Getting into the imperial prison was impossible.
That was what Lucien said.
Evelyn disagreed.
“Nothing is impossible.”
“That’s what people say before they get arrested.”
“You’re very encouraging.”
“I’m trying.”
They stood inside a hidden passage beneath an abandoned chapel.
According to Adrian, the tunnel connected to an old section of the imperial palace.
Evelyn had never heard of it.
Lucien had.
Which was both reassuring and concerning.
“Where does this lead?”
“To the old prison.”
“How old?”
“Older than the current palace.”
“That’s not helpful.”
“It wasn’t meant to be.”
They continued.
The tunnel was narrow.
Water dripped from the ceiling.
The air smelled damp.
Evelyn held a lantern.
Lucien walked ahead.
After several minutes, he stopped.
“Guards.”
She lowered the lantern.
Two figures stood at the end of the passage.
Lucien moved silently.
A few seconds later, both guards were unconscious.
Evelyn stared.
“You could have warned me.”
“You would have worried.”
“I am worried.”
“I know.”
They continued.
Eventually, they reached a stone door.
Lucien examined the lock.
“Can you open it?”
“Yes.”
“How?”
“I have a key.”
He produced one.
Evelyn stared.
“Where did you get that?”
“Adrian.”
“You trust him?”
“No.”
“Then why take the key?”
“Because distrust doesn’t mean refusing useful things.”
She smiled.
“You’re learning.”
The door opened.
The old prison was almost empty.
Only one cell was occupied.
A woman sat inside.
Her hair was gray.
Her clothes were worn.
She looked up when they approached.
Her eyes widened.
“Lucien?”
He froze.
The woman stood.
“You’re alive.”
Lucien’s expression changed.
“Marian.”
Evelyn watched them.
Neither moved.
Then Marian stepped toward the bars.
“You shouldn’t be here.”
“Neither should you.”
She smiled sadly.
“I know.”
Lucien gripped the bars.
“Who killed my father?”
Marian looked at Evelyn.
Then back at him.
“You’re not ready.”
“Tell me.”
“Not here.”
“Then where?”
She glanced toward the ceiling.
“Someone is listening.”
Evelyn looked around.
“Who?”
Marian whispered:
“The emperor.”
Lucien’s face hardened.
“The emperor?”
“Not this emperor.”
She shook her head.
“His predecessor.”
Evelyn frowned.
“Your father was killed by the previous emperor?”
“No.”
Marian looked at Lucien.
“He was killed because he discovered what the previous emperor had done.”
“What?”
“Something involving the Crown.”
Evelyn’s stomach tightened.
“The Crown?”
Marian nodded.
“The empire has been hiding something for generations.”
Lucien looked confused.
“Why would my father be involved?”
“Because he tried to expose it.”
“Expose what?”
Marian’s eyes moved toward Evelyn.
“Her.”
Evelyn froze.
“Me?”
Marian nodded.
“Your family.”
Evelyn stared.
“My family?”
“The Arclights were never ordinary nobles.”
That name struck her.
Arclight.
Her supposed family.
She knew very little about them.
In the novel, they were described as an old noble family that had lost much of its influence.
But apparently there was more.
“What did they do?”
Marian’s voice trembled.
“They protected the original records.”
“What records?”
“The first history of the empire.”
Evelyn frowned.
“Why is that important?”
“Because the history everyone knows is false.”
Silence.
Lucien stared at her.
Marian continued.
“The first emperor was not the founder.”
Evelyn’s heart began pounding.
“Then who was?”
Marian opened her mouth.
A sound came from the corridor.
Footsteps.
Many footsteps.
Lucien immediately drew his sword.
“Someone followed us.”
Marian grabbed the bars.
“Go.”
“We’re not leaving you.”
“You have to.”
The footsteps became louder.
Evelyn looked toward the passage.
“How many?”
“Too many.”
Lucien looked at her.
“Run.”
“But—”
“Now.”
They fled.
Behind them, the prison filled with shouting.
Evelyn ran through the tunnel.
Lucien followed.
A blade struck the stone beside her.
She screamed.
They kept running.
At the chapel, they escaped into the night.
Only after reaching the carriage did they stop.
Lucien was bleeding.
Evelyn grabbed his arm.
“You’re hurt.”
“It’s nothing.”
“Stop saying that.”
She tore a piece of cloth from her sleeve.
He let her bandage him.
Then she looked at him.
“Your father died because of my family.”
Lucien shook his head.
“Don’t say that.”
“But—”
“You didn’t kill him.”
“I know.”
“Then don’t carry someone else’s guilt.”
She looked at him.
He squeezed her hand.
“You are not responsible for what your ancestors did.”
Evelyn swallowed.
“Neither are you.”
He nodded.
For a moment, they simply looked at each other.
Then Lucien leaned forward.
Their foreheads almost touched.
Neither moved.
The moment lasted only a few seconds.
Then he pulled away.
“We need to find those records.”
Evelyn nodded.
But she couldn’t stop thinking about what Adrian had said.
Now, Lucien falls in love with you.
She wondered whether he had already noticed.