2 days later: Two days after the Prince's return things just got worse for Lucas, the more Aric spent his days with Elias Lucas got tired of trying to get his attention. It seemed like every time he wanted to talk to him Elias would always be around him. The more he saw them around the palace the more he felt hurt, so he decided to lock himself up in his chambers.
Locked away in his chambers, Lucas felt a loneliness creep in that he'd never known before. The walls, once a haven of warmth and memories of time spent with Aric, now felt suffocating. He tried to occupy his mind with books and small tasks, but the thoughts of Aric and Elias kept creeping in, turning every quiet moment into a reminder of his isolation.
Agatha knocked gently on his door before entering, a tray of warm tea in her hands. She set it down beside him and looked at him with a worried gaze. "Sire… you can't keep shutting yourself away like this. It's only going to make things harder."
"Don't forget you're bearing a child." She said placing the tea on the table.
Lucas looked under from the sheets his eyes red, puffy and tired. "We're they having breakfast together?" He asked his voice below a whisper.
Agatha hesitated on replying.
...…
20 minutes ago
As Agatha headed into the kitchen to make some tea he spotted prince Aric and Elias sitting closely together eating, laughing and talking. It was like the prince had completely forgotten about Lucas. Agatha's heart sank as she observed Aric and Elias, their closeness a stark reminder of how quickly things had changed. She clutched the tray of tea in her hands, fighting back the urge to march over and remind the prince of the man he'd left waiting, the one who had given him everything.
As she was about to walk away the prince called for her, nervously she entered the dining room where the two sat. "Where's Lucas?" He asked.
"His resting, he hasn't been feeling well your highness." She replied.
"What's wrong with him?"
"Umm, I just guess his been stressing." She replied.
"You may leave." He told her.
Agatha gave a polite bow, her heart aching with frustration as she excused herself. She wanted to say more, to shake the prince and make him realize what he was doing to Lucas, but she held her tongue. As she walked back to the kitchen, she couldn't help but feel a growing anger—how could he be so blind to the pain he was causing?
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Noticing her hesitation Lucas knew the answer to his questions, he couldn't believe that Prince Aric hasn't even bothered to come and check on him.
"Maybe you should not think about it, it's not good for you or the child sire." Agatha said.
"Just have some tea, and we can go in the garden to get some fresh air."
Lucas sighed, his shoulders slumping as he nodded. Agatha handed him a cup of tea, and he took a slow sip, letting the warmth ease some of the tension building inside him. She was right—dwelling on it would only make him feel worse, and he needed to stay healthy for the sake of the child.
"You're right," he murmured, giving her a faint, appreciative smile. "Some fresh air might do me good."
Agatha led him out to the garden, where the morning sun cast a gentle light over the flowers and the cool breeze rustled through the leaves. Lucas took a deep breath, letting the calm surroundings soothe his troubled heart. He could almost forget the ache in his chest as he let himself be immersed in the peacefulness of the garden.
As they strolled along the garden paths, Agatha stayed by his side, her presence a comforting anchor. She spoke softly, pointing out the blooming flowers and humming a quiet melody that helped keep his mind off the pain he felt. For a moment, Lucas managed a genuine smile, feeling grateful for her unwavering support.
Just as he began to feel a bit more at ease, Elias popped out of nowhere. He looked over at Lucas and smiled. "Great, I've been looking for you everywhere." He said.
"If you don't mind could you please go prepare some snacks for Aric, his been working hard lately and his femished." He added.
Agatha and Lucas looked at each other dumbfounded, why would he come to them and request food while there's a whole kitchen staff.
"Umm, I'm sorry sir but it's not the royal consort's job to serve you." Agatha replied, "if you would like, I can guide you to the kitchen." She said.
"Oh, so you're the guy Veleria was talking about." Elias slightly chuckled.
"To think that Aric will replace me with you, it unpleasantly surprising." He added.
"I'm glad I came back, to show him how It felt to have his one and only real lover not some village rat like you."
Lucas felt his heart clench at Elias's words, a surge of anger and hurt surfacing despite his efforts to stay calm. He looked to Agatha, who offered him a subtle, reassuring nod as if to say stay strong.
Taking a breath, Lucas straightened his posture, locking eyes with Elias. "I'm tired, let's head inside Agatha." He said getting up and walked past Elias.
But before he could even step out of the garden Elias grabbed the back of his shirt and pulled him back, "how dare you ignore me?!" Elias exclaimed, "Do you know who I am, do you know that I can have you beheaded!" He said letting go of him but slightly pushing him cause Lucas to stumble.
"I would appreciate it if could not do that again." Lucas fixing his, Suddenly before he could even lift his head a slap flew right on his left cheek leaving him in shock.
"Sire!" Agatha quickly rushed to him.
"How dare you speak to me like that, you imbecile." Elias.
Suddenly a slap flew across on Elias right cheek leaving him in shock, "did you just slap me!" He gasped placing a hand on his cheek.
"Next time I won't be nice." Lucas said.
As he walked away Elias called him every curse word in the book.
Lucas clenched his jaw, ignoring the sting of Elias's words as he continued walking away. Agatha stayed close, her hand gently guiding him along the path and providing silent support. Despite the way his heart pounded, Lucas didn't look back, his own resolve keeping him steady.
"Are you alright, sire?" Agatha whispered once they were out of earshot, her face a mix of worry and admiration.
Lucas took a deep, shaky breath, his hand instinctively reaching up to touch his cheek, still tingling from both the slap he'd received and the one he'd given. "I am. I just… I couldn't let him treat me that way. Not anymore."
Agatha nodded, her eyes shining with pride. "You did well. Standing up for yourself is not easy, but you showed him that you won't be stepped on."
Lucas offered a faint, grateful smile. "Thank you, Agatha. I just… I don't want him or anyone else thinking they can treat me however they please."
As they approached the doors of the palace, a figure appeared in the doorway. Lucas's heart skipped a beat as he recognized Prince Aric, his expression unreadable as he took in the sight of Lucas and Agatha.
Aric's gaze shifted between them, a faint crease forming between his brows. "Lucas, is everything alright?" he asked, his voice laced with genuine concern.
Lucas met his gaze, a thousand thoughts racing through his mind. He wanted to tell Aric everything, the pain he'd felt over the past days, the way he'd been treated by Elias, but the words stuck in his throat. Would it even matter?
After a moment, Lucas simply nodded, his tone calm and collected. "Yes, Your Highness. Everything is fine." He forced himself to hold Aric's gaze, refusing to let his emotions betray him.
Aric studied him for a long moment, as though sensing there was more beneath the surface. "My lord, may I please have a word with you." Lucas requested.
"Shall we head to my study." Prince Aric said
Aric led Lucas down the hallway to his study, the familiar path feeling strangely tense in the silence that hung between them. Once they entered, Aric closed the door behind them, gesturing for Lucas to take a seat. But Lucas remained standing, his hands clasped tightly in front of him.
"Please, sit," Aric urged, his voice softer now, as though sensing Lucas's hesitation.
After a brief pause, Lucas complied, settling into the chair across from Aric. He took a steadying breath, searching for the right words, the ones he'd kept buried for days. "Your Highness," he began, his voice calm but trembling slightly, "I would like to head back to the village."
Aric tilted his head confused, "why is that?"
"Isn't it obvious my presence is no longer needed." Lucas replied.
"What are you talking about Lucas?"
"You made a promise to me my lord, you promised me that I would be the only one you have. But since you came back from your journey you broke that promise, you brought in another man and ignored me entirely." Lucas explained.
Lucas let out a big sigh as he looked at the floor, "I no longer want to be your royal consort my lord."
"That's impossible, how can you even say that!" Aric banged his hands on the table,
Lucas flinched slightly at the sudden intensity in Aric's voice, but he forced himself to keep his composure. He looked up, meeting Aric's gaze with a steady determination. "I'm saying it, because it's what I feel, Your Highness. I was once someone you cherished—someone you promised to protect and honor. But now… it feels like I've become invisible to you."
Aric's face softened, a mixture of guilt and frustration shadowing his features. "Lucas… you're not invisible to me. Not in the slightest. Yes, I've been distracted. Yes, I've made mistakes. But none of that changes the way I feel about you." He stepped closer, his tone desperate. "I don't want to lose you."
Lucas clenched his hands, his voice laced with the hurt he'd kept hidden for days. "And yet, with Elias here, it feels like I've already lost you. How am I supposed to trust you, Aric, when I'm left to feel like a stranger in your life?"
Aric's shoulders slumped as he absorbed Lucas's words. He moved around the table, coming to stand directly in front of him. "I know I've hurt you, Lucas. And I'll admit that, in trying to balance my duty, I failed to give you the care and attention you deserve. But please—don't leave. I need you here, by my side. Elias doesn't hold my heart; you do."
Lucas hesitated, the ache in his chest warring with the love he still felt for Aric. "I don't know if I can stay, knowing that I may be forced to feel this way again," he whispered. "I need to feel like more than an afterthought."
Aric took Lucas's hands in his, a glint of determination in his gaze. "Then let me prove it to you. Give me a chance to make this right. I'll send Elias back to his own estate if that's what you need. Nothing is more important to me than you. Just… please, don't walk away from us."
Lucas's eyes searched Aric's, looking for the sincerity he so desperately needed. After a long moment, he nodded slowly, though uncertainty still lingered. "Alright. But if you want me to stay, I need to see the man who once cherished me—who once put me above all else."
Aric squeezed his hands, his voice low and filled with conviction. "Then that's exactly who I'll be. You have my word."
TBC