The imperial hall was buzzing with laughter, music and whispers. The celebration of new year, full of splendor and wealth, was the most anticipated event of the year by the high society of the Empire. Under the grand crystal vault of the hall, nobles gathered in small groups, discussing politics, business and, of course, the latest scandals.
"You can stop grabbing me" Mumbled Magnus to a certain alpha, who hasn't left his waist since the announcement.
Lucian, with his usual discreet smile, felt the weight of the glances in their direction. Since Magnus' unexpected announcement about the pregnancy, he seemed to be at the center of an uncomfortable attention. Despite this, his husband strove to maintain the posture, while the remarkably protective Eighth Prince stood by his side as a constant shadow.
"You are so evil..."
"I expected this reaction, so keep being adorable and create a show."
Pouting, Lucian placed a simple kiss on husband's cheek and finally released Magnus from his embrace. The nobles soon approached to talk with them, but Magnus did not need to say anything; the way he held Lucian's waist, his firm but delicate hand, conveyed a clear message to all: "This man is mine."
"Still thinking about what I said?" whispered Magnus, leaning slightly towards the husband.
Lucian turned his eyes to the wine in his glass, the blush on his cheeks contrasting with the calm he was trying to show.
"You caught me by surprise, Magnus. I... didn't think I'd be a father so soon."
Magnus laughed softly, taking advantage of the moment to lightly touch Lucian's cheek.
"Considering your lack of shame within four walls, I would say that it took us a long time to get this result."
Lucian gave him an exasperated look, but could not contain a smile.
"You really know how to leave someone speechless, Magnus Grimwood."
Before Magnus could answer, a nervous figure approached. Stephen Baragnon, visibly hesitant, bowed respectfully. Had not seen him for some time, but Lucian tried his best to show cordiality and not his lack of courage in being interrupted.
"Your Highness, could you grant me a few minutes? I would like to discuss something in private."
Magnus narrowed his eyes, but Lucian reassured him with a slight nod.
"I'll be right back, my dear."
"If you are late, I will personally pick you up and take you to the room to make more heirs."
Reluctantly, Magnus let go of Lucian's waist, but not without casting a sharp glance at Stephen. It is dispensable to say that the Eighth Prince let out a laugh loving being teased.
The two moved away to a less crowded corner of the hall. Stephen seemed restless, his hands trembling slightly as tried to organize his thoughts.
"Sir Baragnon, are you all right?" asked Lucian, kindly.
"Yes... yes, it is. I just... wanted to thank you again, Your Highness" Stephen turned to Lucian, murmuring only for them to hear "You've helped me a few other times and I feel that I have thanked little..."
"No need. What I did for you was what anyone would do."
Stephen shook his head, his eyes reflecting a mixture of admiration and something deeper.
"No, it wasn't. You... you saved me in more ways than one. Since the hunting festival until now, I feel like I owe my life to you."
That was problematic. Lucian did not want to get involved with Stephen, but Stephen's gentle nature would always make him feel indebted to people when he received the minimum of help. And to have his attention was something that Lucian wanted to avoid at all costs. However, he was the son of a Baragnon, it would be good to keep up appearances.
The moment was genuine, but on the other side of the hall, a shadow watched.
Lucian and Stephen had moved away to one of the more discreet areas of the hall, near a side gallery where torchlight created dancing shadows on the walls. Stephen still seemed restless, and Lucian tried to calm him down with a warm and false smile.
"You're a promising young man. I'm sure you'll find your way, no matter how challenging it sounds now."
Stephen hesitated before speaking, his face blushing slightly.
"It is... Your Highness, sometimes I wonder if I am worthy to be here among such... greatness."
"Dignity is not measured by titles, young Baragnon, but by the courage to face our weaknesses."
The moment of empathy, or whatever it was between the two, was enough for the villain to act. He had watched from afar, calculating each movement. With a diabolical subtlety, one of his accomplices, dressed as servant, approached stumbling on Lucian and Stephen with force, causing them to fall.
"My dear..."
The gesture, although innocent at first sight, was executed in a way that, seen from afar, seemed something completely unseemly.
The accomplice intentionally dropped the wine on the ground, causing a loud enough noise to attract the attention of the noblemen closest. Lucian and Stephen were on the ground, one on top of the other in a completely... shameful position.
"Oh, forgive me, Your Highness!"
At the exact moment when Lucian was leaning away, the villain took action. It whispered to some nearby nobles, pointing discreetly at the corner where Lucian and Stephen were.
Lucian felt the impact of the servant bumping into him and Stephen, the weight of the young nobleman's body pushing him to the ground. For a moment, everything seemed in slow motion — the sound of the wine glass breaking on the ground, the red liquid running like blood, and the disastrous position in which he and Stephen fell, one on top of the other.
When the whispers began, Lucian raised his eyes only to find a wall of shocked looks. Stephen, pale, stuttered inaudibly as Lucian tried to regain his composure. But the damage was done.
"It's unbelievable. The Grand Duke doesn't deserve that" he muttered with a tone of well-rehearsed indignation.
"What do you mean?" asked a woman, widening her eyes as she watched the scene.
"Lucian Grimwood... and young Baragnon. See for yourself."
Looking from a distance, the combination of the slanted servant, Lucian holding him by the arm and Stephen next to him with an expression of concern seemed incredibly compromising.
The murmurs began to spread like fire.
"Is this a cheating?"
"How dare he do something like this with the Grand Duke? Just now that he announced his pregnancy."
In a moment, the whole room was talking about Lucian and Stephen. The villain, satisfied with the chaos they had created, walked away smiling. They knew that Maverick, already susceptible due to his feelings for Stephen, would not be silent in front of that scene.
As planned, as soon as he saw the compromising scene, Maverick looked like it was about to explode. Fists clenched as the scene before him seemed to confirm his worst fears. The sound of conversations around disappeared, replaced by the echo of his own heart hammering in his ears.
"Lucian Grimwood..." He murmured, his eyes fixed on the figure of the prince "I knew that you was unable to respect Stephen."
When Maverick finally advanced, each step seemed to increase the tension in the hall. Nobles moved away, opening space for the burning knight. With firm steps, he crossed the hall attracting curious looks. The ballroom became full of rumblings because of that incident. Thanks to the secluded space, no noble would have seen the accident caused by the created. But gossip ran free.
"How dare you dishonor Stephen in this way?" Maverick roared, his voice cutting off the murmur of the hall.
Lucian turned, perplexed, as Stephen instinctively retreated, visibly shaken.
"Sir Sageclaw, what are you doing?" asked Lucian, confused.
"What am I doing? I'm defending the honor of a young lord!" cried Maverick, drawing his sword in a fluid movement.
The hall froze. Nobles moved away, creating an empty space around them. Lucian rolled his eyes trying to the maximum not to say few and good. Only that at the same time he wanted to provoke that pathetic alpha, since Maverick did not get the affection of the omega that is in love.
"You don't deserve Magnus!" cried Maverick, advancing.
"What did you said?" Lucian frowned at Maverick "Dare you call my husband by name? Put yourself in your place."
When Maverick's blade cut the air, Cadec emerged like a wall, his sword blocking the blow with a bang that reverberated through the hall.
"Control yourself, knight!" roared Cadec, his voice full of authority and anger. But even as he spoke, the sweat dripped from his forehead, and the pain on his side made him wobble.
Maverick did not hesitate. He attacked again, and this time, the clash of swords made Cadec stumble, his robe stained red as the barely healed wound opened.
"Cadec!" shouted Eugene, running to hold the prince before he fell to the ground.
Chaos ensued in the banqueting hall, and Cassander moved his fingers in a silent order for the knights to get involved.
Eugene, who had been watching from afar until then, ran in despair as soon as he saw the blood stain on Cadec's clothing. He knelt beside the alpha, desperate to see the wound. Cadec pressed to stop the blood. Magnus and Jesse were already close to Lucian, the knights held Maverick by keeping him kneeling immobilized.
"Let me see the wound" ordered Eugene with concern.
"Wait, Milord…"
Before Cadec was able to stop Eugene, he pulled Cadec's shirt enough to reveal the bite mark. A sweet and unmistakable smell began to spread through the hall. It was the smell of an omega that had marked his alpha. A smell that belonged to only one person in all that party hall.
The silence that fell was almost palpable. All eyes were fixed on Eugene and Cadec. Magnus and Jesse, who were watching from a distance, immediately understood what had happened.
"Eugene" started Jesse, his voice cold as ice. "Did you marked Cadec?"
"I..."
Quickly the two brothers unsheathed their swords, pointing at Cadec's neck. The two Grimwood brothers stared coldly at the First Prince, in a silent fury.
"He dared touch our brother without our permission."
Eugene stood between Cadec and his older brothers, their pleading eyes.
"Please don't hurt him! It was my choice!"
Cadec tried to get up, but Eugene pushed him back to the ground, insisting that he rest.
Magnus stepped forward, his deep voice echoing through the hall.
"How would you prefer to die, Your Highness?"
Cadec, still visibly shaken, looked up at Magnus, his posture proud despite the situation. Now everyone forgot all the chaos caused by the wine that that fake servant had manipulated. All were focused on the hottest gossip: the young Grimwood had marked the First Prince.
"Enough!" The Emperor ordered, and the nobles held their breath when the pheromones of Rehael filled the environment making them lower their heads.
The overwhelming and threatening presence of the Emperor was the icing on the cake of that chaos. However, Magnus and Jesse kept their swords crossed against Cadec's neck.
"You asked for a duel when I slept with Lucian" Magnus looked at Cadec coldly "So stand up and wield your sword. I will not be merciful to you."
While the nobles around murmured, divided between the family drama and the remains of scandal fabricated, Lucian helped Eugene to raise Cadec.
"That went too far" Lucian murmured to Magnus as they drifted away.
Magnus didn't answer, but his eyes remained dark. He knew that tonight was just the beginning of something much bigger.