Finally, were the heavens conspiring in his favor?
Lucian fixed his eyes on the young woman's birthmark in front of him, until he was sure it was the symbol drawn by the Baron of the Nightshade Guild. A shudder ran through his spine to realize the golden opportunity that arose. He remembered something that Wyslia, Magnus' friend from the underworld, had recently mentioned:
"The Baroness of Jewels is a businesswoman who deals with a select group of clients, including nobles from above, and very few have been able to negotiate with her. Your prestige in the Underworld is immense."
The lady, who appeared to be shy and reserved, did not seem someone able to organize hidden jewelry auctions, with the Emperor himself attending their events. But would it be wise to judge her only by appearances?
After some time, the Countess invited the present to guests her garden. Lucian, however, remained behind, without much interest in the flowers. In addition, the aroma of the omegas on the spot was strong, and he preferred to prevent their pheromones from soaking into his clothes. Your husband would certainly not be happy about it.
Also, he needed to find a way to approach that lady. Lucian would hardly have another opportunity like this.
"Your Highness.", Maverick's voice interrupted his thoughts, and Lucian found him staring at him in earnest. "Can we talk?"
There was something strange about that request. Why would the male protagonist of the story be interested in talking to him? At first, Lucian still felt the euphoria of seeing fictional characters come to life before his eyes, but over time that had dissipated. He was already accustomed to life within the book.
Even so, he nodded, allowing the alpha to approach. As expected, Maverick exhaled powerful pheromones, much stronger than those of Lucian. His Lupin instinct almost retreated, recognizing the upper force. However, Lucian kept control over himself, firm in his own reason.
"What do you want to talk about?", he asked, keeping the tone calm.
"About the young milord Baragnon", replied Maverick, direct.
Lucian rose an eyebrow, confused.
"What about him?"
"I will be frank. I do not believe that His Highness is naïve to the point of not seeing Stephen's intentions."
Well, well... he had forsaken all courtesy. Lucian crossed his arms, interested.
"And what are these intentions?"
"He gave you an expensive watch and, at the hunting festival, intended to present you with his fangs. I believe you understand the meaning of all this."
Lucian blinked, surprised. Courtship?
"Sorry, but that seems unlikely", replied Lucian with a low laugh. "I'm married. I'm not available in the marriage market."
"This does not prevent Stephen from nurturing feelings for Your Highness. I have already talked to him about this detail, but he insists that it is only a way to repay your kindness."
Lucian reflected on the occasions in which he had helped Stephen: once, when the boy was harassed by an old nobleman, and another during the hunting festival. None of these situations seemed sufficient to justify a romantic affection. Still, Maverick seemed disturbed.
"It bothers you, doesn't it?", provoked Lucian.
The strongest alpha clenched his fists, his implacable seriousness.
"It's not jealousy" replied Maverick, although his tone was a touch of frustration. "I just believe that Your Highness should keep his distance from Stephen."
Lucian could not avoid an ironic smile.
"I must remind you that I am a married man and devoted to my husband. Stephen Baragnon will never be an option for me."
The tension between the two was palpable. Maverick clearly didn't like how Lucian referred to Stephen, his fists clenching even more. But for Lucian, all that talk was ridiculous. He never opened up to Stephen and in fact was using the young man for his own purposes.
Lucian was devoted to Magnus, and no one would change that.
"If your jealousy blinds you, I recommend that you be honest with Stephen.", Lucian walked away, casting a last cold glance at Maverick. "I will pretend that you wasn't disrespectful to the Eighth Prince of this Empire. But there will not be a second time."
Leaving Maverick behind, Lucian walked toward the garden. When he arrived, he found the group near a lake. The scene was beautiful, with a spring landscape worthy of a period romance. However, the mood among those present seemed... tense.
"It is with great joy that I announce the engagement of our Second Princess!"
"Congratulations, Your Highness!" exclaimed a voice, breaking the silence.
Lucian turned to the young woman with the birthmark.
"But do you really think it appropriate to celebrate now?" she asked in a defiant tone.
"What do you mean by that?" Dáhlia asked, the sharp look.
"I hear the Seventh Prince is under arrest for conspiring with the Geledel's savages. Is this the best time to celebrate an engagement?"
Lucian was surprised by the young woman's boldness. Would he have underestimated that lady?
Dahlia, furious, raised her eyes.
"Don't you dare speak of my brother in that way, Miss Jupiter."
The young woman, however, did not back down.
"I am just raising a valid question. Why announce an engagement now, when the Seventh Prince is imprisoned and with no prospect of release?"
The silence settled down, the eyes of the guests oscillating between Dahlia and Miss Jupiter. The tension grew, and Lucian watched with interest.
The nobility was, in fact, a minefield of dangers and alliances.
Before the weather could get worse, Raven intervened, touching Dahlia's shoulder to calm her down.
"Let's keep our composure. We are dealing with royalty."
Cassander, in turn, cast a sharp look at Miss Jupiter.
"The First Princess is right. Your behavior reflects on your families. I hope not to witness this disrespect again, miss."
The young woman lowered her head in a gesture of obedience, but Lucian knew that was not the last word. Things were starting to get complicated for the Eighth Prince, who wanted to become close to the lady.
The tension seemed momentarily resolved, but the air was filled with dissatisfaction. Dahlia, with a half-smirk, seemed to have won the last word. Lucian, for his part, knew that the confrontation had not yet ended, especially considering the serious and inflexible look of Miss Jupiter.
"Apologize, Miss Jupiter" ordered Dahlia, with a higher tone. "So we end this conversation with dignity."
The young woman kept her posture, refusing to give in.
"I see no reason to apologize", she replied coldly. "The question I made is still valid and will be raised by many other nobles who will find this situation strange. After all, who is your fiancé? Has anyone seen Your Highness accompanied by any man publicly?"
"Ha! Why didn't I hear such questions when Lucian got engaged and married the Grand Duke? Questionable too, considering that the Eighth Prince was also never seen with anyone and barely left the castle. But you point your claws at me, Miss Jupiter."
"Restrain yourself, Dahlia", said Cassander in a serious tone, making the princess shudder.
"I'm afraid Miss Jupiter may not know, given her absence from social circles. However, I must warn you that marriage arrangements between members of the royal family is a subject always discussed", said the Countess with a petulant tone.
"Now I understand why she is single. I thought your plebeian origin was the only reason not to see a ring on your finger, but who would marry someone who barely knows how to behave before royalty?"
Clenching her teeth, Miss Jupiter stared at her furiously about to lose her composure.
"I do not intend to ally myself with traitors!"
Dahlia widened her eyes, about to answer, but was interrupted by Raven, who intervened once more.
"Let's avoid greater confusion, Miss Jupiter", said Raven, trying to calm the spirits while holding the young woman's arm. "This is not the time or place for such discussions."
Miss Jupiter, irritated, tried to break free, swinging her arm to get rid of the touch. However, with the sudden movement, she ended up unbalancing Raven, who stumbled and took a step back toward the lake. Before anyone could react, they both fell into the water with a big splash.
The shock was immediate. The guests were paralyzed for a moment, before they began to murmur in surprise and concern. Neither of them seemed to know how to swim, and the situation quickly turned into panic, with the two struggling in the water, trying to grab anything they could reach.
Lucian watched the chaos unfold before his eyes, with a hint of fun. What a perfect situation, he thought. The scene was almost comical: Raven, the worthy First Princess, being dragged into the lake by a young woman that everyone underestimated.
Maverick was the first to act, running and jumping in the lake to rescue Raven. In a matter of seconds, he pulled her to the edge, his strong arms wrapped around the Princess, while the guests sighed with relief.
However, no one seemed inclined to save Miss Jupiter, who struggled desperately a little further away. Lucian looked around, waiting for someone to do something. Anyone?
"My Godness...", he muttered with a malicious smile. Taking off his coat, handed it to Cassander before approaching the lake. In a quick gesture, jumped into the water, swimming to miss Jupiter, who was already losing her breath.
"It's all right now, I'm here" he said calmly, gripping her tightly by the arms and pulling her to the bank.
The murmurs increased as Lucian emerged from the water, carrying the girl. He helped Miss Jupiter sit on the lakeshore as she panted, trying to regain control.
"Maybe it's a good idea to keep your opinions away from the water, Miss Jupiter", he commented in a soft tone, although his smile contained a touch of irony.
Maverick, still drenched, looked at Lucian without saying a word, but the discomfort in his eyes was evident. Lucian, on the other hand, was just having fun with the situation. The nobility was undoubtedly a game of intrigue, and he was more than ready to play.