Aria blushed, lowering her head. "How rude of me. I have nothing to offer you."
Lucius let out a soft chuckle. "Concubine Mother, there is no need to be distressed." With a flick of his wrist, a package appeared in his hand, wrapped in fine silk. "I brought a greeting gift."
Aria's lips parted in surprise, but warmth quickly filled her smile. "Lucius… you're such a good child." Her fingers brushed the edge of the package, hesitant, before she cradled it gently in her hands—like something delicate, precious. Then, almost wistfully, she murmured, "I've always wished to have a son like you."
Lucius' expression didn't change, but his fingers twitched at his side. "Concubine Mother," he corrected, his voice gentle yet firm. "I am your son."
Aria stilled, her grip tightening ever so slightly around the gift.
Then, as if waking from a dream, she let out a soft sigh. "Your mother must not approve of you visiting me," she said, her tone lighter—almost playful—but her gaze, hidden behind the blindfold, was unreadable. "And I don't blame her."
Her voice dropped to a whisper.
"She has every right."
"Speaking of, Concubine Mother, why don't you chase me away?" Lucius asked, his movements unhurried as he unwrapped the package in his hands.
"If you haven't noticed, my mother despises you, and my father abandoned you," he continued, revealing a delicate creamed cake.
Aria accepted it with careful hands, her fingers brushing over the wrapping before she smiled—soft, resigned. "Lucius, you are not your mother." She sighed, turning her gaze to the window. "And you are definitely not Luther."
Her smile faltered, just slightly. "Didn't your mother tell you I ruined their marriage? Why don't you hate me?" Her fingers curled into the crimson fabric of her robes, knuckles white.
Lucius let out a quiet chuckle, shaking his head. "Concubine Mother, you may not remember, but I remember everything."
His smile—this time, not a mask, not a carefully crafted expression—was tinged with something rare. Nostalgia.
"I remember when you used to call me a cute boy. When Alexia and I were inseparable."
Aria let out a small, wistful sigh, her lips pressing into a pout. "You were such a sweet child," she murmured.
She didn't say what happened? But perhaps she didn't need to.
Lucius watched her in silence, his expression unreadable. "Do you ever regret it?" he asked, slipping off his gloves. "Do you hate him?"
Aria shook her head, a small smile gracing her lips. "I don't regret it. Because I got Alexia." The smile lingered, but there was a sadness to it now. "And I don't hate him. I made my choice to follow him."
She took a slow bite of the cream cake, savoring it as if it were the rarest luxury. "I can't blame anyone now, can I?"
Lucius hesitated before speaking again. "Do you wish to see—" He caught himself, eyes flickering toward her blindfold. "I mean, meet her?"
At that, Aria chuckled.
"Of course," she murmured, warmth returning to her voice. "I'll always want to see my princess."
Then, as if sharing a secret, she leaned in slightly. "And yes," she whispered, lips curving playfully, "I am winking at you."
Lucius blinked—then, unexpectedly, laughed.
A soft meow interrupted them.
Aria gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. "How did a cat get in here?"
Lucius barely had time to scan the room before a small black blur leaped onto his head with effortless grace, promptly burying itself in his carefully styled peach hair.
Aria stifled a laugh as Lucius sighed, his expression unreadable beneath the curtain of tousled strands. Slowly, he lifted a hand and plucked the offender from his head.
"Inferno."
The little black cat blinked at him, utterly unfazed—before reaching out to swat at his hair again.
Aria finally gave in, giggling. "I think he likes you."
Lucius exhaled, amusement flickering in his golden eyes. "He should. I feed him."
Inferno, unconcerned, made another swipe at his locks.
Lucius playfully narrowed his eyes. "And yet, he continues to test me."
Aria smiled, reaching out to scratch behind the cat's ear. "Sounds familiar."
Lucius side-eyed her. "Are you implying something, Concubine Mother?"
Aria's lips curled mischievously. "Oh, no. I'd never."
"Meow." Inferno drawled lazily, swiping at Lucius' hand before lapping at the blood with shameless delight.
Lucius, for once, looked caught off guard. "She went to Father?"
Aria's smile faltered. "Lucius, what happened? Is something wrong with my princess?" She stood abruptly, concern etched into her face.
Lucius stepped in her path, his golden gaze steady. "Mother, I just remembered—I have something urgent to discuss with Father. I apologize for cutting our visit short. As for Alexia, I left her in my room."
Aria blinked. "What's she doing in your room?"
Lucius didn't answer—he simply turned on his heel, gracefully fleeing with Inferno still clinging to his arm, the little beast continuing to sip at his blood like a fine vintage.
"They're adults…" Aria mumbled to herself, staring at the door he had just exited through. A pause. Then—"Did he just call me 'Mother'?"
Her lips parted in silent wonder before a flush of warmth spread across her face. "He did."
Beaming, she reached for another cream cake—only for her fingers to brush against something small and cool.
A bottle?
She lifted it, her heart stuttering at the familiar scent.
Ointment.
Aria's smile softened into something impossibly tender as she clutched the bottle to her chest.
"Oh, Lucius. Thank you."
***
The throne room was empty now. The reluctant nobles had been dismissed, leaving only two guards gripping Alexia's arms, their hold unyielding.
Luther stood behind her, fingers wrapped around the shielded part of the barbed whip. His grip tightened as he stared at his daughter.
She did not cry.
She did not beg.
She did not tremble.
She merely stood there, silent and still, accepting her fate without struggle.
A face surfaced in his mind—gentle, worried, pleading.
"Luther, it wasn't your fault. You were drunk that night, and I know you feel sorry. But my child and I can take care of ourselves. I'll give birth in secret. I know you're a future king, but… you're already married. Are you sure you can protect us?"
Another memory struck like a blade.
"Luther, how could you? You promised to protect us! Alexia!"
The face blurred with anger. With grief. With accusations that had long since burned themselves into his soul.
And now, that same face stared back at him—mirrored in the girl before him.
Unbidden, fury roiled in his chest.
His teeth clenched. His knuckles turned white. The whip in his hand felt heavier than it should have.
He exhaled sharply, eyes locked onto the unmoving back before him.
Then, with a forceful swing, he brought his arm down.
The whip cut through the air. Alexia braced herself, squeezing her eyes shut.
But the pain never came.
Instead, there was a commotion—a rush of movement—and then warmth. Strong arms wrapped around her, pulling her close.
A grunt.
Alexia's eyes snapped open, only to see a familiar figure shielding her.
Lucius.
Luther's grip on the whip tightened. His voice was low, seething. "Lucius."
Lucius turned slightly, still holding Alexia. He smiled—calm, unwavering.
"Yes, Father."
Luther's jaw clenched. Fury swallowed reason. His arm snapped forward, the whip cracking through the air with all his strength.
"Ahh!"
Lucius let out a sharp cry before cutting himself off with a breathless chuckle. He tightened his hold, shielding Alexia further, pressing her face against his chest.
"Lex, don't worry. I'll always protect you."
Her tears burned against his skin. His smile only grew.
"Lucius—" Her voice trembled. "I'm the one who's supposed to be punished." She tried to push him away, but he didn't budge.
Another crack of the whip. Another grunt. The sharp scent of iron thickened in the air.
Luther didn't stop. He couldn't stop. The whip struck over and over, the barbs carving deep before flesh knit itself back together—only to be torn open again. Lucius held firm, unmoving, silent.
The only thing that broke was Alexia's composure.
Then—
"Luther!"
A sharp voice rang out, heels clicking against the marble.
Luther stilled. His grip loosened.
His breath was ragged as he turned.
Crimson eyes burned into him—furious, unyielding.
Astrid stared at Luther, her fury unrestrained—gone was her usual cold composure.
Then, with unrelenting force—
Smack.
The sound echoed through the silent throne room. Luther's head snapped to the side, a red imprint blooming on his cheek as blood dripped from the corner of his mouth.
For a moment, he simply stood there, stunned, watching as Astrid strode past him without another glance.
Her sharp gaze landed on Lucius.
Alexia barely had time to register the burning look before Astrid's fingers twitched. A slap—no, she stopped herself.
Lucius' voice broke the tension.
"Mother."
Then he collapsed.
His body hit the marble floor, blood pooling beneath him.
Astrid's breath hitched, but she didn't waste a second. She shoved Alexia aside, stepping forward without hesitation.
She didn't look back.
"Guards."
The two armored men, still frozen in shock, snapped to attention.
"Take him to his chambers. Now."
They obeyed instantly, lifting Lucius with practiced ease.
Astrid turned at the entrance, her gaze sweeping the room, lingering on Luther for just a moment.
Then, slowly—deliberately—her lips curled into a smile.
Cold. Sharp. Dangerous.
And without another word, she walked away, the hem of her grey bloodstained dress trailing behind her like a shadow.
Alexia sat frozen, still processing everything. Slowly, stiffly, she turned her head.
Luther met her gaze.
For a long, tense moment, father and daughter just stared at each other.
Then Alexia moved.
Scrambling to her feet, she bolted after Lucius without a word.
Behind her, Luther exhaled sharply and flung the whip aside, striding toward his throne as if shaking off the entire incident.
A soft patter of paws echoed through the silence.
Inferno, a sleek black cat, trotted in through the doorway, his tail flicking as he passed Alexia without a care. He paused, tilting his head slightly as if considering whether to check on his true master.
Then, his golden eyes caught sight of the unattended pool of blood.
His ears perked. His whiskers twitched.
"Meow."
He took a slow, testing step closer.
"Meow."
Licking his lips, Inferno pounced.