The news about Elyon's death was kept secret. Only the members of the Imperial Family knew about it, which opened space for intense discussions in the throne room. Lucian was also called, standing next to Cassander and Cadec while watching the Countess Sahana plead in tears for the Emperor to investigate the death of her son.
Lucian was surprised by that development. After all, Elyon did not die in the original, much less was arrested.
That was a consequence of the change that Lucian brought to that world. The fact that he told Magnus about the smuggling made him dig deep and find the evidence against Elyon. From what Magnus told Lucian when giving the news of Elyon's death, it became clear that there was someone behind his actions, but that the prince refused to say who was.
In the eyes of others it might seem that Elyon was loyal to such a person, but Lucian knew it was not so.
It was fear.
That person, the real villain of
"At least bury him with dignity! Your Majesty, he is your son... our son!!", cried the Countess.
"He has dishonored the title of prince of this Empire. There is no place to bury him among our honorable ancestors."
"How can you say that about your own son!"
The Emperor kept cool. He did not seem bothered by the death of a son. Lucian came to judge him in thought, although he himself was not so shaken by the tragic end of the Seventh Prince.
"After the investigation of his death, we will burn his remains and hand over the ashes to be thrown into the sea. It is as much kindness as I can give a treacherous son who was in league with the enemy."
"Your Majesty!"
Lucian turned his back on the screamer. He was not interested in that endless crying. Leaving the throne room unnoticed, the Eighth Prince took a deep breath as he felt the cold wind and the cloudy temple combine with the melancholy of that day.
The alpha trembled slightly and joined his cold hands in an attempt to warm them. Lucian needed to hurry up with his plan to save Magnus. Now the villain knows that the Grand Duke is looking for them, they will probably get more thirsty to bring Lucian by their side to get rid of them. The prince could only feel his chest throbbing as if he felt the sword of his dream sticking true and taking his life.
It was getting so real that it scared him.
"Are you all right, brother?"
Raven's shy and fearful voice caught the alpha's attention. Lucian turned slightly and nodded.
"I'm fine, and you?"
"I'm sad, of course. How could anyone do something like that to our brother..."
"Ah, you were very close to him, weren't you?"
"How cold...", Raven whispered when she saw Lucian's lack of empathy. Finally, she sighed and lowered her eyes "Don't you feel bad about what happened?"
"I wasn't close to him to mourn his death."
"I'm afraid that having lived all those years reclusive in your palace has taken you away from our brotherhood" Raven held Lucian's hand and slightly squeezed his fingers. "though we could both be standing next to the Goddess at this point if it weren't for the knights of the temple."
That did make Lucian shudder.
The bitter taste still haunted him like his nightmares.
"We are safe and that's what matters. May Elyon have peace away from this hell of life."
"Lucian..."
The omega looked at him worried. It had been some time since she had seen such a gloomy expression on the face of the younger prince, and this made her clench her fingers in his hand trying to comfort him. Lucian noticed that she hesitated, opened her mouth and closed giving up to say anything. Finally, she came closer to him and looked carefully.
"Actually... Dahlia says she found something in Elyon's belongings. It seems to be for you."
"For me?"
Raven nodded her head and pulled out a crumpled envelope from her dress. It contained the royal seal, which caught his attention even more. Opening the envelope, Lucian read the contents and peered into his eyes feeling that uncomfortable sensation in his head. The images of the Eighth Prince crying while squeezing a letter and Raven comforting him. That feeling so heavy as if he had lost his whole world by reading those words.
Lucian had no idea if the content of the letter was the same as the vision he had the other day...
.
"I was attached to this castle and to my duties as Consort because that man gave birth to a son of mine. I lost my career and freedom to wield the sword by having to take care of a child that I did not even wish to bring into the world. All because I was hunted by that man, until he forced me to sit on the throne next to him and agreed to be his alpha.
I want revenge. I can not live in this anguish. I will die for my poor health or for heartbreak. I can't look at that child, I gave birth to someone who is identical to that man. Golden hair and blue eyes... I hate them.
Lock him in his castle. Let him live reclusive the same way I'm trapped in this hell. We will both become the Emperor's greatest regret."
.
The letter was not addressed to Lucian, in fact it contained no addressee. However, the signature was of Cassander.
"Why would Elyon be in possession of a letter from Cassander?"
"Remember when I told you that I would help you find out why you live reclusive? Why your servants have abandoned you... Elyon was helping me, since his servants also helped the servants of His Majesty. Elyon was keeping this letter, but I do not know why he did not deliver..."
Actually, no. Lucian didn't remember asking Raven for anything like that. Lucian assumed they had that conversation before Luciano possessed the Eighth Prince. But it didn't matter now.
Lucian rubbed his fingers on the temple when he felt his head throbbing. He was too exhausted by what happened at the festival, and now the death of Elyon added to that letter... And the memories of the Eighth Prince, the migraine when he thought about the original plot of the story...
Wanted to run away.
Lucian was tired.
A warm coat covered Lucian's cold shoulders. The smell of wine suddenly warped him. Magnus' clenched fingers held Lucian's hands from behind, and a low sigh was released in his ear as he pulled him away from Raven's warm touch.
"Why are you in this wind, Lucian?"
"Your Grace!", Raven looked surprised.
Magnus raised his red eyes to the omega and just made a basic reverence to it.
"Your Highness... am I in the way?"
"No, I was just comforting Lucian."
The Grand Duke raised his eyebrow at seeing Lucian in silence. The prince folded the letter again, not so willing to talk about it. The letter was kept in his inner jacket pocket, before the subject was pulled.
"I guess I should take that role, then.", said Magnus as he took off his own gloves to put on Lucian.
"Well... I'll leave you alone."
Raven left after giving Lucian one last squeeze. The alpha followed her with his eyes, while Magnus put his gloves on Lucian.
The alpha turned his attention to his own hands, noticing the delicacy in Magnus's touch. His husband still needed to recover from his injuries, yet he acted normally in front of others not to show any sign of weakness. Despite being concerned about his condition, Lucian blushed slightly with the simple act of having his hands warmed by the omega gloves.
"So? Why are you silent? That does not suit you, I told you."
"Not an ideal time to jokes."
"Nor do we care about the moment", Magnus finished putting the gloves between Lucian's fingers "What is the letter?"
"Haa... I should have known you wouldn't let it go."
"You are still being punished for running to that little guy. I hope you act as good husband and avoid keeping secrets."
Lucian felt a shiver go through his neck when the crimson red eyes rose to him. A slow movement and full of meanings that, certainly, Lucian would imagine to be attached to the word "punishment". Well, not that his husband was a masochist and wanted to hurt him, but Lucian could only imagine it would end in bed.
That is, if Magnus was not recovering.
"Raven said she found a letter in Elyon's belongings. It appears to be from Cassander."
"And why would the Seventh Prince have possession of such a letter?"
"Probably this is the attempt of that person to bring me to their side", Lucian sighed low.
The cold wind blew the long golden hair of Lucian. His empty gaze was the gateway to the deep thoughts that escaped from his lips.
"Looks like we'll have to rush our plans on the underworld."
Magnus pinned the crimson eyes on Lucian. He felt himself being evaluated to his soul, but Lucian was being true. The letter in his possession was a move of the villain. Certainly thought that Lucian was a coward as before, but it was Luciano who commanded that body.
And he wouldn't cry like a child to know that Cassander hated him.
After all... They were not your real family.
Surprised to feel Magnus' lips on the back of his hand, Lucian was slightly embarrassed by the malicious smile on his husband's face.
"Very well, dear... So, since you want to give me the underworld with kissed hands, I want to watch closely and see it open the way for me."
"You really enjoy it, hm?"
"What can I do? You want to give me a world and I'm starting to like the idea of making everyone kiss your feet. Would that be enough to prevent the tragic end you predicted?"
"What if it is not?" Asked Lucian raising his eyebrow.
"Then we will bring the tragic end to anyone who dares threaten us", Magnus' bare fingers rubbed Lucian's wrist and he whispered in his ear "And we will dance on their graves."