Staring at the ornate hall, Lucian left the glass of wine on the table without feeling any desire to drink alcohol. He was running away from his problems, and that was a fact. First he allowed himself to get drunk on his husband's body, satiating his pleasure and leaving him satisfied. Now, it was Eugene's party that served as an excuse to not remember the revelation of Empire's rulers.
The chatter that surrounded him, the snobbish smiles and music made him dizzy. Still, Lucian could not help being on his husband's side.
Raising his blue eyes to the man in the dark suit and hair combed back, Lucian observed Magnus' silhouette chatting with some nobles. He had little interest in the subject at hand, but he was attracted by the omega, unable to stop following his steps.
Perhaps he was so desperate, to the point of using Magnus as his anchor not to go mad.
"You should go get some air, my brother."
Hearing the sweet voice of Raven, Lucian turned his gaze to her and opened an innocent smile.
"Why are you giving me this advice? I seem to be uncomfortable?"
"You're pale, that's it" She pouted, then touched the prince's arm softly "I learned that you have studied vigorously in the temple, and yet you took care of the affairs of the Grand Duchy."
"Haa... finally came home, but I had to pay attention to my husband" Lucian sighed low, despite opening a smile looking towards Magnus "He did not give me much rest lately."
"Hahaha, my goodness. Don't make me jealous, little brother."
Lucian noticed Raven's unobtrusive look at Maverick, who was talking to Stephen a few steps back. Well, it was not in your interest what happened in the life of your sister, but it seems that she is being more incisive towards the knight.
"In any case, I will retire to get some fresh air. Take this opportunity to dance with your partner."
The omega's cheeks turned red, but she opened a smile that made it clear how good the idea sounded. Lucian shook his hand and walked away from the ballroom yearning for fresh air. The mixed smell of pheromones bothered him, besides he felt exhausted to the point of being able to sleep for hours.
Just needed some time.
And as Lucian followed the empty corridors, he ended up witnessing a somewhat unexpected scene. The icy wind was what caught his attention, making him face an open balcony where he saw Eugene biting Cadec.
The scene was so surprising that Lucian muffled the cry with his fingers. The eyes widened in surprise, spreading a weight on his legs leaving him stuck in place. Lucian did not at all expect to see Eugene biting Cadec that way, it was even more surprising to see Eugene cover it with his smell.
Eugene's rosy eyes met with Lucian, in tears and now ashamed.
"Your Highness..."
"What did you do, Eugene?"
"I..." Eugene started, but he ran away the look with clear shame "I... forgive me. I couldn't..."
Observing Cadec's state, it was clear that he was suffering from the pain of the bite. Lucian knew very well what it felt like when he received the bite. It burned, tingled... left him weak and confused as if he had been run over by something heavy, which dragged his body down the road. His chest clenched feeling a deep connection with Magnus, with an unparalleled loyalty. At the same time, there were no words to express the discomfort of the pain of the bite, and the pleasure of being marked by an omega.
Quickly Lucian went to them and checked Cadec's body temperature. It was hot and his eyes blurred.
"My, what a mess" Murmured "First, let's take him to a guest room. I will ask Argus to prepare wet towels and help him change."
"A-All right..."
Eugene obeyed Lucian, which was a surprise. Lucian remembered that when he himself suffered the side effects of the bite, Magnus did not let any servant approach. It was so possessive that it became adorable, although Lucian was unable to enjoy the moment better.
Well, maybe your brother-in-law is on low guard because Lucian was already marked.
The two were able to carry the brutamontes of Cadec through the corridor without attracting attention. Thanks to the party, everyone would be busy flirting and having fun instead of wandering around Magnus' mansion. The problem was another.
"It would be better for you to show up at the ballroom before Magnus finds out."
Raising his head in surprise, Eugene swallowed dry.
"Do you think he will..."
"Get angry? Certainly." Lucian sighed heavily when he kicked the door of the room and dragged Cadec, who gradually became heavier and heavier "Urg... Frankly... this is a headache."
The two managed to throw the alpha into bed. With a sigh, Lucian rubbed his fingers on the forehead without knowing exactly what to do. If Magnus finds out, he will kill Cadec. Only there's no way those two can hide for long.
Lucian was quick to hunt his personal servant. With discretion, he ordered to prepare what was necessary for Cadec, who had already started to have a fever. Eugene stood by his side, holding his hand and crying, which broke the prince's heart.
These young people...
"Eugene..." Lucian called, slightly squeezing his shoulder "For now he needs to rest. You can go to the ballroom."
"But I bit him, Your Highness. I want to stay with him, and..."
"And I am... his brother" whispered Lucian, feeling a strange taste in his mouth to admit that. Such words reminded him of the problem he had himself "If Magnus asks, we can say that Cadec collapsed from overwork. But he will find out as soon as you smell like the prince."
Hesitantly, Eugene agreed with the head.
"So, I'll just stay a little longer there and then announce my withdrawal. I'll be back soon, all right?"
Lucian agreed with his head, relieved. He wiped Eugene's face and smiled sweetly at the young man, trying to reassure him.
"It's going to be all right. He'll probably sleep for a while. So you'd better enjoy your party with your siblings."
And so he managed to get Eugene back into the ballroom. An omega usually gets territorialistic at times like this, doesn't it? Lucian still did not understand as well as worked some issues of the hybrids, but could not help feeling relieved to be able to control the situation.
As soon as Argus entered the room carrying the bowl and cloth, Lucian took care of his older brother. The bite was just behind his ear, which would be hard to hide.
"That boy is... he is just like his brother" Lucian murmured, by touching his own bite "They bite in a place where it can not be hidden, precisely to make clear who we miss."
It came to be ironic that he and Cadec were stuck in that fair situation with the Grimwood.
Taking off Cadec's shoes and coats, Lucian managed to use his time to take care of his brother. At least it was another distraction that pushed away the problem he had in hand. While Lucian made the bandage on the bite, the alpha observed the face of his older brother, noticing the deep dark circles and small scars that he had.
How many battles must Cadec have fought in his life?
"Lucian..."
Raising his eyes to Cadec, the prince only touched his shoulder.
"It's okay. You can rest."
"What about Eugene?"
"Frankly... are you more worried about him?" Lucian smiled with some regret. Still, the Eighth Prince sat on the edge of the bed and finished dressing "I sent him back to the ballroom. I'm afraid he'll be back soon, since he's an omega..."
Cadec blinked hard and slow, looking too exhausted to stay awake.
"Ha... I was bitten... That's a problem."
"If we consider the fact that Magnus will hunt you when he finds out, this is really a problem" Lucian smiled, especially when he saw the tip of Cadec's lips rise.
"I believe so. But I can't give it up now, can I?"
"I told you, a Grimwood never gives up on what he wants" Lucian held his brother's gaze and then smiled "But for now rest, Cadec."
The First Prince agreed with his head, no longer resisting fatigue. He fell asleep immediately, leaving Lucian alone with his own thoughts. In that silent room, he faced Cadec imagining the future different from what he had in history, now that he was bitten and marked by an omega.
History...
Should he still hold on to that?
It was not a story.
It was his own life. Lucian had no idea how his previous life turned into a story in his next incarnation. There were some mysteries involved, and as much as he denied it, nothing would change the fact that he came back.
Lucian returned to his first life, although he does not remember it.
He remembered a story... a summary of his history. In it, Cadec was not a bad person. They moved away, but this did not change the fact that they were inseparable as children. Moreover, his "gift" told him to return to the cradle...
"Should I give them a chance?" Murmured lost in thoughts.
"Is that what has been stealing your attention, Lucian?"
Raising his head, Lucian saw his husband standing at the door. With folded arms and frown, his discontent was clear. The prince sighed and agreed with his head.
"You could say that, darling."
By silent steps, Magnus approached the husband and stopped at his side. The cloaked fingers of the omega clenched the alpha's shoulder, letting the weight of his attention fall on Lucian.
"Eugene said that Cadec collapsed from exhaustion. This is the first time I've seen him so vulnerable. But it's strange..." Magnus frowned "Why is the smell of Eugene covering Cadec?"