Damn, it's not like Lucian was lying. He and Magnus had a conversation... after they had satisfied the burning desire that a mere aphrodisiac aroused in them, but it was still a conversation! How did that damn secondary character dare to question the totally emotional and impulsive decision of Lucian?!
"If that is your will, Lucian, then I will be more than willing to support you in your decisions."
"What a good brother you are, hm?" Provoked Magnus.
"Your Grace! Please, I would love to introduce you to a noble lord..."
"It seems that you have not yet got rid of the singles", Cadec commented low, watching the lady approaching the couple.
"I'm hoping it's just business", Magnus looked at Lucian. "I'll be back soon."
Magnus loosened Lucian's arm, leaving him alone with his older brother.
Damn... Lucian had no idea what the relationship between the brothers was like. There he was tangling in the same situation as the Consort, only with a potential danger since Cadec was one of the favorites to the throne. Also, in
Although he knew of that information, it was a fact that it had not yet happened. Cadec had no reason now, but... the fear still existed.
The rope around his neck seemed to tighten even more.
"Are you really okay to marry Magnus?"
Blinking stunned, Lucian woke up from his daydreams although he did not return the first prince's look. Haa... please don't try to pull the subject.
"Of course, there is no reason to reject the Grand Duke."
"I just want to know if you are making the decision of your own free will or because our father or Magnus forced you."
"Although His Majesty has made the request before, I myself approached Magnus."
"You never showed interest in him", Cadec looked at him intensely, not letting Lucian run away from you as he wanted. The first prince took a step to near Lucian, who finally looked him in the face. "could you tell me how such interest arose?"
Annoying!
Lucian really thought every member of that damn family a bunch of annoying people! And his irritation was clear in his determination to face Cadec.
"Why do you wish to know, Your Highness? A handsome and elegant man like Magnus promised me a comfortable life at his side. I may live in seclusion, but I am not foolish to reject a proposal from the only Grand Duke of this empire."
Cadec raised his eyebrow with the way Lucian referred to him so formally.
"It was not my intention to make you uncomfortable, I'm just curious to know your reasons."
"If you are worried that some of your brothers have tried to trick me into winning Magnus for petty reasons, then you can rest easy", Lucian said trying to stay calm and not tremble. "I went after Magnus just to get away from the throne."
"In this case, I am relieved to know. I do not wish harm to any of my brothers."
Lucian looked at him in a corner and then tilted his head slightly. Damn, why did the people of that family know how to talk so well to make him relax in the next second? The Consort had that same effect on Lucian, and it was even more frustrating.
"I understand."
Did not believe it at all, although it is true that Cadec prized the family. Just... the situation in the imperial palace was not the best for them to love each other as a united family. So who did Cadec cherish?
When the party was over, Lucian thought of turning every corner of the eighth prince's room in search of some secret diary. He needed to find out what his relationship was with each of those people.
Lucian shuddered when he felt something touch his hair and pull out some of the locks. It was so subtle that it gave him chills. By the corner of his eyes, he noticed Cadec looking directly at him, frowning his forehead and rubbing his thumb on his neck.
"What are you doing, Your Highness?"
"What is that on your neck, Lucian?"
"On my neck?", Lucian asked without understanding, but soon he remembered that probably his neck was full of marks and bites. Widening his eyes, he covered his neck quickly and looked at Cadec. "Ah... that? It's not a big deal."
"It doesn't seem like 'nothing'. Did someone hurt you?"
"Of course not!"
"You know you can tell me the truth, don't you Lucian?"
Cadec looked at him coldly, but he kept the tone of voice low and calm avoiding drawing too much attention. Their attitudes were so contradictory that Lucian did not know what to do.
"Do I know?"
"What do you mean?"
"I'm asking if I really know that I can trust you, Your Highness."
Cadec approached Lucian, looking at him coldly.
"I heard that in the last few months you have been acting strange, especially after having caught a flu that left you bedridden. Before you barely left your palace and suddenly started attending social events and even approached Magnus. I can't help but think that something happened."
Cadec again extended his gloved hand, rubbing his fingertips over the mark on Lucian's neck.
A shiver passed through the whole body of Lucian.
Did Cadec gather information about him? Was someone watching and passing information on to him? No, you're overreacting, Lucian! Of course Cadec would know this, it is something that everyone has noticed since it is a very sudden change.
Swallowing dry, Lucian tried to get himself together. Only his shoulders remained bent and his hand trembled at the dominant presence of that alpha.
"I'll ask you again, Lucian. What's that on your neck? Did someone try to hurt you?"
Damn... he was getting scared.
"Nobody hurt me, I just spent my heat period with Magnus, and..."
"Magnus?", Cadec narrowed his eyes. "Did you have any intimacy with Magnus even before they got married?"
Lucian swallowed dry, Cadec was emitting alpha pheromones that certainly made Lucian feel his hostility and want to run away. Why was he reacting that way? What was his problem?
Cadec's expression darkened in hostility. Pulling his fingers away from Lucian's neck, he looked at his younger brother then looked around. Following his gaze, Lucian realized that Cadec spotted Magnus talking to some nobles a few meters away.
"Stay here", Ordered Cadec.
Instinctively Lucian held the strong arm of Cadec, looking exasperated.
"What do you think you're doing?"
"I'll have a talk with Magnus."
"Don't make a scene!"
"Are you lying to me, Lucian?" Cadec looked at him angry "Are you afraid that Magnus will say he didn't do it?"
"Does it matter? What do you care who marked my neck or not?"
"What matters is that you are a prince, my brother" Cadec growled as he approached the face dangerously close to Lucian. "I will clean up this story right away."
Cadec barely heard Lucian's request, and stormed out towards Magnus. Damn! What was he supposed to do? Lucian never expected Cadec to react that way!! Much less expected Cadec to touch him that way, as if the two were close.
The way that Cadec walked caught the attention of the guests, who felt the strong pheromones of the alpha. The zum zum zum of the hall was gradually replaced by the silence of the curious. The first prince stood behind Magnus and looked at him furiously as crimson eyes turned to him.
"Is there a problem, Your Highness?"
"Did you dishonor my brother?"
The gentlemen with whom Magnus was talking widened their eyes, some ladies smothered the screams of surprise. Lucian wanted to die right there.
"What did you say?" Asked the omega frowning.
" Did you acted like a savage and touched Lucian without being properly committed?"
The first prince released more and more pheromones, making clear his hostility. It was Magnus' turn to harden the expression, making clear his irritation.
"So what? It's my fiance anyway."
Clenching his teeth, Cadec unsheathed the sword strapped to his belt, and aimed the blade at Magnus' neck. Not only Lucian, but all the other guests were surprised by the sudden act. Unlike them, the Grand Duke did not move a single centimeter.
"How dare you touch a member of the royal family without even being committed?"
"We are engaged, I have freedom to touch my fiance."
"Everyone knows that marriage must be expected... How dare you, Magnus? Did you covet my brother all this time?"
"What nonsense are you talking about, Cadec? You know very well that I never had interest in your brother."
Ah, that was a knife in Lucian's heart. Even though he knew it was true, it was... Humiliating to hear it in front of so many people, after having spread so many rumors about them being a couple in love.
If Lucian was slightly saddened to hear those words from Magnus, Cadec became even more furious.
"And yet you touched him? Deflorated him without even loving him?"
"It was precisely because I touched him that I took responsibility and proposed to him."
Lucian looked up at the staircase, seeking some help. The imperial couple were standing and watching the situation from a distance, but it was clear that the Emperor was not enjoying at all what happened. To further increase their frustration, none of them showed any sign of intervening.
Damn it...
What should he do? His body trembled with fear because of the strong dominant pheromone of Cadec, so Lucian could barely get out of place being forced to be humiliated in front of everyone that way.
Why the hell was Cadec acting like that?
"I challenge you to a duel for Lucian's honor."
"What?", Magnus raised his eyebrow irritated. "You know this is unnecessary, Cadec. I am already engaged to Lucian and it will not change regardless of what happened."
"If you had the courage to touch an imperial member for your lust, then you will have the courage to show your bravery and fight for your commitment. I will not let you refuse the duel, Magnus Grimwood."