The silent corridors looked like a horror movie that Lucian saw in his other life. The ghostly feeling no longer frightened him, he was accustomed to it since he became the Eighth Prince again. It was only a novelty that he sneaked through the corridors not to be seen by any escort, as if he were a thief.
Still, Lucian managed to reach the north tower where the Second Princess was being held.
Emperor Rehael's decision to imprison Dahlia in the tower was considered excessive. According to rumors circulating in the high society, the Emperor would have made such a decision after Dahlia tried to escape with her alleged fiancé. Many nobles, supporters of Raven and Dahlia, were disgusted with such a decision, criticizing the Emperor's position to the point of questioning his fatherly love.
However, none of them had the audacity to really face Rehael and ask for the revocation of the restriction of the princess.
While climbing the spiral stairs, Lucian was careful not to be seen by the guards making their rounds. Some men of the Nightshade had taken care of the distraction to make way for him, but still wished to be cautious.
Upon reaching the top of the spiral staircase, Lucian paused to adjust the hood and take a breath. In that large and dark room, dimly lit by the few candles, Dahlia was sitting with her shoulders down and her eyes lost in the void. She seemed so oblivious to her own existence that it took her a while to notice his presence, until he gently closed the door behind him.
"What did you come here for... Lucian?" She muttered, without even raising her eyes to him.
Her voice contained a tone of sarcasm, but her inert expression denied the feeling. Lucian, still with the hood partially hiding his face, observed her attentively, noticing the tense line on her shoulders and the pallor of her countenance. There was something more there, a fragility that he did not expect from someone who always transmitted so much strength.
It was the first time they had talked. Lucian felt a tickle on his chest, wondering if his half-sister might hate him more than he thought. The prince stood in front of her, without lowering the hood that hid his identity. He looked around, realizing that the dark environment could create blind spots to hide a spy.
But he would risk it anyway.
"Lately, has your mother been leaving the capital often?" he asked, bluntly.
Dahlia raised her face, the dark eyes narrowing in suspicion.
"Uh... you came here just to ask about my mother? Don't be nice, Lucian. It's unbearable."
"It affects me much less than you think" he replied, crossing his arms, determined not to waste time. "I asked because I need to know, so... did you see her?"
She sighed, the stiff line on her shoulders loosening as she looked away.
"No. But Raven said she is well and should leave the capital soon. As far as I know, she will be escorted to a safe place."
This clarified one of his doubts and facilitated the plan to get her out of there without leaving any loose ends. But there was another question. Something he needed to solve before telling the real reason for the visit.
"What does the Second Princess have to do with Captain Rayland?"
The pirate's name caught her off guard. She was silent, but the reflection of surprise in her eyes was enough for Lucian to confirm what he suspected. Apparently those two really had something, considering that guy's effort to marry Dáhlia. Maybe that person already knew about it and was making use of such information to keep the pirate on a leash.
Too bad he is a naughty dog that bites the owner's hand.
"That name... How do you know it? What exactly do you want with me, Lucian?" Dahlia's voice trembled, though she tried to sound disdainful.
"So, what relationship do you have?" Lucian repeated the question, emphatically.
"Ha... Why do you want to know about this man? Did he send you here?"
She seemed hesitant to open up to Lucian. The prince wanted answers to start a conversation and find a way to get Dahlia out of that tower. Though he didn't care about her at that point. Lucian could take her by force, as Magnus originally wanted.
"I am here to take you from this tower and bring it to him. If you listen to me, you will soon be safe, away from the palace and from the one who imprisoned you." Lucian took from his pocket a folded sheet of paper and handed it to her, with the signature of the pirate sealing a destination.
"This... is a marriage certificate?"
Dahlia observed the marriage certificate in her hands, the surprise stamped on her expression, as if she could not decide between relief and disbelief. It was clear that everything bordered on fear, and her cold expression showed signs of weakness. Dahlia's armor carefully built to hide her fragility, was already cracking and tearing.
"Sign this and leave Roveaven forever. Only then that person will set you free."
"You're an idiot for thinking that things are so simple, Lucian." She held the marriage certificate, staring at the sheet with hesitation. "That... I will never be able to do. If they find out, I will have the same end as Elyon..."
Of course she was afraid, although this is surprising since Dahlia has always been a serious and cold woman, almost unbeatable to the point that no man wants to marry her. All because of her personality worthy of a lion.
Only that Lucian saw in front of him was his older sister weakened and trembling with fear. The way she looked at the marriage certificate, as if it was a hope that could be illusory left him with pity for her.
"That person intends to raid the Imperial Palace during the new year's feast" Lucian said suddenly, making the princess shudder and look at him with suspicion "This place will be just like what happened during the hunting festival. And you will be used again for their plans."
"And how do you... know that?" She trembled slightly, holding the sheet of paper so hard that her fingers were pale.
Lucian sighed and shrugged.
"My intention is that when this moment comes, you are no longer on dry land. The greed of that person is directed at my neck, and I intend to use it to my advantage. So I found a way to close business with this... lover of yours."
"If you are discovered, they will certainly come after me."
"Do you think your pirate is weak?" Lucian crossed his arms and tilted his head slightly "I don't know how well you know each other, but you got involved with someone too dangerous for your size."
Dahlia swallowed dry, hesitating to answer it. Perhaps Lucian was right, Dahlia seemed unaware of Rayland's true identity. It would give a beautiful romance to those two, if not for the current contingency.
"It was just one night" she said suddenly "During the victory ball organized by the Emperor, Elyon and I sneaked out into the plebeian neighborhood to attend the festival. We made some friends, we drank in a bar and had fun... I ended up flirting with a stranger and..."
Grimacing, Lucian rubbed his fingers on the forehead, somewhat stunned by the irony of the situation.
"You slept with him" He just watched her confirm with her head "I assume he's been obsessed with you ever since."
"He never hurt me, was rude or did me wrong" She smiled and stroked the certificate with the tips of her fingers "But always made it clear that he hates nobility... He promised me the freedom of this infernal palace..."
Lucian remembered the way the pirate acted with Magnus during their meeting a few days ago. He was hostile from start to finish, making clear his aversion to Magnus' position as Grand Duke. Despite this, Rayland closed the deal and it is due to the fact that he and Magnus have mischievous minds on equal.
Well... maybe it was your blood to be attracted to such a man.
"Now you have a chance. Sign the certificate and get ready to run. I will find a way to get you to this guy's ship, and then you'll leave immediately."
Dáhlia remained silent staring at the marriage certificate, pondering her response. Could not wait to get it out of there, because the real villain of that story had spies taking care of Dahlia directly. If she lets slip on the plan, Rayland could back out of the deal.
The ticking of the burgundy clock in the corner of the room was the only sound to fill the immense space. Dáhlia squeezed her fingers in the paper and got up from the bed, going to the study table where she signed the certificate. Then she turned and returned it to Lucian, with that petulant look on her face.
"Raven will come to visit me in two days. You can get me out of here after that, as I wish to confirm my mother's safety."
It seems that she was a very faithful daughter to her mother. Well, at least it would give Ryland time to prepare for Dahlia's arrival on the ship, and Lucian could document their marriage and keep it secret at the same time.
"As you wish. In three days an ethereal woman will appear to get you out of here. She will follow the pirate's instructions."
When the princess agreed to the head, Lucian sighed relieved that she had accepted the condition. Turning to leave that huge room, he heard her last advice.
"Lucian... be careful with Sageclaw. He holds a grudge against you."
For a moment, he stood there, paralyzed. It was as if her words resounded and touched a barely healed wound. He swallowed dry, feeling a strange bitterness at remembering the grudge that he himself felt against Sageclaw for ignoring Magnus originally. Lucian always knew that he walked on fragile threads of a story that seemed to want to kill him with each new step.
Clenching his fists, removed the discomfort.
"Run from a destination while he insists on pulling me back," he thought.
And without looking back, Lucian stepped out of the tower, bearing the responsibility to give Dahlia the chance of a life that could never be his.
Now... the real hunt would begin.