CHAPTER 474: ’WHERE IS HEINZ?’

That was something Florian had been trying very hard not to think about.

When Cashew had woken him earlier that morning, the first thing Florian noticed was the empty space where Heinz should have been—and the absence of the little blue dragon as well.

He’d asked Cashew if he had seen them, but Cashew shook his head. He explained that when he entered the room, it had been just Florian, asleep and alone.

’Maybe they just left early...’ Florian had told himself. But the uneasy coil in his stomach whispered a different possibility—maybe they never came back at all.

"Well..." Florian began, forcing a calm tone. He rose from his seat. "Excuse me for a moment, ladies. I just need to speak with Lucius privately." His gaze flickered to Athena and Scarlett, who exchanged a quick glance before nodding.

"Of course, Your Highness."

"Go ahead, we don’t mind," Scarlett added.

Florian gave them a small smile, masking the faint tension in his expression.

He stepped over to Lucius, grasped him firmly by the arm, and guided him away from the bench toward a quieter corner of the garden, far enough that no curious ears could overhear.

Lucius blinked, taken off guard. "Is everything all right, Your Highness? Your emotions... did something happen?"

Once they were out of earshot, Florian released his grip but didn’t waste a second. He fixed Lucius with a steady look. "I haven’t seen him since last night. I was hoping you would know where he was. And if you don’t... that means he’s not in his office either."

Lucius hesitated, his expression shifting. "Did he... not return to your room yesterday? I believe he came back after—"

He cut himself off, but that was all Florian needed. His eyes narrowed.

"So something did happen yesterday."

Lucius flinched slightly. "W–What?"

Florian’s voice sharpened, though he kept it quiet. "He returned last night, yes—but he was acting strange. Stranger than usual. Then he took Azure, left without a word, and I haven’t seen him since."

His arms folded across his chest, a defensive gesture masking the worry prickling under his skin. "What happened?"

Lucius blinked but said nothing.

Yet the silence spoke volumes. His expression—controlled but strained—told Florian enough. Something had happened, and it was something Lucius wouldn’t say aloud.

What could’ve happened though?

"Is it related to Hendrix? Did they talk again? Or is it something completely different?" Florian pressed.

Lucius remained silent.

Florian’s tone dropped, firmer now, laced with quiet command. "Lucius. What happened?"

He needed to know—had to know.

The way Heinz had acted last night... it wasn’t him. It wasn’t even close. He’d grabbed Florian’s arms—hard enough to bruise. The faint markings were still there, hidden from Cashew’s notice when Florian dressed this morning.

And then Heinz had taken Azure.

And now... he was gone.

"I..." Lucius finally spoke, but his eyes dropped to the ground. "I can’t say without His Majesty’s permission. I apologize, Your Highness."

That was unusual. Lucius didn’t usually care about Heinz’s authority—not when it involved Florian.

Unless...

"Is it related to me?" Florian asked.

Lucius’s eyes widened.

’Bingo.’

It was related to him. But how? And why would Heinz vanish because of it?

Florian’s curiosity burned hotter. "Lucius, really—what happened? Because if he’s missing right now, that’s a serious problem."

Lucius hesitated again, small shifts flickering across his expression—guilt, worry, restraint.

"I’m sorry," he murmured at last, "I truly can’t say. I believe I should go now. I shouldn’t disrupt your ball planning any further."

’What?’

"No—you can’t just... you’re not going to leave. How are we supposed to know where he is?" Florian demanded.

There it was again—that subtle shift.

Oh.

Realization struck him like a snap of cold air. "You know where he is," Florian said, not as a question but as a fact.

More than that... he realized where Heinz might be.

Lucius bowed his head, voice low. "I have a theory... but I cannot say. It isn’t permitted. Now, I truly must go."

Before he could move, Florian’s hand shot out, gripping his arm. "Lucius, I’m starting to get very annoyed. If this is related to me, why aren’t you telling me anything? You... He was acting strange yesterday. I want to know why."

"Your Highness," Lucius sighed, "if His Majesty didn’t tell you, then he doesn’t want you to know."

Florian’s brow furrowed. "Even if it concerns me?"

"Especially if it concerns you," Lucius replied without hesitation.

’What the hell is that supposed to mean?’

Lucius eased his arm free from Florian’s grasp, bowing once more. "If I see His Majesty, I’ll tell him you’re worried. But for now... I cannot say anything."

’This guy...’ The irritation flared sharp in Florian’s chest.

First—why bother asking him in the first place if Lucius already knew more? Second—how could he not realize that refusing

to say anything made it obvious this was serious?

And third—Florian was involved. He had every right to know.

God only knew what Heinz could be doing right now.

And for some goddamn reason...

For some reason...

Florian hated that Lucius knew something he didn’t.

What else could Heinz hide from him?

Florian was the only one who knew Heinz was a regressor.

The only one who knew Alexandria had killed Heinz in his first life.

Hell, he was the only one who knew Heinz was a lightweight who probably didn’t remember he’d been in a relationship with the original Florian when he was drunk.

Florian knew everything.

So why couldn’t he know this?

’I’m not letting this go.’

He stepped after Lucius, determination burning in his chest. "Lucius, wait for me—"

"Oh, cousin!" Athena’s voice rang out, bright and sudden, cutting him off.

’Cousin?’

Florian’s head turned at Athena’s call, his irritation with Lucius momentarily slipping. She wasn’t looking at him—her gaze was fixed somewhere beyond.

He followed the direction of her eyes.

And then his own widened.

’No fucking way.’

A figure was making his way toward them, each step deliberate, unhurried. The crowd seemed to shift around him, as though the air itself made room.

It wasn’t just anyone.

It was Hendrix.