Chapter 10: Lucius

"No, that's absurd," Aurora laughed, "so absurd. I never did those."

"Yes, you did. You danced around the palace with your father's crown on your head and told everyone you were the new king. You told everyone you would be a king when you grew up."

They all laughed, Aurora the loudest, Sebastian the least. Aurora watched him through the corner of her eye. He was strangely quiet and he seemed to be uneasy.

She latched her hand with his under the table and he looked at her. She shot him an encouraging smile and he smiled wryly.

"So what plans do you have, Sebastian?"

Aurora glared at her mother, "emperor Sebastian, your honor to you."

Lydia rolled her eyes, stuffing her mouth with eggs.

"Ok," she gave in after chewing, "your honor, what plans do you have?"

"Getting myself rid of this sickness."

Lydia raised a brow, "I'm afraid there's no way out."

"That isn't possible," Aurora countered.

"Maybe there is," Lydia gulped down a cup of wine, "death."

Sebastian fixed her with a straight look