Demian entered the imperial pavilion, the flap of the tent closing behind him as he stepped into the warm glow of lanterns. The Emperor and the Crown Prince were already seated, casually sipping tea as if they had been waiting for him.
The Emperor raised a brow the moment he saw him.
"Well, well. Look who finally decided to show himself."
The Crown Prince smirked. "Three days without leaving your tent, Duke? Should we assume you were… occupied?"
Demian didn't flinch. "It was raining, "he replied flatly as he took his seat. "Hard to go anywhere when the weather is that bad."
Both the Emperor and his son exchanged a look, then burst into knowing laughter.
"Rain?" the Emperor scoffed. "Strange. Because somehow, while it was raining, half the camp still managed to hear rather… suspicious sounds."
The Crown Prince nodded very seriously. "Yes. Very suspicious. Repeated. Consistent. Rhythmic."
