After changing his wet clothes for dry and comfortable suits, Lucian approached the upholstery where he found young Eugene, clearly thoughtful. The omega, which used to be cheerful and innocent, always bringing lightness to environments with its naivety, now seemed shrouded by a shadow. The sad countenance turned him into a miniature version of Magnus.
What an ironic thought, Lucian reflected.
"Are you calmer?" asked the prince, sitting next to the boy.
Eugene raised his rosy eyes and smiled lightly.
"Yes, Your Highness."
"You don't have to pretend you're fine when you clearly aren't. I imagine you've been pretty scared."
Eugene let out a muffled laugh and looked back at his own hands, which were clutching the cape that Cadec had given him.
"This isn't the first time I witness an attack. Being a Grimwood, I'm already used to it."
Lucian raised his eyebrow, intrigued by the boy's reaction. Eugene, in the original story, was a character who appeared few times, a kind of light figure, almost decorative, that only justified the fierce protection of Magnus. Now, seeing it before you, with an unexpected maturity, made everything more interesting.
Poor man, he thought. In the original work, Eugene did not have much prominence because of the bubble in which the protagonists lived, neglecting characters as rich and wonderful as him.
"So, what's bothering you?", Lucian asked.
Eugene bit his lips, hesitating. His cheeks blushed slightly as he kept his eyes fixed on the cape that covered his shoulders. Lucian recognized the smell of Cadec impregnated in the fabric, which captured even more his attention.
Ah, yes. Eugene was watching Cadec before the hunting festival started, right?
"By chance... did something happen between you and the First Prince?" Lucian asked, with a curious expression.
"What? No!" Eugene replied quickly, his face even more blushed. "I mean, nothing happened... it's just that..."
Well, well. What was Lucian witnessing there?
Crossing his legs and leaning closer, Lucian fixed his eyes on the omega. He would not let his brother-in-law escape from that conversation, especially now that he had awakened the old gossip that lived inside him.
"He did something inappropriate?" provoked Lucian.
"No, not at all. His Highness is always very kind and gentlemanly with me" replied Eugene, releasing a long weary sigh. "It was I who acted hastily."
"What did you do?" Lucian tilted his head, puzzled.
"I... gave him a scarf before the festival."
Lucian widened his eyes in surprise. He wasn't expecting this.
A gossip like that falling in your lap? What a gift!
"I had no idea you had feelings for the First Prince. He accepted?", asked Lucian, visibly interested.
"He accepted, but only because I said it was just a thank you gift" Eugene looked up, hesitant, staring at Lucian. "You know, for help with Count Moutuni..."
Ah, right. Lucian remembered the letter that Eugene had sent to Magnus, describing how Cadec helped him deal with that noble inconvenience. If Eugene had feelings for Cadec, he should be feeling even more confused now that the prince had protected him again.
Lucian almost let slip a malicious smile. How interesting. Cadec seemed to be constantly protecting Eugene. He was irresistible.
"If he understood that it was just a gesture of gratitude, what worries you then?" Lucian asked, curious.
Eugene sighed.
"His Highness asked me if the scarf meant more than gratitude... I ended up... admitting."
"My goodness!" Lucian let it slip, biting his lip to contain any other reaction. He was almost freaking out like a fan before such a juicy gossip. "And what did he say?"
"Something about not being easy. I imagine he will reject me... We could not continue the conversation, since the attack happened soon after."
Damn rebels! How dare they interrupt a moment like that?! Lucian rolled his eyes, furious. Hopefully Magnus won't take their torture lightly. After this interruption, they deserve something much worse.
"Do you think he will reject me, Your Highness?" Eugene's question, full of hesitation and hope, hit Lucian directly. Those round, innocent eyes asked for an honest answer. But it would be too cruel to tell the truth, and even worse to feed uncertain hopes.
Ah, what a dilemma.
"Hm... I understand why Cadec says it's not easy" began Lucian, carefully choosing his words.
"What do you mean?"
"He is in the middle of the fight for the throne, Eugene. There are rebels and mercenaries attacking all the time. Anyone next to him will be in constant danger."
"But he will also need to choose someone to marry" insisted Eugene, grabbing Lucian's arm as if holding on to his last hope.
"Yes, but now may not be the best time."
"So... he's going to reject me, isn't he?" Eugene's sad tone made him look even smaller, grumpy.
Lucian felt a pinch of guilt. Ah, he really would burn in hell for making that sweet omega sad. But also... Lucia didn't even want to imagine what Magnus would do if he found out about a romance between his innocent little brother and the First Prince.
It would be the devil himself in the Empire.
"Besides, Eugene... have you ever thought that maybe you should get involved with someone your age?" Lucian tried to change the focus of the conversation.
"Hm? What do you mean?"
"Cadec is much older than you."
Eugene tilted his head, seeming not to understand the problem.
Ah, right. In this society nobody cared much about age differences. For the nobles, political alliances and power always had priority. The golden glow of fortune was more attractive than the innocence reflected in the youthful gaze.
"Cadec is a prince, and the fight for the throne brings a lot of responsibility. Maybe you're not ready to deal with it" added Lucian, cautious.
Eugene was silent for a moment, before smiling sweetly.
"Your Highness, I understand your concern. I imagine the Imperial Palace has been a scary place for you... I am grateful that you care about me in such a genuine way. But I know very well the position I occupy now."
"The position you occupies?" Lucian frowned, confused.
"Soon I will graduate from the academy, and turn eighteen. This is the limit that my brother can postpone my entry into high society. Once this happens, I will be seen as the most desired omega, and many will try to court me."
Lucian was surprised by Eugene's clarity about his own situation. He was right. Soon he would be the center of attention in high society, with nobles from all houses competing to ally themselves with the Grimwood through him.
"Doesn't it scare you that Cadec might be different than you imagine? Maybe you'll change your mind as you get to know him better" Lucian suggested.
"I've known him since he was little, Your Highness. He always visited our mansion to play with Magnus" replied Eugene with a soft smile. "And besides... I can also be different than expected."
"You?" Lucian questioned, intrigued.
"Well, I was the one who spread the rumors that your marriage was for love, after the fiasco that my brother caused."
Lucian was surprised by that revelation. Although gossip was a minor sin compared to the things he and Magnus had already done, Lucian did not expect this attitude from Eugene.
"Should I... thank you?", Lucian laughed, with a tone of pride. "I didn't think you were capable of something like that."
"My brother does not allow me many freedoms, but I know how to play the game of high society. There are no innocents in this environment, Your Highness."
Lucian was impressed by Eugene's maturity and cunning. He was not only a sweet and innocent omega; there was in him the spirit of a true Grimwood. A smile sprang from Lucian's lips as he stroked Eugene's hair.
What an interesting boy.
All the Grimwoods were special people.
Eugene had a lovely laugh when Lucian touched his hair. A sweet boy, living his first love in a genuine way.
But then, Lucian's chest began to clench, and his heart exploded, slamming hard against his chest. A sudden dizziness took over his senses, leaving him breathless. He heard Eugene call him, but his vision was blurred.
He saw flashes of himself lying on the ground, with a sword stuck in his chest.
The pain was unbearable. He tried to raise his eyes and, kneeling, saw the villain holding the dagger of the sword that pierced him. With a look as cold as if to get rid of a useless tool.
Would be the future of your own character?
Lucian tried to pay attention around him. He saw a dark deposit, with several wooden boxes hiding the crime committed. His body gasped and blood ran through the wound. The trembling hand squeezed the wound when he looked back and found Magnus staring incredulously.
"Lucian!"
Opening his eyes suddenly, Lucian felt his chest burning as if he was drowning. Gradually his vision became clear, showing Eugene looking worried next to the figure of Cassander and some servants. The hand touched his chest without finding any wound or a sword, which made him sigh relieved.
Leaning his head against the upholstery, Lucian found himself lying with those two looking at him worried.
"Are you all right?" Cassander asked, touching Lucian's forehead "My goodness, you're sweating cold."
"I'll check if the servants are preparing the rooms for him to rest", Eugene said before running out the door.
That's right... Lucian was keeping Eugene company while Magnus and Cadec interrogated the rebels. He wasn't in any storage.
"Oh my, your nose…" Cassander commented.
The blood ran down Lucian's nose. Cassander's white scarf turned red when he wiped the blood, looking even more worried. Before he questioned anything, Lucian whispered.
"What the hell was that vision?"
Cassander froze in place, slowly raising his eyes to the son.
"Vision? Did you have a vision?"
Lucian was still shaken and dazed by the incident, he ended up agreeing with his head without caring to tell Cassander that it was a vision.
"What did you see, my son?"
"My death" whispered Lucian still sweating cold "A sword... in my chest..."
Cassander hugged his son, preventing him from saying more. Lucian felt the Consort's heart beat fast against his chest, and his hands gripped him with some force as if it prevented Lucian from leaving.
"Don't worry. It's going to be okay. It's going to be okay..."
Lucian allowed himself to rest in his father's arms. He was still shocked by the reality of that vision. It was all so suddenly that he could only take comfort in the promise that everything would be fine.