"Well, it's just a party. Help me dress Erin" he said simply.
"Sure, my lord" Erin replied and hurried off to fetch Lucian dress.
"Well, dining with nobles will be great and there will be lots of drink to consume" Lucian said with a smirk while heading towards his inner chambers.
Not long after, Erin returns with Lucian clothing, he carried a neatly folded outfit in his arms, a dark navy tunic with fine silver threads at the sleeves, boots so polished they could reflect candlelight, and a black cloak lined with soft grey fur.
"Here is your clothing, my lord " Erin said with a proud smile.
As Lucian ran his fingers over the fabric, nodding in approval he said "Well, no bad tho Erin".
"I can see you have fine taste" Lucian said with a smile.
"Am only doing my duty, my lord and more over you look good in every clothing " Erin replied and Lucian let out a proud laugh.
"You can say it again Erin, I didn't have all this good features to end up looking bad in clothes that will be embrassing" Lucian said with a smile and Erin nodded his head.
As Erin was preparing Lucian for the party, Lucian tilted his head thoughtfully. "Erin… do nobles really fight at these parties? I've read a few things… scandalous duels over spilled wine, rival houses throwing hands over seating arrangements."
Erin was surprised at the question Lucian asked him because he hasn't been to any noble or royal gathering before " Well,They don't throw hands, my lord. They throw insults. And sometimes, cutlery."
Lucian laughed, a genuine sound that softened the sharpness in his voice. "That sounds incredibly entertaining. I hope something dramatic happens. I'd like to see it firsthand."
"Its best if you stay at of trouble, sometimes the fight might get a little dirty" Erin calmly replied
"No promises," Lucian said with a sly grin.
Soon after Erin was done dressing up Lucian.
After a short while, Lucian arrived at the venue and was awed by the sheer elegance surrounding him. The hall glittered under the warm glow of crystal chandeliers, casting golden light across marble floors. Velvet drapes lined the tall windows, and a subtle scent of fresh roses lingered in the air. Nobles moved about gracefully, their laughter soft and their attire almost blinding in its richness. Every corner of the hall whispered of wealth, power, and secrets. Lucian paused at the entrance, momentarily overwhelmed,this was a world built to impress, to intimidate, and to remind anyone who entered exactly where they stood.
Lucian drifted through the room, admiring the nobles, the delicate way they laughed and the graceful way they sipped wine as though they weren't watching everyone else. It was a performance and he was finally in the audience.
As Lucian was still admiring the beauty of the party and unfamiliar voice called out to him "Lucian!"
He turned to see the stranger approaching, looking impossibly good under the golden lights. His hair was perfectly tousled, his jawline sharp, and his smile charming, Lucian blinked.
"Lucian, there you are, I have been looking all over the place for you" said the stranger
Lucian was wondering who he was because he hasn't met him before "Why are you looking for me and if I may ask who are you". Lucian asked
"Oh, please do pardon my manners" the stranger said with a smile. "Am Reniel Strome, the royal tutor of the kingdom of Elaric.
"Reniel Strome?" Lucian repeated, the name stirring something in his memory. Then it hit him. Reniel Strome, the man the trio had fought over in the book. The reason their world had nearly been torn apart.
"Yes, I am. You sent your application to work under me some weeks ago and I was the one that invited you to the party as my soon to be junior" Reniel replied with the most charming smile Lucian has never seen.
"No wonder those three grown-ass men are obsessed with him, this man looks like a freaking Greek god". Lucian muttered under his breath while admiring Reniel beauty.
"Sorry for interrupting but are you busy, I would like to introduce you to some officials, since you are going to be working under me soon" Reniel said.
"No, am not" Lucian replied.
"Alright, let's go" Reniel said while leading the way.
Lucian followed, curious about whom Reniel was going to introduce him to.
As Reniel led the way through the grand hall, they stopped frequently shaking hands, offering pleasantries, bowing politely to one official after another.
Lucian trailed behind, smiling stiffly and nodding when needed, but deep down, he was already exhausted. How many greetings did one party need?
Finally, Reniel leaned in slightly and said with a soft smile, "We're almost done. Just one last table. You'll be meeting the most important guests of the night and that's also my table."
Lucian raised a brow, he became more curious.
Most important?
He gave a small shrug. "Alright," he said, though in his head he was already wondering who exactly were these people that made them worth saving for last?
Lucian had barely recovered from the last round of introductions when Reniel's steps slowed.
They approached a long table set apart from the others. Its elegance almost understated, yet commanding attention. Unlike the lavish sparkle of the hall or the ornate decorations on other tables, this one radiated power. The kind of power that didn't need to announce itself, it just existed, and everyone knew and Lucian felted it.
Reniel turned to him with a small, unreadable smile.
"This is the final table," he said. "Here sit the highest authorities of Elaric. Be respectful."
Lucian raised an eyebrow but nodded, adjusting his robe instinctively
They arrived at Reniel table and Lucian was shocked by the beauty of the distinguished nobles."Seems like everyone in this novel looks like a Greek god. First Reniel then this three, can't this night get any better. Like they say save the last for the best". Lucian said.
Then Reniel Introduces Lucian to them "Gentlemen, this is Lucian,my new subordinate and our newly invited guest."
Lucian offered a polite nod. "It's an honor."
Then they all turned and looked at Lucian, one of them gave him subtle nod, eyes unreadable. Another barely glanced at him, and the other looked him over like one might examine a fly on their wine glass.
There was a moment of silence; not cold, but not warm either.
Lucian was already getting tensed up about it, wondering if he did or say anything wrong and Reniel noticed it and awkwardly smiled and said "This is the Grand General Sebathine Everheart, the protector of Elaric and the Noble next to him is the heir to the throne of Elaric, Crown prince Alaric Serathine and lastly, we have his Highness Prince Alistair Serathine, younger brother to the crown prince and Royal Duke of Claremont.
Lucian was dumbfounded, he was at the same table with the main leads of the novels, the distinguished suitors and obsessive lover of Reniel.
Sebathine. Alaric. Alistair.
"Damn, they are freaking hot" Lucian muttered.
Lucian looked at them and gave a short smile.
"It's an honour to be in your midst my Lords" Lucian said bowing down again and then he looked up observing them carefully.
The man seated in the center unmistakably Crown Prince Alaric didn't respond immediately. He simply observed. His gaze was unreadable, dark eyes steady and sharp beneath the golden inlay of his circlet. He was dressed in white and obsidian robes, shoulders draped in a fur-trimmed cape that marked him as royalty but it wasn't the outfit that made him imposing. It was his presence.
Silent.
Steady.
Dangerous.
To Alaric's right, sat Alistair. The younger brother. Lucian had felt his gaze long before Reniel even introduced them. Alistair leaned back slightly, fingers tapping against his goblet in rhythm, studying Lucian with quiet curiosity, like one might examine a blade's edge before deciding if it should be sheathed… or used.
And to the left was Sebastian. The Grand General. The only one who'd even nodded slightly during the introduction. He gave nothing more than a grunt of acknowledgment, his hand resting near the hilt of the short ceremonial blade strapped to his belt. His dark bronze armor had been polished to a dull gleam, no flashy gemstones, no flair. He didn't need it.
Lucian remained standing for a heartbeat too long, unsure if they were done sizing him up.
"Sit," Alaric finally said.
Lucian obeyed.
The seat next to Reniel was left empty for him, flanked by Alistair and the General. He could feel their eyes still on him as he adjusted his robe and tried not to fidget. The cutlery gleamed. The wine in the glass looked untouched. Everything here was precise, controlled.
"So," Alistair said first, voice low and vaguely amused. "You're the one Reniel escorted into the palace himself. That's not something he does often."
Lucian smiled faintly, forcing himself to meet the prince's gaze. "I'm grateful for his kindness. I imagine he's usually very… selective of his guests" Lucian said calmly said.
Alistair's lips twitched. Whether it was approval or mockery, Lucian couldn't tell.
Sebastian spoke next. "Where did you say you came from?"
Lucian hesitated. "I didn't say."
"I know, it's a question I expected you to answer" Sebastian said, sitting up.
There was a brief, weighty silence.
Reniel cleared his throat gently. "Lucian is... still adjusting. He'll share what he can, in time."
Again, none of the three pressed further. That alone told Lucian everything. they weren't the type to waste breath. If they wanted answers, they'd get them later one way or another.
"You speak well," Alaric said quietly. It wasn't a compliment more like a statement of fact. "Too well for someone who arrives unannounced."
Lucian swallowed and said
"I was raised to respect those in power."
At that, Alistair chuckled, finally sipping from his glass. "Indeed, you might just fit right in."
Lucian doubted that very much.
Still, what intrigued him more than the subtle interrogation was something else. The way the atmosphere shifted ever so slightly whenever Reniel moved. Well, it very much expected since they are in love with him.
Subtle glances. Small nods. Lowered voices.
They respected Reniel.
But more than that… they cared about his opinion.
It was in the way Sebastian's eyes trailed after Reniel's glass when he picked it up a soft frown crossing his features when Reniel winced slightly from an old wrist injury. It was in how Alaric leaned in, ever so slightly, when Reniel whispered something near his ear nothing romantic, nothing dramatic just familiar. And Lucian didn't miss how Alistair rolled his eyes but still poured Reniel's drink before his own.
Lucian blinked.
This wasn't just politics.
They weren't merely powerful men sitting at the same table as Reniel and they were connected. Deeply. And that unsettled Lucian far more than their sharp gazes or formal tones.
Because if this was that trio, the ones from the book he remembered vaguely… then everything was already in motion.
The war.
The heartbreak.
The betrayal.
And the center of it all… was Reniel.
Lucian lowered his gaze just in time to mask the flicker of recognition in his eyes.
He needed to play this carefully.
Very carefully.