Lucas did not linger after leaving the princess. The moment he separated from her, the brief exchange was compartmentalized in his mind and set aside, replaced almost immediately by the structure of the mission ahead.
He moved through the encampment with purpose, cutting through familiar routes until he reached the designated tent for his squad. Inside, the atmosphere was quieter, more functional, the kind of space where decisions were made without ceremony.
Damian and Bartho were already present, going over minor equipment checks and discussing when Lucas entered.
Both of them looked up immediately.
"Captain," Damian said first, straightening slightly.
Bartho followed with a small nod, waiting.
Lucas did not waste time with preliminaries. He stepped fully inside and closed the space behind him, his expression calm but focused.
"I've been assigned a mission," he said.
That alone made both of them attentive.
Damian frowned slightly. "Another operation so soon."
