"It seems that they failed to bring in the eighth prince, my lord."
The cold voice sounded like a prickly whisper to the ears of the alpha, who clenched his fists in frustration at the failure of his plan. Clenching his teeth, he contained the growl and the fury that wanted to stick his sword in the chest of that fellow so swindler.
"I gave clear instructions and you assured me that you would not fail. How dare you tell me that you did not?"
"My Lord, I made it clear that my men were strong enough to kidnap the eighth prince, but that I could not create great expectations with Grimwood accompanying him."
"What a bunch of useless!" Shouted the alpha, giving a punch on the table, "Was that precisely why I sent only the best for this mission? How did your incompetence allow you to choose only these weaklings?"
The man said nothing, although his eyes make clear the disgust for those words. The alpha, on the other hand, did not seem to care about the fury and threat that this subject was showing. After all, he was a thoroughbred noble, an alpha who was strong enough to take him down if he wanted. He had the advantage there.
Crossing his arms, the alpha tried to calm down.
It was necessary to find another way out.
"Haa... it's just wasting our time. We can't let that engagement happen, not at all. Or I will lose the support of the Imperial Family", he grumbled, staring at the various papers scattered on his table. But it was one in particular that caught your attention. "Ha... hahaha, it's true! Well, it seems we still have a chance to achieve something."
The mercenary man remained silent, not wishing to get involved in the madness of his contractor, who raised a letter as if it were a divine gift. Only that bastard took a long time to explain or give his next orders.
"What do you want to do? Our agreement has not yet been fulfilled, so I need you to tell me what you want"
"Don't worry, my dear. There is still a way to do that. The engagement of those two should happen soon, but the marriage will not. Do you know why?"
"You nobles like to plan big parties to fill your face and fuck like animals in the corners. So I guess their marriage will be done in a few months."
"Exactly! And please don't be so vulgar" Smiled the alpha with pride, not looking really offended by the words of the mercenary. "There will be a hunting festival soon, made by the imperial family itself. The Grand Duke always participates, which will leave the eighth prince unaccompanied."
The mercenary's eyes shone upon noticing the point that that damned noble wanted to reach. Breaking into a noble event was always fun, especially when he could disguise himself among the servants who were hired last minute. Could get something more on the occasion.
"Then, give me the instructions and I will prepare my men for the plan."
.
{... }
.
As he opened his eyes, Lucian felt his throat ache. The blurred vision gradually became clear, and his body seemed too heavy to move. Moving his head slightly, Lucian came across a tall man leaning in his direction, taking a few seconds for his mind to work and remember that it was Cassander.
"My son!" Cassander called him, leaning on the bed and then turning back. "He woke up, doctor! Come, come!"
Lucian had no idea what was happening. Slightly squeezing his eyes, he opened again being able to see better and came across a gentleman examining him.
"Are you feeling something, Your Highness? Can you see and hear me?" Questioned the doctor and Lucian just agreed with the head "Okay, I'm the royal doctor and I'll examine you, all right?"
Lucian let the doctor examine him, making every request of him as deep breathing, trying to say something, although his throat hurt and his voice came out like a old hoarse crow. Managing to sit on the bed, he noticed the bandaged ankles and for a moment he wondered why he was in that state.
But he soon remembered.
The thieves!
"Mag... Magnus..." Lucian looked around worried. "Mag..."
"Calm down, please don't move", Cassander held him by the shoulders, pushing him carefully to sit down, "The Grand Duke is fine, he wasn't hurt. But he had to leave to settle some matters."
Was Magnus all right? Lucian left a long and heavy sigh of relief.
"I will prepare His Highness's medication, but I'll let you know in the kitchen that something is prepared for him. Excuse me."
As soon as the doctor left the two alphas alone, Cassander returned to sit in the chair and looked at his son's face. It was clear the sadness in his countenance combined with concern, only that Lucian could not face him right. How could he? After all, Lucian did not forget the hard words he directed to the imperial consort.
"Why are you always in the shadow of death?" Whispered Cassander, shaking Lucian's hand. "Honestly, I'm so relieved that the Grand Duke was able to protect you from anything worse..."
Watching his hands, Lucian didn't know what to say — though he couldn't even utter a word in his condition. That man was a confusion in person, a mystery that would always leave the prince without knowing how to deal with him. Even got a slap in the ear from the Emperor because of him!
Touching the pillow, the prince just sighed defeated.
"Then... What—"
"Do not speak, you need to recover, so avoid talking", Cassander said calmly, settling in the chair to then continue. "Your father and I thought that you would have gone with the Grand Duke to walk in the city, but Grimwood said you guys were ambushed by mercenaries on the way."
Lucian nodded, remembering well the moment when the carriage was attacked. Although he always thought that his neck was being threatened, never thought that it would really happen, and so soon. Squeezing the thick covers, Lucian felt the fear of such an attack happening again.
What should he do?
"Grimwood managed to prevent you from being kidnapped", whispered the Consort, still holding Lucian's hand in comfort. "And it was he who brought him back. I must say that my confidence in the Grand Duke just grew along with the relief that he would take good care of you. But this does not lessen my concern."
Cassander did not explain much. Later, when he had some business to settle, Argus went into the room to help Lucian bathe and change his clothes. It was at this moment that the servant explained the situation — after having wept with worry, of course.
"Frankly, you were in the same place, how did Their Majesties not wonder at your delay to return?", Complained Argus in tears and a sly pout. "I was very happy when His Grace pointed out such failure, but I think it is precisely for this reason that His Majesty the consort stood by your side all along."
Lucian raised his head in surprise, not expecting to have heard it correctly. It seems that many things happened while he was unconscious. Did Magnus really point out the Emperor's failure? This requires a lot of courage and lack of sense.
Besides, did the Consort also devote his precious time to stand beside the bedridden renegade son?
Did it make sense?
"Don't look at me like that, Your Highness. I'm telling you the truth, His Majesty hasn't taken his feet out of this castle since I called them", Argus took a peek at the surroundings and approached Lucian's ear to whisper to him. "He even called the servants of the Sun Palace to come here. The real chef is taking care of your meals, the maids are cleaning the castle... It's a real mess."
"And y-you..."
"Ah, do not speak, Your Highness", the servant fought, who immediately smiled. "the Emperor ordered me to assist the royal doctor. This morning I went to the city to buy your medicines. How could I stand still cleaning windows when my lord is injured?"
Frankly... Lucian smiled in emotion at the loyalty of his servant.
After Argus helped Lucian in the bath, the prince returned to bed, whose sheets had already been exchanged for clean sets. And as the servant said, there were new faces walking around his room, cleaning and opening the curtains and windows to make the room airy. And supervising their work was the consort.
As soon as Cassander saw Lucian walking with the help of Argus, he approached.
"Thank you, Argus. I'll take Lucian myself, could you bring him the soup?"
"As you wish, Your Majesty."
Lucian did not want his servant to leave him alone, but how could he say anything in that state? Finally, he had no choice and let Cassander hold his elbow and guide him back to bed. The silence was somewhat uncomfortable, however the consort did not seem as disturbed as he.
In fact, he acted like a father of a child and helped Lucian to bed and covered him. Just missed the kiss on the forehead to throw humiliation in the face of the prince.
"I know you don't like it", Cassander said as if he read the mind of the boy, stroking Lucian's long hair. "And that he holds a lot of hurt. I am flawed, I know. But understand, Lucian, in no way do I want your harm. So don't hesitate to ask for help from your parents."
It was really too confusing. Lucian sat in bed and sighed relieved at his inability to talk. In his chest there was that nostalgic feeling, which from time to time became present unbalancing the reason of the prince.
It was difficult to try to remain neutral about the characters of that story when that feeling arose and made Lucian give in to the emotions that most likely belong to the real prince. In the end, should he give Cassander a chance?