A few days after the attempted robbery, Lucian was already feeling better enough to walk and talk. However, the constant presence of a certain alpha prevented him from actually going back to active and doing his research.
Each free space of his busy schedule, Cassander passed by Lucian's palace ensuring that he was being well treated and taking the medicine correctly. On the first day the prince did not care much, since he spent his time sleeping thanks to the effect of medicines. Then he had no choice but to get used to his presence and the happiness of Cassander stamped on his innocent smile.
Even when he had visitors, Lucian forced himself to "pretend" not to be bothered.
"This is dangerous, did not imagine that there would be thieves near the temple", Raven widened her eyes, turning to the consort. "Or am I wrong?"
"Not at all, dear. The temple has its own guard, the holy knights, who keep the matrix safe."
"But the holy knights cannot leave the perimeter of the temple. Thieves must take advantage of this gap to approach the nobles."
"Wouldn't be a bad guess."
What the hell was going on?
That seems to be the most recurring question. Was Lucian really having breakfast with Raven and Cassander in his room? With a table decorated with a simple vase of flowers and full of food?
What was that harmonious atmosphere? The other time he saw those two in the same environment, there was a tension and false smiles as if they were acting in an opera.
"I am relieved that Lucian has not been seriously injured", The princess sighed, looking back at her younger brother who kept silent throughout the conversation. "I heard that the Grand Duke protected you very well."
"Unfortunately I was not conscious to witness with my own eyes" Said Lucian, finally, although he still feel the discomfort in his throat
"It's not necessary either, everyone knows that the Grimwood are great at handling swords. This is why many knights are eager to participate in tournaments and contests in which the Grand Duke participates or is a judge."
"This certainly increases the popularity of my future son-in-law". Cassander served more tea to Lucian.
"I hope this terrible event has not interrupted the preparations for the engagement. I have already ordered my dress."
"In no way will be cancelled, the Grand Duke also seems very willing to keep the appointment."
Lucian really wanted to get under the table. Those two talked so naturally that it was almost impossible not to notice the masks they wore. It was like drinking poisoned tea with your killer watching you closely just waiting for you to fall hard.
At the same time, he rebuked himself for being on constant alert. Until that day, neither Raven nor Cassander did him any harm directly. On the contrary, they treat him as if he were really part of the family. It was ironic that Luciano felt like this inside Lucian's body.
"Lucian! Tell me, do you intend to invite the Sageclaw?"
Waking up from his daydreams, the alpha drank a sip of tea trying to keep his composure not even a little excited. Especially after hearing that last name.
"I am not responsible for the guest list, Raven. My only function in the preparations for the engagement is to avoid as much as possible not to give a word thanks my lack of sense."
"My goodness, this is ridiculous."
"Hahaha, I think this is my fault", Cassander covered his smile with a napkin. "I must have been too excited to hear that the Grand Duke has proposed to Lucian."
"Don't blame yourself, Majesty. It's totally understandable, but it seems we need to make Lucian more active."
"Should I be afraid of your words, Raven?"
The omega leaned over on the table, looking seriously at her brother — which seemed a little bit adorable as her attempt to look serious. Raven was the kind of woman who definitely did not look the age she had. Especially when her cheeks were pink and she made that little pouty.
"You should be worried, yes. For now you have His Majesty helping you, but what after getting married? Do you want to repeat your clothes? How do you plan to keep the Grand Duke interested? In addition, you will be the consort of the Grand Duke, will host various parties, you need to know how to make one."
"My goodness, do you really believe that pieces of cloth are important for this?"
Both the consort and the princess blinked stunned by the innocence of the eighth prince.
Would it be confidence in his natural beauty? After all, even taking tea wearing a comfortable outfit, Lucian looked like an angel that fell from heaven. His long, straight blonde hair, the light eyes that shone like diamonds, the cheeks slightly pink thanks to the heat of the tea he drank... Even the way he moved was delicate and elegant, being impeccable.
An image that certainly is not expected from an alpha.
Only that all that beauty contained little knowledge about being a host.
"By the goddess..." Raven sighed "I'm really worried now."
"I think you're worrying too much, Raven."
Raven completely ignored her brother, and leaned to talk with the Consort.
"I think we should check the clothes he will be taking to the Grimwood property. I am afraid that some outdated model is hidden in your belongings."
"In fact, I did not think about it before. I will order the catalog of some fabrics and prepare new pieces in advance. For the wedding night is essential a costume that..."
"Please, I can still hear you." Complained the prince.
Cassander and Raven continued to talk about Lucian's engagement party, having the omega very excited for the event. Lucian expected coldness, falsehood, conversations full of hints, but what he found was a warm and familiar atmosphere.
He had already given up questioning the changes of the original. During the time he was at rest, Lucian reflected that perhaps he should watch closely and follow the pace of such changes in order to find some clue.
Hint on how he should really act.
If the characters wanted to be around him, petting and filling with gifts, so be it. He would accept everything and, at the same time, keep his guard high without putting his hand on fire for anyone but Magnus.
"And how was the walk with Dáhlia the other day? I haven't seen her for a long time and she seems to be always busy with something."
"Ah, Your Majesty, you know how she is..." Raven lowered her voice and stared at the cup in her hands as if hesitating to choose her words. "She's probably eager to find a husband at Lucian's engagement party. She's been asking me a lot about the guest list."
Cassander narrowed his eyes slightly, but it was soon replaced by a softer and more charismatic expression. Lucian noticed that subtle change, getting back on the alert with those two.
"Is she interested in someone specific? I can add some names of suitors."
"It is likely that her mother made a list and argued with our father."
"In that case, I will talk to His Majesty. I will be more than happy to help Dahlia find someone who makes her happy."
Raven smiled in gratitude and they soon returned to talk about Lucian's engagement. The prince remained quiet all the time, his presence was not really noticed either, since Cassander took the lead to guide the prose and prevent its participation.
He would not complain so much, after all Lucian still felt the discomfort in his throat. Besides that it allowed to observe well how Raven and Cassander interacted, although he understood nothing about how to organize such a big event.
Later, Raven had to leave for some engagement, leaving Cassander and Lucian behind. When the door was closed, the Consort sighed low and looked at the alpha with a guilty expression.
"Forgive me, Lucian, I know that I was very intrusive and did not let you participate in the conversation."
Slightly surprised, Lucian crossed his arms feeling more comfortable to be honest.
"Do you not get along with Raven?"
"I never had any problems with her directly. But as you know, her mother really doesn't like me very much."
Raven was older than Lucian, which means her mother was one of Rehael's lovers before he married. It would be understandable that the lover felt jealous and envious that the man with whom she had an omega daughter, chose to marry an alpha rather than her.
"Even so, she will have to be invited to my engagement."
"For courtesy, of course. Although it is likely that none of them will accept the invitation, and so they will send your brothers to represent them."
Lucian agreed with the head, understanding the etiquette behind that invitation. Picking up a macaroon, the prince ate silently without bringing up any issue with Cassander. He was hesitant to talk about the other day, while at the same time he was curious to know more about the relationship between him and the true eighth prince.
He wanted to ask so many things, take advantage that they were calm...
Awkwardly, Lucian tried to start a subject and see what he could do.
"Your Majesty seems very pious."
"Is that so?" Cassander leaned into the chair and drank a sip of tea. " As we got older, we realized that we went through many things for which we should be grateful."
"The Emperor told me that you have gone through much suffering to... have me. I could not understand what he meant, since I do not remember any dangerous situation other than that which I have recently experienced."
Cassander seemed surprised by that, and for a moment Lucian noticed the shadow on his countenance. Not something scary like the that time, but something different like... remember something. Relive a sad memory.
Would he have touched on a too sensitive subject?
"After we had you, Rehael became pregnant again with my second son. But because of this political game, he suffered an attack that made him lose the baby. It shook us strongly."
Lucian raised his eyes in surprise, not waiting for that information.
"I'm sorry to touch on such a sensitive subject."
The Consort looked at him for a moment and then smiled to the point of his cheeks gaining a rosy tone. The alpha reached out his hand over the table and held Lucian's hand, slightly squeezing his fingers.
"Thank you, my son."
With the warmth of Cassander's hands over his, Lucian had a glimpse.
He saw Cassander, with a slightly younger expression, sitting on the lawn as he watched him play in an extensive field outside the palace. Lucian saw himself running towards the alpha and jumping on his lap and being embraced with affection.
Feeling a sting in the head and a slight nausea, Lucian began to sweat.
Was that a memory of the eighth prince?