Rowan was on alert, ready to block Rowena in case she tried to do something funny.
But Elian remained calm, his eyes now staring at the tree leaves dancing peacefully amid his chaos.
Elian watched the emerald canopy shift and sway against the grey sky, an unbothered rhythm existing entirely apart from the storm raging inside his head.
"Elian, oh, my... you look so thin," Rowena gasped, looking so worried as they finally stopped in front of Elian and Rowan.
Lucien’s eyes took in Elian; truly, he was thin.
For seven days, Lucien barely ate, and each time he did, he felt like a coward. How could he eat so peacefully when he knew that Elian was starving down there? Standing before Elian, he couldn’t even look into his eyes; he had failed Elian... again.
"He is fine, Princess," Rowan said, his tone underlying a warning to his cousin.
Lucien draped his hand over Rowena’s waist, pulling her closer to his side, "Are you well, Elian?" he asked in a tight voice, holding himself back from truly expressing how he felt.
Finally, Elian moved his eyes toward them, his blue eyes cold and all-consuming with secret rage.
"I am fine, Your Grace, Your Highness. I am most honored to have my life spared by the Princess and the Duke. Thank you," he bowed his head gently.
For a split second, everyone looked shocked, including Rowena.
But slowly, a cunning smile crept onto Rowena’s lips, her eyes narrowing into that deceptive look.
She had won. She had finally broken Elian and made him understand that she was his god. A single word from her could have his life ended in a beat.
"Oh, it is alright, Elian. I understand that the girl meant so much to you, and what happened was simply a misunderstanding. I am here to say how sorry I am for the loss of your little friend," her voice dropped with a sickly, honeyed warmth that left one feeling truly cared for.
Only Elian knew how deeply malicious that snake truly was, and after today, he would know everything about them, and that would be his bargaining chip to his and his mother’s eternal freedom.
She dares to apologize for Lynda’s death? He almost found it funny how a real murderer walked freely while his innocent father got killed for nothing.
He picked his staff from his side, helping himself to his feet to face Rowena squarely.
"Your condolences mean a lot to me, Your Majesty. I feel honored," he bowed his head.
Lucien frowned; he hadn’t noticed the cane. He immediately snapped his eyes to Rowan, who was now standing beside Elian, but Rowan had his eyes pinned on Elian, purposely ignoring him.
Lucien felt like a hand was choking his neck, watching Elian use that darned cane was a blow to his chest. He was doing everything wrong. How long could he keep this up? How long would Elian wait? How long can Elian survive?
"If I may be excused, I’d like to retire to my room," Elian said, purposely walking close to Rowena.
One thing was sure: he knew Rowena would never miss the chance to hurt him and show off in front of Lucien, and this time, he was giving her a good opening.
He put his cane right next to Rowena’s leg, and before he could take his next step, the cane slid off his hand and he found himself falling to the ground. She had successfully kicked his cane out from under him.
Of course, he could stand by himself, but how could he miss such a golden opportunity?
"Ugh!" he groaned as he fell to the floor.
And before Lucien or Rowan could reach him, Rowena was already squatting beside Elian, her eyes filled with worry and panic.
"Oh, heavens! Here, let me help you up," she said, reaching out her hand to close it around Elian’s.
"Don’t!" Lucien barked, startling Rowena.
"He’s helpless, my love. Let me help him up to his feet," Rowena said softly, not standing.
"It’s alright, I’ve got him," Rowan bent over, offering his hand to Elian.
But Elian never turned to Rowan. He kept his eyes locked on Lucien’s as he slowly reached out his hand to Rowena.
"Rowena, get away from him. Elian, stop... don’t...." Lucien froze, his eyes widening in horror as he watched Elian’s hand close around Rowena’s.
Elian smiled slowly as he closed his eyes, letting his mind focus on Rowena’s memories.
"What is wrong with him? He’s not moving," Rowan panicked as he saw Elian lying on the floor with his eyes closed.
He moved, quickly pulling Rowena away from him.
"I did nothing to him. I was simply trying to help him, and he went limp," Rowena was genuinely panicked at that moment.
The plan was to make herself look good in front of Lucien, not let Lucien think she was some evil witch who hurts people.
Lucien clenched his jaw, anger filling him. How dare Elian?
He now understood what Elian wanted. This was no longer the Elian who wanted his attention, love, or care; this was Elian who wanted to ruin him by any means possible. And he would not let him.
No one can ever come between him and his goals, no matter who this person was; he would make sure to clear them from his path before they got to him.
"Elian, are you okay?" Rowan asked, going behind Elian to lift him from under the arms.
Slowly, Elian opened his eyes, his brows creased with a frown.
"I... I’m fine," he murmured, picking up his cane and walking away, not meeting anyone’s gaze.
He could feel Lucien’s gaze on him, and it only annoyed him more.
He quickly walked to his room, slamming his door shut and leaning his back against it.
He wasn’t even allowed time to breathe when someone tried to push his door open without knocking.
"Open the door," Lucien’s voice sounded behind the door.
Elian shut his eyes, his nails digging into his palms.
He didn’t want to speak to Lucien, ever.
"Elian, open the door," Lucien repeated calmly.
Gritting his teeth, Elian leaned off the door and faced it. He took a deep breath and then opened the door.
Lucien strode in and closed the door, locking it.
Elian was standing in the middle of the room, his eyes fixed on the wall beside Lucien.
"Did you see what you hoped to see?" Lucien asked.
Elian frowned harder, not speaking.
Lucien clenched his jaw, slowly approaching Elian. He reached Elian’s front and paused, breathing heavily in anger.
"I’ll ask again, did you find what you sought?" he questioned.
Elian refused to look at him, biting his lower lip.
"Answer me!" Lucien suddenly snapped, causing Elian to jump back in fear.
Elian snapped his eyes up to Lucien’s, his eyes blown wide in fear and apprehension. The old Lucien was back, and he wasn’t sure if he was prepared for it.
Lucien bit his cheeks, looking away from Elian.
That dear in Elian’s eyes—he could not remember the last time he saw them there, but he had managed to put them right back in.
He guessed he was really a monster.
"You’re not supposed to touch her, Elian. I own you..." he stepped closer, "I tell you who to touch, when to touch, and why..." he hooked a finger under Elian’s chin, "You have disobeyed me," he murmured.
"Kill me, then," Elian spat, his eyes hardened.
Lucien frowned, "What?" he frowned, not expecting Elian’s reply.
"Why do you hate me so much? You promised her my death... just last night, you promised to kill me if she ever feels threatened by me again. Your wife is a killer, yet you protect her like some angel–"
"Elian–"
"I saw it, in her memories. I also saw how you had promised to marry her in some quiet corridor in the palace. I thought this was some arranged marriage, but it turns out you truly love her, you do. I have just one question: why did you ever lay your hands on me if you knew you’d never commit to me?" he asked breathlessly, rage stealing his breath away.
Lucien sighed, "You were never to fall for me. I told you–"
"Fuck you, Lucien Valemont," Elian hissed.
Lucien’s green eyes flashed dangerously, "Was that all you saw? And you misunderstood my words to her. I do not want to kill you–"
"It was quite clear, Your Grace. You promised her safety in your manor, and if that Morel boy ever lays his hand on her again, it’ll be his end... your words, not mine." Elian forced a crooked smile.
"You were never supposed to touch her –"
"Ah, I know why you’re asking if this was all I saw. You have your own curiosity about your own wife. But I’ll tell you, Your Grace, I’ll tell you," Elian slowly stepped away from Lucien, leaning against the wall.
"I saw you with your hand between her legs; you pleased her... for hours. You kissed her..." he chuckled bitterly.
"I saw how her childhood was like every girl’s dream, sheltered and loved. I saw how she lost her mother after her nineteenth birthday, and that is when you made her this life-long promise to marry her and protect her. But you know what I think?" he smirked, watching Lucien’s hardened face.
"I think you’re just some power-hungry monster who only cares about achieving the throne. You never care about anyone, just power, power, and power." he spat like it tasted so bitter in his mouth.
"I am not your only victim. Rowena is, too. But I’d say she is the perfect match for you; she, too, wants fame and power just as much as you do. It was quite useless to touch her; I have not found what I seek. Perhaps if I had touched her long enough, I’d find it." Elian shrugged, frowning.
"You’re pushing me, Elian. I don’t want to take drastic decisions–"
"Save us both this torture and touch me, Lucien," Elian cut him off, "Touch me, I promise, I’ll find my father’s killer and I’ll solve whatever problems you have in a second." He outstretched his hand to Lucien.
"Touch me, and we can finally go our separate ways..." he murmured.
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