Seren, too, was likely the same. There was no doubt in Lyse’s mind that his greatest desire was canine companionship, evident by the complete lack of interest in Egbert after he turned back to a human. Now that all the dogs had disappeared, Seren’s clone sat alone in a corner of the atrium, hugging his knees and watching the sparkling pillar of light.
“Prince Sidis and Miss Lyse are here too...” Lasuarl remarked, now getting a better look around after the initial shock of the Egbert pack had passed. “This would suggest that the Light is cloning Light bearers.”
“We think so too,” Sidis agreed. “That said, though, His Majesty is the exception—yet he was the first one to be affected. The reason for that remains unclear.”
“Has anyone witnessed the phenomenon?” Duke Lasuarl asked the party.
It was only then Lyse realized she hadn’t actually seen it for herself. Apparently, neither had Sidis. Egbert likewise shook his head.
“Perhaps Karl has?” the prince offered.
To this, a voice replied from within the villa, “It’s true. I’ve seen it happen once.” It was Karl, who entered the atrium with Alcede in tow.
“What was it like, Karl?” his father asked him.
“The clones come from within the Light of Origin. Or, more accurately, lumps of light come flying out and morph into humanoid shapes.”
“Incredible...”
“The clones seem to be made of the Light, hence why they’re capable of fighting with magic-like powers similar to His Majesty the Emperor’s,” added Alcede. Word of the earlier battle had already reached him. “What did you mean to accomplish with that display anyway, Your Majesty?”
Egbert, Sidis, and Lyse explained the thought process behind the stunt—to put a positive spin on the anomalies with the Light by claiming it was all to empower the emperor.
“Speaking as your retainer, I must say it’s not a terrible plan,” said Lasuarl approvingly.
Alcede pensively stared off into the distance before responding, “Hmm, I think it’s fine too. We should try anything that can buy us time until we come up with a concrete plan.”
“In any case, this monster attack must be related to the aberrations,” Sidis said as he turned to the Light. Bar the emperor’s clones surrounding it, the pillar was as enchanting as ever.
“Indubitably. Still, in a sense, it’s not all that different from normal. Monsters have always come for the Light of Origin, so His Majesty’s plan isn’t bad at all,” Alcede said, pausing to roll the stiffness out of his shoulders.
“If people think there are more monsters coming for the Light, who could blame them for being afraid?” he continued. “But if His Majesty publicly defeats said monsters without breaking a sweat, it would look good. There are those who already fear regular attacks, after all. Plus, I’ve been trying to find a silver lining in all of this...”
Alcede trailed off in a way that the group found worrying. Was he trying to say that he hadn’t found any good in the situation? It didn’t bode well. The duke, however, flashed an ambiguous smile. “Whenever the aberrations occur, plants within the capital grow much quicker.”
“Much quicker, you say? As in, they’re instantly harvestable?” Lasuarl questioned.
“Not that quick,” Alcede replied. “But seeds sprout the day after being planted and mature within a month. I’ve even heard that gardeners are having trouble keeping trees pruned.”
Sidis’s expression soured. “That’s hardly a silver lining, if I must say.”
“Yes, well, that’s why I’d like some good news to please the masses. It’d be nice if we could get to the bottom of this already.”
“I shall do my best, Your Grace,” Karl said stiffly.
“Fret not, Karl. Being too tense won’t help anything. My clones and I will find a way to buy you time, so do what you can. Oh, and Sidis...” Egbert turned to his cousin after comforting Karl. “I know you’ve been up to something else. Any news on that front?”
“Um...” Sidis hesitated, which was unusual for him when speaking to Egbert. Equally uncharacteristic, he continued through gritted teeth, “I’m still in the hypothesis stage, Your Majesty. May I present my findings after collecting and confirming some results?”
Egbert seemed to notice his cousin’s odd behavior and did not press him further on the matter. He trusted Sidis. “Fine. If you can think of anything to help the situation, give it a shot. Since we don’t have any leads, I’m open to anything as long as it’s not too radical.”
“Very well, Your Majesty. If our primary concern is easing the aberrations, then perhaps I’ll have something for you.”
Given the day’s attack, the group’s mood was rather somber. They all pretended not to notice the emperor’s clones skipping around them.
Lyse, Egbert, Sidis, and Lasuarl departed the villa after their tête-à-tête, leaving Alcede to assist Karl with his experiments.
“I should go update our defense strategies to prepare for increased monster activity,” Lasuarl declared, excusing himself and making for the palace. His gait suggested he was exhausted, but Lyse thought it only natural after what he’d just witnessed.
Meanwhile, Egbert didn’t seem to worry one bit about his clones’ eccentric behavior. “Oh, I forgot something,” he said, turning back toward the villa that would soon be Lyse and Sidis’s new home.
Rather than seeing Sidis off, Lyse decided to accompany him for a while longer.
“You’d best return too, Lyse,” he said. “Aren’t you tired after that battle?”
“Surely you don’t think me so frail that I’d wear myself out with a stroll, do you?” Lyse asked back. She knew he was merely concerned for her, but he didn’t need to fret over her health just because she wanted to walk with him.
As they walked, Lyse realized that Sidis was intentionally taking the long way—he didn’t want her to hear nasty comments whilst walking through the palace halls. Such talk hardly fazed Lyse, however. After all, back in Olwen, it was rare for there not to be gossip about her. She knew how to deal with it, and she knew that took time. Moreover, with no immediate threats to her safety, she knew it was simply best to endure it.
What did concern her, however, was the possibility that it might affect Sidis. What if he can’t be with me anymore? I’m sure he would do whatever it took to stay by my side, even if that meant eloping. But, well, since I bear the Light, I think Egbert and Alcede would plead for me to stay. Maybe the two of us should hide out in the villa for the time being.
Lyse wanted more than just to be with Sidis. She cared for Egbert like a baby brother and wanted to be able to protect him. That meant she would need to stay close to the Light but out of the public eye. If she could do that, there would be no reason to elope.
Either way, Lyse figured, the rumors about her probably hurt Sidis more than they did her. Just as she expected, he continued to plead, “Please, Lyse. These are unprecedented times. You never know what might happen to you.”
“Very well.” Lyse chose to swallow her pride. After all, worrying Sidis was the opposite of what she wanted to accomplish.
He looked relieved hearing her answer, but his soft smile soon faded too. “I have to apologize, though. I don’t think I can make time to see you again today. But tomorrow, I promise I will find one way or another to see you. Wait for me, Lyse.”
“Very well,” she agreed once again.
But come the next morning...Sidis was nowhere to be seen.