I've made my decision

He shook his head in disapproval as he plopped himself down on his couch. "You're all grown up now, aren't you? You suddenly know better and can even raise your voice at your father," he buried his face in his palm.

An uncomfortable silence followed, except for the crackling of the fire burning in the fireplace.

Levina rubbed her temples in circles, unsure of what to say. Everything she had said so far had done nothing but aggravate the situation. It made her sad that her father was anything but understanding. She wasn't sure what she expected him to do or say when she told him about the wizard and the plot to kill Lucien, but she wasn't expecting him to be so insensitive.

"Do you realize that the person you are trying to save would not hesitate to behead you if he finds out what you are?" Augustus raised his head to look at his daughter, his voice oddly calm.

Levina nodded; she knew that all too well. She could sense the distaste in Lucien's voice when he talked about witches earlier. But that did not deter her resolve. She was going to protect Lucien and find out who was trying to kill him.

"Father, How about this?" She moved close to Augustus and squatted in front of him. "I will leave Arvenia and hide forever if that is what you want, but I just need to expose whoever is trying to hurt the prince. Please."

Augustus stared back at Levina for a while without saying anything. Levina wondered what was going on in his head. She would bet her right arm that all he wanted to do was drag her out of Arvenia that very night and hide her away in some forgotten village.

"It's really late," Augustus stood to his feet. He gave her one long look before he walked away.

Levina watched her father's retreating back until it disappeared into the darkness before she retired to her room. She couldn't wait for the day to break; she had to tell Lucien about the drink. He would have no choice but to believe her now.

_______________

Lucien stood before the council, his hands clasped behind his back, standing straight without a single emotion on his face. It reminded him of the first day he stood before the council. He was about to be conferred the position of chief commander of the royal army. He had been nervous, and the judgmental and disapproving eyes of some council members had made him unsure of himself. But now, standing before the same council members, their probing stares did not faze him. He stared back at them with his head held high. The only uncomfortable thing about this summons was Zarek, who stood right beside him, a smug smile etched on his face, with his legs spread out in an overconfident pose and his arm resting freely at his side.

Lucien wanted nothing more than to slam his fist into Zarek's face and wipe away his smile with one punch. While others were planning fishing or hunting trips with their brothers, his own brother was trying to take his position right from under his nose. As a teenager, Lucien had always wondered if he was a bad person in his past life. Asmodeus had taught him that some people suffer in their present lives because of the evil they committed in their previous life. To Lucien, that was the only plausible explanation for having a mother who never accepted him, no matter what he did or how hard he tried, and a brother who wanted nothing more than to take everything that belonged to him.

King Magnus cleared his throat, and the hushed conversations immediately died down. "So, I had time to consider Zarek's request." He paused, his eyes flickering back and forth from Zarek to Lucien and then to the council.

"My lord, if I may," Willard stood up and bowed his head lightly, "I do not see what there is to consider. The royal army is not a family business. Pardon my choice of words, Your Majesty," he bowed again. "We need an experienced leader to command the army. Experience comes with age. You should not take the position from Lucien, who was not even very experienced, and pass it on to his brother, who has never even been on the battlefield."

Lucien saw the smile fade from Zarek's face, and he could not help but smile.

"I completely disagree!" Hephzibah interjected. "The king has given his word to Zarek. We were all here when the king agreed to give him whatever he wanted." "A king is as good as his word."

"This is the future of the kingdom we're talking about here!" Willard retorted.

The other councilmen started murmuring.

The King knew he was at a crossroads, but he knew the right thing to do.

"Quiet!" he yelled. "I have heard your disapprovals and fears. But I have made my decision, and I hope you all accept that."

Lucien crossed his fingers. He needed all the luck the universe had to offer at that moment.

...

Lucien stormed out of the king's court, his face red from anger, and his fists balled tightly. He did not see Levina standing outside because he was blinded by rage. Once again, the universe stood against him.

"My Lord," Levina ran after Lucien, lifting her ankle-length skirt for ease of movement.

Lucien did not hear her as he was lost in thought and still struggling to contain the rage gnawing at his chest.

Levina ran a bit faster. By the time she reached Lucien, she was out of breath. "My lord," she said in between breaths.