2025-10-20 04:26:49Lucien stood at the center of the courtyard, the sun casting long shadows over the polished stones.
He caught the servant and guards watching from a distance.
But when he turned, they flinch and divert their eyes.
He narrowed his icy gray eyes “ Am I truly that hated” he muttered
The name Eryndor Kaelen echoed in his mind as he remembered how he laughed with solders , shared food and stories with them
Suddenly, the sword in his hand felt heavy.
He forced himself to swing his sword but every muscle in his body was screaming for effort.
Just as he was about raising his sword for another swing, a sharp pain hit his stomach.
He gasped, his knees giving away, his sword slipped form his trembling fingers and it crashed to the stine floor with a sharp clang.
“ My Lord!” A panicked voice cried out as Lucien fell to the floor, clutching his pain.
Lucien's eyes snapped open, his breath quick and shallow.
He tried to move, but pain shot through.
A figure knelt beside him.
Lucien gritted his teeth.
“ What happened to me and who are you?” he asked
The man looked around nervously
He leaned closer to Lucien with a serious eyes “ You have been poisoned my Lord, slowly and skillfully ” he said , avoiding the second question
Lucien's body tensed
“ poisoned?”
The man nodded
“ The symptoms are subtle, meant to eat you away slowly instead of killing you”
Fear clenched Lucien's chest
He stared at the man, narrowing his eyes on him ” I asked you a question ” he said , his voice low and calm “ Who are you?"
The man hesitated, avoiding Lucien's gaze
“ Forgive me, my Lord. I'm the physician of your household” he said quickly before bowing his head “
Lucien scoffed , trying to sitting up despite the pain but couldn't
“ How long have I been suffering from this?” Lucien asked, curious.
“ For a long time, my Lord ” The physician answered, his head still down
Lucien studied him for a moment
“ Tell me more”
“ My Lord, the poison made you weak that you stopped breathing for two days”
Lucien body tensed.
“ Who ” he asked
The physician hesitated, hands trembled slightly
“ I have no idea my Lord, but it must be someone close to you and someone who knows your food schedule ”
Lucien's breath caught, his vision sharpened
He sat up slowly, this time he succeeded making the sheets fall from his chest.
“ So, I'm eating death one bite at a time?” he asked asked
“ it's being done carefully ”
Lucien swung his legs off the bed, rising despite the weakness in his limbs.
He stumbled as he move, but he caught himself using the wall, then dragged himself to the window.
He stared out in silence, the wind brushing against his face.
“ Tell no one ” he said without turning around, his voice low but sound sharp.
“ Yes, my Lord ” The physician whispered, bowing quickly before hurrying out of the room.
Lucien remained by the window, his jaw tight, his hear racing.
Lucien sat on the edge of his velvet chair, eyes sharp as his brother Aric, strolled into the room carrying a bottle of wine and wearing that too easy smile Lucien had begun to hate.
“ Brother ” Aric said cheerfully “ You have locked yourself away in here for too long, I thought we could share a drink, like old times”
Lucien didn't return the smile “ How thoughtful of you ” he says flatly, watching his brother every move.
Aric grabbed two glasses from the nearby table and sat across from Lucien.
He poured the deep wine carefully, and handed one to Lucien.
Lucien took the offered glass slowly as Aric lifted the other.
“ To strength and family ”
“ To family ” he said, voice quiet but firm
“ To family” Aric repeated as he took a generous sip.
Lucien brought the lips to his mouth.
Then he paused.
He set it back down gently on the table.
“ You didn't drink” Aric said with a tight smile
Lucien met his eyes “ Still recovering ” he said coldly
Aric nodded quickly “ Of course, rest is important ”
But Lucien saw it, the flicker of something behind his brother's eyes.
Just then, Lucien's eyes caught a flicker of movement
He turned slightly
At the far corner of the room, half hidden behind a pillar, stood selene. Aric's wife, he saw her the first day he woke up.
She was still, quiet , her gaze locked on Lucien.
Lucien's jaw tightened as he turned back to talking Aric, but his mind kept wondering why she was looking at him.
With a slow breath, Lucien leaned back in his chair, his experience very calm.
“ Strange how poison always comes with a smile” he muttered loud enough for Aric to hear.
Aric paused, his glass halfway to his lips
“ What do you mean?” Aric asked, brows rising.
“ Just thinking out loud Aric” Lucien said smoothly picking up his glass again.
He didn't drink, he only stared at the deep red wine, swirli
ng it gently.
He set the glass back down without taking a sip.
Trust, it was a luxury he could no longer afford.
Not even with the family.
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Chapter 11
Lucien looked away Marr, looking at her tall windows at the end of the hall.Marr stepped into Lucien's sight, his arms crossed “ You always hated the cold, yet her you are sitting in a room that could freeze bone”Lucien didn't respond, he just watched Marr“ Remember when we got trapped in the hollow spines during the winter raids? You nearly lost your toes to frostbite, you swore you'd never ride north again” Marr said, chuckling Lucien gave a faint nod “ I remember ” But he didn't. Not reallyThe memories weren't his.Marr stepped closer, watching him “ You are quieter than I remember, more distant”Lucien looked up, meeting his eyes “ A lot changes after a man almost dies ”“ That does it” Marr said softlyHe paused , then added “ But not everything, some things stay the same. Loyalty for one”Lucien let the silence stretchedMarr gave a half smile“ You used to trust me with everything. Lucien, what changed?” Marr askedLucien leaned back, his arms folded“ You tell me” He
Chapter 10
Lucien stood in the silence for a while after the guards left.The folded parchment still burning in the pocket of his tunic He exhaled slowly and then left for the hall.The hall was quiet that morning, the morning sun barely reaching through the tall windowsA servant had already laid out the meal, he looked around the table, black tea, hard bread and spiced meat.A servant came forward and pulled out the dark chair at the head of the table, its legs scraping softly against the floor.He sat slowly, bringing the seat forward himself The servant bowed and then turned and walked awaySteam curled up from the waiting cup of tea, he stared at it for a moment before reaching for the handle.He was mid sip when the door creaked open, he didn't look up but the scent of crushed roses drifted into the room before the footsteps.“ Selene” he said calmly without turning “ Did your husband send you to spy or you are here on your own curiosity?” he asked taking a sip of his teaShe stepped int
Chapter 9
Lucien woke slowly, his eyes adjusting to the dim light.The ceiling swam above him as he sat up, and a wave of weakness washed over him.His body felt heavy, like he hadn't moved in days.Sweat clung to his skin, cold against the heat burning inside him.He looked down at his arm, the cloth wrapped around it was dark with dried blood.“Still alive”he muttered, his voice hoarse.He pushed the covers aside and stood. His legs almost gave out beneath him.“Damn it” he hissed, catching himself on the bedpost.The poison still lingered, not strong enough to kill him now, but enough to drag him down.He took a breath and let it out slowly.“You’ll walk. You’ve done worse.”Each step was careful as he made his way across the cold stone floor.He reached the bathroom door and pushed it open.The air inside was thick with steam. The scent of herbs and metal filled the space.Lucien leaned against the wall for a moment, breathing hard.He moved slowly and stopped by the tub, He took off his
Chapter 8
Morning light slipped through the window of Lucien’s chamber. He sat close to the hearth, the fire low. A cup of tea sat on the table beside him, long gone cold. He hadn’t moved in hours still as stone, his eyes fixed on the flames.A soft knock broke the silence.“My lord,” a voice came from behind the door. “Lord Elias is here to see you. Shall I send him in?”Lucien didn’t look up instead a faint smile touched his lips.“Let him in.”The door creaked open, and Lucien finally lifted his gaze.Elias stepped in, wearing a silver and black cloak. His steps were sharp, his shoulders tense, every movement tight with purpose.Lucien leaned back in his chair, a smirk playing on his face as he watched him.“Ardent,” Elias said, voice cold.Lucien raised an eyebrow. “I assume this isn’t a courtesy visit,” Lucien said, still watching Elias with a calm, amused look.Elias folded his hands behind his back. “The council has given its final word. You are to comply. No more delays.”Lucien lea
Chapter 7
As Lucien walked away from selene, his mind was still heavy with the truth about Eryndor and the war, it was all starting to unravel and yet he still felt like he was only at the surface of it all.Back in his chambers, the silence in the room was thick and pressing. He sat at the edge of his bed, rubbing his temple.A soft knock came at the door “ come” he called outA young servant stepped in holding a seal scroll.“my lord” The boy said bowing slightly “ A message from the council” the boy stepped forward to hand him the scrollLucien took the scroll and the young boy stepped back and bowed.He broke the seal and scanned the content, his eyes narrowing.He was being summoned to the court at noon.“ Did they say say?” he asked the young servant “ No my lord” the boy repliedLucien exhaled slowly, tossing the scroll to the side“ You can go” he said dismissing the young servant with a nod.He glanced up at the wall clock above him, he breathed in and expelled it slowly seeing he d
Chapter 6
Lucien sat in the corner of the dim chamber, his back pressed against the cold stone wall. One hand gripped a glass of whiskey, the other clenched tightly into a fist on his knee.His jaw tensed.“Why did I kiss her?”The question spun endlessly in his mind, loud even in the silence.He took a slow sip, letting the burn crawl down his throat. It didn’t help.Selene.Her name alone made his chest tighten. “It wasn’t love” he muttered under his breath. No, it was something darker. Loneliness, maybe. Or anger. A need to feel anything other than the constant weight of hate pressing down on him.He hated that her kiss still lingered on his lips. Hated how his body had leaned into hers, how he let it happen. How he kissed her back.“Damn it” he breathed, setting the glass down with a sharp clink. Her voice echoed in his head. Her tears. The way she held him. Lucien leaned forward, elbows on his knees, burying his face in his hands. He wanted to silence the noise in his head. But s
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