Duke Lorret drew in a deep breath, but that didn't help lessen the suffocation that he felt. But he was determined to say something, to do something to help his family secure its position once more.
So stepping forward with his fists clenched at his sides, he opened his mouth to speak. "I know it is audacious of me to say something like that, your Majesty. Allow me to offer my deepest apology."
Davion remained silent, expressionless, and ever watchful. While Evans arched a brow. The man wasn't done yet, Evans thought.
"Let us forget about the plan of the past and focus on the present." Duke Lorret continued. Davion was still silent, making him to feel uncomfortable. "I would like to ask you to consider my daughter as a potential marriage partner when the time comes. House Lorret will continue to support your reign and…"
Duke Lorret paused, immediately realizing that he might have said something out of line.
"Forgive my insolence, your Majesty…" he immediately apologized, but Davion interrupted him.
"Since you already know your faults, I expect you to show yourself out before you are forced to do so," he said and stood up.
"Your… yes, as your Majesty command," Without another word, he left, and Evans closed the door behind.
"What would you have me do with him? Or house Lorret," Evans asked, stepping closer.
"Who is this Briar Lorret, and how old is she? That's what I want to know," Davion said, and Evans hummed. "Is there anything else scheduled for today?"
"Yes, there's the…"
"Cancel it," Davion interjected, and Evans wasn't even surprised.
"Then that would be left with the report from what I have gathered," he said.
Davion didn't immediately. He walked to the window, his gaze outside as he caught sight of Edith running through the garden. His brows pulled together, especially since he didn't see anyone else accompanying her. Not even her maids.
"What is she up to?" He uttered in a low tone.
Evans stood behind and saw her as well but didn't reply as he too didn't know the answer to that question.
"Would you like me to follow her?" Evans asked.
"No. Keeping watch over her always would suffocate her. I want her to feel as comfortable as possible. Just ensure that nothing happens to her," Davion instructed.
"Of course," Evans said, ready to leave when he heard Davion speak.
"What have you found? I want to hear all about it," he said with his back still to Evans.
If he wanted to help her. To keep her safe, then he needed to know as much as possible everything that there was to know. Asking her to tell him about herself would have been the best way, but she wouldn't open up to him so easily. He knew she was growing more and more comfortable around him, but she was still skeptical about him.
He didn't blame her for that because she was right to still have doubts. She couldn't be too trustful of other people, not when unknown forces were after her and her race.
Another reason was that he also doesn't know why he was being so good to her. All he knew was that, in her, he felt a sense of familiarity, a presence so comforting he felt it was where he belonged.
His dream from the night before and waking up to see her right there had made these feelings grow stronger. He wanted to believe she was the one in that dream. Thay woman who sounded so much like her. The woman who was so unjustly murdered. But he couldn't rule out the possibility of it being nothing but a mere coincidence.
Besides, how could she have been his wife when they have only just met? Had anything like that happened at any time in the past, he would have known it already.
Meredith was not someone anyone could easily forget once you've met her.
"The forbidden lands, or Novara as it is known, is deserted," Evans began, but that alone had Davion turning to look at him.
"It lays is ruin now. Whoever attacked it must have been well. I formed and prepared. Opening the gates of Novara is not someone just anyone can do. But these people were able to and even somehow managed to trap the people inside and leave nontraces nehind once done," He continued
"What are you trying to day, Evans?" Davion asked. He felt a surge of rage inside, but he couldn't quite understand why he was getting so angry already.
"No one was found, my liege. Nit even an animal was seen in sight. The healing spring is also about to meet its end. It is drying up. The world tree, which many know as the tree of life, is withering. Half of it is already dead. Elves are not people who would abandon their home just because of a little trouble. No matter how severe, they will stubbornly stay. But this time, there is none."
The more Evans spoke, the more Davion realized how serious the situation was. It was no wonder the dryad had kept it all hidden from her, but then if there was no one else but just her, Edith would find out about it sooner or later. Hiding it would only make things more complicated and painful when she learns the truth.
"The Elves aren't the only ones affected. The Faes are nowhere insight either. Although it makes sense since they wouldn't stand by and watch their neighbors get destroyed in front of them. Especially since union between the Faes and Elves has finally become accepted. The faes would also lose their families should they stand by and watch." Evans continued.
"If what you say is true, then she is only survivor," Davion said and Evans nodded. He felt an ache in his heart. He wanted to fo tibher and comfort her but doing that would only expose her to the pain of the truth.
"I think I understand why the dryad lied now," he said with sigh.
Evans didn't know what he was talking about but he didnt ask.
"What donyou think really happened? You must have your own deductions as ti what caused it all and how they were able to safely make it in without getting noticed," Davion asked.
"I think our thoughts are aligned, your Majesty. Someone, ir a group of peoplw inside, led them in," Evans replied.