Chapter 50 Thank Me Properly
Elian felt dread wash over him as the King’s lips curled into a smile.
He knew then that the King was ready to do anything for his daughter.
"What a thoughtful thought, Rowena," King Alaric nodded.
’No,’ Elian shut his eyes tightly.
He couldn’t believe he was ever going to think this way, but... he’d rather spend his entire life with Lucien than with Rowena.
At least he could swear on his life that Lucien wanted him alive for a little while longer. He was choosing the evil he knew, not the evil masked as goodness.
"Do you permit this, Lucien? I may be King, but the law states that the young lad belongs to you," King Alaric asked slowly.
Lucien, who had been frozen from the moment Rowena suggested that madness, finally breathed in relief. He was greatly worrying about how he’d maneuver the King’s order if the King ever agreed to his daughter’s request.
Masking his expression, he stepped forward, pausing right beside Elian as he held the King’s gaze.
"Father, surely my love agrees, right, darling?" Rowena asked, releasing Elian to step toward Lucien, lacing their fingers together.
"My love, please, do not punish the young man anymore—"
"You’re too kind, my Princess," Lucien’s eyes glanced at Elian before he kissed the back of Rowena’s hand.
Rowena smiled. "Thank you, my love, I knew you would agree with me." She tipped her toes and kissed his cheek.
Lucien smiled, facing the King once more. "The Princess’s thoughts are kind indeed. I will cease to punish the young Morel, and to answer your question, Your Majesty..." He paused, glancing at Elian whose shoulders were slouched in defeat. A sharp pain shot right through his chest, and the urgency to give his answer intensified. "I do not permit it. He returns with me. He belongs to me," he announced.
A collective hushed gasp spread between the council elders in shock.
Rowena’s face fell, her hand loosening around Lucien’s arm as she slowly lifted her shocked eyes to stare at him.
However, Lucien’s attention was on Elian, and for a split second, she saw Elian look at Lucien, and... there was something in his eyes.
She couldn’t point out exactly what it was, but her female instinct identified it as urgent danger, which only intensified her need to eliminate Elian from bothering their lives.
"It is decided. Elian Morel is the Duke’s property to do as he pleases. Cassian, take him away," the King waved them away.
Cassian quietly moved to Elian and nodded at him, a gesture to follow him out of that mad throne room.
"You are such a kind man, my love," Rowena said, hugging Lucien’s arm again.
Lucien gently led her back to her seat, not saying a word.
Throughout the boring meeting, Lucien no longer spoke up; nothing was of interest to him. The only thing that interested him had been secured, and he could not wait to go to him.
After the meeting, Rowena pulled Lucien to speak to her father privately in his dining room.
"Lucien, are you joining me for dinner?" King Alaric asked as he saw his daughter and her betrothed walking toward him.
"No, Your Majesty. Rowena says she has something to beg of you," he tried his best not to sound impatient.
"Ah, my sweet daughter always has something to ask. Carry on, my angel," he said, slicing into his meat.
Rowena paused in front of the dining table, Lucien standing behind her. She cleared her throat, smiling shyly.
"Father, it is still several months before our marital rites. I was wondering if..." She paused, glancing shyly at Lucien behind her.
Lucien’s face suddenly fell as he realized what Rowena was about to ask. Rage rose in his chest.
How dare she belittle him like that? Asking her father such a thing in his presence and without consulting him.
"I wanted to ask if I can go to him tonight, Father. I’ve known Lucien for so many years and I have yearned for him for ages. I am also a woman with needs. Please, Father, let us be together tonight," she spoke cautiously, watching her father’s face the whole time.
King Alaric paused, lowering his fork to his plate. Slowly, he lifted his head, but he did not look at his daughter; he looked right at Lucien.
"Lucien, what do you have to say?" he questioned.
Lucien’s fists balled beside him but his face remained expressionless. "I believe in protecting her virtue, Your Highness, to set her aside as a royal example for every other woman out there," he answered quietly.
The King shrugged and picked up his fork again, resuming his eating. "There, my angel, is why he is the right man for you. A man with such discipline is a man capable of ruling the kingdom, for being a king comes with many temptations. One must resist. Goodnight, my angel," he said dismissively.
Rowena’s face was red, tears falling down her cheeks. "This is not fair!" she stomped, breathing hard.
Lucien slowly took a step back, watching the King eat leisurely while his daughter ranted.
"You never listen to me! I am an adult and I know what I want—"
"You know nothing, my angel. You’re only but a woman. Your husband decides what you do with your body, and we both heard him. Preserve your virtue," her father spoke calmly.
Lucien did not wait to hear Rowena’s debate. "Goodnight, my Princess," he said and slid out of the room, leaving the father and daughter duo to their drama.
He walked fast, heading right to his quarters.
The moment he pushed through the door, his steps faltered, and an invisible hand reached into his chest to squeeze his heart painfully.
There, in front of Elian’s door, Cassian stood in front of Elian, cupping his jaw like the most delicate thing he’s ever touched. Horror and panic seized him from nowhere; the feelings he felt when he thought Elian was dying returned tenfold, his palms turning sweaty.
’Everyone leaves.’ That quiet, haunting voice echoed in his head, his vision turning blurry.
He suddenly staggered, leaning against the door as his head pounded mercilessly.
The sudden movement caught Elian’s and Cassian’s attention.
"Your Grace?" Cassian called in worry.
Elian quickly slid away from Cassian and hurried over to Lucien. "Are you alright?" he asked, taking Lucien’s arm and placing it around his shoulder.
Lucien’s eyes were shut tight as he forced himself to lean off the wall, jaws clenched tightly.
He was hurting, but he refused to put his weight on Elian, forcing his feet to carry him.
"I can help—"
"I’m alright," Lucien murmured, stepping away from them the moment Cassian came to help.
He staggered forward, not looking at Elian once.
"Your Grace, let me help you to your chamber and I will call the healer," Cassian said, trying to hold Lucien’s arm.
"I’m fine!" Lucien snapped, his green eyes glaring in anger.
Cassian paused, surprised and confused. "Then I shall leave." He bowed and left.
Lucien immediately turned and strode toward his room, ignoring Elian completely.
"Your Grace?" Elian called, hurrying to catch up.
But Lucien didn’t pause; he kept walking, shoulders tensed. He was in denial with himself about what had just happened. Stopping and looking at Elian’s face might reveal fully that emotion he was running away from.
"Your Grace," Elian called again, increasing his steps.
However, Lucien’s hand was already reaching for his doorknob, ready to lock out the young man disturbing him.
"Lucien!" Elian suddenly snapped.
It worked.
Lucien’s hand paused mid-air, his fingers curling into his palms. Gradually, he turned.
Elian stood there, eyes wide with shock like he couldn’t believe what he’d done. But that shocked look was soon replaced with anger.
"I... you’re ignoring me," Elian stated, frowning up at Lucien.
"I have the right to," Lucien’s cold tone was enough to freeze water in a glass.
But Elian didn’t seem to be fazed. "I was trying to know what happened back there—"
"Why? Worried?" Lucien asked, arching his brow.
Elian sighed. "I—"
"I know you wish me dead, but that won’t be tonight," Lucien smiled coldly, his eyes darting to Elian’s chin, recalling how Cassian had held him.
"You wish the same thing for me, too, Lucien," Elian whispered, locking his gaze on Lucien. "But, unfortunately, I’m more human than you can ever be. I was just checking to know what happened back there," he murmured.
Lucien chuckled, raising his hand to pull Elian in by his collar. "Which part exactly, Elian? The part where you begged him to kiss you?" he whispered.
Elian gasped, anger flashing in his eyes. "You’re an animal, Lucien. Why do you regard me so much—"
"If you weren’t begging him to kiss you..." He tugged, pulling Elian’s body flush against his, his arm circling Elian’s waist, "what were you doing?"
Elian gulped, his senses quickly fighting to remember the matter at hand as he felt Lucien’s solid form against his. He swallowed, his eyes moving from Lucien’s eyes to his lips.
Lucien gritted his teeth, fighting his control as he watched Elian’s hooded eyes stare hungrily at his lips.
"Answer me, Elian," Lucien whispered huskily, his face slowly leaning in.
"I..." Elian inhaled shakily, "I was just talking..." He licked his lips, unconsciously tipping his toes. "And I wanted to thank you... for the courtroom, even though it’s for your own selfish reasons." He found himself purring as he inhaled Lucien’s breath like he was starved of oxygen.
Lucien was barely hanging on as he watched Elian making an approach toward him for the first time. His heart was one second away from exploding from the rush Elian was giving him.
"I do not like you letting another man—" He was silenced with the softest kiss he’d ever had.
His eyes instantly shut as Elian’s soft lips gently moved against his, a pure, slow torture that had him groaning as he felt his cock reacting instantly.
"Thank you..." Elian whispered, taking a step back.
"And where do you think you’re going?" Lucien caught Elian’s wrist, pulling him back into his arms in one firm tug.
Elian gasped, his bottom lip moving between his teeth as he felt something hard poking his lower abdomen.
Lucien was hard from just one kiss?
"Your Grace—"
"Thank me properly, Elian..." He whispered into Elian’s ear, taking a slow lick on his earlobe. "On your knees," his hand moved to Elian’s shoulder, eyes darkening and heated.
Elian gulped, his chest heaving as the realization of what Lucien was asking for dawned on him.
"Now," Lucien commanded.