A war of wills

Lucian's face turned ashen as Theobald recounted the entire scene of his grand offering to Seraphina.

Though displeased by the result, it didn't stray far from what he had expected.

She was Seraphina Asbourne, an Alpha of ducal blood after all, and the only one who dared defy him.

What truly grated on Lucian's nerves was the sheer delight his so-called best friend took in recounting the tale. The sharp glare he cast at Theobald—who had since shed his armor, sprawled across the velvet chaise lounge in laughter—was enough to freeze lesser men in place. His austere office now resembled more of a circus tent than the war room of a crown prince.

"Shall I send you to the borderlands," Lucian asked coldly, "where you can laugh to your heart's content?"

But the threat only made Theobald roar with more laughter.

"Lucian, are you sure this Lady Seraphina is really your fated mate? Because from where I was standing, she didn't seem the least bit interested."

Lucian's grayish-blue eyes flickered—just briefly—as if questioning his own instincts. But a moment later, he ran a hand over his face, brushing aside all doubt, leaving behind only pride and defiance.

"I stake my crown on it, Theobald."

He may be cunning, even ruthless, but his heart had never once led him astray.

Finally, Theobald managed to suppress his laughter down to mere chuckles. He sat up and casually poured himself a cup of tea to soothe his parched throat.

"How strange," Theobald's voice regained its serious tone. "Why would an Alpha become the mate of another Alpha? It defies the laws of nature."

Lucian silently thanked the gods his friend had finally returned to some semblance of seriousness. He leaned back in his chair, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the desk.

"What is right, what is wrong? I don't concern myself with such things," his voice was steady and deep. "People made the rules. They called it 'order.'"

"Fair point, the absence of precedent doesn't mean impossibility," Theobald nodded thoughtfully as he cradled his cup. "But even if you do win her over, what then? The king? The council?"

Lucian smirked, arrogant as ever, as if the weight of the realm were no more than a breeze.

"The only battle I care about now is the one for her heart. Once that's won, no one will stop me."

Theobald set his cup down with a chuckle, half-annoyed, half-entertained.

"You really are an arrogant bastard."

"And proud of it," Lucian replied without a trace of shame.

"So, what's your next move? Because I'd say your first offensive was an utter failure."

Lucian rose from his seat and turned to face the towering window. His gaze swept across the expansive royal gardens, sunlight casting a golden halo along the sharp edges of his face. His jet-black eyes burned with a fire that refused to wane.

"This war," he murmured, "has only just begun."

*

The ducal manor finally returned to a hush after the morning's spectacle.

Seraphina entered her study to find Mary fussing over a vase of irises on the side table.

"What are you doing, Mary?"

The maid startled and turned around like a child caught stealing.

"M-Milady…" Mary stammered, trying in vain to block the vase behind her small frame.

Seraphina only smiled faintly and stepped around her to inspect the brilliant red blooms quietly exuding their fragrance.

"You're not nearly large enough to hide those, Mary."

Mary lowered her head uneasily, her hands fidgeting with the hem of her dress.

"Your mood hasn't been good lately, my lady, so I thought a vase of irises, which you like, might help you feel more at ease."

Seraphina reached out to touch the soft petals, gently caressing them.

"Our ducal coffers can afford a few irises, Mary."

Mary huffed, clearly offended on the flowers' behalf.

"Yes, but His Highness bought out every single iris in the capital. I doubt there'll be another bouquet available for days."

Seraphina sighed in surrender. Her lips curved into a slow, reluctant smile.

"Very well. I know you only mean well."

Mary immediately beamed. "And I kept some of the chocolate, too, in case milady feels like—"

"Mary." Seraphina's tone dropped, but it carried no real menace. "Leave the room, before I punish you for deceiving your mistress."

Mary shrank a little but didn't seem truly afraid. She quickly darted out of the room, not forgetting to leave behind a teasing remark.

"I've left His Highness's letter on the table, my lady."

The door shut behind her with a giggle that echoed faintly through the empty room.

Seraphina sighed again. Her fingers lingering on the iris petals for a moment before letting go. She moved toward her desk, looking at the red envelope with the royal crest placed on top. Lucian's Alpha pheromones clung faintly to the surface, whispering to every nerve in her body that their bond had not yet been severed.

All traces of mirth vanished from Seraphina's emerald eyes, leaving behind only a lingering frustration, like a night moth struggling to escape from the dangerous web of a poisonous spider.

Seraphina resolutely grabbed the envelope and threw it into a drawer, slamming it shut. The sound echoed harshly through the quiet space. Imprisoning Lucian's pheromones along with the instinctual feelings smoldering in her heart.

Seraphina would never yield.