Chapter 320: Plot of Rebellion
Lara, dressed in a crimson riding coat with her hair braided like a crown, smiled faintly as they entered. "You’re late," she said, a teasing lilt in her voice. "We are beginning to think you’d reneged on what we discussed yesterday."
"Of course not, Lady Lara. How can we do that?" Nasser replied smoothly, a practiced grin stretching across his face. "That is the very purpose of why we visit Savadra."
"Is it?" Lara’s eyes slid past him and fixed on Kasmer, her gaze steady and unnervingly precise. The challenge in her stare was unmistakable.
Kasmer’s jaw tightened. He turned his head, as if unable—or unwilling—to meet her eyes. His silence spoke louder than any denial.
The door burst open again, slamming against the wall. Gideon staggered in, breathless and wide-eyed, his face drained of color.
"Sis... it’s bad," he gasped. His chest rose and fell as he tried to catch his breath. Clearly, he had run all the way there.
"What happened?" Lara asked, stepping forward. The teasing light in her voice had vanished, replaced by the weight of concern.
"News is spreading like wildfire. Prince Alaric’s being accused of rebellion. They’re saying the deaths last night—and the fire—were all orchestrated by him."
"What?" Percival blurted out, eyes wide in disbelief. "But Alaric left for Calma, didn’t he?"
Gideon ran a hand through his hair and began pacing, words tumbling out. "The story goes that the banishment pushed him over the edge. That he struck back in vengeance." Gideon started pacing the room.
"Do you believe it?" Kasmer’s voice cut in, low and direct. His gaze shifted back to Lara, reading her reaction with quiet intensity.