The study fell into a tense silence. Lafayette's sharp eyes didn't leave Kitsune, and the faint tapping of his fingers against the desk seemed to echo through the room. Kitsune couldn't help but notice how the Duke's shoulders remained stiff, like he was bracing for whatever trouble Kitsune might stir up next.
Calia, sensing the shift in mood, flicked her ears and looked up at Kitsune expectantly. Kitsune gave her a small nod before finally speaking.
"So, Duke," Kitsune began, letting the title roll off his tongue with a hint of mockery, "since you're so keen on keeping a low profile, why not make yourself useful instead of glaring holes through me?"
Lafayette scoffed. "Useful? To you? You're assuming I have any interest in your nonsense."
Kitsune tilted his head, feigning a thoughtful look. "You don't seem like the type who enjoys sitting idle while mysteries wander through your palace. You're already invested, even if you pretend otherwise."
Lafayette's lips pressed into a thin line. "And why would I trust a slippery thief who can't even name what he's after?"
Kitsune's fan stopped mid-twirl, his expression softening, just a fraction. "Because I'm not here to steal. Not this time. I just need information. A name."
Calia nudged Kitsune's leg with her nose, her eyes urging him to be honest, or at least honest enough. Kitsune took a slow breath before dropping the act, just for a moment.
Kitsune's jaw tightened, but he forced a smile. "Maybe. Maybe not. But I can't let it go. Kadeen's… my son. Adopted. He's been missing for years."
Lafayette's expression didn't change, but his eyes softened, just a bit. "And you think finding his name in old records will bring him back?"
Kitsune's lips twitched into a wry smile. "I don't know. But if there's any chance, a hint of where he might've gone have to try."
Lafayette studied him carefully, eyes tracing the lines of Kitsune's mask as if trying to see through it. "You're either incredibly foolish or incredibly determined. Either way, I don't have time for your games. But… I do know that name."
Kitsune straightened, his usual cockiness fading. "You do?"
Lafayette gave a slow nod. "Kadeen was involved in an old rebellion, one that nearly tore the palace apart from the inside. If that's who you're looking for, you're chasing a ghost."
A flicker of something raw passed through Kitsune's eyes, but he quickly masked it with a smirk. "Chasing ghosts is kind of my specialty."
Lafayette huffed, almost amused. "You're a fool. But you're persistent. If I help you, this doesn't leave the palace. And I expect you to keep your nose out of trouble."
Kitsune shot him a lopsided grin. "No promises on the trouble part, but I can manage the rest."
Calia gave a small bark of approval, her tail swishing like she'd just decided Lafayette was worth keeping around.
Lafayette sighed, standing up from his chair. "Follow me. There's an old archive in the west wing. If there's anything left about Kadeen, it'll be there. But if you cross me, I'll make sure your little escapade ends in the dungeon."
Kitsune twirled his fan one more time before tucking it into his belt. "You're just full of charm, aren't you?"
The west wing of Lan Dov Palace was colder than the rest, its stone walls lined with old portraits and faded banners. Kitsune couldn't help but notice how the air felt heavier here, like memories clung to the corridors.
Lafayette led the way, his movements precise and purposeful. Kitsune trailed behind, occasionally glancing at Calia, who padded alongside them, nose twitching as if the dust and age intrigued her.
Finally, they reached a heavy wooden door at the end of the hall. Lafayette produced a small, ornate key from his coat pocket and unlocked it with a firm click. Inside was a sprawling archive of rows of shelves filled with documents, faded maps, and leather-bound volumes.
Kitsune whistled low. "Didn't peg you for a historian."
Lafayette shot him a glare. "Knowing the past is the only way to control the present. You'd do well to remember that."
"Yeah, yeah," Kitsune replied, casually flipping open a random book. "I'm more of a 'live in the moment' kind of guy."
Lafayette ignored him, heading straight to a back shelf and pulling out a thick ledger. Dust puffed into the air as he flipped it open. "Rebellion Records. If Kadeen was involved, his name might be here."
Kitsune leaned over his shoulder, squinting at the small, cramped handwriting. Lafayette grumbled something about personal space but didn't push him away.
"What exactly did he do?" Kitsune asked, trying to mask his worry.
"What exactly did they do?" Lafayette replied, scanning through the writing, a hint of uncertainty in his voice.
Lafayette's eyes narrowed as he scanned the next few pages. "It says here that after the rebellion fell apart, a few key figures vanished. Some say they went underground, blending into common life. Others… well, the palace doesn't keep records of the dead."
Kitsune's hands tightened on the edge of the desk. "You're saying he might have faked his death? Or been forced to?"
"It's possible," Lafayette replied. "If he was valuable to the rebels, they might've erased him to protect what was left of their network."
Kitsune's mind raced, piecing together fragmented memories of Kadeen's reckless but thoughtful nature. He could never stay still for long, always pushing for something better, something bigger. Kitsune's heart ached at the thought of his boy being caught up in something so dangerous.
Lafayette glanced at Kitsune, clearly noticing the shift in his demeanor. "You don't know what you're chasing, do you?"
Kitsune didn't answer, just stared at the open page, his mind running in circles.
Lafayette sighed, closing the ledger. "If Kadeen survived, someone would know. It states here that-"
Kitsune looked up, eyes sharp. "He's a prince,"
Lafayette looked almost reluctant. "Exactly, which means he was a part of the royal family. A servant must've known what happened to the boy."
Kitsune chuckled. "You say that like you're not already invested."
Calia yawned, clearly unimpressed with their bickering, but nudged Lafayette's leg as if encouraging him to move faster.
"You and your pet are the same, you know." Lafayette stared at Calia, a strange sense of comfort in her soft fur brushing against his leg.
"Yeah, she's the sensible one," Kitsune admitted, giving Calia a fond scratch behind the ears.