LUCIAN
Three days had passed since the Marlowe Ball. The city had already chosen its favorite rumor. Servants whispered of a scene in the resting room, of laughter that went too far, of a lady who fled into the garden. No one named names openly, but everyone knew.
Lucian walked through the long corridor of the east wing of the palace. The marble floors were pale, the air cool and scented faintly with jasmine. He was led to a private chamber where the Crown Princess often received visitors when she wished to keep things discreet.
The chamber was quiet. A table stood near the window, sunlight spilling over crystal decanters and fresh flowers. The Crown Princess sat waiting, her hands resting lightly on a folded letter.
She looked up as Lucian entered. "You came quickly," she said, her voice smooth but unreadable.
Lucian bowed. "Thank you for accepting my request to see you."
She motioned for him to sit. "and may I know why you wanted to see me, brother."
Lucian sat opposite her, keeping his posture controlled. "It concerns the Marlowe Ball."
Her lips curved faintly. "You never disappoint in perception." She leaned back slightly, studying him. "Tell me what you know."
Lucian's tone was even. "Lady Marlowe's behavior crossed a line. Lady Everleigh was humiliated in her presence. The incident reached half the guests before the night was over."
The Crown Princess's gaze shifted to the window. "I heard versions of it. All slightly different. Some say Lady Everleigh provoked envy, others say she sought attention. I know better, of course, but truth does not always matter in this court."
Lucian's voice tightened. "You would allow it to go unanswered?"
Her eyes returned to him. "You speak as though I have not considered the cost of response."
He waited.
She continued quietly. "Selina Marlowe is not only a hostess. Her father holds influence in the Treasury and sits on the same council that secures trade routes in the south. Removing her favor or rebuking her would fracture the balance between my house and the Crown's strongest allies. That balance is fragile. You understand that as well as I do."
Lucian's expression did not change. "You would protect her because it serves the court."
"I would protect the stability of the realm," she corrected. "If I remove one stone from that structure, the others shift. And when they shift, people suffer who never stood in the ballroom."
Lucian's tone was steady. "Lady Everleigh does not deserve to bear the weight of that stability."
"No," the Crown Princess said. "She does not. But neither do I have the liberty to punish every noblewoman who tests her boundaries. The court is not ruled by sentiment, Lucian. It is ruled by balance."
Lucian looked at her for a moment. "So Lady Marlowe walks free."
The Crown Princess sighed. "She will be quiet for a time. She knows she drew too much attention. That is enough."
"Enough for whom?" Lucian asked.
The Crown Princess's tone cooled. "Be careful, Lucian. You tread near accusation."
He inclined his head. "I speak plainly because others will not. Lady Everleigh's reputation has been stained for the amusement of those you keep near your circle. If you allow that stain to spread, it will not only harm her. It will embolden others who think cruelty earns favor."
Her eyes narrowed. "Do you presume to lecture me?"
"No," Lucian said. "I ask what kind of court you wish to keep."
The silence between them stretched. Outside, a faint breeze stirred the curtains.
The Crown Princess broke it first. "You are bold when it concerns her."
Lucian met her gaze without flinching. "I am honest."
Her lips tightened, but she did not look away. "You speak of fairness. Yet you know fairness in this city exists only for those with power. Lady Everleigh was not born into it. She rose through grace and discipline. That alone provokes resentment. Selina Marlowe was born to position. She expects protection. To strike her publicly would make enemies I cannot afford."
Lucian's tone softened, but his words remained firm. "You risk something greater by staying silent. The court respects what it fears. When it sees weakness, it feeds."
The Crown Princess gave a small, tired smile. "You sound like father. Always warning of rot beneath the silk." She looked out the window again. "Tell me, Lucian. Is your concern for Lady Everleigh political or personal?"
Lucian paused. "Both."
Her brow arched. "Honesty again. I should have expected that."
He said nothing.
The Crown Princess turned back toward him. "You have always been steady. Measured. The council trusts you because you do not act on impulse. Yet here you sit, speaking as though this one woman deserves to overturn an order built over generations."
"She does not ask for that," he said quietly. "She asks for dignity. And if that cannot exist within the order, then perhaps it is the order that needs changing."
The Crown Princess studied him in silence. Her expression softened for a brief moment, something close to regret passing through it. "You are dangerous when you speak like that. Dangerous to those who fear change."
"I have never sought to threaten your rule," Lucian said.
"No," she replied, "but your loyalty is not as simple as it once was."
Lucian rose from his seat. "If loyalty requires silence when injustice stands before me, then I will accept that cost."
The Crown Princess remained seated, watching him with an unreadable gaze. "And what will you do, Lucian? Challenge the court? Defend her in the open?"
"I will not allow her to be hunted for sport," he said.
"Then tread carefully," she warned. "The Grand Duke has already heard of the garden. He knows you see her secretly. He is asking questions. He sees you as an obstacle now."
Lucian's expression did not shift. "Then let him."
"You underestimate him," the Crown Princess said. "He waits. He listens. He does not strike until he can do so cleanly."
Lucian met her eyes. "So do I."
The Crown Princess gave a faint laugh, though there was no humor in it. "You remind me of why the council both admires and fears you. You stand where others kneel. But remember, even the most upright man bends when the weight becomes too great."
Lucian inclined his head. "Then I will learn how much weight I can bear."
She looked at him one last time. "If you mean to protect her, do so quietly. Do not give the court a spectacle. It feeds on those."
"I will protect her in my way," he said simply.
He bowed and turned to leave. The Crown Princess watched him go, her hand still resting on the folded letter. When the door closed behind him, she let out a slow breath.
For a moment, she stared at the sunlight on the glass. Then she spoke softly, as if to herself. "You have no idea what storm you are walking into, Lucian."
Outside the chamber, Lucian walked down the long corridor again. His steps were even, his expression calm. Servants passed him with lowered eyes, unaware of the decision that had just taken root.
He knew now what the Crown Princess would and would not do. He knew where the court stood.
And he knew, with a clarity that left no room for doubt, that he was done waiting for fairness to come from those seated above him.
If the court wished to test him, it would find him ready.
The Marlowe Ball had been the spark. The Crown Princess had drawn her line.
Lucian would draw his own.