Entering the Crown Prince's office, their friendly exchange slowly shifted into a more serious note.
Lucian stayed until a deal was struck and his role was defined, but before he could leave, the Crown Prince pulled out a small box.
"This is?"
"A gift from His Majesty. He wanted you to have it," the Crown Prince answered.
Lucian took the box and opened it. Inside, nestled within a velvet cushion, was a brooch encrusted with rubies.
"A symbol of His Majesty's favor," the Crown Prince explained, "He is granting you the territory alongside the Marindale's Coast and the rights to collect the tariffs and taxes from the ports including the trade coming in and out of the harbor," he handed him an official letter with a seal, "And a title."
Earl of Marindale.
"Thank you, Your Highness, for the opportunity." Lucian closed the box with a soft click. A reward, but one wrapped in trouble. The Emperor hadn't just given him land. He'd handed him a burden. The fancy title was little more than a disguise.
Marindale was a coastal territory, famous for high rates of crime and piracy. Corruption ran deep, with officials turning a blind eye to the underworld, allowing pirates and thieves to roam freely. It was more trouble than it was worth fighting for.
It would require a lot of manpower, work and funds to get it under control. Lucian had the funds, but not the manpower and time to waste on fixing someone else's mess. But, on the other hand, it was a chance for Lucian to get his hands on the docks and the port. If he could turn Marindale into an attractive place, not just for merchants, but for the nobles and commoners to visit, he would be able to earn a fortune.
He thanked the Crown Prince once again and left his office, leaving the palace grounds as quickly as possible.
Lucian's mouth stretched into a cold smile. 'Is it the crown that she is after, or is it the head wearing it?'
The blood beneath her nails, the handkerchief knotted around her neck, the Crown Prince's gloved hands... He couldn't confront her about her ulterior motives, but he could sure as hell punish her for not living up to her oaths and promises, and for not trusting him with her worries and concerns.
It was his right, as a man she pledged her heart to. His right, as a lover whose trust was broken, and his right, as a partner who had been cast aside, and left alone in the dark.
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Shortly after Celine's departure, an arson incident erupted in the royal garden.
Screams of panic, shouts of distress, and the sound of people running with bucket after bucket of water echoed in the night.
It started with an explosion, which caused the garden to go ablaze. It didn't spread far, the fire was quickly extinguished and the damage was minor, but the panic didn't cease.
Everyone was on their feet, guards were called and the whole palace was searched.
With so many guests visiting the ball today, the list of suspects was overwhelming. Nobles, merchants, foreign dignitaries; each one was a potential culprit.
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Current time...
Lucian entered his carriage, whistling a happy tune.
'Is she afraid I'll retaliate? Is that why she's trying to smooth things over with me; patch up the damage before it spirals out of control?'
Was she playing the Crown Prince the way she was playing him? Maybe they also had a secret thing together, something only the two of them knew about.
"Why are you laughing?" Jax groaned, waking up from his nap at the opposite seat, his voice laced with annoyance, "I was having a great dream, where a beautiful goddess blessed me with her touch, and then you had to wake me up," he complained, "What is so important that you had to drag me away from the divine beauty in my dreams?"
Lucian was grinning, and his grin was making Jax's face pale.
"You are scary when you smile like that, brother. I don't like it, not one bit." Jax sat up straight, "You only smile like that when someone is going to get hurt, and I would rather not know who that is, so, if you'll excuse me, I have a divine goddess waiting for me in my dreams," he turned away, closing his eyes.
Lucian's smile didn't fade, "I need a favor, Jax."
"No."
"But I haven't told you what I need yet."
"No."
"How will you know─"
"I'm not doing it, and that's final."
"Are you sure about that?"
"Very."
"Don't you want to take revenge on Lady Celine? I thought you wanted her dead."
"I'm still not doing it."
"Are you afraid? Are you a scaredy-cat, Jax?"
"Pfffttt," Jax spat out, "I defeated a whole flotile of pirates all by myself, and you're asking if I'm afraid of some little lady? Who do you think I am?"
"So, you'll do it then."
"Of course I'll do it." Jax huffed, moving his hands as if accepting the challenge.