PLQYM | Chapter 56

“I see…”

Cliff let out a long sigh.

In the end, it seemed he had to give up trying to stop Lucian for now. Perhaps letting him take a break and then sending someone to persuade him later might be a workable strategy.

Though it was disappointing, Cliff’s priority was, as always, the Emperor. Supporting Heraith so he could peacefully govern the Empire of Pranas was Cliff’s foremost duty.

In that regard, the man standing before him was irreplaceable.

He doubted there would ever be another like him.

Beyond that, Cliff genuinely liked Lucian. It was a shame, but he felt that holding onto him wasn’t something he could do.

“What do you plan to do after resigning, Lucian?”

His tone was as calm as always. It was a natural question but also one with an ulterior motive. Perhaps, it was to have a clue in case the Emperor asked for Lucian’s whereabouts later.

“I’m thinking of traveling for a while.”

“Traveling?”

“Yes. It hasn’t been long, but ever since I began serving His Majesty, I haven’t had the freedom to wander. I’ll likely visit my family estate first to inform my father and then move on.”

“I see…”

“Alosa might be nice, too. I’ve heard it has beautiful lakes. There are many ideas, but for now, I just want to rest.”

“If you settle somewhere, do let me know. An old man like me can’t help but be attached and would like to hear how you’re doing.”

“Of course.”

Lucian replied with a soft smile.

It was near sunset when Lucian finally emerged from the head attendant’s chambers.

After closing the door, he let out a long, deep sigh as if he had been holding his breath.

“Hah… this should be it, right?”

He muttered quietly, glancing back at the firmly shut door.

Cliff, still inside, was probably lost in thought, pondering whether or not to relay Lucian’s words to the Emperor.

But Lucian was certain.

He wouldn’t tell the Emperor today—not yet.

A faint sense of guilt from that unresolved memory and the recent incident would make him hesitate to reveal Lucian’s intentions.

But…

‘He’ll likely reveal where I’ve gone, though. His loyalty to the Emperor comes first.’

That was why Lucian had intentionally dropped hints about Princess Eloine. If the Emperor decided to chase after him, he wanted to at least create some confusion.

“…I’m sorry.”

Lucian murmured softly, bowing his head slightly before turning away.

There was just one day left.

Soon, he would leave this palace for good.

Unlike the ice-cold atmosphere of the past few days, the next day passed quietly and uneventfully.

Lucian, who had returned to work, reported to the Emperor in his usual calm tone.

The only difference was the setting. Instead of the Emperor’s office, they were in the audience chamber.

Having spent the morning meeting with Alosa’s departing envoys, Heraith remained in his formal attire, listening to Lucian’s report from the chamber.

True to his reputation for flawless memory, Lucian held only a thin file and delivered a detailed report.

“…And so, the matter has been deferred to the Senate.”

“The resolution should be proposed soon.”

“Likely so.”

Heraith nodded lightly.

“And…”

Lucian continued in his steady, neutral tone, completing his tasks without a hitch.

It would have been a lie to say Heraith wasn’t bothered.

If Lucian had shown even a hint of resentment, it might have been easier. But the way he went about his duties with an indifferent expression unsettled him more.

‘His face looks pale.’

Come to think of it, he seemed to have lost some weight.

Perhaps he had been a bit too harsh on him. But how many men could resist losing their sanity after seeing that face, after tasting that body?

—Ah, Your Majesty! P-Please, hah, hah…

The memory of his suppressed moans came unbidden, and a heat surged through Heraith’s body. His heart pounded, and an insatiable thirst clawed at him—a thirst that wouldn’t be sated unless he pinned Lucian down right now and devoured him entirely.

“Luce.”

Before he realized it, Heraith had uttered Lucian’s name.

The roughness in his voice made Lucian look up.

Ice-blue eyes met hazel ones, their gazes intertwining like a secret neither dared to voice aloud.

Heraith’s eyes, dark with longing, clashed with Lucian’s gaze, cold and emotionless.

Those frozen, expressionless eyes.

A chill climbed Heraith’s spine and slammed into his chest, but he couldn’t suppress the words that spilled from his lips.

“Lu…”

“Now that I think about it.”

Lucian cut him off.

“I have something to tell you.”

Lucian’s calm face was unsettling.

“…What is it?”

Was that a smile?

Lucian’s lips seemed to curve ever so slightly, putting Heraith off guard. He couldn’t have guessed the bombshell Lucian was about to drop.

Lucian’s lips parted in a soft smile as he met Heraith’s gaze.

“I’m resigning.”

“What?”

Lucian saw it—how the Emperor, leaning leisurely with his elbow on the armrest and his chin in his hand, faltered.

Holding back the urge to laugh at Heraith’s reaction, Lucian continued.

“I’ll be working until the end of today.”

“…”

“I’ve already selected a successor, transferred my duties, and arranged for them to start tomorrow. All instructions have been given to the other aides.”

“Luce, what are you—”

“I’ve informed the Head of Lady-in-Waiting to handle waking you up every morning. From now on, it will no longer be me but the palace staff—”

“Luce, wait. What am I hearing—”

“Your personal wardrobe, jewelry, and cuffs will be managed by the head attendant. This, too, has been arranged—”

“Enough!”

Heraith couldn’t take it anymore and shouted.

The silence that followed was deafening.

Lucian calmly closed the file he had been holding and looked at Heraith with steady eyes. Heraith was about to speak, but Lucian was faster.

“All necessary transfers have been completed. Once you sign this, my work will be officially done.”

“Luce!”

“Here’s my resignation letter.”

Heraith glanced down at the document Lucian handed him, his eyes widening.

There it was.

“Resignation Letter.”

Seeing Heraith’s stunned expression, Lucian barely resisted the urge to laugh.

“Is this a joke?!”

Lucian watched as Heraith flung the resignation to the floor, but he didn’t flinch.

Instead, he bent down, retrieved the letter, and held it out again.

“Please consider this as my formal resignation.”

And with those final words, Lucian turned and walked out without looking back, leaving Heraith calling after him.

“Luce! Stop right there!”

Lucian paused for a moment, gripping the door handle.

When he turned, his ice-blue eyes burned with emotions Heraith had never seen before.

“It’s Lucian. At least call me by my proper name this once.”

“Now isn’t the time—”

“Do you even know my full name?”

Before Heraith could answer, Lucian let out a small, bitter laugh.

“I didn’t think so. Heraith Yorun Kellenhan.”

Heraith froze.

And just like that, Lucian disappeared.

“Yep, tossing in a resignation really is the most satisfying.”

Lucian murmured to himself with a faint smirk as he left.