As the night's revelry faded and the last of the guests had departed, Vincent found himself alone near the entrance of the Vasiliev estate. The echo of the night's events was still fresh in his mind—the dance, the shared moments with Anastasia, and the undeniable connection they had rekindled. But now, the weight of the conversation he had just shared with her father loomed over him.
Lucian Vasiliev's presence was like a shadow in the room as he stepped forward, cutting off Vincent's path. The stoic patriarch of the Vasiliev family stood there, his towering figure imposing, and Vincent knew at once that this wasn't a casual conversation.
"Vincent," Lucian said quietly, his voice commanding yet calm. "I need to speak with you."
Without waiting for a response, Lucian turned and motioned for Vincent to follow him down a quiet hallway. They entered a small study at the far end of the mansion, the walls lined with bookshelves that seemed to hold the weight of centuries of family history. Lucian closed the door behind them with a quiet click, locking them away from the rest of the world.
Vincent's chest tightened as he waited for Lucian to speak. The silence stretched for a moment, before Lucian turned to face him, his gaze sharp and calculating.
"You know, Vincent," Lucian began, his tone even but laden with meaning, "I've watched you. I've seen how you've worked hard, how you've fought for your own path. But now... you're standing at a crossroads. And I need to know where your heart truly lies."
Vincent frowned, confused by the weight of Lucian's words. "I don't understand," he said slowly.
Lucian regarded him with a piercing gaze. "You think I haven't noticed?" he asked, the question lingering in the air. "The way you've distanced yourself from your family's legacy. The way you gave up your rightful place as heir to pursue fame as an idol. You, who could've had it all—the power, the influence, the wealth."
Vincent opened his mouth to protest but was silenced by Lucian's steady gaze.
"I understand," Lucian continued, his voice lowering. "You love your brother. You wanted him to have what you could've easily claimed for yourself. You sacrificed your role for him." He paused, a flicker of something unreadable in his eyes. "But Vincent, I need to ask you something important now."
Vincent felt a cold chill run through him. The air in the room seemed to grow thicker, charged with something far more pressing than anything he had felt before.
"If I told you, Vincent," Lucian said, his voice dropping even lower, "if I told you that I want you to become the heir of your family—not your brother, but you—would you take it?"
Vincent's heart skipped a beat. "What are you asking me?" he murmured, feeling as though the world had tilted under his feet.
Lucian stepped closer, his voice unwavering. "I'm asking if you would give up the life of an idol, the fame, the world's adoration, and take your place as the true heir of the Blackwood empire. Would you take the power that is rightfully yours, the responsibility that you've been born to carry? Would you step into the role of king—not just for your family, but for Anastasia?"
Vincent's eyes widened as the full weight of Lucian's question settled over him. The man before him wasn't simply asking about business or fame. He was asking about something far greater. Lucian was challenging him to decide: would he continue to live for the world, or would he live for Anastasia—would he be the king she needed by her side?
"You... you want me to be the king," Vincent whispered, the realization hitting him like a storm.
Lucian nodded, his eyes unwavering. "Anastasia is not just a woman, Vincent. She's a queen. A ruler in her own right. But she cannot stand alone. She needs a king beside her, not an actor who hides behind a mask of popularity. If you are to be with her, you must be worthy of her, not just in love, but in power."
Vincent swallowed, his mind racing. The idea of giving up the life he had chosen, of abandoning the world he had built for himself—it was like a dream fading away into the distance. But what Lucian was saying was undeniable. Anastasia was destined for greatness, and she needed someone who could match that greatness.
His heart clenched. He had always known that his love for Anastasia wasn't just a passing thing—it was deeper, more intense. But could he truly step up and become the man she needed? Could he take the weight of an empire upon his shoulders?
Lucian studied him, waiting for an answer. "Vincent, I'm asking you, as a man, as the future of the Blackwood family, will you choose the role you've been destined for? Or will you remain a shadow of what you could be? You cannot be both. If you are to stand beside her, you must be the king she deserves."
The room was silent for what felt like an eternity. Vincent's thoughts whirled, his love for his brother pulling at him, the loyalty to his family, and the undeniable pull toward Anastasia, who needed a partner, a king.
And then, with a firm resolve in his voice, Vincent answered.
"I will do whatever it takes to be the man she deserves. I will take the role, the power, and the responsibility. If that is what she needs, I will be the king beside her."
Lucian's eyes softened, just for a moment, though his voice remained firm. "Then you understand what is at stake. The future of both our families, our legacies... It is all on you now."
Vincent nodded, the weight of Lucian's words settling in his chest. This was no longer about being the actor, the idol. It was about becoming a king. And no matter the cost, no matter the sacrifices, he would rise to meet that challenge.