Upstairs there were rest rooms where guests could use if they needed a refuge. Some used to take care of a guest who was sick, or to change clothes if they got dirty. But Lucian was using it as his little refuge.

Drinking champagne, the eighth prince enjoyed his rest. He never liked to participate in parties, and to make it worse, in that world the noble etiquette was essential not to dirty the name of his family. Lucian might even know one thing or another, but he doubted very much that his tongue would be quiet if someone tried to play the joker with him.

So it was better to avoid the crowd.

“Oh, you’re there, little brother!”

The beautiful Raven Saint Richmond, Lucian’s sister, wore a lightly decorated dress whose fabric should certainly cost dearly. The light color of the fabric highlighted her platinum hair and peach eyes, colored as all the omegas had.

It was spectacularly beautiful for someone he should be careful with. Of course, all the brothers were considered dangerous to Lucian, who could be used by them when least expected. However, it should avoid raising unnecessary suspicion.

Promptly Lucian opened a gentle smile to his "sister".

“I thought you’d be down there dancing, Raven. After all, it was you who organized this banquet.”

Raven laughed graciously and sat down on the couch. Lucian left the balcony to sit on the other upholstery, paying attention to his "sister".

“I’m waiting for a certain knight to ask me to dance.”

“A certain knight?”, Lucian tilted his head, pretending not to know who it was. “Hm... did someone get your attention?”

“But of course! Did not hear the news of the war? It seems that we have a future candidate for head of the royal guard.”

Lucian kept silent, pretending to be surprised by the news.

Of course he would know what it was about. A certain alpha who had a noble aura despite his family being close to bankruptcy. A man who knew how to fight and, to his misfortune, was the protagonist of that story.

“Is there anyone so pompous among our soldiers?”

“Well, my brother, don’t be like that. Maverick is a good man and would make a great prince consort.”

“You think so?”

“Aff, you alphas are never interested in talking about this kind of subject, is not it?”, Complained Raven crossing her arms. “Can’t you be happy that your sister is falling in love with someone?”

“I’m happy for you, please keep it that way.”

“I do not feel that it was sincere.”

In fact he was sincere, because then a certain villain would not even have the chance to fall more in love with Maverick, right?

If he were honest, he would leave Raven perplexed by his swearing affectionately to Maverick. But for now it would remain elegant, since he was pretending to be a prince in that dream.

“Anyway, we should get down since the banquet started”,  Raven stood up, stopping in front of Lucian. “I hope you don’t mind dancing with me again, if my heart is broken for not having my knight.”

“It would be an honor.”

Holding Raven’s hand, the eighth prince and she left the rest room. But in just four steps a maid appeared with a worried countenance.

“Is there a problem, Mary?”

“Your Highness, the hem of the Marquis' daughter’s dress has been torn.”

“ My, I can fix it”,  Raven smiled sweetly and then turned to Lucian . “Wait for me here, okay? No running away.”

“Right, right.”

Lucian watched his sister go towards another corridor accompanied by her maid. Of course she would take the opportunity to show how altruistic she is. When small problems arise, such as these, it’s the perfect opportunity to create a connection.

To avoid the humiliation of being messy, a person would serve in the role of "fairy godmother" and thus a friendship would arise. Raven seemed willing to become close to the daughter of the Marquis while she wanted to keep her younger brother around.

“Haa... what a pain. I think it will take time.”

While waiting for Raven’s return, Lucian walked through the hall wondering whether he should go back to the rest room or take the moment to escape, after all he does not know how to dance. While he decided which option was best, Lucian walked observing the decoration of the imperial palace.

Boredom caught him to the point that he started to see the paintings and follow the corridor. There were paintings hanging on the walls, signed with names of artists that Lucian did not know. The boredom could last an eternity, until he heard a voice as fruitful as its depth and strength.

“Yes, I received the letter from His Majesty. I was surprised that he had sent something like a marriage proposal.”

Stopping to walk and turning back, Lucian felt slight tickling in his ear as he heard that tone of voice. Silently he went down the corridor until he came to a door ajar. Through the crack of the door, he saw a man on his back with a tender wine tone and black hair. Through those meager details, Lucian felt at his core who he was.

Magnus Grimwood.

Your heart has accelerated a little bit of excitement to be able to see your villain from behind. By his silhouette, he could tell he was about your height and had a slim body.

Very beautiful from the back... if you know what I mean.

“He may even be your brother, but I am not willing to spend my time with such a useless prince, Cadec.”

Cadec? He was there too?

Lucian took a step back, making sure he was not seen while listening to the conversation behind the door. A second stoic voice was present and Lucian leaned to hear more.

“Do you really intend to court the Maverick? Exchanging the eighth imperial prince for a knight from a ruined family is not a good plan.”

“His family may be in ruins, but he is a good rider. The fact that Maverick knows how to fight on the battlefield and become the hero of the Empire has great weight. In other hand, the eighth prince looks like a rat that hides, and the only thing I have ever heard anyone consider worthy of comment is that he has long light blonde hair.”

“Magnus is...”

Crossing his arms, Lucian kept listening to the conversation. Although he was quite excited about spying on his favorite character, Lucian felt slightly disappointed that he had such an impression of Lucian.

I mean, he wasn’t lying.

Lucian was a coward and lived hiding to avoid the eyes that always judged him. As far as he remembered the story, Magnus and Lucian had only one interaction and that was dramatic and mysterious. However, the Lucian that existed now was completely different.

Should he take advantage of this?

“ Anyway, make it clear to the Emperor that I do not intend to accept this absurd request.”

Pulling away from the wall, Lucian stopped listening to the conversation. It would be better if he left before he was caught, since — in theory — he should stay away from Cadec. In addition, something caught the attention of the eighth prince. The Emperor was quick to talk with Magnus about the marriage. Considering that Lucian had an audience with the Emperor shortly before the announcement of the end of the war, it seems that Lucian’s father put that matter as his priority.

“The Emperor seems to be desperate to keep the Grimwood on the side of the imperial palace. I doubt very much that Magnus will get the Maverick now that he is in the Emperor’s sights.”

“Lucian! I’m done, let’s go to the salon.”

With the sudden appearance of Raven, Lucian woke up from his daydreams and smiled to his "sister". Although Magnus had hurt a little of his pride, Lucian was happy to be connected in some way with his favorite character. Also, he was slightly vindictive. Maybe it would be fun to take some revenge for the hurt pride.

Opening a diabolically mysterious smile, Lucian took his sister’s hand.

“Of course.”

With arms folded, the two brothers finally came down the stairs to the hall.

Being members of royalty, obviously they attracted many glances. On the staircase, Lucian gave a good look among the guests, several of them complete strangers who are not worth the effort to memorize their names.

“Oh, Maverick is here!”

“He’s not, it’s just a illusion.”

“Come on, Lucian! I’m seeing him there, near the... Grimwood?”

Against his will, Lucian looked in the direction his sister discreetly pointed, and for the first time he felt a shiver go through his spine.