Soulbound: Dual Cultivation

Chapter 327: Change of decision 2

About thirty minutes later, while Lucas was still organizing his things with Tom, there came a firm knock on the door. Tom opened it and a palace servant stood there, slightly out of breath as if he had hurried all the way.

"Lord Xavier," the servant said, bowing respectfully, "His Majesty requests your presence. It is a private summons."

Lucas exchanged a quick glance with Tom. He nodded once and adjusted his robe. "Tell His Majesty I am on my way."

The servant bowed again and rushed off.

Lucas exhaled softly. "A private meeting... this is unusual," he muttered, more to himself than to Tom.

Tom bowed his head. "Please be careful, Master."

Lucas placed a hand on the boy’s shoulder briefly, a silent reassurance, before stepping out of the chamber and making his way through the long corridors.

Two guards stood at the door, and when they saw him they opened it immediately without a word.

Lucas stepped inside.

King Alden stood beside the table with both hands clasped behind his back. Henrietta sat to his right, arms folded, her sharp eyes already fixed on Lucas the moment he entered. The empress was seated near the fireplace, her restored beauty illuminated by the warm flames, though her expression was carved with worry and confusion.

Lucas realized instantly that whatever this was, it was not something meant for anyone else’s ears.

It was just the four of them.

King Highmoor did not waste any time once Lucas stepped closer. He looked at each of them one by one, his gaze lingering long enough to make his intentions unmistakably clear. Then he finally spoke, his voice low but steady.

"I trust all three of you are wondering why I said we would be heading to Lechia first," the king began, pacing slowly behind his desk.

Henrietta leaned forward slightly. "It was unlike you. You never change plans without reason."

The empress folded her hands in her lap, her eyes narrowed in quiet suspicion. "Your tone earlier suggested finality. Yet now, it tells me otherwise."

Lucas stood with his hands behind his back, waiting.

King Highmoor stopped pacing and turned fully toward them. "That announcement was deliberate. I said it to flush out the mole who keeps feeding information to our enemies. It was a bait, nothing more."

Henrietta’s eyes widened. "So that means the original plan to save Rus is still intact."

"Yes," the king replied firmly. "We are not going to Lechia first. What I said in the meeting was never the true intention. Rus comes first, as we initially agreed."

Lucas felt a quiet admiration rise within him. That was indeed clever. Only those present at the meeting had heard the false plan, meaning any whisper of it reaching outside would expose the traitor.

The empress sat straighter. "If that information travels, then the enemy will prepare an ambush at Lechia instead of Rus."

"That is precisely the point," the king said. "If the usurpers receive the false plan, they will reveal themselves through their movements. We will be able to strike them before they fully regroup."

He walked toward the center of the room, his expression hardened with resolve.

"And more importantly," the king continued, "if by some chance this matter leaks...to anyone at all...then the traitor is among the four of us standing here."

The room fell into a heavy silence.

Henrietta stiffened slightly, not insulted but clearly aware of the gravity of the king’s declaration.

The empress folded her arms and let out a quiet breath. "You are putting a great amount of trust in Xavier to include him in this."

The king glanced at Lucas. "I would bet my life on that boy. And that is more than I can say for several men who have served me for years."

Lucas bowed his head lightly in acknowledgment but said nothing. The weight of being included in such a circle was not lost on him.

The king continued, his voice firm but measured. "If news of Rus being our first target spreads... then the mole sits right here among us. And then we deal with it ourselves."

He let the words settle, heavy as stone.

"Now," the king said at last, "you understand why I needed all of you here."

Lucas bowed respectfully before stepping out of the chamber. The empress followed with her usual calm grace, Henrietta gave the king one last steady nod, and they all filed out in silence. Their expressions showed full understanding of the danger and the trust the king had placed in them. Once outside, they parted ways with nothing more than brief glances that silently promised caution.

Lucas walked slowly back to his chambers, replaying every word the king had said. He did not say a thing to Tom when he entered. The young squire noticed at once that Lucas looked more thoughtful than usual, but he did not ask questions. Lucas appreciated that. Tom simply bowed, saying, "Welcome back, my lord," and quietly returned to arranging the room.

Lucas sat on the edge of his bed for a moment, letting the worries of traitors, kingdoms, and ambushes settle to the back of his mind. The only sound was the soft crackle of the lamp flame and Tom’s methodical movements. Nothing needed to be said.

The next morning arrived before Lucas even realized he had fallen asleep. Tom had already prepared their traveling gear and placed fresh water and food flasks beside the door. The boy was efficient to a fault.

"My lord," Tom said as Lucas buckled the last strap of his boots, "the horses are ready. Should I carry the case?"

"Yes," Lucas replied. "Make sure it stays steady on the ride."

Tom nodded immediately and hurried out.

Just as Lucas slung his cloak over his shoulder, a small cold puff of air brushed his cheek. The ice belle floated into the room through the open window, balancing a half-eaten fruit in her tiny hands.

"You are leaving without me again?" she demanded, her cheeks puffed and her voice sharp with accusation. "I will not forgive you twice. I am coming."

Lucas chuckled and tapped her lightly on the head. "You would follow me even if I said no. Come along then."

She gave a satisfied "hmph" and sat round the back of his neck while he walked out of the palace.

Outside, Tom stood beside the horses, already holding the reins of Lucas’s mount. The morning sun washed the courtyard in soft gold, and the palace guards saluted Lucas respectfully as he approached.

The ice belle flew from his neck and landed on the horse’s saddle, curling her legs and pulling out another bunch of grapes from who-knew-where. By the time Lucas climbed onto the horse behind her, she had already stuffed two grapes into her mouth.

Tom mounted his own horse quietly. "Are we ready, my lord?"

Lucas adjusted the reins and nodded. "Yes. We leave now. The alchemic meeting begins soon, and I cannot afford to be late."

"Yes, my lord," Tom answered, steering his horse to Lucas’s right side.

With a light kick, Lucas urged his horse forward. The hooves struck the paved ground and echoed through the palace entrance. As they passed the gates, a breeze brushed against them, stirring Lucas’s cloak behind him.

The ice belle swung her tiny legs happily, chewing loudly. Lucas gave her a sideways glance. "You are eating more than the horse today."

She looked up at him with her mouth full. "I need energy."

Lucas shook his head with a smile he did not bother hiding.

Just him on his horse, Tom riding beside him, and the little ice spirit perched in front of him, still nibbling grapes as they rode away from Valerion and toward the distant grounds of the alchemic meeting.

They had ridden for hours beneath a warming sun that filtered through the drifting clouds, and by the time they reached the outskirts of the town where the alchemic gathering was held, the gentle scent of herbs and incense was already floating on the wind.

Lucas slowed his horse, allowing Tom to come up beside him. The Ice Belle, who had grown steadily more comfortable leaning back against him throughout the ride, was now lazily popping the last of her grapes into her mouth. Her eyes sparkled with interest as she surveyed the bustling grounds.

"It looks lively," she murmured, glancing up at Lucas. "More lively than the last gathering we passed through."

"Alchemists rarely gather without reason," Lucas replied. "This one seems bigger than the previous year."

Tom, who had been trying very hard to pretend he was unaffected by the presence of such an enormous crowd of higher-ranked cultivators, nudged his horse forward a little. "Master, should we head straight to the registration hall or wait for an escort? I remember the elders of the Valley Guild prefer that important guests enter formally."

Lucas was about to answer when a familiar voice rose above the hum of conversation.

"Xavier Alden? I knew I felt a familiar presence."

He turned toward the voice and saw Isabelle striding toward him from beneath the archway of the main pavilion. She wore a pale green robe embroidered with intricate silver vines, and her long hair had been pinned back with delicate jade pieces that caught the sunlight. She carried herself with a calm grace that blended perfectly with the elegant environment.

"It has been too long," Lucas replied as he dismounted. His smile was genuine, and he stepped forward to greet her with the warmth of an old friend reunited after being apart for a long while.