The hall of the Palace of the Sun was huge and richly decorated. The guests who arrived for the party were surprised by the grandeur of the event. The surprise increased when they remembered that the reason for such ostentation was the engagement of Grand Duke Grimwood with the eighth imperial prince.
The eighth prince.
The one who was never seen in social events.
One whose existence was hardly remembered.
The one who barely remembered his name.
"I announce the entry of Grand Duke Grimwood and the Eighth Imperial Prince."
The eyes fell on the couple who entered through the immense doors and received all the attention. It was expected that the Grand Duke would be handsome enough to steal a sigh from the bachelors, although there is now a slight regret and incredulity at the fact that he is suddenly committing himself.
But not Lucian.
The guests were surprised and whispered when they saw Lucian for the first time at a social event of that scale. Of course, those who saw him attending the other parties already knew what his face was like. However, that was his engagement, his moment.
And he was beautiful.
There was no lesser elegance than his. His walk reflected his excellent education as a prince. The expression on his face was calm and beautiful. His silky blond hair fell on his shoulders making it seem the most delicate alpha of that Empire. And, of course, how could they not notice his beautiful clear blue eyes, which looked like a brilliant diamond?
"My goodness!"
"Is it really the eighth prince?"
"But how did the two end up together?"
"I heard it was the Emperor's idea..."
Magnus slightly squeezed Lucian's arm, frowning as he heard some nobles try — miserably — to disguise their opinions.
"Humpf, bunch of..."
"Calm down, it's natural for them to speak", Lucian whispered quietly "And we'd better avoid trouble, or the Emperor will cut our heads off."
The little threat had an effect, after all the Emperor really hoped that everything was fine. Regardless of the reason for the marriage, it was the union of a member of the imperial family and a great nobleman, there could be no mistakes in that event.
The couple greeted some nobles who came to congratulate them for the engagement. The women were thrilled to see the ring in Magnus, whose jewelry was so expensive that only a member of the royalty could have capital to buy. Of course some were not indiscreet in making hostile comments.
"Oh my, Your Highness really is discreet in capturing His Grace's attention, isn't it? I believe that the silent ones are the most cunning."
"On the contrary, sir. The quiet ones are the hardest prey, the noisy ones are the easiest to be hunted", Magnus counters coldly.
The rider hesitated for a moment and soon the conversation went to another direction to disguise the discomfort. Lucian felt his chest fill with satisfaction for having been protected by his fiancé. It's okay for him to be seen as a weak alpha, this gave him the chance to get excited by having his villain make that sexy little face just to protect his honor.
Ah... frankly, Magnus was wonderful.
"But, Your Grace, I have heard from Baroness Vaughn that we are all mistaken about your romantic interest. I am disappointed to have been deceived by Your Grace."
"Although I am surprised to know that many observe and comment on my possible romantic life, it is always a pleasure to be unpredictable."
"Were you pretending to be interested in the son of Sageclaw? Although now it matters little since he seems interested in the son of Count Baragnon."
Lucian clenched his gloved fingers repressing the will to retaliate with thirty-one arguments about him being a better party than an boring knight like Maverick. Even hoped not to run into him, the last thing Lucian wanted was for Magnus to be distracted by that scum.
"Well, now please, of course the commander of the imperial army would be attentive to a potential talent like that of sir Maverick" Lucian said politely, hiding the poison he wanted to distill. "Even I am raising high expectations after hearing so many people praising your skills."
"Is it really, Your Highness? I didn't expect you to be interested in our army."
"Well, of course I am. I would cheer up very much if Sir Maverick was sent to the front line, his strength would certainly bring victory, is not it?"
The noble guests were surprised at Lucian's showing knowledge of Maverick and the rumors about him. Now, he had ways to get the information, they should not underestimate so much the eighth prince. And it was also funny how they didn't realize the inner desire to send Maverick to the fifth of hell in a battle just to get him away from Magnus.
"Humpf."
By the corner of his eye, Lucian perceived the discreet smile that Magnus had behind a glass of wine.
Right, your fiancé was proud of his answer. Only now, Lucian needed to focus on a secret mission that involved his future within that story.
There was a special reason for Lucian to keep an eye on the noble guests who attended his engagement party. While Magnus paid attention to those who congratulated them on the commitment, the diamond eyes of the prince scanned the ballroom with keen attention.
Pay attention to look for a secondary character from
When Lucian had just awakened into the story, he hatched a desperate plan to avoid his character's death. It was something he thought quickly, and had barely remembered the possibility of him trying to flirt with his literary crush. Basically it was to break ties with the imperial family and flee to some distant land.
Only that for this, Lucian would need to earn money, since he would have to give up his title and possession as eighth prince.
In
Lucian wanted to steal the scene from the real protagonist and bring that woman to his side.
However, with the unfolding of his relationship with Magnus — and the unexpected marriage proposal from the Emperor — Lucian left the original plan aside thinking it would not be necessary. Why would he think of having money if he was going to marry a Grand Duke, isn't it?
Still, it would be good to keep that card in the sleeve. Especially if you need the help of that woman to make way for Magnus to take over the underworld.
Scanning the entire hall, Lucian found no woman who matched the description.
"What are you looking for?" Magnus whispered clenching his arm.
"I'm just curious to know the people that the Consort has invited on my behalf."
"Don't you know?"
"Just a few, but not all of my interest" Lucian shrugged and smiled at Magnus.
The omega let out a low growl and rolled his eyes not seeming to believe that Lucian was so relaxed. Unfortunately the alpha would not lie, it was not he who took care of the guest list since he did not know people. In addition, he only asked for a few names exclusively.
And that woman was one of them.
"My, I am amazed that the Pendleton daughter did not receive any education from her parents." Commented a lady, close to Lucian and Magnus.
"What to expect from these commoners who consider themselves noble only for obtaining a title. People who are not born in our cradle do not know how to behave."
Immediately Lucian took a discreet step back, to hear more. Only that Magnus noticed his act and pulled his arm again.
"Now you decided to act like a mouse and snoop on the conversation of others?"
"I hardly participate in social events, I'm curious to know what people talk about."
"You should not be listening to this kind of conversation, unless it is your will to get sick."
It really was an annoying conversation, nobles being as snobbish as ever. However, this was not what Lucian wanted to know. But about that last name.
Discreetly the prince observed the direction that those two gossipy ladies looked. And among the crowd, in a corner of that huge hall, near the dessert table, was a group of ladies laughing at one lady.
Her costume was simple, but beautiful to Lucian's taste. As described in the lines, short and caramelized hair.
"I found it!"
"What?" Asked Magnus raising his eyebrow.
"Nothing, just... something interesting"
"Please, as you said yourself, avoid causing problems. And stop being nosy in other people's conversations."
"Well, do I look like someone who hears other people's conversations in secret?"
Magnus needed only raised his eyebrow and Lucian just replied with a smile without shame.
No comment.
It's okay for your lovely villain to think of him that way, but Lucian would approach Miss Pendleton and...
"I announce the entry of Their Imperial Majesties!"
Again the guests turned to the entrance of the hall, and then Lucian widened his eyes slightly as he saw the eighth prince's parents making their entrances. Despite being an engagement party, they wore the royal robe and imperial crown. They squander their positions that were far above anyone.
No one stood above that couple.
And this was reflected in every gesture, movement and action. Lucian lost the chance to approach that woman, since she disappeared among the guests, and he, along with Magnus, became the center of attention when the Emperor began to speak.
"Dear guests, I am happy to see you gathered on this happy occasion. Tonight, I rejoice to announce the engagement of my son Lucian, the eighth prince, with Grand Duke Grimwood."
The guests applauded the couple, who only thanked with simple gestures of hands and graceful smile (by Lucian, of course).
However, Lucian noticed something.
"It is the consort."
"Oh my gosh, he really showed up."
"Well, it's his son's engagement, it's natural that he shows up, but..."
The alpha narrowed his eyes as he heard the whispers closer to him. Judging the guests, some seemed not to care at all about it, but some nobles looked directly at Cassander.
What did they mean by that? Was Cassander someone, like Lucian, who rarely appeared at social events?
And why was there a subtle hostility in that gossip?
Among the people Lucian noticed looking at Cassander, there was a woman wearing a fan. For some reason, her face was familiar...
"The imperial family welcomes the Grand Duke to our cradle, and we wish that the Goddess Kronosis bless them both so their bond will never be broken."
When Lucian looked back at the Emperor, his body shivered. The eighth prince continued to react unconsciously as if he was afraid of his father's own gaze.