It was impressive that men could hold such a heavy box with one hand and still prevent Lucian from falling. Human strength was really something incredible within a fictional story.
"Are you okay? I hope the box is not too heavy for you."
Lucian blinked a few times and then looked at the box, agreeing with his head.
"It's a little heavy..."
The men gave a light laugh and let go of Lucian's waist to lift up the box and leave it on the ground. Lucian sighed with relief for being free, and looking aside he found a pair of crimson eyes staring at him coldly. A shiver went up your spine as if he had been caught doing something very wrong.
"Magnus, is the carriage ready yet?"
"Yes."
The short and thick answer made Lucian swallow dry without knowing how to react. Now, he did nothing wrong, but why felt guilty?
"Oh... the Grand Duke here in the temple?", The men asked after stacking the boxes on the floor. "Are you accompanying him?"
"Yes..."
"He's my fiancé" Said Magnus when marching towards them, and facing the beta with that coldness and inexpressiveness used to give people.... as if to question why they are breathing the same air as him. "And you are a priest, apparently."
"That's right" The men turned to Lucian, ignoring Magnus' presence. "If you're following a noble like the Grand Duke, then you must be one too, right?"
"What a bad joke. You boast of being loyal to the Emperor, but do not recognize the eighth prince?" Questioned Magnus thickening his voice in irritation.
"The prince?"
The men faced Lucian again, this time with extreme surprise. It was a little uncomfortable when the priest leaned towards the prince and watched him closely, turning his head from side to side looking for various angles of Lucian.
"Ham... excuse me...?"
"Oh, sorry, I just have the feeling that we've met before. By the way, my name is Skyler."
"No one here asked for your name."
"Magnus!" Lucian rebuked him with the look, having the omega just crossed his arms.
"Hahaha, it's all right, Your Highness. I don't expect any sympathy from a Grimwood."
"At least he's smart."
What the hell was going on? Seriously that just at that moment he could see his villain doing that little face of few friends? Lucian needed a few seconds to get himself together and not stare at the Grand Duke like a... pervert (?), and talk again with the priest.
"So, Skyler... I'm afraid I've never seen you before."
"I just felt that I already knew you from somewhere. Do you usually walk around the neighborhood of commoners?"
"No, I'm not someone who ventures too much out of the palace."
"This is strange" the priest grumbled, crossing his arms looking indignant. "I have a strong impression that I've seen you from somewhere. And also feel something coming from you..."
"Enough of this nonsense" Exploded Magnus, pulling Lucian's arm. "Let's go, the carriage is ready."
"Hey, wait Magnus!"
Magnus did not expect anything, he dragged the prince down the stairs and marched straight to the carriage with the symbol of the Grimwood family waiting for them. That behavior was so strange and unexpected that Lucian found it funny. It was the first time he saw Magnus be so impatient with someone other than the prince himself.
When the two of them got back into the carriage, Lucian smiled like a complete idiot. Magnus didn't even pay attention to him, he just stared at the window and kept his arms crossed still angry about the situation.
"Take that smile off your face."
"Why should I? I'm happy and that's why I'm smiling."
"Are you happy to have that rude beta looking at you like that?"
That question made Lucian's smile increase.
"Are you jealous? Are you already in love with me?"
Frowning, Magnus seemed displeased with the idea.
"How much bullshit. Why would I be?"
"Are you jealous of a priest? Don't feel insecure. It's okay that he is taller than you, and seems to be easier to talk about, but I still prefer you."
"I didn't ask who you preferred" Magnus turned his head, failing to pay attention to the prince.
Lucian laughed gracefully and was really happy to see such an unprecedented reaction from the Grand Duke. It was obvious that Magnus had not yet fallen in love with him, only that the tantrum was a clear sign of how... territorial the omega was. He was already treating Lucian as "yours".
The idea of belonging to someone really wasn't something that Lucian liked, it sounded like a toxic relationship. Only that he found himself enjoying being the target of Magnus' jealousy. I mean, did he ever imagine that Magnus Grimwood would like him to the point of jealousy? Never! So it's okay Lucian enjoy that feeling, right? Also could provoke a little more your villain.
"I imagine that my kiss must be very good to conquer you so fast."
"It's not great things."
"Well, don't be shy. You liked it."
"You look better with your mouth shut, you rat."
"If I kissed him again, you would kiss me back, wouldn't you?"
Magnus was silent and with his arms crossed, unable to look in the same direction as Lucian. A silent response that only made the eighth prince even more excited about the idea.
Crossing his legs, and supporting his arms on his knees, Lucian leaned slightly forward and smiled sweetly at Magnus.
"No need to be embarrassed. Since we are engaged, maybe we should take better advantage of each other, right?"
"For a prince who lives trapped in your own castle, you have some pretty perverted ideas."
"It is only natural between a couple that they kiss and have more intimacy."
Magnus sighed low and looked at Lucian. His gloomy hand reached out to touch some of the prince's long blonde hair. Holding that thin lock, the crimson eyes of the Grand Duke did not deviate from the diamonds of Lucian, and his tin lips only whispered in response.
"Are you an alpha desperate to mark an omega?"
"Do I look desperate?"
"Yes. A bastard who does the unthinkable just to get my attention" Magnus rubbed his fingertips on Lucian's blonde hair, watching the peculiar glow of that lock. "I wonder what would happen if I gave you what you so desire."
Lucian's heart began to speed as he felt Magnus' warm breath so closely. Being with faces so close, he could see every detail of that beautiful omega. His long, dark eyelashes, the way his eyes shone like two beautiful rubies. Could even see the little chick in his porcelain skin.
Even if he felt slightly embarrassed, Lucian would not hesitate in that pun.
"Oh, are you inviting me to your bed?"
"I am."
Of course Lucian had only asked with the intention to provoke Magnus, waiting for a somewhat timid reaction hidden in the thorny words. However, the Grand Duke opened a smile that contained a certain malice, as if he was having fun with that conversation.
Oh, your poor heart couldn't take it. Lucian wanted to kiss him right now...
The carriage stopped abruptly causing Lucian to fall into Magnus' arms, who quickly held him and squeezed him to prevent him from falling. The horses groaned on the outside, as if something were happening near them.
"What was that?" He asked Lucian worried.
Magnus leaned in the window and watched a half dozen people pointing their swords at the carriage. The prince gave in to curiosity, giving a brief peek and observing those people with cheap suits and full of scraps.
"Mercenary thieves, tsk." Magnus freed Lucian and raised the seat of the carriage where he drew a sword. "Stay here."
"Hey, what do you mean..."
"Stay there", Repeated the omega with authority.
Lucian had nothing to say after that order, and can only watch Magnus leave the carriage to face the bandits. The grunts that came from outside made the prince's heart accelerate and his legs tremble. Leaning in the seat, Lucian leaned over to spy out the window again, noticing Magnus facing five of them while trying to protect the old coachman.
Magnus moved with such lightness managing to block the blows, although the mercenaries take advantage of the numerical advantage to try to hit the blind spots of the Grand Duke. Although the omega could prevent major injuries, they managed to keep Magnus busy.
And then, suddenly, a face appeared in front of the window. Lucian leaped scared and fell back to the ground, noticing that one of the thieves was kicking the door of the carriage.
Should he scream for help?
But Magnus was already facing five of them! Even if he screamed, the omega would not arrive in time and could even be hurt.
The door of the carriage was broken and the mercenary entered holding Lucian's ankle.
"You come with me, little prince."