Chapter Six

THE IMPERIAL HALL

VALEDRIA

The Imperial Hall stood at the heart of the palace, beyond the Grand Court.

Its vaulted ceiling rose high above rows of deep-blue banners bearing the Valedrian dragon, while tall arched windows cast pale morning light across the stone floor.

At the far end of the chamber, the throne stood upon a raised marble dais. No one sat upon it yet.

By the time the assembly gathered, the hall was already filled with low conversation.

Officials stood beneath the high stone arches, gathered in twos and threes as they spoke amongst themselves. Their dark coats and long military tunics were cut neatly against their bodies, the high collars fastened beneath their throats. Gold and silver embroidery marked their different ranks without becoming excessive. A few wore cloaks bearing the colors of their houses, while the military commanders favored simpler coats that left little room for ornament.

The men spoke in hushed voices, discussing matters of state while keeping a careful eye on those around them. Unsurprisingly, several of the princes had already taken their places among different groups of officials.

Except Lucien.

He stood apart from them, and looked particularly unwell this morning.

He was dressed in a long black coat with silver embroidery, the high collar fastened neatly around his throat. His dark hair was tied back, leaving his pale face exposed beneath the soft morning light.

One hand rested against the stone pillar beside him, his eyes shut as though he was completely closed off from the chatter around him.

To anyone watching, the Crown Prince looked like a man who could very well collapse any moment from then.

However, before that could happen, the great bronze doors at the end of the hall suddenly opened.

Conversation died almost at once and every official in the chamber bowed as the Emperor appeared.

"Your Majesty."

Emperor Cassian Valedrian walked toward the dais.

He was fifty-nine, but there was little about him that suggested age.

He remained broad-shouldered and powerfully built, carrying himself with the straight-backed posture of a soldier rather than the elegance usually found in court monarchs. His black hair was streaked with silver at the temples, each strand kept perfectly in place.

The emperor settled himself upon the throne.

"Rise."

The officials straightened and quickly assumed their positions. Likewise, Lucien also trudged forward and stood at the forefront of the assembly, leaning slightly against the pillar beside him.

The Emperor's dark amber eyes passed over the officials once before he began to speak. His gaze stopped on Lucien briefly and his brows furrowed slightly before he looked away.

Then he started to address them,

"I suppose everyone here has heard the news."

The officials exchanged glances as he spoke but no one said a word.

"We have lost a valuable commander." He paused once before he went on, “Commander Seraphine Oakhart has fallen in the northern campaign."

The words alone were enough to change the atmosphere.

A hushed murmur immediately filled the room as the officials began to discuss whatever they'd heard about the matter.

The Emperor paused briefly to assess them before he continued speaking,

"According to the reports, she died during an ambush by Norhaven while protecting the soldiers under her command."

Most of the military officials became quiet and several of the older commanders lowered their eyes.

Seraphine, who was also known as the Empire's White Spear, was the youngest commander in the entire kingdom and she was praised far and wide for her capabilities. Though she had her fair share of enemies who thought she was riding on the coattails of her military family, no one could deny her bravery and valor.

Especially after they heard how she had risked her life to protect her soldiers.

Among soldiers, there were some achievements that needed no praise.

The Emperor looked toward the northern commanders, his expression firm but his tone had a tinge of regret in it.

"She was a capable commander. Losing her is quite unfortunate."

His gaze moved across the assembly once more before he turned slightly toward the chamberlain standing at the side of the dais.

"Her family shall be compensated for their loss." He began to say as he gestured for him to read out the imperial decree.

The chamberlain stepped forward immediately and unfolded the parchment in his hands.

"By order of His Imperial Majesty, House Oakhart shall receive compensation in recognition of the death of Commander Seraphine Oakhart in service to the Empire."

He continued reading.

“The Imperial Treasury would provide the family with a substantial monetary reward.

Additional provisions would be granted to the Oakhart estate.

Her military record would be entered into the Imperial archives with formal recognition of her service.

And her funeral—

The chamberlain's voice slowed slightly.

"—shall be conducted with full military honors."

A murmur almost escaped from somewhere among the officials, but it died before becoming sound.

The chamberlain continued.

"Her rank and service shall be recognized in perpetuity within the military records of Valedria."

Then he lowered the parchment.

"That is the decree of His Imperial Majesty."

For several moments, nobody moved.

Then an elderly man stepped out of the assembly.

It was the head of House Oakhart; Seraphine's grandfather.

He was an imposing figure despite his age, with the weathered bearing of a man who had spent most of his life around soldiers. His dark formal coat carried little ornament beyond the silver insignia of his house.

He approached the center of the hall and knelt before the Emperor as he received the Imperial decree.

"My family receives the Emperor's grace."

His voice was controlled without trembling or tears befitting of an aggrieved family member but the words seemed heavier for the restraint with which they were spoken.

The Emperor looked at him.

"Rise, General."

The old man bowed his head once before standing and returned to his place beside the northern commanders.

For a while, no one spoke.

The formal matter of the funeral and rewards had been settled.

But the news of Seraphine's death had left another matter hanging over the assembly.

One of the military officials standing near the center of the hall leaned slightly toward the man beside him.

"I heard she wasn't killed near Elden."

His companion glanced at him.

"No?"

"Apparently not."

The first man lowered his voice.

"They say her body was recovered from a frozen river in the northern valleys.”

The second official frowned.

"The frozen river?"

"That's what I heard."

A third man, who had been listening quietly, turned toward them.

"Then what was she doing there?"

No one answered immediately.

The officials exchanged uncertain looks.

The details reaching the capital had been scarce, and most of what they had heard had come through soldiers, messengers, or military households. Nothing had been confirmed to them personally.

"Perhaps she had already withdrawn from Elden and was ambushed at the river," someone suggested. “They say, several dead bodies of Norhaven soldiers were also found on the ice.”

Another official nodded slowly.

"That would make sense. Norhaven had been pressing them for days."

"But if that was the case..."

The man paused.

"Why did she leave Elden?"

The question caused the small conversation to falter.

Another official glanced toward the northern commanders.

"Perhaps the situation had become too difficult to hold."

"That doesn't sound like what the commander would do."

The words were spoken quietly.

Several men looked toward the speaker.

He seemed to realize that he had spoken too freely and lowered his voice. "She was known for holding her ground."

"Even capable commanders retreat when necessary." Someone countered. “Moreover, Norhaven has taken over Elden since the past decade. Obviously, they wouldn't let it go so easily.”

"Of course. This battle is a tough one."

The first official glanced toward the Emperor's throne.

"But then why hasn't anyone explained it?"

That silenced them again as none of them had an answer.

At the edge of the assembly, Lucien remained leaning against the pillar.

His eyes were half-lidded and he appeared almost detached from the conversation.

But he had heard every word.

According to what he'd heard, it wasn't so simple.

His gaze shifted toward the Emperor.

Cassian had been listening as well.

The Emperor's expression had remained unchanged while the officials spoke among themselves, but there was a faint crease between his brows now.

He turned his head toward the Chamberlain.

"Is there anything in the report concerning Commander Oakhart's retreat?"

The Chamberlain immediately stepped forward.

"No, Your Majesty."

Cassian's eyes narrowed slightly.

"Nothing?"

"No, Your Majesty. The report confirms that Commander Oakhart was separated from her forces and later ambushed in the valley."

He paused.

"But it does not state why she left Elden."

The Emperor was silent.

His gaze shifted toward the northern commanders and called, "General Oakhart."

Seraphine's uncle stepped forward.

"Your Majesty."

"What have you heard?"

The general bowed his head slightly.

"We are still investigating the matter."

He glanced briefly toward his father before continuing.

"The information reaching us has been inconsistent. However, from what we have gathered, the army was under considerable pressure from Norhaven."

His expression remained solemn.

"It is possible she intended to withdraw temporarily and regroup with the main force."

The Emperor considered his words for a moment before nodding. "Perhaps."

His gaze lingered on the general for another moment.

"Continue investigating and inform me when you have a clearer account of her final movements."

The general bowed.

"Of course."

The Emperor then turned his attention back to the assembly.

Whatever questions remained concerning Seraphine's death would have to wait.

There was still a war to fight.

“The conflict with Norhaven is not over simply because we have lost one commander." He began to address them once more. "Elden remains in Norhaven's hands."

The military officials immediately straightened at that.

"You will reinforce the northern army and take the city back." Then his tone became firmer. "Norhaven has suffered losses as well. Do not give them time to recover."

The commanders bowed.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

The Emperor rose from the throne and looked over the assembly one final time.

"That will be all."

The Chamberlain stepped forward.

"The Imperial Assembly is dismissed."

The officials bowed as the Emperor turned and left the hall.

Only then did the restrained murmurs return.

Some officials immediately gathered around the military commanders, eager to hear more about what had happened in the north.

Others returned to their own groups.

Lucien, however, remained where he was.

His head was lowered thoughtfully as he listened to the lingering chatter.

There were too many unanswered questions and too few answers.

Eventually, he slowly pushed himself away from the pillar.

Then he turned and quietly trudged out of the hall, unnoticed.