Vincent's mind buzzed with the weight of Lucian's words, but before he could voice any more doubts, Lucian raised a hand, silencing him with a firm but reassuring gesture. The older man's gaze softened, almost as if he had anticipated Vincent's inner turmoil.
"Vincent," Lucian said calmly, "I know you've been carrying the burden of this decision—the balance between your love for Anastasia and your loyalty to your brother." He paused, allowing the silence to fill the space between them before continuing, his voice quieter now, almost paternal. "But you don't need to carry that weight alone. Not anymore."
Vincent, still reeling from the magnitude of the choice laid before him, looked up, his brow furrowed. "What do you mean?"
Lucian leaned back against the desk, his arms crossed in contemplation. "I'm not asking you to sacrifice everything. You don't have to push your brother aside completely. Not for now. The heir position is yours by birthright, Vincent. But for now, we'll let your brother take the role. This... this secret, the one you and Anastasia are now carrying, will take time. Years, even. It will not be easy to manage, especially for someone as observant as your brother. But it doesn't mean it has to cost you everything."
Vincent felt a lump form in his throat as he listened. "You're saying I can still be with her, but not as the heir?"
Lucian nodded, his expression still serious but carrying a subtle hint of reassurance. "Yes. For now, your brother will enjoy the position. You don't need to worry about him taking the throne. After all, Vincent, as you said yourself, you love him. You want him to have the life he's always dreamed of, even if it means letting go of your own birthright for a time. You can remain the heir in the shadows. But you will also be free to live your life as an actor, as someone the world believes in, as Vincent Blackwood—the idol they adore."
Vincent's chest tightened, his heart torn between duty and desire. It had always been his dream to stand by Anastasia's side, to be with her. But he had never expected it would come at the cost of the legacy of his family. And now, Lucian was offering him a way to balance both—at least for a time.
Lucian stepped closer to him, his voice now a low murmur. "You see, Vincent, you don't have to make a choice between your family and Anastasia. Not right now. You will be the king she needs someday. But for now, let your brother hold the title, and you can still be the actor the world loves. But know this: when the time is right, when the world is ready to accept you both for what you truly are, you will rise. And Anastasia will need you to be the king she deserves."
Vincent's eyes softened as he let the weight of Lucian's words settle into his heart. "But what about the years? The time it will take to keep this secret?"
Lucian's lips curled into a faint, knowing smile. "Time is a luxury we all have, Vincent. Even kings must wait for the right moment to strike. You and Anastasia are both smart enough to play the long game. And for now, you will be the actor, the idol. But when the time comes, and you and Anastasia are ready to reveal the truth to the world, you will both be stronger for it."
Vincent stared at the man before him, seeing not just the patriarch of the Vasiliev empire, but someone who truly understood the sacrifices involved. It wasn't just about bloodlines or business—it was about love, duty, and finding a way to balance both without destroying the other.
He exhaled, feeling the tightness in his chest loosen just a little. "I can do that. I can wait. And I'll make sure my brother doesn't suspect a thing."
Lucian gave a small nod of approval. "Good. You're more than capable of this. And don't worry about your brother's happiness. He will be content knowing he's fulfilling the role he's always wanted, even if it's just for a few years. He will not resent you for it, Vincent. Not when the truth comes out."
Vincent finally allowed himself to breathe again, the decision becoming clearer in his mind. He would keep the secret with Anastasia. They would both keep it hidden, buried beneath layers of public personas and expectations. For a few years, his brother could remain the heir. And when the time came, Vincent would step into his rightful place. As the king by Anastasia's side.
And that day, when it finally arrived, nothing could stand in their way.