Lucian entered Cedric’s chamber, his presence commanding as always, though his expression remained unreadable. The air in the room tensed instantly. Cedric, propped up against the pillows, regarded the prince with sharp, calculating eyes. Though weak from illness, his mind was as keen as ever, and his protective instincts burned strong.

“I assume you already know why I’m here,” Lucian said evenly.

Cedric let out a dry chuckle. “Oh, I know, Your Highness. My daughter came in not long ago, looking as if she had just wrestled a lion and lost. I take it this is your doing?”

Lucian’s lips curved slightly, unreadable. “She made a bold choice. I simply gave her the consequences.”

Cedric’s expression darkened. His fingers tapped slowly against the wooden armrest of his chair. “And an engagement that requires her immediate departure? That’s a bit hasty, don’t you think?”

Lucian met his gaze without flinching. “Hasty? I would call it efficient.”

Cedric let out a slow breath, his tone deceptively calm. “My beloved daughter, whom I’ve raised for nineteen years, cannot be whisked away like some mere token in a political game, especially when I am still confined to this bed.” He coughed lightly for effect. “My condition is severe, Prince Lucian. She must remain here—at least until I recover.”

Lucian’s sharp gaze flickered slightly, but he said nothing. He waited, as if expecting more.

Cedric did not disappoint. His voice, though warm, carried the weight of steel. “And another thing, Your Highness. The moment you arrive at the capital, you will publicly announce your engagement to my daughter.”

For the first time, Lucian’s expression changed—just slightly. Surprise flickered in his eyes, though it was gone just as quickly. He remained silent, waiting for Cedric’s reasoning.

“It’s simple,” Cedric continued smoothly. “I want the best for my daughter, as any father would. Her new position must be made clear to everyone the moment she steps into the castle. I will not have her look like some… unclaimed refugee in the royal halls.” His gaze sharpened, unyielding. “Do I make myself clear, Your Highness?”

Lucian met Cedric’s unyielding gaze, his expression unreadable. Then, with the measured calm of a man accustomed to power, he replied, “Lord Cedric, I acknowledge your concerns, but let us not mistake courtesy for negotiation. This engagement stands because I will it so.”

A subtle tension thickened the air. Cedric’s fingers tightened slightly against the armrest, but his smirk didn’t waver.

Lucian continued, his tone composed yet firm. “I do not take my fiancée to the castle to be hidden. Her place will be made clear in due time. As for delaying her departure…” He glanced at Cedric’s condition with an air of consideration before returning his gaze. “A brief stay can be arranged, but not indefinitely.”

Cedric let out a low chuckle, amused yet still watchful. “Oh? How generous.” His voice carried the edge of a challenge. “Then let me be clear, Your Highness. Elara is my daughter. If harm befalls her under your watch, I will not hesitate to remind you that even a prince is not untouchable.”

Lucian’s lips curved faintly—not in amusement, but in understanding of the veiled threat. He inclined his head ever so slightly. “Then I trust you will raise no objections when I ensure she is well-protected… as mine.”

The weight of those final words lingered between them. Cedric’s sharp eyes assessed the man before him, searching for any sign of weakness, but Lucian remained composed, exuding the quiet authority of someone who never needed to justify his actions.

He leaned back, closing his eyes briefly. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I suddenly feel much weaker. Who knows? I might even forget what I was supposed to discuss today, your highness.”

Lord Cedric had always been protective of Elara, especially considering how many proposals she had gently turned down. The weight of his worries pressed down on him like a heavy cloak. 

Now, seeing the second prince of the kingdom engaging with his daughter—a position that could easily thrust her into the political spotlight—left Cedric at an impasse. “What is Prince Lucian thinking?” he pondered silently, watching as Lucian’s demeanor shifted. The prince was not just teasing; he was making an unexpected decision. 

Then, with a surprising degree of confidence, Lucian declared that Elara would move with him right away to the castle. Cedric’s heart raced at the implications of the prince’s words. How could he allow this? Yet, as much as he wanted to protect her from the harsh realities of noble life and the looming shadow of royal expectations, he had to recognize this was a monumental offer. 

A mix of emotions churned within him—was he supposed to feel happy for Elara? This was a golden opportunity for her to be associated with someone of Lucian's caliber, yet Cedric's worry clawed at him. “Of all people,” he thought, “it has to be Prince Lucian?”

The prince’s reputation—his analytical mind, his often cold demeanor, and the fierce determination that made him a force to be reckoned with. Cedric had respected him as a leader, but Lucian’s intensity also sent a chill through the court. Would Elara be safe in the hands of someone who wielded such power? Would she be happy? 

The constant conflict in his heart felt suffocating. Here was a chance for his daughter to gain a powerful ally and a graceful position within the royal court, yet he couldn’t shake the feeling that she was stepping into a world fraught with danger and ambition beyond her control. Cedric wrestled with the duality of his feelings. 

                                                                                              *

As Lucian stepped out of Cedric’s chambers, he exhaled slowly, rolling his shoulders as if shaking off the weight of the exchange. The conversation had gone exactly as he expected—Cedric was a man of intelligence, not one to bend easily, especially when it came to his daughter. But what intrigued Lucian most was the sheer audacity of his threat, veiled in the guise of failing memory.

It was rare for anyone to speak to him like that, even rarer for someone to do so without fear. Cedric hadn't held back, not even a little. His love for Elara ran deep, deeper than Lucian had fully considered. It wasn’t just a father’s concern—it was the warning of a man who would go to any lengths, no matter the cost. That realization sent a slow, thrilling shiver down Lucian’s spine.

The nobles had been clamoring for him to secure a political marriage for years. Lucian had resisted—he wasn’t one to let politics dictate his actions. But now, an opportunity had presented itself in the form of Elara.

Her family’s alliances were valuable, their connections powerful. And despite her rebellious nature, there was a sharpness to her mind that was rare, even among the most politically astute. She might be a problem now, but soon, she would understand that she had no choice. He would mold her, whether she liked it or not.

He leaned forward, his gaze hardening. This is the way it must be. The game was in motion, and he was already steps ahead.