Aries returned to the same room where the Duke had first summoned him after their arrival in the Imperial Capital.

The room looked almost exactly as he remembered.

Almost.

The familiar mountain of paperwork remained on the Duke’s desk, though this time it had grown considerably larger.

Several people were already present.

Aries’ eyes briefly swept across the room.

Some faces were familiar from the previous meeting.

Others were not.

Naturally, his elder brother, Kaius Aegis de Lelouche, was among them.

But unlike the last time Aries had seen him, Kaius did not look composed.

His expression was tense.

His shoulders were stiff, and his gaze remained lowered toward the floor as though he were struggling to gather his thoughts.

Aries noticed it.

He simply chose not to comment.

The Duke gestured toward the empty chair.

“Sit.”

Aries did so without complaint.

Almost immediately, the Duke reached for the teapot.

“Tea?”

Aries politely shook his head.

“I humbly apologize, Your Grace, but I have already had mine earlier.”

The Duke gave a faint nod.

“As expected.”

He poured himself a cup instead.

For several seconds, the only sound in the room was the quiet clink of porcelain.

Then the Duke’s expression became noticeably more serious.

“I did not summon you here for an ordinary matter.”

Aries remained silent.

“The Empire is currently facing a crisis.”

That caught his attention.

Not enough to show it on his face.

But enough.

The Duke continued.

“Last night, while the imperial banquet was nearing its end, a group of rebels infiltrated the capital.”

Aries’ eyes narrowed slightly.

“Rebels?”

“They caused considerable disorder before the palace guards managed to drive them back.”

The room grew quieter.

“Several areas surrounding the Imperial Palace were affected.”

The Duke placed his cup down.

“And during the chaos…”

He paused.

“…someone was taken.”

Aries already had a feeling where this was going.

“The son of one of the Empire’s ducal houses.”

The Duke looked directly at him.

“Raven de Astralis.”

Kaius’ expression immediately tightened.

Aries glanced toward his brother.

So that’s why.

The pieces began falling into place.

Raven was not simply some noble.

He was Kaius’ fiancée.

The Duke continued.

“He was taken from within the Imperial Capital.”

Aries remained silent.

That’s troublesome.

Not because Raven had been kidnapped.

That part alone was unfortunate, certainly.

But something about the situation bothered him.

The Imperial Capital was heavily guarded.

The palace itself was even more so.

For rebels to enter the capital during an imperial banquet…

And then successfully abduct the son of a ducal house?

That was not a simple act of rebellion.

It required timing.

Information.

And most importantly—

Access.

Aries lowered his gaze.

Someone had to know where he was.

His thoughts continued quietly.

Or someone made sure the guards weren’t where they were supposed to be.

His fingers rested against the arm of the chair.

If the rebels had simply wanted to cause chaos, there were easier targets.

A warehouse.

A military post.

A government office.

Even a noble residence.

But they had taken Raven.

Why?

A hostage?

A bargaining piece?

Or…

Something else?

Aries’ eyes flickered toward Kaius.

His brother’s clenched hands answered one question immediately.

Raven’s disappearance had already caused exactly the reaction someone might have wanted.

Fear.

Panic.

And now…

Pressure.

The Duke continued speaking.

“Because of this incident, His Majesty has ordered an emergency Imperial Council meeting.”

Aries raised his eyes.

“I would like both of you to attend.”

His gaze moved between Aries and Kaius.

“His Majesty specifically requested the presence of House Lelouche.”

Kaius finally raised his head.

“Father…”

The Duke looked at him.

“I know.”

Kaius lowered his gaze again.

“I’m sorry.”

The words were quiet.

Aries watched him carefully.

There was no need to ask what he meant.

His expression said enough.

Self-blame.

Worry.

Anger.

Perhaps even fear.

He must really love him.

Aries had always been capable of recognizing emotions in others.

As Mikhail, he had spent years observing people.

Patients.

Doctors.

Colleagues.

Families.

He understood how people behaved when they were afraid of losing someone.

But understanding something intellectually was different from experiencing it personally.

Love was one of those things.

He could recognize it.

Define it.

Analyze it.

But applying the concept to himself…

That was another matter entirely.

He had never been particularly accustomed to being loved.

Nor had he ever known what it was like to have someone whose absence could leave a hole large enough to affect his judgment.

His gaze returned to Kaius.

So that’s what it looks like.

The Duke continued.

“The council will determine how the Empire will respond.”

Aries leaned back slightly.

He had no intention of speaking unless necessary.

Attending quietly would be enough.

At least for now.

Yet one thought refused to leave his mind.

Why Raven?

If the rebels wanted leverage against the Empire, there were far more influential people they could have taken.

If they wanted money, there were wealthy merchants.

If they wanted political concessions, there were officials.

But they chose the son of a ducal house.

And not just any ducal house.

House Astralis.

Aries’ expression remained neutral.

There has to be a reason.

The Duke continued speaking, explaining the arrangements for the council and the preparations that would follow.

Aries listened.

Quietly.

Carefully.

He memorized every name mentioned.

Every location.

Every detail.

He said nothing.

But the more he listened…

The less this sounded like a simple rebellion.

Something was missing.

A piece of information that no one in the room seemed willing—or perhaps able—to provide.

Eventually, the Duke dismissed them.

As Aries stood, his eyes briefly met the Duke’s.

For the briefest moment…

Something about the Duke’s gaze felt strange.

Not fear.

Not anger.

Something more deliberate.

As if the Duke expected Aries to notice something.

Aries stared back.

The Duke looked away first.

…What was that?

Aries dismissed the thought.

There was no point speculating without evidence.

He followed Kaius out of the study.

His brother remained silent.

Aries glanced at him.

“You should rest.”

Kaius looked at him with surprise.

“You don’t understand.”

“No.”

Aries answered honestly.

“I don’t.”

Kaius looked away.

“…I should have been there.”

Aries said nothing.

There was nothing useful he could say.

Instead, he simply continued walking.

The problem was already much larger than a single missing noble.

And Aries intended to find out why.

…

By the time Aries returned to his room, Lotte was already waiting.

She immediately stood when she saw him.

“My Lord.”

Aries stopped.

“What’s wrong?”

“You’re going back to the Imperial Palace?”

“Apparently.”

He sighed.

“It seems I won’t be getting much rest while we’re here.”

Lotte gave an awkward smile.

“The Duchess and Lord Lucien have already returned to the estate.”

“I see.”

Aries showed little reaction.

Lotte knew him well enough not to expect much more.

She immediately began preparing his formal attire.

A dark, refined ensemble bearing the emblem of House Lelouche was carefully arranged before him.

As Lotte adjusted the final details, Aries glanced toward her.

“It seems you won’t be coming with me this time.”

“It is only natural, My Lord.”

She smiled.

“Unless permitted otherwise, servants aren’t allowed to accompany their masters into Imperial Council meetings.”

“I see.”

Aries adjusted his sleeve.

“Then I’ll leave this place to you.”

“Of course, My Lord.”

Lotte bowed.

Aries turned toward the door.

Before leaving, he paused.

“Keep the library in order.”

Lotte blinked.

“Of course.”

“And…”

He thought for a moment.

“The bread from earlier was good.”

Her face immediately brightened.

“Really?”

“Yes.”

“I’ll make sure there is more when you return.”

Aries gave a faint smile.

“I’ll hold you to that.”

He then left the room.

Outside, a carriage was already waiting.

Aries stepped into the morning air.

The Imperial Capital was far busier than the quiet streets surrounding the ducal residence.

People moved quickly.

Carriages passed one another.

Guards stood at every major intersection.

Servants hurried between buildings.

Despite the previous night’s chaos, the city seemed almost unnaturally efficient.

As Aries approached the carriage, he noticed something.

The number of Imperial guards had increased.

So had the patrols.

He looked toward the distant palace.

They’re already tightening security.

Reasonable.

But if the rebels had truly managed to infiltrate the capital once…

Would additional guards actually be enough?

Aries entered the carriage.

The door closed behind him.

As the horses began moving, he leaned back against the seat and watched the Imperial Capital pass through the window.

He had entered this city expecting nothing more than a temporary change of scenery.

Now he had been dragged into an Imperial Council meeting.

A noble had been kidnapped.

Rebels had infiltrated the capital.

And somewhere within all of it…

There was a reason Raven de Astralis had been chosen.

Aries’ eyes narrowed slightly.

He didn’t know what that reason was yet.

But he intended to find out.

Not by rushing into the matter.

Not by making accusations.

And certainly not by drawing unnecessary attention to himself.

He would simply watch.

Listen.

And wait for someone to make a mistake.

A faint smile appeared on his lips.

For once…

Being quiet might prove far more useful than being clever.

The Imperial Palace slowly came into view beyond the carriage window.

Aries straightened.

Whatever awaited him inside…

He would see it for himself.

The carriage continued toward the palace.

And with every passing moment, the mystery surrounding Raven’s disappearance only grew deeper.

TO BE CONTINUED…