Chapter 84: The Dungeon’s Enigma
In the lit depths of the ancient prison, the cold, damp stone walls seemed to whisper secrets of long-forgotten tales. The flickering torches cast eerie shadows as Crown Prince Maximus ventured into the desolate cell. The echoes of his footsteps reverberated through the corridor as he found himself alone, except for Lucius, who hung in shackles with an expression as enigmatic as the prison itself.
Maximus approached his captive, the clinking of his armored boots mingling with the unsettling silence.
The prince’s voice, calm but tinged with curiosity, sliced through the stillness. "Tell me, Lucius, why were you so taken aback when you entered this cell? What is it about this place that haunts you? Who is behind all of this? Is there a plot against the empire?"
Lucius, his face an unreadable mask, remained silent, as if he held the key to secrets he was unwilling to unlock.
Maximus’s patience waned, and his voice grew louder, emphasizing the gravity of the situation. "I’m asking you a direct question. Why did you do this? Why did you kill that knight?"
In the dim light, Lucius’s silence seemed to stretch into eternity. He appeared as though he didn’t know the answers or chose not to reveal them.
Maximus’s frustration boiled over. He moved closer, grabbing Lucius by the hair. "Don’t force me to take more extreme measures, Lucius! I am not a man easily deceived by words. I am Maximus Insteius Belenus, the Crown Prince, and I earned this position through merit. Don’t think you can outwit me with your words."
Lucius, still held by his hair, responded with a respectful tone, "Yes, my lord, you did earn your position as Crown Prince. However, it’s not as if the title was simply handed to you."
The exchange grew tense, and Maximus’s grip tightened. "Explain what you mean."
Lucius’s smirk held a hint of mockery. "Have you ever considered what loyal followers of the previous empress whisper?"
"Previous empress?" Maximus inquired, intrigued and taken aback.
"Yes, my lord. The previous empress had an heir, a firstborn, but have you ever wondered why nobody speaks of the child born to the deceased empress? Do you think there might be deliberate secrets, meant to ensure your position as Crown Prince because you were ’chosen’ by the Emperor?" Lucius’s words were like a dagger, slicing through the very core of Maximus’s beliefs.