The dinner table at the Duke's estate was as full as ever.
All seats were occupied. Plates were placed in front of everyone.
Richard entered late, his face expressionless, and sat in his seat without looking at anyone.
After a few minutes, he said sharply and clearly:
– The marriage will not happen.
Lucas stopped cutting his food and slowly lifted his head.
– What did you say?
He asked, his voice heavy.
Richard replied without blinking:
– The engagement must be broken. The king did not approve.
And more than that… Bastian has been planning to marry Viola for years, after ascending the throne.
Lucas stood up at once, his expression darkening:
– What kind of nonsense are you talking about?!
Elizabeth cried out emotionally:
– Lucas! Calm down and speak to your father with respect!
– My father?
Lucas said mockingly, staring at Richard:
– What kind of father breaks off his son's engagement… to please his nephew?
– Lucas…!
Elizabeth shouted again, while Anita asked, flustered:
– What are you saying, Father?
Viola agreed to the engagement! How can you say Bastian will marry her?
Richard answered coldly:
– He has been planning that for a long time.
And according to royal law, the crown prince has the right to choose whomever he wishes once he becomes king.
– But Viola doesn't know anything about this!
Anita exclaimed emotionally.
– She doesn't need to know.
Richard replied with deadly calm.
Lucas said, clenching his fists:
– Is Viola just a toy in Bastian's hands?
Listen carefully… Viola will be my wife, whether you agree or not.
Richard stood abruptly and shouted angrily:
– You've crossed all limits!
How dare you defy my orders?
You will not marry that girl… over my dead body!
– How long will you keep fearing the king?
Lucas suddenly yelled.
– You let him control your life, my life, and every matter in our family like we're his pawns!
Since I was a child, you always preferred Bastian in everything. You never listened to me.
And now… you strip me of even my happiness and hand it to him… just like that?
How do you call yourself a father?
Richard stepped toward him and slapped him hard.
Everyone stood up—Elizabeth tried to hold her husband back:
– Darling, please calm down—
But it was no use. Rage had taken over the room.
Richard shouted, his face burning:
– You ungrateful boy!
I raised you, supported you, made you the army commander with no conditions!
All of that… and you rebel against me for a girl?!
Lucas replied quietly:
– I never asked for any of that.
Then he turned and left.
Richard yelled behind him:
– You insolent brat… how dare you walk out without permission?!
But Lucas didn't look back.
From that night on…
Lucas never sat at his family's dinner table again.
---
The next day, Elizabeth went personally to Viola's house.
Viola welcomed her with sincere joy.
They sat alone, and Elizabeth told her the truth:
The king did not approve of the marriage
because the crown prince had chosen her,
and that he would marry her after his coronation.
Viola cried—not because she was weak…
But because she knew she had no choice.
Refusing a royal marriage could put her family in danger,
and cost them all their allies, possibly leading to inevitable bankruptcy.
She surrendered…
But Lucas did not.
For a whole year,
he never stopped loving her.
---
Until one day, the king summoned him,
and told him his marriage to Arxen's daughter would take place next month,
as part of the treaty,
and that it was a national duty that could not be avoided.
Lucas returned to his palace silent, broken inside.
Another fierce fight broke out between him and Richard.
In it, Lucas said:
– I know this was your plan all along…
You never cared about me.
Richard responded, voice breaking:
– We are protecting the kingdom, Lucas!
– Why are you so afraid of that cursed kingdom?!
Richard answered:
Valerian came out of two wars shattered.
Another war will destroy everything.
Stop being stubborn—this is not a request. It's an order!
---
News of his engagement to the daughter of Iscard spread,
and eventually reached Viola's ears.
She asked to see him.
She told him:
– Let go, Lucas… it's over.
He stepped closer, kissed her, and said:
– Even if that marriage happens… my heart belongs to you and only to you this
Marriage is just ink on paper.
You are my wife—in spirit and in vow.
Viola cried, tried to push him away…
But he didn't move.
And to this day…
Lucas is still holding on to her—
as if no one else exists in this world but her.