Chapter 309 -: 308 Am I forgetting something?[2]
’Am I... forgetting something?’
Julius muttered those words beneath his breath as he stepped down from the opulent carriage.
The polished leather shoes beneath his feet landed softly upon the pristine white stone road.
Before him stood a magnificent castle carved from pale sandstone, its countless towers piercing the clear blue sky like the spears of giants.
Elegant banners fluttered gently from the battlements while intricate stained-glass windows shimmered beneath the afternoon sunlight.
A vast lake stretched before the palace, so calm that it reflected the heavens almost perfectly, making the castle appear as though it floated upon the sky itself.
For reasons he couldn’t explain, however...
The breathtaking sight failed to leave any impression on him. His eyes lingered upon it, yet his heart remained strangely unsettled.
"Your Highness."
A respectful voice interrupted his thoughts.
Julius turned toward the speaker.
An elderly man dressed in an immaculate butler’s uniform stood several steps away. His neatly combed silver hair and thick bushy beard gave him a dignified appearance.
Bowing deeply, the old man spoke with practiced elegance.
"The Princess has been awaiting your arrival. If you would please follow me."
Julius blinked before offering a faint smile.
"Of course."
Today was a special occasion—it was Lyra’s birthday.
Ever since becoming engaged, the two had spent very little time together due to the responsibilities placed upon the royal family. After so many weeks apart, he had finally managed to find enough free time to visit her personally.
He had even prepared a surprise.
’I should cook something for...’
His thoughts stopped. A deep frown slowly appeared across his face.
’Cook? Why...?’
Why had that thought appeared so naturally?
For reasons completely beyond his understanding, he suddenly felt as though Lyra absolutely adored his cooking.
He could almost picture himself standing before a stove while she eagerly waited nearby with sparkling eyes, asking for another serving before she had even finished the first.
The image felt....painfully real.
Yet it was impossible.
He couldn’t cook...not even the simplest meal.
And Lyra herself barely ate enough to satisfy a child, let alone possess the appetite his strange memory insisted she had.
"...What?"
Julius quietly pressed a hand against his forehead.
The harder he tried to grasp those strange thoughts, the faster they slipped away like water running between his fingers.
"Your Highness?"
The butler’s concerned voice pulled him back to reality.
Julius forced a smile.
"My apologies. I was... distracted."
The old man simply bowed before leading him onward.
Another carriage had already been prepared to carry guests through the enormous palace grounds. Julius climbed inside while the elderly butler took the reins himself.
The horses began moving, their hooves echoing softly against the stone road as they followed the curved path around the vast lake.
Julius remained silent throughout the journey. His eyes wandered across the peaceful scenery, but his thoughts were elsewhere.
’Why am I feeling like this?’
The strange sensation had begun shortly after awakening during the journey to the capital.
Nothing unusual had happened. Yet ever since opening his eyes...
His heart refused to settle.
It felt as though...as though..he had forgotten someone. Someone unimaginably precious. Someone whose absence had left behind an emptiness he couldn’t explain.
Every time he tried to remember...his head began to ache.
The carriage gradually slowed before coming to a stop beneath the grand entrance of the palace.
The butler climbed down before respectfully opening the carriage door.
"We have arrived, Your Highness."
Julius nodded absentmindedly before stepping outside. Taking a slow breath, he straightened the collar of his royal coat before brushing back a few loose strands of golden hair.
Despite the unease lingering within him...
He couldn’t stop himself from smiling. He was finally going to see Lyra again.
The thought alone was enough to make the corners of his lips twitch upward.
Following behind the elderly butler, Julius entered the palace.
Almost immediately...something felt wrong.
The palace was...far too quiet.
Normally, countless servants would be rushing through the halls carrying trays, flowers, documents, or expensive decorations.
Today...there were almost none. Only a handful of guards stood silently beside the marble walls, their expressions unusually stern.
Even the servants who remained kept their heads lowered as Julius passed by.
Not a single cheerful greeting. Julius noticed it. Yet his excitement to meet Lyra quickly pushed those thoughts aside.
The two continued through the magnificent corridors before ascending a broad staircase lined with crimson carpets and golden railings.
Portraits of past monarchs watched over them from both sides, their painted eyes seeming strangely cold today.
After several minutes...the butler finally stopped before an elegant pair of white wooden doors.
"The Princess is inside."
Stepping aside, the old man lowered his head, silently allowing Julius to announce himself.
Julius inhaled deeply.
"Princess Lyra."
There was no reply, instead...footsteps echoed. Julius waited patiently, his smile never fading.
The footsteps stopped as the door slowly creaked open.
And when it opened his smile froze, standing before him wasn’t Lyra.
It was Prince Cas.
The youngest prince.
A cruel grin stretched across his face, twisting his handsome features into something monstrous.
Julius frowned.
"Prince Cas... what are—"
His voice abruptly stopped as his gaze slowly dropped.
Blood.
Fresh crimson droplets rolled from the prince’s fingertips before falling one after another onto the polished marble floor.
Julius’ entire body turned cold...his pupils violently contracted.
Without a second thought, he shoved Prince Cas aside with enough force to send him stumbling backward before sprinting into the room.
"No..."
His voice trembled, his breathing became ragged. His heartbeat pounded louder than anything else.
Then...He saw her...she lay motionless upon the bed. Her once beautiful dress had been dyed crimson.
Countless wounds covered her body.
Each cut looked deliberate and cruel.
As though someone had taken pleasure in carving them into her flesh.
Blood soaked the white sheets beneath her until there was almost no white left.
"...No..."
Julius collapsed beside the bed. His trembling hands desperately reached for her.
He lifted one of hers into both of his.
Her lifeless eyes remained half-open, their once brilliant blue now dull and glass-like as they stared endlessly toward the ceiling.
Tears poured uncontrollably down Julius’ face.
"I’m sorry..."
"Lyra..."
"I’m sorry..."