Lover's Quarrel

As Lucious walked through the halls, sweat dripping from his head, he struggled to contain his shaking body. The events that had transpired between him and Prince Rahim - from the moment they first met to the prince's treacherous stabbing - could spark a rebellion for injustice. But who had the prince killed? Meanwhile, in another empire, a powerful emperor was mobilizing his army for battle. The sound of clashing swords echoed throughout the land as soldiers trained. Victory in the upcoming war would mean the ability to provide for their families. The stench of decay permeated the empire, with only one exception - the imperial palace, home to a terrifying emperor with no clear heir.

That emperor would always sit on his throne as he commanded his generals to train the men from dusk to dawn. He was dressed in robes studded with diamonds and gold. His seal was made of pure gold, and his ink was the blood of his people. His power was unmatched in that empire. No one could harm him... No one...

Amaris: Lucious... Lucious?... Lucious?! Are you even listening to me?

Lucious: Oh! Sorry... What were you saying again?

Amaris: What's going on with you?

Lucious: Sorry. I've just been busy with work.

Amaris: The Grand Duke and Evander are there to help you. Ask them for help if you need any.

Lucious: I know, Amaris. But I don't want to burden them with more problems.

Amaris: Lucious, this is their job. Although he's your godfather, it's still his responsibility to assist you. You're a Prince Consort now.

Lucious: Alright! Alright! Just get straight to the point and tell me what you were saying. You don't need to be so annoying about this.

Amaris: What's wrong with you today?!

Lucious: What do you mean what's wrong with me? You keep creating problems for me!

Amaris: Problems like what?!

Lucious: Like earlier! You insisted on going to the 3rd prince and even demanded that he speak! What did you think he was going to do? Tell you?

Amaris: Why are you acting like this?! Just tell me what my brother said... I just want you to tell me!

Lucious: You don't need to know anything! All you need to know is that you need to shut up!

In a fit of rage, Lucious threw a wine glass toward Amaris, and the shattered shards from the glass wounded Amaris's hand.

Lucious strode through the halls, his chest heaving with every step, his body trembling with suppressed emotion. The sweat that dripped from his forehead was evidence of the turmoil that churned within him. He couldn't shake the feeling that the events that had transpired between him and Prince Rahim were like a powder keg waiting to explode. The slightest spark could ignite a rebellion, and Lucious felt like he was walking on eggshells.

In another empire, the sounds of clashing swords rang out across the land. Soldiers trained for the upcoming battle, knowing that victory would mean the ability to provide for their families. The stench of decay permeated the empire, but in the imperial palace, the air was perfumed with the scent of exotic spices. The emperor sat on his throne, surrounded by his generals, his robes studded with diamonds and gold. His seal was made of pure gold, and his ink was the blood of his people. His power was absolute, unmatched in the empire.

Meanwhile, in Lucious's world, Amaris was trying to get his attention. "Lucious... Lucious?... Lucious?! Are you even listening to me?" she asked, her voice rising in frustration.

Lucious shook himself out of his reverie. "Oh! Sorry... What were you saying again?" he asked, his mind still foggy with the events that had unfolded earlier.

"What's going on with you?" Amaris asked, her eyes searching his face for any sign of what was troubling him.

"I've just been busy with work," Lucious said, his voice flat.

"The Grand Duke and Evander are there to help you. Ask them for help if you need it," Amaris said, her voice gentle and reassuring.

"I know, Amaris. But I don't want to burden them with more problems," Lucious said, his voice tinged with exhaustion.

"Luscious, this is their job. Although he's your godfather, it's still his responsibility to assist you. You're a Prince Consort now," Amaris reminded him, her voice firm but kind.

"Alright! Alright! Just get straight to the point and tell me what you were saying. You don't need to be so annoying about this," Lucious said, his irritation starting to rise.

"What's wrong with you today?!" Amaris asked, her voice sharp with frustration.

"What do you mean what's wrong with me? You keep creating problems for me!" Lucious snapped, his anger bubbling up to the surface.

"Problems like what?!" Amaris demanded, her voice rising to match his.

"Like earlier! You insisted on going to the 3rd prince and even demanded that he speak! What did you think he was going to do? Tell you?!" Lucious shouted, his voice echoing down the hallway.

"Why are you acting like this?! Just tell me what my brother said... I just want you to tell me!" Amaris pleaded, her voice trembling with emotion.

"You don't need to know anything! All you need to know is that you need to shut up!" Lucious yelled, his face contorted with rage.

In a fit of blind fury, Lucious grabbed a wine glass from the table and hurled it towards Amaris. The glass shattered on the ground, sending shards flying in all directions. One of the sharp pieces sliced Amaris's hand, and a thin line of blood welled up from the wound. Lucious stood there, chest heaving, his eyes wild with anger. The air crackled with tension, and for a moment, neither of them spoke. Lucius was in a state of shock and couldn't even bring himself to face Amaris. He bolted through the door as she desperately called out to him, "Lucius! Wait! Where are you going?!" But it was too late. He was already gone, consumed by his thoughts and emotions. He knew that he must be going mad as he no longer had control over his actions. His patience was wearing thin by the second and he started to fear what he might do to his wife. He couldn't bear the thought of hurting her, but he was afraid that he would lose control. He needed space to clear his mind, but he couldn't escape from his troubles. From investigating the quarrels of the princes, he was now tasked with delving into the murderous past of Prince Rahim, a daunting and dangerous undertaking.