A Mutated Insect.

"Let her go!" He growled, his voice low and deadly. He looked like a devil, eyes blazing with fire as he jumped down his horse, making a loud thud. 

••••••••••••••••••••

The leader of the attackers, a burly man with a cruel grin, took a step back, his eyes fixed on Lucian's sword. 

"Ah, the Prince" He sneered, a sinister smile crept on his lips.

"Ah, the prince," The leader sneered, a sinister smile creeping onto his lips. "How nice of you to join us." He smirked, momentarily turning to look at his men, knowingly. 

Lucian's eyes narrowed, his grip on his sword tightening. He wondered how these people knew him, and what their true intentions were.

Were they from one of the smaller kingdoms that harbored a grudge against Azov, always lurking in the shadows, waiting for an opportunity to strike at the powerless?

Lucian's mind raced with possibilities, his hand on the hilt of his sword, ready for anything.

"Let her go" He repeated, his voice unwavering.

The attackers snorted.

"I don't think so" Their leader replied, his eyes locked on Lucian with a mixture of defiance and contempt. He knew the reputation of the Prince, the stories of his ruthless conquests and merciless kîllings, just like his father before him.

But the leader stood tall, his voice steady, refusing to show any fear or intimidation in the face of the infamous Prince Lucian. His bravery was admirable, but Lucian knew it was also a facade, a thin veil hiding the fear that lurked beneath.

While that was going on, Marjorie struggled against her captors, her eyes fixed on Lucian with a desperate plea. 

Seeing that, Lucian's heart raced with anger and fear, his mind racing with a plan to free her from those malicious men.

With a fierce battle cry, he charged forward, his sword flashing in the sunlight. The attackers closed in, their weapons drawn. Marjorie's screams echoed through the forest, mingling with the clash of steel on steel as they echoed through the forest, the attackers' grunts and Lucian's fierce battle cry filling the air.

In the blink of an eye, Lucian had vanquished the attackers, their lifeless bodies strewn across the forest floor.

The leader, however, managed to flee before Lucian's wrath could claim him. 

Meanwhile, Marjorie's eyes grew wide with horror as she witnessed the scene unfold, her hand flying to her mouth to stifle a gasp. Her heart raced at an alarming pace, as if it might burst from her chest at any moment. 

It all happened so fast, in the span of a few fleeting seconds. One moment she was watching, frozen in fear, and the next, everything was over. It was as if she had blinked and missed it all, only to awaken from a brief, trance-like state to find the carnage already done.

What was going on?

She had never experienced a scene like this before!

Anyway, while Marjorie was still there, scared with wide eyes, Lucian turned to her, his chest heaving with exertion.

"Are you alright? Were you hurt?" He asked, his eyes scanning her face, down to her whole body.

Marjorie nodded, still shaken. "Y-yes, I'm fine." She replied, shakily.

But Lucian's expression darkened.

"What were you thinking, leaving the castle like that? I told you it wasn't safe!" Lucian suddenly started scolding her and Marjorie's eyes flashed defiance. 

"I needed some fresh air! And besides, I wasn't alone. Goldie was with me." Marjorie said, defensively, although she was terrified by the devil before her, his tone was cold, and his aura was menacing, scaring her heart out. But she never wavered. 

She didn't want to let him know how scared she was.

Lucian's face grew cold, his voice stern. 

"You disobeyed me, Marjorie. I told you it wasn't safe to leave the castle, and yet you did it anyway. What if those men had been more numerous? What if I hadn't arrived in time?" Lucian was really mad at her for disobeying him.

He was close to where Marjorie was held captive by those attackers, when he saw her pet, Goldie, flying and squawking, and then, the bird saw him too. 

Marjorie's chin lifted, her voice rising. 

"I can take care of myself, Your highness! I'm not a child. And besides, I was suffocating in that castle. Been in there for days now. I needed to get out, to feel alive again" Marjorie replied, stubbornly. 

Lucian's grip on the reins of his horse tightened. 

"Alive? You call this being alive? You're lucky to be alive, Marjorie! Those men could have kîlled you. And what about Goldie? What if they had harmed him too?" His voice was cold and firm.

"I just needed to....go out and...."

"Enough, Marjorie! Get on the horse. Now! 

You disobeyed me, so be ready for your punishment!" Lucian's face darkened, his voice low and menacing.

Marjorie hesitated, her eyes flashing with anger. But Lucian's expression brooked no argument. With a huff, she stomped over to the horse and mounted, her eyes flashing with anger.

Why was he scolding her like that, as if she was a kid? Just because she was a Prince he had to be giving her orders like that?

Or perhaps, because he saved her? 

She was no kid to be given orders and told what to do like that? 

And did he just say she should be ready for her punishment? Oh, heavens! Was she a kid now?

[ BACK TO THE CASTLE ]

Lucian stormed into the castle, his sword still drawn from the battle in the forest. He strode through the halls, his eyes blazing with anger. He knew exactly who was responsible for Marjorie's reckless adventure.

He burst into the Throne room, his brother, Stefan, sitting on one of the chairs in there, a smirk on his face. 

"Stefan, you fool!" Lucian snarled, his sword pointed at his brother's chest. Stefan sneered. 

"Ah, Lucian. Always so quick to anger. What's the matter, brother? Didn't Marjorie enjoy her little outing?" It was obvious that he was mocking Lucian, and Lucian knew it.

Lucian's eyes narrowed, heart filled with anger that was this close to erupting like a hot volcano. 

"You gave the guard permission to let her go out alone, didn't you? You knew it was dangerous, and you did it anyway!" Lucian growled, eyes blazing with anger.

"I merely gave her what she wanted. Freedom. Something you seem unwilling to give her." Stefan just shrugged, a smirk lingering on his lips. 

Lucian's sword flashed in the light as he charged at Stefan. The two brothers clashed, their swords ringing out as they fought. 

Stefan was a skilled swordsman, but Lucian's anger gave him the edge he needed. 

In the next minute, Lucian pinned Stefan to the ground, his sword pressed against his brother's throat.

"You will never undermine my authority again" Lucian growled. "And you will never put Marjorie in harm's way again" Lucian spoke sternly.

Stefan surprisingly nodded with a knowing smile, and Lucian knew it. He knew his brother wouldn't just obey him like that....nodding his head so quick without arguing more or saying things that would make him angry?

No, that was unlike his brother.

Lucian released him anyway, his anger still simmering just below the surface. He sheathed his sword and turned to leave, his mind already turning to Marjorie whom he was still very mad at.

[ LUCIAN'S CHAMBER ]

As Lucian walked back to his chambers, Marjorie already inside, her heart heavy with regret. She was totally lost in thoughts.

She knew she had disobeyed him, and now she was paying the price. 

Lucian stormed into the room, making her heart thud louder than it was, with Lucian's silence deafening. He ignored her completely, his eyes fixed on some point beyond her.

Marjorie swallowed hard, confused on what to do or say. She had never seen Lucian so angry, so cold. She had only heard of things about this Prince, and never seen them with her eyes. But now that she was in his castle, his chambers, experiencing them, she didn't know how she was feeling. Scared? Caged? Or intimidated?

She didn't know! 

But of course she knew she was scared, even with just the rumors she heard about him. Now she was seeing them real!

His angry face wasn't something to look at a second time. How much she was trying to not look at that face. She wondered how long his anger would last, and what she could do to appease him.

As the silence stretched out, Marjorie's mind raced with thoughts. She could apologize, explain herself, try to make him see things from her perspective. But something held her back. Pride, perhaps, or fear of rejection.

Instead, she stood frozen, her eyes fixed on Lucian's back, as he poured himself a cup of wine and drank it down, his movements stiff and jerky. 

The silence between them was like a living thing, a creature that grew and grew, until Marjorie felt suffocated by it.

Finally, she couldn't take it anymore. Just when she wanted to say something, Lucian turned and fled the room, still with no word.

He didn't even look at her side.

Marjorie laid down on the bed gently, looking so frustrated.

Why exactly was he being so mad at her? 

Was it because she left the castle, or because she disobeyed his orders?

Marjorie didn't know which to think of.

The day was as boring as ever until she fell asleep. 

She didn't know for how long she slept, but she knew she felt better after taking a nap, and it was already evening when she woke up.

Lucian was still not back to the room yet. Or maybe he did while she was asleep.

"My lady" Came Lillivet's voice as she strode into the room, bowing in respect.

"Oh, Lillibet" Marjorie mouthed, yawning. "Is there a problem?" She asked, her voice calm and peaceful.

"His highness said I should inform you that dinner is served" Lillibet told her.

A little frown curved on Marjorie's face, but she quickly made her brows even and smiled.

"I will be there soon, Lillibet. Thank you" 

Lillibet smiled and left the room afterwards, leaving Marjorie to wonder if Lucian was still mad at her or not.

Everyone else already sat down to dinner, except for the king and the Queen Dowager.

The tension in the dining room was palpable, and as Marjorie walked in, she already felt suffocated, especially because of Lucian.

She kept avoiding his gaze, her eyes just fixed on her plate after being served her food. Stefan, however, seemed intent on stirring trouble as always.

"I hope you enjoyed your stroll outside the castle today, Princess?" Stefan asked, his voice dripping with malice, a knowing smirk on his lips.

Lucian's eyes quickly flashed with anger, his jaw clenched. With fear, Marjorie's eyes darted to Lucian, to Anastasia, then back to Stefan.

"It was....fine" She stammered and Stefan chuckled. 

"I'm sure it was. Lucian, here is quite the hero, isn't he? But let me tell you, Marjorie, he's not always as noble as he seems." Stefan started, knowingly turning his gaze to Lucian, whose eyes narrowed, his voice low and menacing.

"Stefan, enough" He said, his voice calm but venomous.

But Stefan continued, with his voice dripping with venom as well.

"No, no, let me tell her, brother" He let out an annoying smile that Lucian loathed so much.

"Lucian here is ruthless. He'll stop at nothing to get what he wants. He's a devil in disguise, I believe you know that, Marjorie. Your hero today, but your nightmare tomorrow" Stefan continued to say awful things about Lucian. 

Marjorie's eyes widened, her heart racing. Lucian's face was dark with anger, his eyes blazing with fury. She felt a shiver run down her spine as Stefan's words painted a sinister picture of the man who had fought and kîlled those men in split seconds, right in front of her. Just that scene alone, made her heart want to jump out of her chest.

"Stefan, you're crossing a line. Shut your mouth before I shut it for you" Lucian's voice was low and deadly. But Stefan smirked, unfazed. 

"Oh, I'm just telling the truth, Lucian. You're not the saint you pretend to be. You're a power-hungry, manipulative...."

Lucian slammed his fist on the table, making the silverware jump. Marjorie and Anastasia even flinched at that.

"Enough!" He growled, his eyes suddenly changing to what everyone dreaded.

The room fell silent, the only sound that could be heard was Marjorie's rapid breathing. She felt like she was trapped in a nightmare, with no escape.

What had she gotten herself into?!

Stefan leaned back in his chair, a smug look on his face. 

"I'm just warning Marjorie, Lucian. She deserves to know the truth about the man she's....married....entangled with" Stefan continued to talk, getting on Lucian's nerves.

However, Marjorie's words shocked him and everyone else who was dining in the room, including herself.

Her voice was steady, her eyes locked on Stefan.

"Thank you for your warning, Your highness. I appreciate your concern. However, I must remind you that Lucian may be a devil, as you say, but he saved me from those attackers. Something you failed to do, despite knowing the dangers of leaving the castle. You allowed me to go alone, unguarded, though I insisted on going alone, but you knew the dangers and pushed me right into them. At least Lucian has proven himself capable of protecting me." She spoke and she couldn't believe she just said that. No! She couldn't believe she just defended Lucian!

Stefan's face darkened, his eyes flashing with anger. 

"How dare you say that to me?! Have you forgotten who I am? I was trying to protect you from him, from his grasp. He's using you, Marjorie, can't you see that?"

Marjorie shook her head, her voice firm. 

"I see a man who has kept me safe, who has shown me kindness and protected me. Something I can't say for you, Your highness. You may think you're warning me, but all I see is jealousy and resentment towards Lucian" Yet again, Marjorie spoke unbelievably.

Where did she get those guts from?

Why was she even defending Lucian?!

The atmosphere was heavy with tension as Marjorie and Stefan locked eyes, their unspoken words hanging like a challenge between them. 

But then, a subtle smile crept onto Lucian's face, his eyes never leaving Marjorie's. It was a silent gesture, a hint of approval and appreciation, even though he was still very mad at her. 

Was she defending him? Was this her way of apologizing for disobeying him and leaving the castle? Lucian's gaze seemed to ask these questions, his eyes piercing through the silence. 

Marjorie's heart skipped a beat as she held his gaze, her own emotions reflected back at her. The moment hung suspended, a delicate balance of emotions and unspoken words.

[ NEXT DAY ]

Marjorie's eyes fluttered open, the early morning sun piercing through her windows like a thousand tiny arrows. She groggily sat up, rubbing her eyes, with a yawn.

She got out of the bed, and it was then she noticed it - the empty bed beside her. She frowned, her mind racing back to the previous night. She was certain Lucian had been in bed with her, despite his silence and brooding gaze.

Was he still mad at her? Oh, dear heavens! How long would his anger persist? Forever? Just how infuriated and exasperated could he possible get?

All through, she kept pondering on what punishment she was going to get from Lucian.

She pushed aside worries about his whereabouts and everything else anyway, and just focused on her mission to appease him. 

She thought for a while and couldn't come up with something good to do that would really please him. But then, a brilliant idea popped up...she would draw him, a grand portrait of him with his sword, standing tall and proud. How could he resist her artistic charms? No way!- Marjorie thought.

After a quick bath and change, Marjorie gathered her supplies and set to work.

However, her artistic skills were... questionable as always. She drew what looked like a cross between a blob and a mutated insect, with a sword that resembled a giant fishbone.

She was so proud of her artwork, that she would pause every now and then, checking out the beautiful, great portrait of the Prince that she had just made.

Marjorie was so focused on her artwork that she didn't even hear the door open. She was determined to create a masterpiece that would make Lucian forgive her.

As she added the final touches, she stepped back and admired her work with a proud, big smile. 

"Ah, yes! That's definitely Lucian!" She chirped.

Just then, she heard a familiar voice behind her, and her heart skipped a beat.

"What are you doing, Marjorie?" Came Lucian's voice. He had been standing behind her for a while without her knowing.

Marjorie quickly turned around, beaming with pride. 

"I'm drawing you, Lucian!" She said, and Lucian's eyes widened, face squeezed and brows curved as he took in the....um, artwork. 

"Who is this.....what is this?" Lucian asked, holding back so much laughter as he tried to keep a serious face.

"It's you, Your highness, with your sword" Marjorie still replied him confidently and proudly.

Lucian's gaze went back to the portrait, then to Marjorie and back to the portrait that looked like a mutated insect with a fishbone and...

"HAHAHAHA!" His big laugh echoed in the whole room.