"I came as soon as I got the invitation, Your Grace." Cassian bowed as Lucien approached him in the grand hall.
Lucien’s brow creased, his shoulders straightening to emphasize his full height. He hated what he felt; he was never one to feel intimidated by anyone, but at that moment, Cassian intimidated him—not due to wealth or status, for he was way ahead of Cassian in that regard, but because of Elian.
Cassian was exactly what he could never be to Elian... open, honest, kind, and willing to love. Those characteristics rubbed him the wrong way, and the very existence of the king’s chief guard infuriated him.
"I did not send an invite, Cassian. I believed your post is irreplaceable to the king; I would never pull you away from duty," Lucien said, trying to figure out how his invitation got to Cassian.
He never sent one, and for very valid reasons.
"I sent our invitation, my love," Rowena spoke from behind, her arms snaking around Lucien’s like vines.
Lucien stiffened.
Elian’s words rang loud in his head. Everything Rowena had done, how she had a mole in his manor, how obsessed she was—he could not trust her, and he knew it was best to stay away from her.
But staying away from her meant losing the throne, and he’d never lose the throne. He promised his father to make it right the next time he visited, and he was keeping to that promise, even if it meant losing Elian’s affection.
"You did? Then, I hope we do not inconvenience your father," Lucien said gently.
Rowena shook her head, "Not at all. Father is just fine."
Lucien nodded once, "Very well. I will ask Ms. Beck to prepare him a room."
"I already did that, my love. I had to make sure our guest rested the moment he arrived," she smiled.
"You did?" Lucien narrowed his eyes, watching Rowena’s sweet smile.
She nodded gently, "I prepared him a room right beside Elian’s. That wing has a lot of free rooms. What do you think, my love?" She pressed her body close to him.
Lucien swallowed hard, his face fighting to stay expressionless. Slowly, he nodded, "You did very well. I will show him to his room. Go get some rest." Lucien kissed Rowena’s cheek and gestured for her to leave.
"Have a good rest, Cassian," she smiled at Cassian.
"I can’t wait for your engagement tomorrow night, Your Majesty," Cassian bowed his head as Rowena walked away from them.
Lucien waited until Rowena was out of sight and turned his back to Cassian.
"Follow," Lucien ordered and walked ahead, not waiting for Cassian.
As Lucien led Cassian into the North wing, their footsteps echoed along the quiet hallway, steady and heavy.
Lucien’s steps slowed the moment he turned the corner to the main hallway; he almost stopped and changed his mind to put Cassian in a different wing, but that would only prove to Rowena that her suspicions were right.
He led Cassian to the door right beside Elian’s, his eyes glancing toward Elian’s for a moment before looking away.
"This is your room, Cassian–"
"Do you hear that?" Cassian suddenly spoke, pausing as he glanced around the hallway.
Lucien frowned, listening carefully.
And then, he heard it.
Elian’s muffled sobs coming from his room.
"It’s nothing," Lucien brushed him off.
He didn’t want anything that could bring Cassian to Elian’s doorstep.
"Thank you for bringing me to my room, Your Grace. But, if I’m allowed, I would like to check on the person in the next room. I believe that is Elian, as the Princess had said," he spoke quietly.
Lucien’s jaw hurt from how hard he was clenching it; he locked his gaze on Cassian’s face, "You’re not allowed, Cassian." His voice dripped with dark warning.
Cassian furrowed his brow, hesitation clear on his face.
"Why?" he finally asked, unable to make sense of Lucien’s order.
Lucien chuckled dryly, "Because I am the Duke; you obey me. Also, you are under my roof; you live by my words," he stated calmly.
Cassian sighed, "I understand, Your Grace." He smiled, "Have a good night." He bowed and entered his room.
Lucien stood there for a while, staring at Elian’s door and listening to those heart-wrenching, broken sobs.
He wanted to go in there, hug that smaller man to himself, and tell him that everything would be alright. But he would only be lying; he had no plans to make things right between them. Going in there would only complicate their situation more.
For the time being, he was satisfied with keeping Cassian away from Elian.
As he left, he thought of how it was time to use Elian’s abilities tomorrow night. He needed to know who to keep close and who to be wary of. If Rowena had eyes on him, he needed to fish them out and be careful.
The next morning, Elian woke up feeling the worst.
Tonight, he would watch Lucien tie Rowena to himself in front of the kingdom while his place vanished from Lucien’s side.
He used to think he was strong enough to act like he did not care, but as the day arrived, he realized that living under the same roof as them was going to be hell on earth. If only someone could take him away from here.
He could not take it anymore; he needed to leave, or he would really lose his mind.
A knock came at his door, and Elian’s heart skipped.
Who was it now? Was Rowena here to mock him more?
He stood from his bed, his loose white shirt falling off his shoulder, revealing his smooth neck and collarbone.
"Who is it?" he asked, standing in front of the door.
"It’s Finn," Finn said calmly.
Elian sighed in relief and unlocked the door, "Finn..." he called softly, staring at the young man with teary eyes.
Finn glanced around the hallway before stepping closer to Elian, "Are you okay?" he asked gently.
Elian shook his head, "Come." He gently tugged on Finn’s shirt, his eyes pleading.
Finn stepped into the room, frowning, "You’re not okay," he murmured.
Elian nodded, "Hug me?" he whispered.
Finn blinked, "Sure." He closed the distance between them, wrapping his arms around Elian and gently holding him close.
"I’m tired..." Elian murmured, "I’m really very tired... and hurt." He bit down hard on his lip, holding back the sob that threatened to escape.
Finn held Elian tighter, staring blankly through the open window.
He had nothing to say to Elian. Nothing he said would make sense because, truly, nothing made sense anymore.
"I’m sorry," he whispered, patting Elian’s back.
Elian shook his head, "Don’t be. It’s not your fault... it’s not even Lucien’s fault." He stepped away from Finn and wiped his tears, "It is my fault. I... I knew what could happen, yet I let myself fall." He turned his back to Finn, staring out the window.
"I just wish he could love me back, Finn. I know I am pathetic and hopeless, but this is how I truly feel. I wish he doesn’t get engaged to Rowena, I wish he chooses me, I wish he let me into his life like his equal and not some filthy subordinate he can throw away whenever he pleases..." he paused, letting the heavy silence settle between them.
"I wish my body didn’t betray me each time he lays his hands on me, I wish my heart could stop craving and loving him, I wish I could erase him away from my mind for all eternity, and I wish he didn’t kiss me like I was something he could not afford to lose last night. I’m stuck, Finn. I want to escape... I need to escape all this," he murmured, dragging his hand over his face tiredly.
"I’m sorry," Finn repeated quietly, his eyes filled with hesitation, for he was yet to deliver his message.
"Don’t be..." Elian whispered, sniffling.
"I hope I am not interrupting?" Cassian’s smooth voice sounded from the door.
Elian stilled, his heart lurching up his throat.
"C-Cassian?" he stammered, turning to face the door.
Finn blinked at the icy man behind him and back at Elian.
This one was too obvious. He did not need his psyche to read Cassian’s emotions.
It was too obvious; the man felt something too strong for Elian. Unfortunately, he sensed nothing from Elian. His heart was locked on Lucien, and it seemed no one would be able to unlock Elian’s heart.
"Are you alright? May I come in?" Cassian asked softly, staring at the door threshold.
Elian nodded, "You can," he replied.
Finn cleared his throat, "I am sorry, Elian. But I can’t let him in." He sounded apologetic but still blocked the entrance.
Elian frowned, "Why?" His brows creased.
"It’s alright, Elian. He is just following orders... I will see you soon... hopefully." Cassian smiled and walked away.
Elian chuckled darkly, "I think I am really stupid and gullible," he murmured.
Finn shook his head, "You’re not."
"I tend to trust the wrong people... I cry my soul out to you, and when you see the one thing that could alleviate my sorrow, you stand before me. A friend you are, Finn," he scoffed.
"It is not true, Elian. I am your friend, and I will never hurt you..." he stated and inhaled deeply.
"But... I am also a subject under the Duke... we all are," he said.
"What do you mean?" Elian questioned slowly.
"He asked me to bring you to his study, and to make sure Lord Cassian never gets close enough to touch or speak to you... I simply cannot disobey the Duke, Elian –"
"I understand," Elian cut him off, moving toward the closet.
"You do?" Finn asked, watching Elian pull off his shirt to grab another one.
"Yes. I don’t blame you. Let us go." Elian walked toward Finn, buttoning his shirt up.
"Elian," Finn caught Elian’s wrist before he could walk out the door.
"What?" Elian asked, glancing at his wrist in Finn’s hand.
"You’ll need to prepare your mind... he’s with Rowena," Finn informed.
Elian scoffed, "Of course... noted." His eyes hardened as he resumed toward the door.
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