Chapter 42 - Despair
In
Hybrids have a voluptuousness considered uncontrollable, which makes it impossible to maintain "purity" for a long time. Only a reclusive person in a castle far from society would be able to remain a virgin until he or she came of age, indeed. Thus, the nobles began to debut their children ahead of time. Young people of fifteen years could already be treated as adults and seek for an ideal marriage, because at this age they emit pheromones impossible to be ignored.
Of course, each family chose the right time for their children's debut.
Anyway, that story always portrayed that sex should only be done after marriage, because it decreases the chances of a person being marked in an ephemeral case. Should only be marked by your partner, dedicating your life to him/her making the marriage work. And if your partner is an omega, then devote yourself even if it is necessary to sell the soul to the devil.
And beg for this omega to mark you.
We don't need to be guesswork to know that reality doesn't work in such a way, right?
Many hybrids take advantage of libertinism to satiate the voluptuousness. Especially alphas, whose impulses are the most difficult to control. However, everything should be kept secret.
Always in secret.
No one should know anything.
If someone knew... it would be a scandal.
Luciano always thought that the author of
It seemed a very ridiculous cliché.
But now it was worrying.
The Palace of the Sun's ballroom was taken by whispers and looks increasingly curious with the sudden Cadec's speech. Now the whole high society has found that Magnus had no romantic interest in Lucian, but still took him to bed and took away his purity resulting from that marriage.
Socially speaking, it would not tarnish Magnus' reputation, after all... It is surprising that he has taken the initiative to sleep with an alpha of his choice. And even more surprising that despite having no feelings, Magnus still slept and now engaged to Lucian.
This would make the gossip on duty wonder: "What has the eighth prince that attracted the attention of the Grand Duke?".
If before the news of the engagement seemed a mysterious surprise, well, the mystery was solved in a very controversial way.
Now, politically speaking... that was a big problem. Not only for Magnus, but also for Lucian.
Cadec did not remove the blade of his silver sword from Magnus' neck. The two continued to face each other coldly as if their friendship was hanging by a thread. The situation seemed out of control and Lucian had no idea how he could intervene. Even his hands trembled and his heart accelerated from being in front of something unplanned.
"Ha... very well", Magnus opened an arrogant smile and tilted his head exposing his neck to the blade, without any fear of being hurt by Cadec. "Although you are my friend and the prince of this empire, know that I am an omega and do not intend to give up the alpha that was chosen for me."
Cadec narrowed his clear eyes.
"So be it. Let the duel take place right now, then."
The first prince turned his back and marched out among the guests without bothering to look at anyone. Lucian turned his attention to his groom, who also turned his back and went to another corner being guided by a servant of the palace.
"But what the fuck is going on now?", muttered Lucian, clenching his fists. He raised his head to the Emperor and the Consort, realizing that they were talking with the butler. "Why aren't they intervening, damn it?"
There was no duel in the original. At any time those two dueled, much less because of Lucian. Yes, he knew very well that he was acting on his own and this would change the story, just did not expect it to be so much!
Without thinking twice, Lucian went after Magnus instead of his brother, following him through the halls of the hall until he reached a rest room where the servants seemed to prepare him for the duel. The expensive jacket was removed and exchanged for a more comfortable one, as well as his boots and gloves were changed. As soon as they saw Lucian standing at the door, the servants quietly withdrew, leaving the couple alone.
Staring at his fiancé, Lucian found no sign of nervousness or anxiety. Magnus was calm in person as if he wasn't about to fight his best friend.
"Magnus, why did you accept this duel?"
"I had expected it somehow. His Majesty was very benevolent in dealing with the matter directly and skipping these bells and whistles."
"Precisely because of that you could just reject!" Lucian approached looking exasperated. "You could have said that it was a decision made with His Majesty, Cadec would be obliged to withdraw the request of the duel."
"This would put your father in a compromising position, since he knew the matter and preferred to keep silent to maintain the good reputation of the imperial family."
"People will question him anyway!" Lucian was annoyed with Magnus' calm and held his shoulders making him look into his eyes. "For God's sake, Magnus! Does it at least make you look nervous?"
The omega raised the eyebrow.
"Why? Do you think I will lose?"
"A sword fight against the first prince? I don't want to know who will be the winner or loser... I just..."
Magnus sighed low and pulled Lucian's hands away from his shoulders.
"Stop whining like a baby. Just sit back and enjoy the fight. After all, you are the reason it happens."
Yes, Magnus has always been confident in his fencing skills. Isn't that why he was the army commander? If Magnus was able to remain calm during a battle in a war, sticking his blade into the chest of the enemy without mercy, why would he be nervous when fighting his best friend?
Even knowing that there was no reason to be against, Lucian could not calm down.
That scene... it just didn't exist in the original. There never was a scene where Cadec and Magnus had a duel. In fact, the only duel that took place was between Magnus and Stephen, who bet Maverick's hand in marriage. Otherwise, Cadec and Magnus never fight!
Cadec seemed really angry, which made Lucian even more afraid. His body still trembled at the first prince's pheromone.
What if... that duel resulted in Magnus' death?
Did that mean all your effort was in vain?
He failed to protect his favorite character?
Assuming that keeping him and Magnus alive was the only reason he went into history, obviously that would be a failure. If Magnus were killed... Lucian would fall into the Villain's hands and become a puppet again. The tragic death of the Eighth Prince would remain intact, and Lucian would have failed in his mission.
Clenching his fists, Lucian felt his chest tighten and despair grow.
How was he supposed to stop that?
How could he prevent Magnus' death? And by the hands of Cadec even more!
Should he kneel and beg for forgiveness?
Should he throw away the reputation of the imperial family and put the responsibility on the shoulders of the Emperor?
Should he just throw himself between the two and stop them from brandishing their swords?
Think!
Think!
A hand touched his hair, causing Lucian to press his forehead against a chest. The smell of wine came out calming him minimally, and Lucian could only widen his eyes.
"When did you learn to make that face of despair?"
Surprised, Lucian realized how agitated he was.
Ah... yes, he was desperate.
The situation got out of your control in an absurd way that left him in panic. But was it so much? What face was he making for Magnus to think that way?
Anyway, Lucian clenched his teeth and let himself be comforted by Magnus and his pheromones. His gloomy hand clung to the white shirt of the Grand Duke, squeezing him slightly trembling.
Noticing the silence of the Eighth Prince, Magnus lowered his crimson eyes to the golden threads that hid Lucian's face as a curtain.
"I told you, Lucian. You'll be my husband, so it will be my priority."
Damn, did he really need to say those words in that calm tone? It seemed a retaliation disguised as comfort. Closing his eyes slightly, Lucian calmed down a little. There was still that fear of Magnus really dying with that useless fight, only he also wanted to trust the omega.
After all, Magnus Grimwood was a shrewd and arrogant villain.
Raising his head, Lucian faced Magnus with more determination, which surprised the omega.
"Don't hold back. Use all the weak points of Cadec to your advantage, and win this duel!"
Blinking stunned, Magnus stared at him still holding his head. Then the omega opened a funny smile.
"You can leave on me, rat."
Lucian sighed in relief at the sight of that smile. Leaning towards him, the alpha laid a kiss on Magnus's cheek.
"Good luck."
The omega was surprised by the kiss on his cheek, which was funny considering all the hot kisses and intimate moments they had. The slight blush that appeared on his cheek was lovely, although he got rid of any sign of shame to return to his usual arrogance.
"Your Grace, the training ground was prepared for the duel" A servant warned by knocking on the door.
"I'm coming."
When Magnus took his hand away from Lucian's golden hair, he left behind a void. The Eighth Prince watched him turn his back and go out of that room with raised shoulders, wearing his pride.
Ah... don't go, he wanted to whisper.
Staying behind, Lucian could only hope for his victory in silence and anxiety.
"It's going to be okay", Lucian whispered to himself, "If the situation escalates... I will invade the duel. Yeah..."
Lucian raised his cold eyes to the door.
"But I will not let Magnus die today."