The meeting was going to be held in the audience chamber, where the king usually held important meetings. Though to Lucien, this meeting wasn't gonna be that important. He was only going to tell him about his refusal, for the personal knight his father was going to assign to him.
He didn't know who the mastermind was, after all, and considering that his former personal knight, who had been with him since he was a child, had been the one to kill him, the mastermind must've come from a powerful family, as well. Worse, someone from the royal family.
That's why he decided to deal with the problem quietly and alone. Doing so wouldn't alert the mastermind, as well as his/her servants who are silently watching every move he makes. After all, it was easier to catch them if their guard was low.
Although just the fact that he came back alive was probably enough to alert them and raise their guard. However, the poison that Lucien had consumed was a type of poison that would cause memory loss and alter the memory of the one who consumed the poison. They used this method just in case the assassination failed, and they wouldn't be exposed.
It was quite a common strategy in this world. So, there was little chance that the mastermind would raise their guard too much, though the chance may be little, it's not zero.
Gareth guided Lucien to the audience chamber, and soon, they arrived at the place. Gareth knocked on the door of the audience chamber to let the king know that Lucien had arrived. Then, right after Gareth knocked on the door, a voice could be heard beyond it.
"Come in," the king said in a neutral tone.
Gareth opened the door and gestured for Lucien to go inside.
Lucien nodded and went in. Gareth closed the door and instructed the knights to stay back so they would not overhear the conversation Lucien had with the king.
As soon as the door closed, Lucien walked towards the luxurious seat, right across from a middle-aged man. He was tall, broad-shouldered, with dark hair streaked with gray and sharp violet eyes.
A table was in front of them, and tea was already prepared as well.
Lucien pretended to be unbothered, attempting to conceal how overwhelmed he truly felt. In reality, he was under intense pressure; if he let his guard down even a little, he feared he might stumble and fall. He also displayed a hint of timidity, similar to how the original Lucien behaved whenever he was with his father.
Lucien sat down, staring right at his father, who was reading a book. He wore a noble outfit, not even bothering to put on his royal robe, which signifies that he is the ruler of this kingdom.
'I guess he simply thinks of this meeting as a personal conversation with his son.'
'That makes it less overwhelming.'
Suddenly, his father spoke in a manly yet gentle voice.
"I heard about what happened. Is it true? You got injured with a sword while practicing?"
'This again.'
Lucien remained silent for a moment, thinking of the right words to say.
"I know you think of me as someone who is mentally weak, Father. But I assure you, I didn't hurt myself purposely," Lucien said with confidence, staring right through his father's eyes.
As Lucien said those words, His father lowered his hand and placed the book on the table in front of them. Then, he gazed into Lucien's eyes.
"So, what have you come here for?" His tone was a bit more serious this time. "Is it so important for you to request a meeting?"
"Father, as the crown prince. I have my issues I have to solve, that even you don't know of, at least not yet," he paused, then added. "Though this might sound unimportant to you, I hope you remain understanding, Father." Lucien's eyes became full of intensity. "I have come here to tell you about my refusal of your plan to assign a new personal knight for me. Instead, I will search for my own personal knight to ensure loyalty and my safety as the crown prince."
Lucien's father stared at him, perplexed. His eyes were slightly wide, and his expression was full of surprise.
'Strange… where's that confidence coming from?'
'And why does he suddenly care too much about loyalty and his safety?'
'Not only that… his tone has significantly changed, compared to his usual tone.'
Lucien's father leaned forward and said something that sent shivers down Lucien's spine.
"You… are you my son?"
Lucien's expression became intense, trying to hide the overwhelming pressure he felt.
'Shit, did I speak too confidently?!'
"What do you mean, Father?" Lucien said in a timid tone this time.
His father smiled softly, then let out a laugh.
'What the hell is wrong with this guy?'
"So, is there anything else you want to say?" Lucien's father asked.
Lucien remained quiet for a while as if thinking deeply about something.
"Actually, I have another request. It's about Seraphina, I want you to strengthen her security," he asked, his tone full of sincerity.
Lucien's father's eyes widened slightly once again. 'Ah, is this sudden change because of her? So it did work, after all.'
"Is that all? Then I will send one of my most loyal and strongest retainers to protect her secretly."
Hearing his father's answer, he bowed with respect and said, "Thank you, Father. I shall take my leave."
Lucien stood up from his seat and went towards the door of the audience chamber. He then pulled the door open and quietly took his leave.
'That's strange, why am I suddenly good at this?'
'The way that I act, behave, and think seems very superior then when I was still Seojun.'
'Could it be another gift from the deity who brought me into this world? Or is it simply because of the memories I received from the original Lucien?'
'Honestly, all that matters now is that everything seems to be going pretty well. Hopefully, it will even get better soon in the future.'