"Your Majesty, did you even hear my explanation?!" Arthur nearly shouted at Ares. All the state reports he had submitted were left untouched. Though with Elowen's help managing the imperial affairs, Arthur still felt overwhelmed.
He hadn't slept properly in days, staying by Ares' side as the emperor battled severe insomnia—just like the episodes he used to have after returning from the battlefield.
Startled, Ares crushed the glass in his hand without realizing it, shards slicing deep into his palm. Blood seeped out, fresh and vivid. Yet Ares showed no reaction.
"My gods, Your Majesty..." Elowen gasped, covering her mouth. She hadn't expected him to be this devastated as the empress's disappearance.
There was still no trace of her. Nonetheless the elite forces dispatched to search had turned up nothing—no leads, no good news.
