Heavy rain fell throughout the capital of Roveaven, with thunderstorms echoing through the skies and spreading along with the wind in a natural echo. The sky covered by gray clouds made the meeting point dark as if fate itself wanted to hide those gathered people. Nevertheless, the covetous brightness of his eyes was clear even when they heard the news of a mere coachman.
"Hm... so he has already moved to the Grimwood Mansion. That's good."
"You tried to negotiate with that woman, but she ended up rejecting your request, Elyon" Dáhlia reminded him, staring at the paper of letters she had in her hands "In the end, Lucian is not on our side."
"For now. I've been watching that mine of his for years, and now Lucian seems to be starting to do diamond mining. Besides, that wild Ethera is up to something."
"You keep eyes in every corner, but still fail to get something."
Elyon bit his cheek to repress hundreds of offenses for his twin. The exchange of looks between the two alphas made clear the exchange of thorns that they used to have. The seventh prince snorted and passed his fingers lured between the strands of hair, tired of having to run against time when the matter was to ambush Lucian.
"I have not failed, Dahlia. I just had setbacks" Looking over his shoulder, Elyon stared at the butler who held bow respectfully "Tell me, Tyron, what's the situation after last night?"
"I believe Grand Duke Grimwood is already aware of what happened, but as ordered, everyone has been silenced."
"Great" The prince murmured, tapping his finger on his chin as he watched the rain fall through the window "At least we don't have to think about leaking information."
"Brother, what do you intend to do with the temple now? This will make Lucian even more unreachable."
"Lucian holds an untouchable wealth, the support of the only Grand Duchy of the Empire and now the support of the Temple who will do everything to keep him as his Saint. Although it is under the shine of the sun, and no longer hidden, it is still an important piece if we want to achieve our goal."
Dahlia looked up at Elyon, and tilted her head slightly. She left the paper on the table and supported her elbows on the oak table.
"We wanted Lucian just because he never draw attention. We should not risk bringing him to our side."
"But that doesn't change the fact that he's still the best resource. And that person still wants Lucian at all costs. So, let's take advantage that now Lucian is out of Cassander's protection, and make sure he gives himself to us." Elyon said menacingly, looking at Dahlia "Even if we have to threaten the Grand Duke."
The thunder echoed outside the Palace of the Twins. Dahlia did not shudder to notice her brother's hostility and seriousness, she was already accustomed.
Especially when both were being used by that person. Lowering her eyes, Dáhlia squeezed her fingers in the letter paper that contained a beautiful handwriting.
"It looks like we received the goods. We should ask someone to guard and hire someone to bring them safely."
"It's that so? We can take advantage of the hunting festival for this. Everyone will be busy looking for wild animals that won't even notice the load coming."
"Still, we should be careful with storage."
"Take it easy, sister" Elyon smiled as he sat down on the table next to his sister, and looked at her maliciously "I have the perfect person for that."
With arms folded watching the rain fall, Lucian realized that the Grimwood Mansion was indeed worthy of a horror movie. The dark furniture and heavy curtains seemed to attract that intense rain to make the environment really morbid.
"Here, Your Highness."
The Grimwood's butler, Carsen, delivered a cup of tea to Lucian.
"Thank you."
It had been only a few hours since Lucian had arrived at the Grimwood Mansion. The moment he and Magnus arrived, the butler already brought some news to his master that forced him to postpone certain wedding traditions. While Magnus was dealing with some problem related to his work, Carsen showed the mansion to Lucian and then let him rest in the drawing room where he could have tea.
Lucian was comfortable, in a way.
The mansion was huge, much larger than his palace, and there were several rooms with different purposes. You could easily get lost in that place, which would be the perfect excuse to always stay close to Magnus. However, what really surprised him was the fact that everything was ready for his arrival.
Magnus had handpicked a team of servants to serve Lucian exclusively, and still gave room for Argus to be the head of the team. Needless to say how happy the poor beta was to meet Carsen in person. Lucian's personal servant was jumping for joy to learn that he would be the apprentice of the chief butler of the Grimwood.
In addition, a room was cleaned and redecorated to be Lucian's office. The instant he saw how beautifully decorated that office was, Lucian could not help feeling his chest warm. Now he would no longer work in an empty library. That was the dedication his husband gave him.
And the third point was a team of knights from the personal guard of the Grimwood at disposal and taking turns to protect Lucian. He had his own escort that would follow his every step in and out of the mansion.
A smile sprang from his lips for the gratitude he felt. Lucian felt loved by Magnus, even though he knew it was not the case.
"The maids have finished the preparations for the bath, Your Highness" Argus said next to Carsen "Do you want dinner first?"
"Does Magnus usually have dinner very late?" Lucian asked Carsen.
"Depending on the day, Your Highness. Due to his work, it is common for him to skip meals or eat very late. But when the Grimwood brothers are together, His Grace is usually punctual."
As expected, Magnus would always make time for dinner with his brothers. Would Magnus do the same to have dinner with him? After all, Jesse left the mansion and Eugene would soon leave for the gym, leaving only the couple.
"I'm not going to dinner now" said the prince after thinking a little. Sipping a sip of tea, he raised his crystal eyes to Argus "I will wait for Magnus' orders. Then I will go to the bath."
"As you wish, Your Highness."
If Lucian received a treatment worthy of a prince when he was getting ready for his own engagement, then there would be no words to name the treatment he received for his wedding night.
The servants of his personal team had prepared not only a bath, but a whole treatment to make the alpha ready for his omega. This includes massages, moisturizers, hair care, oils and other things he has never used in all his lives. His skin was practically softened to be later hurt by the omega, and just thinking about it caused a cold in my stomach.
The wedding night.
He had slept with Magnus before, of course. They were already intimate. However, it was a special occasion that made him anxious. It was knowing that the person he would lie with was not just a lover, or a figure of his imaginary... was his husband.
When lightning tore through the sky and thunder shook the earth, Lucian walked through the silent corridor of Grimwood Mansion wearing a silver satin robe. Where he walked there was a trail of floral perfume. His heart beat fast, and his stomach was nervous as if dozens of butterflies flew in a small space.
Not even the cold air of that rainy night shivered Lucian, but it was his anxiety that embraced him keeping him cold too.
Carsen guided Lucian to the door of the second floor. A dark ornate door, which when opened brought a smell of pheromones. Taking a deep breath, he recognized the smell of Magnus all over that room. Entering, Lucian was surprised to see an environment so well decorated and with gold and dark-red ornaments. A typical Grimwood aura, which seemed to be of a vampire from the classic movies.
The fireplace was already burning wood leaving the room heated. On the coffee table there was wine and two glasses, plus some appetizers prepared by the kitchen staff. The bed was lined with soft blankets. Lucian shuddered when his fingers touched the down of the blanket, already wondering what it would be like to see Magnus sleeping there naked.
"This is His Grace's room, now also yours, Your Highness."
Surprised, Lucian looked at the chief butler.
"Mine too? I thought Magnus would not share a room with me."
"On the contrary, all your belongings have already been allocated here, Your Highness."
His heart could not bear so much love.
Barely a day had passed since Lucian set foot in that mansion, and he has been blessed with many things. After the servants left him alone, Lucian sat in bed and took a deep breath.
At any moment, Magnus would walk through that door and they would have their first night as married.