"It's been a while, Dean."
Both Vivian and Charlotte lowered their heads slightly as they greeted him while walking beside him through the long corridor that led toward the royal chamber, the place where the emperor and the empress spent most of their time.
The corridor was wide and quiet, with tall walls on both sides made of smooth white stone.
Soft golden light came from the lamps placed at even distances, making the path ahead clear and calm.
Their footsteps echoed lightly as they walked, mixing with the faint sound of guards standing at their posts along the way.
"Hohoho…" the dean let out a soft chuckle, his hands resting behind his back as he walked at a steady pace.
"Yes, it has been quite a while since I last saw you two… especially you, Vivian."
Vivian lifted a hand and scratched his cheek a little, his expression turning slightly awkward.
Back then, he had suddenly disappeared right before graduation.
There had been no proper explanation, no farewell.
