An Exception

It was almost time for dinner but Nicien Vamieres was still in the main palace, sitting on a couch inside the King's working chamber.

King Hamon Caderin sat on the chair behind the desk which was a few steps away from the couch where Nicien sat. He was busy reading some reports as he inquired Nicien about the attack at the same time.

Though Nicien Vamieres wasn't surprised that the attack already reached the King's ears, being summoned right away wasn't what he expected.

"How's the investigation?" The King asked his nephew yet his gaze was on the scroll all the while.

"There is no clue and I can only work with assumptions for now," Nicien Vamieres replied.

"I heard that none of the guards survived," King Hamon pointed out and finally put down the scroll to look at his nephew. "Weren't your guards always the best? How did you train them? Or... did you neglect the matter because it's just an alliance marriage?"