Chapter XXIV

Chapter XXIV

Broken Dreams

Jeremiah was making breakfast when the captain of the Peace Guard arrived at the front door, “Captain Luca, to what do we owe the pleasure?”

“I need to speak to Mr. Hikarisho, immediately.” The captain replied.

“I’m afraid Master Hikarisho isn’t home at the moment, he’s at the city cathedral preparing for his son’s wedding.” Jeremiah replied.

“Is his son there also? This is very important, he asked me to inform him about this situation at once.”

“No, Master Christian is here. He and his best man are getting ready upstairs, follow me.”

Jeremiah led the captain up to Christian’s room and knocked on the door, “Master Christian, Master Shinei? Captain Luca is here, he needs to speak with you.”

“Come in Jeremiah.” Came Christian’s muffled response.

Jeremiah and Captain Luca entered the room. Christian was standing before a full-length mirror wearing a formal uniform of pale blue. Beside him, adjusting his own pale green uniform was Shinei. Christian turned to greet the Capitan, “What can I do for you, Captain Luca?”

“You will be seeing your father in a few hours, correct?” Luca asked.

“Yes, that’s correct. Do you need me to deliver a message to him?”

“Yes, could you please inform him that the assassin, Nightwalker, was privately executed at dawn this morning by the Masked King himself and that his head was displayed to the public shortly thereafter. He asked me to inform him as soon as the criminal was dead but I couldn’t reach him this morning…” the captain was stopped short by Christian’s reaction to his news. The young man had gone suddenly pale and his eyes were wide with surprise. Christian was unable to speak, if Shinei hadn’t been holding him up, he probably would have collapsed as well.

Seeing Christian’s distress, Jeremiah ushered the Captain out of the room and mansion assuring him that Samuel Hikarisho would get his message. By the time he reentered the bedroom, Shinei had led Christian over to the bed where he sat staring vacantly at the wall. “Master Christian, are you alright?”

“Honestly Jeremiah, does he look alright to you?” Shinei snapped. He was just as shocked and upset about Asirian’s death as Christian was, though probably not nearly as heartbroken over it.

“I’ll be fine… I’ll be alright.” Christian stated quietly, more to himself than the others. He refused to believe it; it just wasn’t possible. Asirian? Dead? “He can’t be dead, he isn’t dead.”

Shinei nodded, “You’re right, I’m sure it’s some weird misunderstanding. I’m sure he’ll show up, making a huge, unnecessary entrance, and kick your dad’s ass.” He laid a comforting hand on the younger man’s shoulder and leaned down to meet his eyes, “Why don’t you go down and wait for the carriage, Jeremiah and I will be down in a moment.”

Christian gave a weak smile before getting up and walking silently out of the room. As soon as he was gone, Jeremiah glared at Shinei, “What do you think you’re doing?! What gives you the right to give him false hope like that?!”

Shinei sighed, “What would you have me do? The captain claimed he was killed privately and then his head was displayed in public. For all I know some suicidal nutcase turned himself in as the Nightwalker and got himself killed. There’s no way I’m going to break that boy’s heart until I know for certain Asirian’s dead and the only way I’m going to learn that is if we go to this wedding. As long as Asirian’s still alive, nothing will stop him from showing up and stopping that ceremony.”

“I truly hope you know what you’re doing.”

“So do I Jeremiah, so do I. Come on now, Christian’s waiting for us.”

As they walked out of the room, Shinei and Jeremiah both gave a silent prayer that everything would turn out alright.