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Upon returning to the mansion, Lusian wrote a letter to Andrew requesting a meeting.
Afterward, he went looking for Albert.
He still remembered the Lich.
The difference in power.
The feeling of being unable to do anything.
He had barely survived.
And he never wanted to experience that helplessness again.
He found the old knight in the training yard.
Albert held a practice sword resting on his shoulder.
When he saw him, he smiled slightly.
—So you have finally decided to take your training seriously, my lord?
Lusian took another sword from the rack.
—Teach me something I can actually use in battle.
Albert stopped smiling.
A serious expression appeared on his face after hearing those words.
—When Charles fell before that Lich...
Lusian tightened his grip on the sword.
—I couldn't do anything.
He lowered his gaze for a moment.
—I just watched.
His voice became firmer.
—I don't want to feel that way again.
For several seconds, Albert remained silent.
Then he smiled.
—With pleasure.
—Attack me.
Lusian did not waste any time.
He stepped forward with a direct slash.
Their swords collided.
At that exact moment, Albert stepped to the side. Using the force of the impact, he spun around and struck Lusian's back with the flat side of his sword.
Smack!
Lusian ended up face-first on the ground.
Albert looked at him for a few seconds.
—Did you see it?
—I saw the sky... then the ground.
—Excellent. That means you were paying attention.
Lusian lifted his head with a grimace.
—Wouldn't it have been easier to explain before hitting me?
Albert calmly shook his head.
—No.
—Why?
—Because this way, you will remember it.
Lusian let out a long sigh.
—You're a terrible teacher.
—And yet, here you are.
He extended a hand to help him stand.
—Listen carefully now.
Albert positioned both swords facing each other.
—Do not try to overpower your opponent's strength.
Use it.
When the blades collide, let the impact move your body. Your feet only follow the motion. The rotation comes from the collision... not from your arms.
He stepped back.
—Again.
Lusian attacked.
He fell again.
—Again.
He fell once more.
—Again.
And again.
The training yard began to fill with the metallic sound of swords.
Over and over.
Each attempt was slightly better than the last.
Each fall, a little less clumsy.
When the sun began to disappear beyond the horizon, Lusian's back hurt more than his arms.
Albert, meanwhile, was barely breathing harder.
—You are improving.
Lusian raised an eyebrow.
—Does that mean I have learned it already?
Albert smiled.
—No.
It means you have stopped falling like a sack of potatoes.
At Count Denisse's mansion, Thomas looked at his son with obvious disappointment.
—You are useless.
Lorenzo clenched his teeth.
—Father...
—You couldn't even take advantage of the advantages you were born with. You have good looks, education, and a noble name... and even then, you couldn't get close to a single princess?
Lorenzo lowered his gaze.
—She treated me like any other noble from the beginning. I never had a chance.
Thomas snorted.
—You also helped make that happen. If you had not spent half your life chasing women, your reputation would be different.
He was silent for a few seconds.
—Although, to be honest... I do not think you would have achieved much anyway.
He leaned against the desk.
—They say Elizabeth is interested in someone.
I want to know who.
Lorenzo hesitated before answering.
—I'm not certain...
But the only person I have seen her truly smile with is Lusian Douglas.
Thomas slowly raised his gaze.
—Lusian?
He remained silent for a few moments, thinking.
—It is possible... though it could also simply be because of the friendship between the queen and Duchess Sofia.
He shook his head.
—It does not matter.
I will not involve our family with the Douglases over a simple suspicion.
His eyes hardened.
—Forget Elizabeth.
From now on, you will focus on Isabella.
Lorenzo's face turned pale.
—Father... that is an even worse idea.
Caleb Douglas and Prince Leonardo are practically always around her. No one can get close to her.
Thomas looked at him coldly.
—Then find a way.
That is why I keep you.
One day before returning to the academy, Lusian received an invitation from Princess Elizabeth to meet her in one of the private rooms of the palace.
When he entered, the princess was already waiting beside a window. Upon seeing him, a mischievous smile appeared on her face.
—You came.
Lusian gave a slight bow.
—Princess.
Elizabeth tilted her head slightly.
—I heard you disappeared for several days with your fiancée.
Lusian felt a bad feeling.
—It was... an unexpected situation.
—Really? —she asked with feigned innocence—. Then tell me, did you have fun?
Lusian remembered the corpses, the battle, and the fallen knights.
—Not exactly.
Elizabeth let out a small laugh.
—What a shame.
She was silent for a moment before adding:
—Emily already had an outing with you.
She looked directly into his eyes.
—I am still waiting for mine.
Lusian looked away for a moment.
—Princess... that could be misunderstood.
—By whom?
—By anyone.
Elizabeth began approaching him with slow steps.
—There is no one else here.
Each word shortened the distance between them.
When she stood in front of him, she slightly lifted her face.
—Then...
will you accept?
Lusian felt his heart skip a beat.
What a dangerous woman...
He took a deep breath before answering.
—If we continue talking like this... I might forget you are the princess.
Elizabeth smiled with obvious satisfaction.
—And would that be a bad thing?
The two remained still.
Only a few centimeters separated them.
At that moment, the door opened.
Andrew entered without paying much attention... until he raised his head.
He froze completely.
He looked at Elizabeth.
Then at Lusian.
Then back at Elizabeth.
He coughed once.
Neither reacted.
He coughed again.
They continued ignoring him.
Finally, he raised an eyebrow.
—Do you remember that I am the future king?
Both turned their heads at the same time.
—Yes.
—And?
Andrew closed his eyes for a few seconds.
—Wonderful...
So, Lusian... did you call me here so I could watch you flirt with my sister?
Elizabeth let out an amused laugh.
Before leaving, she passed by Lusian and whispered softly enough that only he could hear:
—Next time, try closing the door.
Then she left the room with a victorious smile.
Andrew watched her leave and remained silent for a few seconds.
Then he slowly turned his gaze back toward Lusian.
—I am not going to ask.
I am going to pretend I saw nothing.
But if my sister starts a war between noble families...
it will be your fault.
Lusian cleared his throat.
—I called you here for an important matter.
Andrew crossed his arms.
—I hope it really is.
—I found someone who may be of interest to the crown.
Andrew's relaxed expression disappeared.
—Speak.
—Do you remember the missing heir of one of the Empire's great families?
Andrew frowned.
—The Macallisters?
Lusian nodded.
—I found him.
Andrew remained silent for a few seconds.
—That... changes many things.
—He currently works as an adventurer inside the kingdom.
He has spatial affinity.
Legion-level, close to ascending to Lord.
Delta affinity.
Andrew let out a whistle.
—Well... now I understand why you wanted to speak with me.
He began slowly walking around the room.
—If we protect him, the Empire may demand his return.
—I know.
—And if we refuse...
Lusian finished the thought.
—We gain a spatial mage.
The two exchanged a glance.
Andrew eventually smiled.
—I will speak with my father.
If he agrees... we have just gained a piece that any kingdom would desire.
Lusian silently nodded.
The conversation had begun with a princess.
And ended with a matter capable of changing the political balance between two nations.