It was already nightfall when they stopped at a hostel. Magnus loosened his tie and walked to the bed, where he sat down and sighed. Lucian observed the Grimwood's knights carry only a few belongings into the room and another make some report to the Grand Duke.
It was a long trip. They would probably arrive in the capital the next night, if they left after breakfast. And to increase the fatigue, Magnus was gathering information about the nobleman who was chasing and courting Eugene. The omega's impatience became increasingly clear in his silence. There he noticed that Magnus was indeed preparing to pursue that man.
After the Knights left them alone, he pondered whether to question him or leave him alone. Only his damned curiosity always won.
"Okay, what did you find out?"
The crimson eyes rose to Lucian. Sitting on the bed, Lucian crossed his leg and returned the look with a certain insistence to want to know the subject. Magnus sighed with that meaningful exchange of glances between them. Finally, Magnus crossed his arms and began to explain.
"It is a widowed Count. Apparently he has only one son who is bastard, which for now is the sole heir of the title."
"Widower? Is he desperate to get married again and have a legitimate son to inherit the title?"
Magnus frowned with disgust.
"I don't care about his motivation. The fact that he dares to bother Eugene is enough to rip his head off. The lack of scruples of this worm disgusts me."
Lucian tilted his head slightly, having to settle for the lack of explanations about the true reason of that noble being so brazen. It was not his intention to abuse his luck and end up angering his husband even more.
"I don't remember hearing about him supporting Cadec."
"Formerly this garbage used to be neutral, but nobody cared about it since there are rumours about his extravagance in spending money on casinos and women even when the Countess was alive", Magnus took his hand to his chin thinking more about what he knew about the man, "Only a few months ago he started supporting Cadec. Receiving Cadec's knights in their territory when they leave for inspection."
"His support is only with receive them on territory? It seems to me very poor."
"It's not about your greed. Now it makes sense."
Magnus got up from his bed and went to the bench where he had some drinks. Picking up a bottle of whiskey, he poured a shot into the glass as he continued to explain.
"This old man said he was willing to support Cadec, but everyone knows that he has no control over his money. He spends easily, so his words sounded like a mere bluff. I never considered him less than a braggart who makes no difference to your brother in the struggle for power."
"It makes sense. says he will support, but does only the minimum to keep up appearances. But you said that now it makes sense, what did you mean by that?"
Drinking a sip of whiskey, Magnus frowned and getting angry just thinking about it. Lucian was prepared to use some of his charm to avoid his outburst of rage, something he has done a lot in the last two days of travel. Well, Magnus seemed to be rehashing the thoughts of concern for his brother and growing anger for revenge.
"This bastard is basically holding the financial backing to make Eugene accept the courtship. He's doing it on purpose."
"Wow, looks like the idiot that everyone thought actually knows how to do some tricks then."
Stopping in front of the window, Magnus put his hand in his pocket while the other held the glass of whiskey. The coldness in his countenance faced its own reflection in the glass, but his thoughts were clearly away. Lucian wouldn't blame him for the rage, Magnus was known to be very protective of his younger brothers. Clearly someone could use that as their weakness to hit him, however, Magnus never held back when it came to revenge. It would probably be a bloodbath as soon as they get to the capital.
Lucian continued sitting watching him in silence when he noticed something.
"Is there any chance that this situation will end up damaging Eugene's reputation?", Magnus did not look in his direction, but the alpha noticed him frown. "I mean to make other suitors give up on him when he debuts socially."
"Who would be the imbecile to ignore a Grimwood? If it wasn't for me, Eugene would inherit the title, since he is an omega. In this society, he is the perfect suitor and the damn vultures are just waiting for the chance to try their luck."
"I know, which makes me think that this kind of situation can become recurrent. By chance is that why you have been holding Eugene at home?"
Magnus let out a growl and Lucian raised his hands in surrender. He knew very well that within that story people were starting out very young in society. Many married before the age of seventeen. Magnus and Jesse Grimwood were the only ones holding Eugene at their gates, keeping him away from anyone who tried to possess the young omega. Naturally the singles could be waiting for Eugene's debut to try to marry him.
Although Lucian was surprised that there was someone willing to challenge a Grand Duke so openly.
"So you're more upset that he's threatening Eugene than anything else?"
"Hm? What do you mean?"
"He is... what... Fifteen years older than Eugene? I was more surprised to hear that someone so much older is trying to approach a seventeen-year-old boy."
"You really lived locked in your castle, huh?"
Lucian repressed the mocking words to answer him. But Magnus knew him well enough to notice his discomfort and this leaves him puzzled and even amused.
"What? The cat ate your tongue?"
"My pet cat is slowly devouring my tongue. Am I wrong to think so?"
"I don't think it's wrong, but that's not how things work in this Empire. The age difference doesn't matter to those who are only focused on getting married for benefits. Many parents sell their children who have entered society early", Magnus walked through the room, stopping only when he stood between Lucian's legs looking at him from above, "A single omega is like bait in a lake of sharks."
"Well-fitting analogy."
"It's the reality we face", Magnus drank a sip of whiskey without taking the crimson eyes of the husband, "The instant we awaken our class, we emit pheromones that are so strong they look like drugs. This attracts all kinds of beast eager to put his hands and satiate their voluptuousness. Only that the rule is clear, it should be done only after marriage."
"Was there such a rule? I'm shocked", Lucian mocked, a boastful smile popped on Magnus' lips, "What makes you think your younger brother would behave?"
"He's not like me."
"Right, so you don't mind him marrying someone much older?"
"Do you really think I wouldn't mind? I'd break the guy's legs even if he was only two hours older than Eugene."
Lucian let a laugh out, as his husband was a jealous brother. Pulling Magnus' thigh, Lucian rubbed his fingers over his pants gently as he looked at him calmly.
"All right. Tomorrow we will be in the capital and you can deal with this situation. Did you write back to your brother?"
"I asked him to stay in the academy until I say he can leave. It's safer while I hunt this damned worm. So we don't run the risk of him crawling to Eugene and using it again."
Magnus left the empty glass on the furniture next to the bed. He wrapped his arms around Lucian's shoulders and leaned slightly releasing the pheromones. Immediately the alpha shivered completely, the smell of wine enveloping his body like that snake so sneaky. The Alpha's long fingers rose up through the inside of his husband's thigh, and he noticed his skin shivering and muscles twitching.
"Are you seducing me, dear?"
"You annoy me when you ask too much, Lucian."
"Oh, so now it's my turn to calm you down... again."
Those crimson eyes shone in lust. Lucian felt that his honeymoon opened the door to something dangerous within their relationship. Magnus now looked directly at him, paid attention to him, did not let him out of his radar. Of course, he wasn't complaining, his obsession with Magnus Grimwood was grateful for it.
Just wanted to know how long this would last.
While he was thinking about the change in the relationship, Magnus noticed his distraction and pushed him against the bed.
"What a boldness you think of something else in front of me."
Surprised, Lucian let out a muffled laugh.
"Wouldn't you forgive me if I was thinking about you?"
"No. I'm not the merciful type."
"Oh, what a pity." Lucian shuddered when Magnus held his chin and forced him to look directly at him, "What was it?"
"We're still on honeymoon."
Lucian knew very well what he meant. His omega was so obedient that the alpha can only smile innocently and release its pathetic pheromone. The woody and subtle smell attracted the omega to lie on his body and hide his face in his neck, glued to his gland of pheromones behind the ear.
Holding it strongly against himself, Lucian smiled triumphantly.
His villain was completely tamed.