Chương 64: In pursuit of the divine truths

Watching the other go with a slow stride, showing just how reluctant he was to leave, he could finally breathe.

Shaking away the ringing he barely kept his balance , usage of magic left a tremendous toll on his body and mind alike, it would take a while before he could start the process of healing.

First the long awaited meeting with his servant and the two divine displinces that have been captured ages ago. And then sleep, he liked to sleep.

Gathering his thoughts, he pulled himself together, arrogance rolling off him as he stepped down towards the dungeon.

"Your highness...?''

June's voice sounded exactly the same and if he were surprised by his visit he didn't show it.

Giving the other a once over he could see he lost weight, water and bread would do that and yet the other didn't seem to mind. For all his threats Acacius had given him plenty of food.

Glancing briefly towards the two disciplines he noted that they had received a slightly better jail. Surprisingly so.

Just as June, they looked shocked by his sudden visit, the exclamation of your highness left no doubt of his identity, quarded they stood together.

Their mouths moved, blinking Acacius realised he couldn't hear, his own blood triumphing around in his ears. Stumbling, he caught himself in the nick of time.

A worried voice called out...at least he thought it sounded worried.

It was all still very much static.

Feeling soft fingers on his hand, he looked up, not realising when he had closed his eyes and clenched his hands around the bars in return.

Everyone knows that the best play is one that isn't necessarily faked.

June's mouth kept moving, showcasing just how much he didn't change.

In between his blurry vision he could see June's eyes and the two other inhabitants seizing him up.

Concern was definitely high in the atmosphere, raking eyes over him as they took in dishevelled deep plum and white accentuated clothes.

No doubt watching his hastily fixed brooch and all the other details he had checked over before leaving Sophie.

Even his hair which had been in a high ponytail had been partially undone.

He most likely looked like he had strolled in hell, it wasn't far off.

"-ere have you been?"

Groaning, he left his worried servant behind as he searched around for a little.

Distracting himself as he fished a key from his pockets.

"Where have you been?"

The servant clearly didn't care about the two spectators.

"Rude, here I am to give you back your freedom and you dare question me?!"

Acacius was surprised by how strong he sounded, he felt anything but strong. He was being questioned in the present of two outsiders, even June should know how bad that was.

Not that they opened their mouth or showed anything but pure blankness on their face. He had long since suspected that the two were essential in his nephew's plans.

Throwing the keys towards the jail, he faltered mere moments after, hitting the table as the buzzing in his ears strengthened.

Clutching his head, he winced. The consequences were more painful than he thought it would be.

"What happened?''

Shushing the other, he concentrated on pushing the pain away, unable and uncaring to really stop the wandering hand of his hands as he checked up on him.

He was really quick when it came to that, time had barely passed and yet he was already out of his cage.

Acacius could only notice the last traces of magic ebbing away and in turn leaving him even weaker as he slumped on June's shoulder. More black spots showed so he resigned to closing his eyes, limbs turned numb and for a second he could feel himself fading.

That was before a voice filled the room.

''He just came back from meeting the Queen.''

Youngest member, what are you doing here?

Warily blinking he turned to the voice and saw a blackish figure coming down, in his hands a box with slaves.

He's quick, their eye contact was lost as June briskly undid the brooch and slightly pulled back his clothes.

Shifting uncomfortable, he slapped the tracing fingertips away.

The muttered sorry quickly silenced itself as the scope of his wounds was seen.

The burn on his hand was one thing, the other was an entirety of things.

He had upped his lessons with Seriwen and Cyra, eager to learn. A fact that had left scars and barely healed wounds on him.

If he had gotten good at one thing, it was bandaging wounds and self applying medicines.

"She did this.''

It didn't sound like a question, more like a statement he believed in without a doubt.

''Since you pointed things out, I noticed more and more weaknesses.

Especially after every meeting with the Queen, The emperor was left tense and quarded.''

''I don't understand why he would go through this trouble.''

''For the sake of his nephew, the crown prince, he was left with no choice.

For your sake he came all the way down to free you.''

''Free?''

This conversation just kept going, while he struggled to keep his head in following the different voices and noises that happened around him. He could barely lift his heavy eyelids anymore so he had no choice but to close them.

''He had me sent a letter to his uncle, stating that you would join your sister and that he would sent funds with you to ensure a safe departure from this empire.''

''He did what?!'' Wincing as the grip tightened around him, he fainted right in the immediately softer turning grasp.

Whatever the rest of the conversation would bring, needed to wait for tomorrow.

Through flashes of consciousness he felt himself being carried, felt power unlike mana browsing through his veins and heard voices whispering around him.

One of the more clear things he felt was salve being amplified with great care as if he was fragile, the person applying it made sure to not overlook anything as bandages became undone.

If anything else happened, he didn't know as he faded entirely into obscurity.