Shattered Sanity

For a while, Boseman remained completely silent, as he desperately tried to think of a way to de-escalate the situation without having to surrender Riven Dawnriver into the custody of his father.

However, despite considering several possible approaches, he could not arrive at a solution that would satisfy the Duke without compromising the Academy’s authority, especially when the man standing before him appeared perfectly willing to resort to violence.

So... with the lives of his staff members now hanging in the balance, Boseman reluctantly realized that he had no other choice but to concede.

”Your Grace, if you wish, I can personally escort you to the detention facility where Riven is currently being held.

The two of you may have a private conversation, and if, after speaking with him, you remain convinced of his innocence, I am prepared to sanction a temporary leave of absence, allowing you to take him back to White Castle.

However, you must understand that Imperial investigators are already on their way to question him, and should you decide to remove him from the Academy before their arrival, House Dawnriver will have to assume full responsibility for that decision.”

Boseman proposed, as he maintained his composure despite the beads of perspiration forming upon his forehead.

Upon hearing the Principal’s proposal, Drew remained silent for a moment before casting a sideways glance towards the carriage, where Archimedes was still seated.

The elderly librarian met his gaze through the open doorway and offered a careful nod, indicating that he considered the arrangement acceptable.

After all, this was perhaps the most favorable compromise they could have hoped for under the circumstances, as it would allow them to question Riven personally before deciding whether further confrontation with the Academy was necessary.

If Riven turned out to be responsible for the massacre, Drew could still withdraw his demands without appearing to have surrendered to the Academy’s authority, while an innocent Riven would provide House Dawnriver with sufficient grounds to blow this incident out of proportion.

Furthermore, if Riven was indeed taken back to the White Castle, the Emperor would find himself in the difficult position of having to address the grievances of the other noble households without provoking an unnecessary confrontation with the East.

”Very well. I shall accept your arrangement, Principal, although you should understand that I am doing so because I am impatient to see my son, rather than because you have persuaded me to reconsider my position.

However, if Riven so much as suggests that your people have deliberately attempted to frame him for these murders, then I swear upon the Gods that you will witness my wrath in a manner you shall never forget.”

Drew warned, as he gave Boseman a threatening look before finally turning towards the administrative building.

Boseman released a quiet sigh of relief, discreetly wiping the perspiration from his forehead before gesturing towards the entrance, where the Academy guards immediately began parting to clear a passage.

”Archimedes, old man, would you mind accompanying me?”

Drew asked, as the elderly librarian slowly emerged from the carriage, his back slightly hunched beneath his plain robes.

With Archimedes walking beside the Duke and two Dawnriver Legion guards following closely behind, Boseman began leading the small party towards the administrative building, while Vice Principal Chadwick accompanied them in silence.

—--------

(Meanwhile, Riven’s POV)

Riven remained completely oblivious to the developments unfolding outside the detention facility, as he sat upon the edge of his bed, mentally rehearsing the words he intended to say when the Academy authorities returned to question him.

’I’m sorry, but I will no longer cooperate with your investigation until a representative of House Dawnriver is present. Until then, I have nothing more to say.’

Riven repeated internally, as he steeled his expression and attempted to prepare himself for another confrontation with Principal Boseman or Vice Principal Chadwick.

Having already made the mistake of answering their questions without consulting anyone from his household, he was determined not to repeat it, especially when the evidence against him appeared considerably more serious than he had initially anticipated.

However, despite having settled upon what he intended to say, Riven could not entirely suppress the uneasiness lingering within his heart, as the possibility that he might have harmed Mary during one of his unexplained blackouts continued troubling him.

And just as he was beginning to reconsider whether his prepared statement sounded sufficiently firm, the unmistakable sound of footsteps approaching from the corridor interrupted his thoughts.

’They’re here.’

Riven thought, as he immediately straightened his posture and fixed his gaze upon the heavy iron door, patiently waiting for the opportunity to deliver his rehearsed response.

However, when the door finally swung open, the sight that greeted him was so unexpected that every word he had prepared immediately vanished from his mind.

For instead of Principal Boseman, Vice Principal Chadwick, or another member of the Academy staff, the individual standing at the entrance was none other than Duke Drew Dawnriver himself, accompanied by the elderly librarian from White Castle.

”Father?”

Riven asked in disbelief, as he instinctively rose from his bed, struggling to comprehend how the Duke had managed to appear before him so suddenly.

Drew merely regarded him with a faint expression of contempt before strolling into the detention room, as he scanned the surroundings for any unusual runes.

”What have you done this time, boy?”

Drew asked, as he approached Riven with the casual familiarity of someone visiting a troublesome child rather than a suspected murderer awaiting an Imperial investigation.

Meanwhile, Archimedes quietly closed the iron door behind them before raising his hand and casting a discreet soundproofing ward across the room, ensuring that neither Boseman nor Chadwick could overhear their conversation from outside.

”I... I...”

Riven began, as he struggled to gather his thoughts, having been completely unprepared for the sudden appearance of the Duke.

However, before he could properly formulate a response, Drew stepped directly before him and regarded him with an expression of unmistakable impatience.

”Don’t stutter before me, boy. If you have indeed killed all those noble bastards, then for the first time in my life, I might actually be proud of you, if you were smart enough to do it in a way where you’re not going to be caught.

But regardless of what happened, I expect you to stand straight and explain yourself like a man, because if there is one thing I detest more than lies, it is weakness.”

Drew declared, as he stared directly into Riven’s eyes, awaiting his explanation.