Northern part of empire was again going through dead of winters just like last year or last to last years, filled with eerie silence whereas its sky was covered with gloomy clouds , crispy winds which felt like a slap on face.
For some reasons villagers locked themselves inside their houses and refused to open it for anyone. It all started when Aaron, a teenage boy, who was going inside the forest to get some herbs for his master, screamed in fear this morning. He stood near the entrance of forest and stared at the floor or at something which was on the floor. Villagers ran to him and even they stopped in mid way when they saw the body of a old man whose face was filled with small scratches and one big scratch across his face covering his right eye and big wound on stomach.
Head of village was called and two knights of duke Rylan who accompanied him were inspecting the area. Some people thought it was done by some wild animal whereas some thought that old legend of forest has come to reality.
Northern part of empire was under care of duke Caspian Rylan, he was in his late 40s and still as a monster when it comes to slaying the enemy's neck in wars. His Aide Erwin informed him about the incident happened in village and waited for orders from him. Duke signed the document in front of him and placed the pen beside the papers.
"Who found it?" He inquired, removing his spectacles and placed it on table. "One young boy saw it first. He said he was going in the forest to get few herbs that's when he saw the body." Erwin informed checking his notes to not leave out any crucial information.
Erwin started working for Duke since he turned eighteen when Caspian was given the title of Duke. Caspian's father was sick and closed to pass on in afterlife but before that, he passed on his title to his youngest son. He knew that his youngest one was the best choice in all of his 5 sons which ofcourse didn't liked by other sons and they started plotting inside the walls of castle for Caspian's demise but he already knew and soon a bloody war started , resulting in standing as the only son alive and heir to title.
Erwin waited for Duke to say something, room filled with silence and only sound of clock ticking could be heard. "Send doctor Davis there and ask him to do a detailed postpartum of body. " Duke broke the silence and gave orders, to which Erwin followed immediately. He opened the door to leave but stopped by Duke.
"Erwin. Any news about kai?" he asked as he flipped the page of his book.
" Lord Kai departed from Capital three days ago. He will reach here till evening tomorrow. " Erwin felt a shiver running down his spine remembering the last conversation both father-son had. It was brutal and cold , filled with murderous aura surrounding them.
Duke dismissed him and went back to his work. He was also thinking about the last, supposed to be important talk , with his son which started with a normal duty related but soon turned into screaming match. Many harsh words were thrown at each other and his son leaving for royal banquet at royal palace in capital on the same day. Kai, his 20 year old stubborn son who grew up with maids and knights, without receiving any kind of affection , just formality and absence of father. Caspian lost his wife to an incurable disease and grief changed him into insensitive father who never tried to get close to his son.
Caspian stared at his wife's portrait, she was beautiful and for him she was most beautiful woman in the world, who cared about him and helped him moving on from his past. She was Marquis Weston's daughter and inherited silver hairs from her father. She was loved and cherished throughout her life by loved ones. The day when she gave birth was the happiest moment for her but this happiness doesn't last long as she died after 4 years.
He didn't know what he was thinking and what he wanted to do but one thing he was sure of was that he had no wish to live more.
Room was cold and with windows open ot was getting more chilly but he wasn't fazed by it, he laid in his bed and fell asleep in few minutes.
Night went by and next day came with bringing chaos in castle. Every one was running here and there working like their lives depend on it. Cleaning everything, washing all the curtains , kitchen which was now filled with cooks creating wonders from different origins. These dishes were unique and can be only cooked once in while when there is something important was going on.
"Did he passed the gates?" Duke inquired from Erwin. "Yes he did. In less than 4 hours lord kai will be here." Erwin informed checking his golden carry watch. It was a gift from last Duke and he took extra care of it.
Maids, knights, Erwin and few other figures from castle were standing outside waiting as Kai was coming anytime now. Erwin noticed first, the front gates opened and carriage entered with few knights tailing behind on their horses. Chief of knights opened the gate of carriage and stepped back.
Kai stepped outside, his black hair were tied in half bun, his physique was just like his father strong and hard. He nodded at chief as sort of greeting. Erwin stepped forward and greeted normally.
"Lord kai. Your father would like to meet you at dinner. " he informed him about his schedule. Kai scoffed "straight to the buisness. Huh Erwin?". Kai was honest with his emotions of showing annoyance and anger but other emotions were sealed off somewhere in his heart.
Maids and Erwin were holding their breaths. The air was thick with unspoken words , the father-and-son continued eating in silence. The tension between them was almost palpable. The maids stood frozen at their places near table, their eyes fixed on the tense scene unfolding. The only sound was the soft clinking of utensils on plates, a stark contrast to the heavy atmosphere. Erwin and watchers bodies tensed with anticipation. They knew that the storm would eventually break , and when it did, the consequences will be unpredictable.
"Did you meet the emperor? " duke broke the silence with a question. Erwin took a deep breath to calm his nerves. "Yeah" that's all the answer kai gave. " Did he said something?" Duke asked again cutting his steak slowly but perfectly. "Yes." Again the small stiff answer.
Duke placed his fork and knife on the plate with a soft clink. "Could you give me a proper answer? " his eyes were calculating and observing his son. When kai took his sweet time to answer , Caspian didn't like it. His jaw tightened and lips were pressed in thin line despite being mad he stayed silent and waited. "Oh, I dont know. Let me think.....No. I don't have an answer for you. If you'd wanted to know, perhaps you should have gone yourself. Instead of sending me, helpless and unaware, unconscious and bound. what did you expect? " kai scoffed.
"Well. You left me with no choice. " Caspian defended himself. "I did ask you and you said no. It was important for you to go so I did what i did. "
"Seriously? Why the hell was it so important for me to go?" Kai half yelled half said.
Duke sighed as it was an annoyance for him to answer. He stared at his son and gave him the answer. "You are at the marriage age and you need to find a wife. "
"A what? Wi-" Kai's words were cut off as one knight slammed the door open and rushed towards the duke, his face flushed with urgency. The knight huffed, taking a few ragged breaths to compose himself before speaking in a low, urgent tone.
"Your Grace, a messenger from the village where Doctor Davis was sent has arrived with dire tidings. The village is gone, vanished without a trace, even villagers dissapeared. "
"What? How can it dissapear just like that?" Caspian stood up from his chair. Kai doing the same and stared at knight waiting for an answer.
"Messanger said that the two knights who were present in the village also dissapeared. No one have any clue. In the place of village , there is forest now. It looks like that village never existed there to begin with." Knight gave the information.
"Kai , Erwin in my office now. Knight give my message to chief that I called him in my office now.