I Was Framed, Now I'll Take The Throne

Chapter 94: Saying Goodbye For The Meantime

On the morning of Lionel’s departure, the estate became filled with heaviness.

Lionel’s attendants moved his things from his room to outside. They looked tense and a little bit sad about it.

Lionel followed them right from behind. He was now fully dressed in his training attire. At his side hung the sword that his father had given him.

He was silent as he looked around. For sure, he would miss this comfort.

When Lionel arrived at the main hall, their entire household was already there, waiting for him. At the side, Diana stood at the front of his attendants. Her hands were clasped tightly in front of her, and her eyes were teary.

She looked like she was trying very hard not to cry.

"My lord..." She let out a deep sigh; worry was very evident in her voice.

"I will be fine, Diana" Lionel replied gently.

Diana lowered her head at it. Even though she felt sadness she still stepped forward and gave a deep bow. It was a respectful bow. When she did it, all his attendants followed suit.

"We wish you safe travels, Young Master!"

"Please take care!"

"Return to us safely!"

Lionel gave them a small nod.

"Thank you." He appreciated their goodbyes to him.

"Lionel, my dear..."

When Lionel glanced to the side, he saw his mother and father standing, waiting for him.

Arden looked calm as always. Elara, however, looked at him with sadness that silenced the entire hall.

"Mother..." Lionel stepped forward. "Father."

Arden looked at him with pride written in his eyes. Even though he doesn’t say it that much, he was deeply proud of what Lionel had achieved on his own.

"I will see you in the army, father," Lionel muttered to him.

Arden gave a slow nod at. "I expect nothing less than discipline from you."

"I understand, father."

"Lionel," Now it was Elara’s turn.

"Mother."

Elara stepped closer to him. For a moment, she said nothing. She simply raised her hand and gently touched his cheek.

"You’ve grown so much," she said softly. Over the course of just months, she has seen how Lionel has matured. Sometimes she thinks about it.

Lionel was careless and loves to have fun. But since their dinner that day, she became different. Sometimes she wondered what had happened, but for whatever reason, she knew that Lionel knew what he was doing.

"I will visit the Empire from time to time," she added, her voice was filled with both worry and assurance, "So don’t make me worry too much, my dear."

"You shall not need to worry, my mother." Lionel nodded. "I will do my best at that training."

"I know you would..." Elara smiled faintly, but the sadness in her eyes was hard to miss. Lionel’s heart pained from seeing it, but it was time for him to grow and have this opportunity.

"Take care, alright?" Elara slowly pulled her hand back, as if letting go was the hardest part. ƒгeeweɓn૦vel.com

"I will, mother." Lionel smiled at her reassuringly.

After Elara let go of him, Lionel took a step back. In there, he gave everyone a final look. A small smile formed on his face. ƒrēewebnoѵёl.cσm

Lionel took one step back. And then, he lowered his gaze and then slowly bowed deeply. He bowed deeply to show his respect.

For his family and for the people who raised him.

A collective gasp moved through the hall. Elara’s fingers tightened slightly at her side. Her eyes turned even more watery as she watched him.

"Lionel..." she whispered under her breath, barely audible. It was as if finally seeing her little child grow.

Diana also looked down quickly, as if afraid that if she kept watching, she would cry. She have been with Lionel since she was born to this world. For her, he was also her child.

Meanwhile, Arden did not speak, but a sense of sadness still swept him.

Lionel remained bowed for a moment longer before he straightened up.

"I will return," Lionel muttered to them. "Please wait for me."

Everyone nodded at it.

Elara’s lips parted slightly, but no words came out. Instead, she only nodded, trying to hold herself together.

Lionel’s expression softened into a small smile.

Then he turned around. The sound of his steps as he walked out of the estate, echoed throughout. He didn’t hesitate or look back, since he knew that he will just be sad to see their expressions.

The courtyard outside the estate was already busy when Lionel arrived there. His suitcases were now being lifted to put inside a small carriage that they have. Unlike their usual grand carriages, this one was simpler and more normal.

Diana was already standing nearby, giving final instructions as the attendants secured the luggage.

"Careful with that one," she said firmly. "That must not be damaged under any circumstances."

"Yes, Diana," one of the maids answered quickly.

Lionel watched quietly from a few steps away. He chuckled when he saw that Diana was still as strict as ever, even if she looked like she was about to cry earlier.

Once the luggage was secured, Diana stepped aside.

"My lord, everything has been prepared."

"Thank you," Lionel replied.

He walked toward the carriage and stepped up without hesitation. The interior was simple. There was only a small bench, enough space for two suitcases, and little else.

He placed his sword carefully beside him and sat down. When he became comfortable, the door closed shortly after. Outside, the coachman adjusted the reins and turned to him.

"Shall we go, my lord?" the coachman asked respectfully.

Lionel looked out through the small window and nodded.

"Yes. I can’t be late."

With it, the coachmen smiled, and the carriage began to move. The horse’s hooves struck the ground as the carriage rolled forward. From the window, he could see his mother and father standing at the door of their estate.

It was a beautiful picture to take in as the estate slowly disappeared from his eyes.

Their travel time took an hour. When they got close to the gates of the training grounds, he saw the road was congested with small carriages too. A line of carriages lined up in long rows to wait for their turn.

In the distance, men dressed in training clothes stepped out of their carriages one after another. They were the same candidates Lionel had seen during the evaluation.

At least I am familiar with those people, Lionel thought as he waited for his turn.