"Where's Lucien?" Azalea asked the moment she stepped into the hall, her eyes scanning the space with growing concern. But he was nowhere in sight.
She turned her gaze to Kieran, who remained silent. Without responding, he walked over and settled into the main chair at the dining table.
"Why aren't you saying anything?" she asked again, her tone sharper this time, filled with unease.
"Lucien has gone to war," Leia answered calmly but firmly.
Azalea's eyes widened. "What?" she breathed, her brow furrowing in alarm. "Why didn't he say anything to me?"
A nearby servant quietly approached, taking the cane from her hands with a respectful bow, then stepped back, lowering his gaze.
"Grandma would've been worried, that's why," Kieran said gently, trying to ease her concern. He gestured toward the maids, signaling them to begin serving dinner.
Leia quietly took her seat, picking up the spoon before murmuring, "It feels empty without Ronan."
