40 : Lucas and bastian fight

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Irene left the council hall after the session ended, walking with calm and steady steps, though her mind remained burdened by everything that had transpired. She lifted her head for a moment, and unconsciously stopped in place when she saw Lucas standing nearby, speaking with Viola, who was laughing softly as she looked at him. His eyes were on her, but his features appeared empty—devoid of warmth.

She stared at the scene for a few moments, until a soft voice behind her said:

"Princess."

She turned quickly to find Bastian standing behind her, wearing that familiar smile she no longer found comforting.

He spoke in an easy tone:

"This is the first time we speak in private... It's an honor."

Irene gave a slight curtsy and responded with carefully measured politeness:

"The honor is mine as well, Your Highness."

He smiled, then glanced toward Lucas and Viola, and said quietly:

"It seems your husband is... occupied, with another girl."

Then he looked back at her, as if studying her reaction.

Irene felt a subtle shiver of danger deep inside, as though her very skin sensed something beyond the words. She immediately changed the subject, offering a gentle smile:

"In fact, Your Highness, I just wanted to take this chance to thank you for your kind words today. I truly appreciate your regard."

Bastian looked at her for a long moment, then spoke with a tone full of implication:

"Really? I thought my words might've bothered you a little. I didn't expect that reaction… It seems you love your husband."

She replied with calm confidence:

"No, I wasn't bothered. I simply expressed what was on my mind at the time. I didn't mean to appear upset, that's all."

He chuckled lightly and said:

"You really do intrigue me… I've never met a woman like you before."

He then cast a sidelong glance at Lucas, and noticed that his eyes were fixed entirely on him. Bastian smiled and turned back to Irene.

From the other side, Viola suddenly fell silent. She noticed that Lucas wasn't looking at her, but somewhere else… at Irene and the Crown Prince. Her brows furrowed, and when she looked again at Lucas's face, she saw something in it… a quiet rage.

Irene resumed the conversation, with a slightly uneasy smile:

"There are many exceptional women in this world, Your Highness. But our societies often prevent them from being seen.

Like your fiancée, Miss Viola. She truly is—"

He cut her off with sudden coldness:

"She's not my fiancée."

He said it in a low tone, as if light had vanished from his eyes.

Irene looked at him in surprise:

"Pardon?"

He spoke without blinking:

"Just as you heard. I haven't officially proposed to her… I've only set my sights on her, for now."

Irene's eyes widened in disbelief, then she felt it was time to end this conversation quickly. She said awkwardly and politely:

"Ah... I'm sorry, I heard you were to marry her after your nomination. It seems I misunderstood. If you'll excuse me, I shouldn't keep the king waiting—it would be rude to… make him wait. Farewell, Your Highness."

She bowed softly and turned to leave, but suddenly, he grabbed her hand.

She froze, her eyes widening in shock. His grip was firm, and his gaze carried something unsettling—a sinister look she couldn't quite place.

He smiled and said:

"Right, you mentioned wanting to visit the royal library… then tell me when you plan to go, and I'll accompany you myself."

She tried to pull her hand away, but his grip didn't loosen.

She said with a forced smile and neutral tone:

"Thank you, Your Highness, but I could never trouble the Crown Prince with such a task."

At that moment, Lucas appeared out of nowhere. He grabbed Bastian's hand violently and pushed it away with enough force to make the Crown Prince stumble back a step.

Irene looked at him in shock and gasped involuntarily:

"Oh my God..."

Bastian calmly adjusted his sleeve and said:

"Ah… sorry, I didn't mean to trouble you, cousin."

Lucas, however, looked at him with an expression that could've killed if a sword had been placed in his hand.

The tension between them flared.

Realizing the situation was escalating fast, Irene quickly intervened and said:

"Lucas, please… apologize to the Crown Prince. This is inappropriate behavior. And…"

He finally looked at her…

And that look froze her blood.

More terrifying than even Arxen's.

She fell silent immediately.

He didn't say a word.

He simply grabbed her hand and pulled her behind him.

Viola watched from a distance, hand covering her mouth.

Lucas kept dragging Irene with quick, unyielding steps, not slowing down or looking back.

His grip on her hand grew tighter.

She said, struggling to breathe from the pain:

"Please... Lucas... You're hurting me..."

He suddenly stopped.

As they neared the carriage, he let go of her hand and said coldly:

"Get in the carriage. And don't you ever go near that bastard again."

She looked at her hand—it was red and throbbing with pain… from both their grips.

She said anxiously:

"Why did you do that? He was just… thanking me for—"

He cut her off sharply:

"I don't like repeating myself.

Get in now."

His tone made her tremble, and she silently walked to the carriage and got in.

He waited until she was settled, then turned and left without a word.

Inside the carriage, Irene looked around—no one else was there. Richard had already left.

She peered through the small window, watching Lucas's back as he walked away.

She murmured softly, exhausted:

"What's with his reaction? Why did he do all that?"

She looked at her reddened hand, pressing it gently.

"I'm really too tired to deal with this too..."

She sighed deeply…

And rested her head against the cold wooden wall.

She was exhausted—

Body and heart.

---

Irene returned to the palace after a long, exhausting day, her eyes barely seeing the path from fatigue. She entered her chambers quietly, without a word.

She closed the door behind her, took off her heavy coat, and threw herself onto the bed, pressing a hand to her forehead.

Moments later, the door opened gently, and Sally entered, her face carrying its usual concern.

She said softly:

"My lady… are you alright? You look tired."

Irene raised her head with difficulty and said in a faint voice:

"Sally… the pills didn't work… please bring me every available type to try."

Sally raised her brows with visible concern:

"But… you've already tried two different kinds… Your health is deteriorating, my lady. You've lost so much weight in just a few weeks, even your skin looks pale."

Irene gave her a faint smile, looking at her:

"Don't worry… I'm just… on a strict diet, nothing more."

She wanted to reassure her… but knew Sally wasn't that naive.

Outside, the rain began tapping rhythmically on the windows, as if winter had finally decided to knock on Valerian's doors.

Irene slowly got up from bed, sat at her desk, and pulled out a piece of paper and a pen.

She decided to write a letter to Eiscard before winter fully set in.

But it wasn't an ordinary letter…

It was written in the same style Eiscard had used when corresponding with her before.

The words appeared natural—like a girl writing to her stepmother…

But in truth, it was a coded message.

She wrote:

"The economic conditions have been deteriorating lately, but they seem to be gradually improving. The king has now proposed solutions to financial issues in the council, and several major changes are expected soon."

That sentence alone carried layers of meaning…

The letter held just enough truth to make Arxen pause his dirty games.

She placed the letter in an envelope, wrote her name and Queen Elvira's name on it, then looked up at Sally:

"I want you to give this letter to Raice the servant… no one else. Understood?"

Sally nodded calmly:

"Yes, my lady… I'll make sure of it."

She left the room quietly, while Irene remained alone, sitting, staring into nothing.

Tomorrow would be busy.

But the day after… was the real target.

The ball she had promised Elizabeth to attend would take place.

And she had planned to use it to her advantage.

Then came a wave of satisfaction—just as she had predicted.

She had made her way into the royal palace, extracted a personal acknowledgment from the king… and now, he owed her, one way or another.

Two birds with one stone.

She extinguished the candle and lay on her bed.

Despite the exhaustion, her mind kept spinning…

Until she finally drifted off—

Only to wake up, once more, from a nightmare.

As always.

---

That evening, everyone gathered at the dinner table.

Richard was there, as were Elizabeth and Violet.

Irene sat quietly, placing small portions of food on her plate, with no real appetite.

She asked Richard:

"Your Grace… you left early today."

He looked at her in surprise:

"Didn't Lucas accompany you after the council?"

Irene replied:

"No… it seems he had to return to work, so it's alright..."

Elizabeth raised her brows in surprise:

"Wait… Lucas attended the council?"

Richard nodded as he cut a piece of bread:

"Yes… even I was surprised to see him there."

Elizabeth whispered:

"Strange… he usually only shows up if his father forces him to."

Violet added:

"He does whatever he wants. You can never predict his moves."

Irene said nothing.

Her hand paused over her plate, then she looked down at it and thought:

"Did… did he really come because of me?

Did… he actually listen to what I said to him?"

Dinner ended shortly after.

Everyone left quietly.

Irene returned to her chambers, entered her room, and went to bathe with the help of the servants.

She changed into her nightgown, then sat at the edge of the bed.

But she didn't sleep.

For the first time since their marriage…

She decided to wait for him.

Just wait…

As if she wanted to see:

Would he come?

Would he say something?

Would he… explain his anger?

Irene didn't know the answer.

But still…

She waited.

---

Irene stood by the window, her arms resting on the cold frame, eyes fixed on the relentless rain.

Night had fallen deeply, and the cold was slowly creeping into her limbs, but something inside her wasn't ready to sleep yet.

She was exhausted… deeply. Her body ached in silence, and her mind begged for rest, yet she stayed there, watching the gray clouds choking the moon.

Why?

Why did she suddenly feel such an overwhelming urge… to speak with him?

There was no clear reason.

Just a raw emotion, a silent wave that surged in her heart, making her feel that if he delayed much longer… she might not have the courage to speak tomorrow.

She wanted to hear him, understand him, ask him—just once, without any barriers.

But time passed.

And the footsteps she waited for… never came.

Her body began to give in. She turned slowly, walked toward her nightstand, and took the small box from the drawer.

She looked at it for a moment, then took a double dose of pills without thinking.

She lay down gently, closed her eyes, and the sound of rain grew louder… as if the world itself was drowning around her.

And she fell asleep.

But sleep was not kind.

She woke suddenly, startled.

Her eyes wide open, heart pounding madly, as though she had been pulled from a nightmare that dragged her into a deep, dark abyss.

She looked around… the room was steeped in darkness.

There was no one beside her.

She gripped the blanket tightly, breathing heavily. She was afraid, but tried to pull herself together, calm herself, convince herself it was just a dream.

But sleep never returned.

The hours crawled by, and she remained awake until dawn broke, staring into nothing, something inside her refusing to settle...

"He didn't come."

She rose from bed slowly, as though every step weighed more than she could bear.

She washed with lukewarm water to soothe her fatigue, dried her hair herself despite her weariness, then sat on the balcony, watching the damp garden.

The air carried the scent of cold earth, and her eyes wandered into the void.

Moments later, Sally arrived. Her expression was cautious, but she didn't ask anything. She simply stepped forward quietly and said:

"I brought the two available types, my lady… The other kinds require a doctor's prescription."

Irene looked at her with a faint, tired smile:

"Thank you, Sally… That will do."

Sally knew that look very well…

The look of pretending to be strong when strength had truly run out.

Irene changed her clothes quietly, putting on a simple dress in a warm shade, then descended into the garden.

Anita was there, sitting beside Elizabeth, sipping coffee. They were laughing and chatting lightly.

She looked at them, then whispered to herself:

"I'll ignore you again today… I need to save my energy for tomorrow."

She passed by silently