He's Gone!

The Caelus Estate....

"That foolish boy!" He fumed and barged into the residence stomping in rage.

Aurora who sat with Tiberius reading him his favorite book diverted her attention from the book to the commotion caused by Rudolf.

"Mother... What's going on?" Tiberius asked nervously.

He was a timid young boy like his mother with fluffy pink hair and dark grey eyes.

He was the same age as Avlynn. She was a tomboyish princess while he was made fun of as a rabbit prince.

"Everything is alright sugarplum." Aurora reassured him and asked his nanny to take care of him.

"Mother, is father very angry?" He asked tearfully.

"Oh no my baby boy. Your father is just a little tired from work. Once he has his dinner he will be fine."

Saying words of comfort she left to find her husband who almost burnt down his study with holy fire.

"H-honey?" She stammered worried to incur his anger.

He was a stern man. She had always known him since they were married. Their first year of marriage was a rocky start. He was short tempered and she was timid.

"May I come in?" She asked politely but didn't receive a response. It meant that she could go in. She had figured out what his actions meant.

When he remained silent it meant that he needed someone to lend him an ear.

She opened the doors and covered half her face with her hands.

The stench of burning wood and paper in the study was overwhelming.

His fire was smokeless. But the burns did leave a stench of burning matter of whatever was burned by him.

He sat on the couch near the open windows gazing out at the central courtyard where the fountains gushed with crystal water reflecting the moonlight.

She gracefully sat beside her husband and gently placed her hand on his chiseled face.

He was eight years older than her. His frown subsided when he looked at her worried expression.

He put his hand over hers. They felt small and soft compared to his.

"My dear ... whatever is troubling you?" She asked him.

Hearing her voice melted away most of his worries and anger. Her blonde hair glistened under the moonlight as he sighed.

"Octavius..that foolish boy." He muttered.

"Did you two get in an argument?"

She knew her husband and her oldest son had been at odds with each other ever since his engagement with Luciana had been annulled.

"That boy... He has lost his mind ever since Luciana's been married off." He sighed.

"He must have a reason behind the argument." Aurora insisted.

"Aurora will you ever stop unnecessarily favouring the boys?" He stood up and moved away her hand.

"He must not have done anything that serious. The boys have always listened to whatever you want them to." She protested.

She always sided with her children knowing that her husband was too strict on them.

It was a miracle by chance that her sons fell for the noble princesses of the empire. Or Rudolf would've forced them to be betrothed to them against their consent.

"If you knew what he's done today would leave you speechless."

She looked at him in disbelief. Her sons never did anything to go against the family or tarnish the reputation.

"He left for Wahrheit to get Luciana back."

The sudden fear instilled in her eyes could tell what she was thinking.

She collapsed on the couch shocked.

Rudolf could see the despair on her face.

"Why?" She trembled.

"Why did you not stop him? Why did you let it come to this?" She cried out.

"You think I did this on purpose?" He shouted and paused when she looked up.

Her eyes welled tears. She felt frustrated at her husband. Most of all she was frustrated with herself for being weak.

"What did his Majesty say?"

"He consented for him to go. Octavius left him no choice." He winced.

"I will go talk to him." She blurted out and got up to leave.

"Stop it Aurora! This is madness." He grabbed her by her arms.

"Let me go! My child will die in that devil's lair."

She struggled to free herself. He grabbed her and shook her hoping to bring her to her senses.

"Have you lost your mind? You will bring us to our deaths if you oppose the emperor."

"I don't know! I don't care! He has to listen to me."

"Aurora!" He screamed out.

She suddenly stopped struggling.

He saw her face that was left speechless.

"Look...don't put yourself at risk." He finally managed to say but this time softly as possible.

"Have you ever understood what went through their mind while you made them obey your words?"

She spoke in a shaky voice.

"When were you ever there for our sons when they needed you?"

"Look...I'm trying..."

"Octavius lost his arm in the last battle! And yet he went back there without a guarantee that he will return safely."

She cut him when he began and gently pushed him away.

"Please let me go. I need to cool myself down."

He finally let her go and stood in the room helpless about it.

"She's not going to forgive me." He sighed.

He remembered that his short temper nearly cost him with the miscarriage of their first child.

He accidentally pushed Aurora when she she was pregnant with Octavius. She secluded herself from him and did not forgive him until Octavius was born safe and healthy.

He vowed not to display his anger infront of her since that incident. They would seldom argue or disagree with each other and he knew she mostly apologized first and compromised for him.

Aurora tearfully walked into the courtyard where Lucerne stood with Tiberius.

"Mother?" He looked at her.

"What's wrong?"

Both boys hurried to her as she wiped her tears.

"I'm fine! I'm a little upset that's all." She forced a smile to prevent souring their feelings.

"You're lying mother." Lucerne denied her words.

She paused and looked away.

"What are you talking about Lucerne. Nothing happened."

"I know father must have said something."

"Oh don't be silly. Your father was just relaying some news about Octavius that's all."

"I know you're always hiding something under a smile." He said.

Aurora stood silently and bit her lip.

"Mother?"

She sat near the fountain and muttered words that felt forbidden to be heard by any other person.

"Octavius is gone!"