Unforeseen events occur from time to time, this was a natural thing.
However, Jesse Grimwood never imagined that having to deal with an unforeseen event would make him miss the chance to solve an unnecessary problem. In addition to having to take care of Eugene, he now had his older brother, who was injured, and a prince, who seemed about to explode with anger and guilt. Absolutely no one was well enough to solve the problem peacefully.
"I will make the bandages, but there is nothing to worry about, my lord" The doctor said after examining Magnus.
"Thank you, doctor. In that case, I leave him to your care."
"As you wish."
Jesse looked at Eugene and just signaled him to take care of the eighth prince. The omega agreed with his head and guided Lucian to near the fireplace. Would trust his younger brother and his ability to calm people, now he had another problem to be solved.
The alpha of the Grimwood family left the room and walked down the corridor of the Palace of the Sun to go to the other room not far away. Knocking on the door three times, the men heard the muffled voice of the Emperor.
"Come in."
Opening the door, Jesse went into the room to see another doctor taking care of Cadec's wounds. The Emperor and Consort were there beside him too, but their countenance seemed concerned. With a nod, the Emperor dismissed the doctor leaving the four alone.
"So how is the Grand Duke?"
"No risk, Your Majesty. The wounds are being treated and he remains unconscious. A rest and he will soon be back."
"Good... what about the eighth prince?"
Jesse raised his dark eyes to the Emperor and Consort. He assessed their expressions by noticing the sincerity in their tired countenances.
"Angry, as expected."
"There's no reason for him to get angry", Cadec said, wearing the shirt again. "Magnus himself accepted the duel, and we both know each other's strength."
"If I may be honest, Your Highness, there are many reasons for the eighth prince to be angry" Jesse said coldly. "What was meant to be a celebration of their union will now always be remembered by your dueling."
"Union? Magnus dared dishonor Lucian." Snarled the other alpha, narrowing slightly his clear eyes.
"Cadec" The Emperor growled, causing his son to stare.
"My father, you are calm even after I have revealed such nonsense. Did you know about this?"
"The Grand Duke himself told me and immediately accepted the marriage proposal."
"How can you be so calm? We're talking about Lucian!"
"Lucian was also very happy with the engagement", Cassander tried to explain, stroking Cadec's shoulders to calm him down. "Although their intimacy had occurred outside the rule, neither seems to dislike the other."
"That's bullshit, you heard Magnus himself say he doesn't love Lucian."
Jesse sighed as he heard those people talking. Although he understood Cadec's point and shared the concern, Jesse trusted his older brother's decisions. At no time, since he inherited the title, did Magnus act hastily or make bad decisions.
It seems that Jesse was right to ask Magnus to tell him exactly how he got engaged. Knowing the information beforehand allowed me to deal with that subject more carefully.
"His Majesty sent the marriage proposal first, and you know that", Jesse said in a firmer tone. "If Magnus accepted it, even though there was no intimacy between them, this would be a political marriage without any affection. So I ask you, Your Highness, would you dare to point your sword at my brother?"
"Of course not. The only reason I asked for this duel was because he touched my brother improperly."
"How much nonsense..."
The other voice that was present caught everyone unaware. Looking over his shoulder, Jesse Grimwood was surprised to see Lucian staring at everyone there with angry and red eyes. Eugene was also after him, signaling to Jesse that he could not stop the prince from coming to them.
Sighing low, Jesse signaled his younger brother to stay calm.
From the moment he arrived at the Palace of the Sun and heard from a servant about the duel, Jesse realized something: Lucian was the only one who seemed desperate.
Among so many nobles interested in that fight as if they were two savages battling, Lucian was the only one who seemed desperate to prevent it from happening. Not to mention that even though he was a prince, Lucian apologized and seemed embarrassed in front of the Grimwood brothers.
For a member of the imperial family, that attitude was so meek and humiliating that it could be pitiful. Jesse understood him and felt less concerned about the marriage. At least the eighth prince cared for Magnus.
Only now... look at that thin figure overflowing with anger. Jesse knew very well what the clenched fists and trembling tried to hold.
"Your Highness, if there is something you wish to say, do it now."
Lucian hesitated, but his angry gaze turned to Cadec as he marched towards him.
"Who asked you to meddle?"
Cadec's bright eyes widened in surprise.
"How so, who asked? Of course as your brother, I have a duty to protect the younger."
"Do not come to me with this bullshit brother! I lived in the damn castle without seeing a shadow of you or anyone else for months! Now that I have finally found someone who is really willing to treat me as a human being, do you dare to step in? And all because of what? I slept with him before the wedding? I would do it again if I could, and if Magnus rejected me, I would seduce him to have him in my bed!"
Once again they were surprised by the words of Lucian. His alpha pheromones filled the room, but they were so weak that they barely had an effect on those people. Jesse was stunned to see that Lucian did not seem to be affected by the Emperor's pheromones, who tried to calm him with his smell.
"Lucian, listen to what you are saying." Cadec scolded him firmly. "This is no way for a prince to behave."
"Of course, that's all that matters to you." Lucian looked away angrily at Cadec. "What I most desire is to take away any shadow that hangs over the title of eighth prince. I will take my husband's name and be happy to live away from anyone who bears the surname Saint Richmond.
"Lucian!" The Emperor raised his voice, and the prince shuddered. "Like it or not, you are still my son. You are not yet married, and therefore bear the surname of this family. I command you to behave like a prince and not like a worm!"
Jesse approached and stroked Lucian's shoulder. He needed to calm the atmosphere.
"Please, I hope you can understand His Highness's frustration."
Jesse looked at Cassander, who sighed low and also tried to calm the Emperor.
"Jesse Grimwood is right. Cadec, you did something you shouldn't have. I understand that you love your brother and would fight for his honor, however, Magnus Grimwood has taken responsibility for Lucian."
"I know very well that Magnus would do this", Cadec replied coldly. "but it does not mean that it is comfortable to see him in a loveless marriage and even more being dishonored. I believe that the best would be to break this commitment and..."
"Haa... We should be more rational than emotional now" Jesse put his glasses and kept his hand on Lucian's shoulder. "My brother accepted the duel to show that he does not intend to give up marriage. Even losing the fight, I believe he won the war, don't you think?"
"What do you..."
"Considering that my brother has accepted to marry the eighth prince and fought in the duel to protect the engagement, I can only accept his decision not only as my elder brother, as well as leader of the Grimwood house" Jesse said coldly. "The marriage between Magnus and Lucian must be maintained."
The eighth prince looked over his shoulder surprised to be defended by Jesse. The alpha knew very well that everyone there was angry and emotionally shaken, however Jesse brought reason back.
"The Imperial Family is also willing to keep the commitment" Cassander said, even receiving the disapproving look of Cadec. "Lucian expressed his desire to join the Grand Duke, and as his father, I only wish the best for my son."
"The only thing I can see is Lucian not being loved" Cadec replied with his arms crossed.
"Not that it would make any difference" Lucian replied promptly. "I hope you will solve the mess you created yourself, Cadec. And preferably, keep your opinion just for yourself. I will not accept that any more members of the imperial family interfere with my marriage."
Stormy, Lucian left the room being followed by Eugene who seemed lost and slightly frustrated. Jesse sighed again and turned to the three members of the imperial family.
"I will be willing to help you maintain the good reputation of both families."
"Thank you, my lord", Cassander smiled saddened.
Making a bow, Jesse also left the room alone.
Cadec Saint Richmond acted in a protective manner towards Lucian, however the eighth prince said he had not seen Cadec for months. Something in that story didn't fit so well, which made Jesse suspicious of the first prince's motives to duel with Magnus.
Probably your brother would have the answer. Jesse just had to wait for him to wake up.
Until then, Jesse Grimwood would keep all sides calm and rational... like a demon hiding in the shadows, controlling his perfect puppets.