Chapter 86 - 85

The very next day, Yohann was indeed brought to the palace under Luciel's orders. They haven't informed Kassandra of this decision because they knew she would run back the moment she heard of this. Yohann was a little surprised by the sudden order but he was also thankful since he felt like he was useless staying in.

"Welcome back Lord Yohann" Azazel was the one who greeted Yohann by the door. He acknowledged Azazel by lowering his head and smiling.

"I'm glad to see that you're looking healthier than before. Do you still remember the way to the meeting hall?"

Yohann thought about it for a moment and nodded to indicate that he does remember. Even if he remembered or not, Azazel would still guide him there just in case. And so he smiled and told Yohann to lead the way. Yohann felt thankful that Azazel had faith in him and he led the way.

When they arrived, nearly everyone was present. And by that, it meant that Kassandra was not here.

"It feels a little different to have Yohann back but it's the good kind of difference. Yohann take a seat"

'If Yohann indeed have his memories then he would remember that he was seated in-'

In the middle of Luciel's monologue, Yohann took a seat on Arda's row which was Luciel's left side. And to be more specific, he was one chair away from Arda because that seat belonged to his sister. Luciel was impressed because Kaiden was right. He spared a glance at Kaiden's direction which was directly opposite him. Kaiden smiled and shrugged.

"Although I wish to celebrate Yohann's return, we still have a lot to work with. Arda, you may take the lead" Luciel motioned for her and Arda stood up to begin her briefing.

"As some of you know, I was tasked to check up on our old bases. We left notes that were deemed useless for us because we were confident that our place would not be infiltrated by outsiders. But unfortunately, it was still taken by a traitor"

A lot of them felt uneasy, there were only a handful of people who could enter the barriers with ease. Most of them were in this meeting room but the rest had already died. It was either one of them or someone who they proclaimed as deceased. Arda did a quick glance at Yohann but proceeded.

"However, we shouldn't point fingers. The best so-"

Yohann raised his hand to speak. He would have written it instead but it would take a while so he sucked in a breath. Ever since he was forcing himself to interact with Kaiden despite his uncomfortableness, this triggered other terrible memories. He remembered everything Matthew had done to him and that's why Kaiden slicing off his tongue when he was still corrupted gave him a horrible impression upon the prince. It triggered his trauma towards Matthew. So rather than being scared of Kaiden, he was terrified of Matthew. But this also brought back other memories, such as his sister's happiness, his friends, and his happiness as well.

"Yohann, you have something to add?" Arda was the one who asked Yohann because she got cut off just earlier.

"It was me" Yohann says slowly.

Although Arda had a hunch it might have been him considering he was here alive, she still hoped it was someone else who had proof of betrayal such as Alister. Everyone else in the room felt hurt because they knew Yohann wouldn't do such a thing unless he was forced to. Luciel's expression was still aloof and he lets out a sigh.

"I won't force you to recall your memories or to speak up. I'll brush it off for now considering you weren't in the right state of mind when you did those things"

"yes, you're right but I can tell you what Matthew used those for"

Luciel's face changed. Arda now sat down since the focus was now on Yohann.

"You can write it down" Arda pushed her tablet towards Yohann but he ignored it.

Matthew had done worse to him and he relieved those memories a second time. But it was because of that he managed to get over the psychological trauma of Kaiden's action that he clearly remembered as necessary for him to do so. If he didn't do it then he would have already injured Gideon who was now his friend.

"I can talk fine now. Just slowly" Yohann gulped down his nervousness and explained.

"Matthew would stay close to my cell since I was his "prized possession" at that time. So I've heard of the reports his men told him. They would use our old plans to compare it with our current strategies" Then Matthew would show the reports in front of Yohann who already lost control of his body but his consciousness was still in there, trapped to see everything that he had done and was done to him. 

Yohann gritted his teeth and clenched his fists as he remembered one incident after Matthew showed him reports, he got ordered to "check" several orphanages to look for a child. But we all know how that ended.

"Take Yohann to a guest room. You have greatly contributed already" Luciel ordered because Yohann was hyperventilating in front of them. He was clearly having a panic attack as he tried to force himself to remember.

"He was looking for Gabby's child" Yohann managed to blurt out as he caught his breath.

"What?" Kaiden was quietly listening to the entire discussion since he didn't need to include himself but who would have expected this turn of events?

Luciel gritted his teeth and asked, "Why?". He didn't want to push Yohann but hearing that Matthew was looking for Kaiden back then...

Yohann couldn't speak anymore due to his tears and he shook his head to answer Luciel.

"Call for someone to calm him down" Luciel pinched his nose and it was Damien who walked out the door to call a servant. Amias got out of his chair and went to Yohann's side to rub his back and soothe him.

"I'm sorry" Yohann blurted out in between his sobs and Luciel shook his head. 

"It was never your fault Yohann. Don't apologize"

The servants finally arrived and Amias said that he'll go with them. Luciel agreed and let the two go out.

"Who would have thought this would happen..." Azazel spoke out and Arda sighed.

"Let's proceed with the meeting. Just fill in Amias later" Luciel sank down in his seat.

Arda coughed and stood up again once more to repeat the report she was trying to do. Since they had discovered the culprit of the stolen data, the case could be closed but Arda brought up the winter ball incident. She theorized that it wasn't just Yohann and there was a chance that Alister was still alive since he was only deemed missing.

Alister was Damien's subordinate, and that's the reason why Alexander was in his division. Alexander never showed any treachery and even knelt down and offered himself to take the punishment of his mother because she was put under suspicion thanks to Alister's actions. Damien could remember what Alexander told him;

"Alister, my father, had a stupid agreement with Matthew because I couldn't control my powers. My mother had nothing to do with it" 

Damien watched this 12-year-old boy stand up to him. Even though he was shaking because of fear, he still protected his mother. Damien could only sigh and agreed to have the case looked over once again to prove Lianna's innocence in the matter. Indeed they were acting rashly since it was a sensitive time for everyone who lost a lot especially Luciel.

"Given Yohann became one of those monsters, I won't be surprised if Alister was turned into one as well" Azazel agreed to Arda's suggestion.

"If he turned into one then I want to be the one who personally kills him" The room turned chilly when Damien declared this and Luciel was about to lift his hand to hit him with his powers as a warning when Arda flung a piece of paper at Damien.

"Calm down. You're going to freeze the others here" Arda exclaims.

If anything, the only person who will freeze up here is Azazel.

"Sorry"

"It's fine. Another matter is that- oh welcome back Amias"

Amias who had returned frowned at the cold room and rubbed his arms as he went back to his seat. He apologized for being late and informed the people that Yohann is now resting. Luciel thanked him and continued with his announcement.

"The reason why we are preparing for a surprise meeting is that El has returned"

The only ones who were surprised by the announcement were Azazel and Damien which made Luciel suspicious. 

"Amias, you know?"

"For quite some time now"

"Why didn't you report it to me?" Luciel knew that El wouldn't allow people to speak about his presence so he was not really angry.

"I couldn't. You know that I would tell you guys immediately if I could" Amias lied since he could but it involved Gideon remembering how Luciel gave him an order. He couldn't bring himself to report it.

If Gideon is proven to be a threat, eliminate him.

"Alright. Arda, continue where I stopped"

Arda continued to explain the rest of the details that Kaiden had already heard from Luciel yesterday.