazes of Ludwig's elite guards. As always, they stood outside of Ludwig's study, only to appear inside when called. Ludwig truly trusted only himself and artifacts, objects with no free will to betray him.

It worked in Dieter's favor today.

"His Majesty expects me," he declared, lifting his chin.

The left guard closed his eyes for a moment, then nodded. "He does. You may enter."

When Dieter pushed open the gilded doors of Ludwig's study, his father was with his back to him. Ludwig was staring at a portrait of Sophia, his late sister.