Later...
Cassian finally opened his heavy eyes. He looked around the quiet, dimly lit room, which was now pleasantly cool from the night breeze seeping in through the open windows.
"Oh, you're awake? How are you feeling now?"
Cassian shot his eyes straight toward the dark corner of the room. Lucien stood there in the shadows, his hands behind his back.
"Everyone was worried about you," Lucien said, his tone back to its quiet, guarded state.
"Thankfully, their doctor said nothing was wrong with you. He said it was just your body struggling to adjust to the new environment, but you will get used to the Steppes eventually."
Cassian lifted a pale hand to his temple, testing his lightheadness.
"How long have I been out?"
"Only an hour."
Cassian let out a tired sigh and slowly nodded.
"Seeing that you are okay, I guess I will excuse myself now," Lucien said, turning toward the heavy doors.
"Wait—... Lucien,"
Cassian called out and Lucien actually stopped dead in his tracks, with his hand hovering near the door handle.
He slowly turned his head to look back at Cassian.
"Please stay for a little while," Cassian murmured, his eyes locking onto the knight and Lucien blinked, visibly startled.
"What?... But you—"
"Please."
As Cassian pleaded softly, Lucien looked at him for a long moment, suddenly feeling conflicted about whether to agree or not. But if he were to follow his heart, then he would have to accept and stay for a little while.
Finally, Lucien let out a quiet sigh and walked back into the room, returning to his spot in the dark corner.
Cassian swallowed hard, looking at the wide, empty mattress around him.
"Please join me in bed. I'm scared."
Lucien's heart skipped a beat. His breath hitched.
"My Lord... Your bed?"
"Yes," Cassian admitted, his soft voice trembling slightly.
"I don't want to sleep alone in this room, please. It really makes me uneasy. So please... come."
Lucien stood frozen for a second, then did as he was told.
He slowly walked toward the bed. Standing by the edge, he hesitated, but then unbuckled his sword belt, removed his heavy breastplate, and slipped off his boots then he carefully climbed onto the bed next to Cassian.
The soft creak of the mattress under Lucien's weight snapped Cassian back to his senses and panic flared in his chest, and a burning blush spread across his face, turning his skin bright red from sheer embarrassment.
'Is this really okay? Why the hell did I ask that of him in the first place?' Cassian thought frantically, hiding his flushed face under his sleeve and Lucien noticed his reaction immediately.
"My Lord, if you are uncomfortable, I—"
"Just stay there, Lucien," Cassian interrupted quickly, rolling back over to look up at the ceiling.
"This is also part of guarding me so do your job."
"And at least now you will be unable to keep your distance from me and act all cold like you usually do."
Cassian stared up at the wooden beams, but Lucien remained lying on his side facing him, his blue eyes analyzing Cassian's flushed facial features as much as he wanted.
"My Lord, I only behaved distant like that because you wanted me to," Lucien said softly.
"Or have you forgotten?"
Cassian closed his eyes.
"I know, Lucien. And it must have been hard for you too."
"Of course it was," Lucien whispered, his voice thick with hidden pain.
"It still is. Because it is sad to know that is all I amount to for you, My Lord. Am I truly that unworthy to remain by your side?"
"I had my own reasons for pushing you away Lucien, but I doubt that you will understand."
Cassian said, turning his head slightly to face him.
"Then try me," Lucien pressed, leaning a fraction closer and their eyes fixated only at each other.
"Instead of bearing everything alone, for once just talk to me."
Cassian looked away, avoiding those intense eyes before they lead him to do something he'd regret later.
Therefore, he let out a long sigh and hastily changed the subject.
"This... doesn't this feel like back when you always stayed next to my bed every day at the Academy and it annoyed me all the time?"
He let out a soft giggle, but Lucien's expression hardened.
"My Lord, stop doing this... Stop changing the subject all the time as you please! I need you to seriously talk to me right now and consider my feelings for once!"
Cassian remained silent, his jaws suddenly tensed.
"Cassian, why are you being so selfish and such a coward? This is so unlike you!"
"Lucien, this is no easy matter for me either!....do you think I'm having it any easier than you are?"
Cassian snapped back, now glaring at Lucien.
"Do you think I enjoy treating you the way that I do? It is hard for me too!"
"Then stop acting like it and start showing me that it is truly eating you up! How am I supposed to believe that when you perfectly act like nothing is happening between us? Why do I have to be the one who always feels like he is suffering alone?"
"Lucien—"
Lucien sat straight up on the bed, staring down at him.
"And Cassian, if it hurts you so much, then why do you continue pushing me away from you?, what exactly are you running from?"
Lucien demanded, his hands gripping the sheets tight.
"What are you so scared of? What are you trying to hide from me?"
Cassian looked up at him, his crimson eyes filled with a raw, painful vulnerability.
"Lucien... I don't want you to get your hopes up with me and then end up disappointed in the end."
"I will be the judge of that, Cassian!..Just give me a chance, will you?... I told you so many times that I want to be with you. I want to remain by your side and just be with you, even if it costs me my beliefs and means sacrificing all of my values. Just as long as I am by your side, that is enough for me."
Lucien insisted, his voice desperate and low as he slumped down to hover above Cassian's head.
"Lucien..." Cassian softly murmured.
But before he could say another word, Lucien closed the small distance between them and he placed his lips firmly against Cassian's and Cassian froze up.
But he couldn't bring himself to stop him or push him away. Perhaps he had wanted the same as well. He must have missed it or perhaps he had been longing for Lucien's attention for weeks, and now that he had it all, he simply couldn't deny him.
Cassian opened his mouth, leaning into the warmth of the kiss.
"Ah... Lucien, wait—"
Cassian whispered breathlessly when Lucien momentarily pulled back looking down at him and Cassian caressed his cheeks with both his hands.
"Someone might barge in and see us..."
Lucien didn't hesitate. He climbed off the bed, his bare feet slapping against the wooden floor as he walked to the heavy doors, turning the iron key to lock them securely. He abruptly turned and rushed straight back to the bed, pulling Cassian deeply into his embrace.
And there, they kissed again, with far more hunger this time and profound yearning. Their limbs tangled together in the sheets, locking hands as they pressed their warm bodies to friction against each other and cast away the cold draft coming through the open windows. Lucien slipped his hand underneath the heavy covers, brushing lightly against Cassian's hip before nudging his knee in between Cassian's thighs and pulled Cassian's leg to his waist, nudging himself in between them.
Cassian's quiet moans were muffled against Lucien's lips. And Lucien seemed to adore every inch of him, kissing his skin, his jaw, and pressing his mouth against his neck to leave a faint, dark mark that only the two of them would know about.
Cassian closed his eyes, leaning his head back. It felt dangerously good as he couldn't resist him.
"Lucien..."
Cassian whispered into the quiet room.
"I will leave this world in three months."
"Then I will go with you, My Prince," Lucien replied without a second of hesitation, his breath hot against Cassian's throat.
"I'm afraid you can't," Cassian said softly, with a quiet sadness in his voice.
"Only I can leave this place. That's why I didn't want to form any attachments with what I would leave behind."
"You should be worried about that once it actually happens," Lucien murmured against his skin as he sunk his teeth on his nape.
"Ah!, Lucien, I am being serious here."
"And so am I," Lucien said, pulling back just enough to look Cassian in the eyes. "So please, for now, can you just focus on me and make up for the time you cost us from all your selfish tantrums?"
"Selfish tantrums?" Cassian blinked in disbelief.
Lucien chuckled, a low growl vibrating against Cassian's lips as he kissed him one last time.
"You know what I mean."
With that, Lucien shifted, maneuvering himself over Cassian as he pulled off his own tunic, throwing it aside carelessly.
And Cassian scoffed, his face flushing red as he tried to sit up.
"What the hell are you doing?... Wait, don't tell me—"
"My Prince, how long are you planning to delay this any further?" Lucien asked softly, hovering over him as he separated Cassian's legs to get in between them.
"Isn't this what we both want?"
"No, no, I am not ready..." Cassian said, his voice trembling slightly as he held onto Lucien's shoulders.
"I can't do that. Or... should I do it to you instead?"
Lucien paused, looking down at him with a amused tilt of his head.
"Cassian, what are you talking about? I know that you are able to take it. After all, didn't you already do it with Sora?"
Cassian's entire face flushed an intense crimson, his eyes widening. Lucien chuckled, teasing him with a light smirk.
"I will be much more gentle than he was I promise," Lucien murmured, leaning down toward his ear.
"So just trust me."
*BANG! BANG! BANG!*
A booming knock shattered the quiet room, making both men gasp in shock.
Outside the locked door, one of the Imperial guards called out loudly.
"Your Highness! Lady Ruby Charmainia Thompson seeks your audience!"
The mood in the room vanished in an instant. Lucien froze, his smirk instantly disappearing as he turned to stare down at Cassian who lay exposed beneath him.
"Seriously, Cassian?" Lucien's voice dropped in disappointment.
"Are you really planning to take it this far even now? Why is she here? Did you invite her here on purpose?"
"No!— Of course not!" Cassian gasped, sitting up quickly.
"Quit lying to me!" Lucien snapped, his eyes flashing with sudden anger.
"I am sick and tired of your lies!"
"Lucien, just listen to me. Why would I even do tha—"
"Your cunning has gone way too far now, Cassian," Lucien said, his tone turning icy cold as he backed away from him.
"You let me pour out my feelings to you, and you let me get my hopes high knowing very well that you would backstab me once again. And this time around, I actually fell for your lies! You only use me when it suits you, and you don't intend to give me a real chance at all."
Lucien sat up on the bed, his face pale with betrayal as he snarled down at Cassian.
"You really want to marry me off to her, don't you?"
Cassian bit his lip, looking away.
"Lucien... although that may be true, but I didn't invite her to the Steppes so soon! I—"
"So in the end, you admit that you still intend to marry me off," Lucien interrupted coldly and a heavy, suffocating silence fell over the chamber.
"Then what was this just now?" Lucien asked softly, his voice trembling with deep hurt as he gestured between them.
"What we've just done... was it only to console your ego? You asked me to lie on your bed, and I even poured out my feelings to you. You let me in as if you would finally give me a chance, but still–... still you don't plan to be with me?"
"Lucien..."
Lucien let out a harsh, bitter laugh as he rolled off the bed and quickly grabbed his clothes and armor, dressing himself without sparing Cassian another look.
"Lucien why are you being like this so suddenly?.... just hear me out will you?"
"My Lord..."
Lucien said, standing by the door with his back turned, his voice colder than steel.
"This time around...indeed, I have come to hate you."
And without waiting for any response, Lucien unlocked the heavy oak door and marched straight out of the room, passing right by Lady Ruby without even greeting her or sparing her a glance.
Left alone on the bed, Cassian let out a long, exhausted sigh, running a hand through his messy hair.
'Geez, why is he being so dramatic?'
Cassian thought, shaking his head in annoyance.
'I didn't even invite Ruby to the Steppes. What right do I have to even do that?'
Ruby stood near the entrance of the chamber, her eyes wide with subtle surprise.
As Lucien marched past her without offering a single word or even a glance in her direction, she felt an instant, sharp certainty that something significant had just transpired between him and the Crown Prince within those walls.
"Ruby, you may come in."
Cassian's voice echoed clearly from the inner room. Ruby collected herself and did as told, stepping inside.
But to ensure propriety and avoid being alone with the Crown Prince in his private bedchambers, where any rumor could spark wild misunderstandings—she brought one of the Imperial guards inside to stand near the door.
Approaching the bed, Ruby offered a deep, flawless courtly bow.
"Greetings, Your Highness."
"Greetings, Ruby," Cassian replied smoothly and he gestured toward a plush divan set near the edge of his bed. "Please, take a seat."
His voice still carried a raw, lingering heat from his heated argument with Lucien.
And as Ruby raised her eyes, her gaze immediately landed on Cassian's pale, exposed neck.
Sitting flush against his skin was a fresh, dark mark left by Lucien—sticking out like a sore thumb for anyone to see.
Ruby kept her expression completely composed, but beneath her cool exterior, her resolve hardened. She was promised to Lucien Arden. She had no intention of entering a marriage with a man who harbored lingering attachments to the Crown Prince, nor would she tolerate being dragged into public scandals or sharing her future husband with him.
Although she was there to greet Cassian and wish him well with his health, she couldn't help but to feel the need to address Cassian directly and ensure he kept his boundaries and close his legs when it comes to Lucien Arden once and for all.
"Ruby, I must say that you really caught us by surprise," Cassian said, adjusting his posture. "When did you arrive?"
"Shortly after the welcoming banquet," Ruby answered smoothly, resting her hands neatly on her lap.
"His Majesty invited me personally to join the envoy, given that I am to be the wife of the Empire's greatest hero. But I could not leave with the primary party, so I promised to follow directly behind."
She paused, her eyes narrowing as she glanced up at Cassian.
"The moment I stepped foot in the stronghold, I heard that you were feeling unwell. I hurried straight here to check on your condition and pay my respects... though it seems my worries were somewhat misplaced."
Her eyes flicked deliberately back to the mark on his neck.
"I see.." Cassian said, also keeping his composure not wavering even by an inch, maintaining the eye contact as much as he can.
"By the way, Your Highness... did I happen to arrive at an inconvenient time?" Ruby asked, her tone sweet yet laced with quiet pressure.
"It seems I disturbed something. Sir Arden could barely look at me when he stormed out of the room. I hope he is not upset by my abrupt visit."
Cassian slightly flinched, instinctively lifting a pale hand to rub the back of his neck, his fingers brushing over his heated skin.
"No, but as for my health, it was merely a slight cultural shock. My body is simply struggling to adjust to this environment."
"I am glad to hear that, Your Highness," Ruby replied smoothly.
Then, her posture shifted and she sat up straighter, her expression turning dead serious.
"Your Highness if you would allow me, I hope I am not overstepping when I ask this... but will you please let Lucien go from now on?"
Cassian turned his head sharply to face her.
"Pardon?"
"I do not know the exact nature of what transpires between you and Sir Arden," Ruby said, her voice clear, calm, and utterly unyielding.
"But I am old enough to recognize a romantic attraction when I see it. And frankly, this situation is a humiliation on my part because that man will soon be bound to me by law and marriage. Do you not think that it is deeply disrespectful and inappropriate to enter our union with other lovers already waiting in the shadows? If the roles were reversed, Your Highness, how would you feel about that?"
"And by 'other lovers' do you mean me?"
"Your Highness, I apologize if you took offence but I beg for your understanding."
"Lady Ruby—"
"Focus on Sora," Ruby firmly interrupted, not yielding an inch just to make herself heard.
"You already have Sora, and he is expecting your child. Please, focus your heart on him because your greed for Lucien will only end up hurting everyone involved—including myself. You know my reputation in Edrath is spotless. Please do not taint it now with a scandal this audacious. We ought to prevent it before it escalates further. Do you not agree with me?"
Cassian stared at her, his fingers tightening into fists against the bedsheets.
As sharp and insulting as her words sounded, every single thing she said was the absolute truth. Ruby was intelligent, strict, and she possessed an unshakeable sense of duty—she was precisely the kind of noblewoman Lucien needed to build a stable, dignified home in his Dukedom. And Cassian was nowhere like that.
Ruby leaned forward slightly, her eyes locking onto his crimson ones. And a heavy silence fell over the room.
"Your Highness... do you perhaps love Sir Arden?"
Cassian let out a long, quiet sigh. He closed his eyes for a moment, and then gave a slow, honest nod.
"Yes..." Cassian confessed, his voice dropping into a soft, vulnerable tone.
"I do love him and it is useless to hide it when it is so obvious. I have indeed grown to love that man... I tried to pull back, but I failed."
"Sir Arden will be married to me," Ruby reminded him plainly.
"I know that, Ruby," Cassian replied, looking at her with quiet resignation. "After all, I am the one who arranged the match for him. I know for a fact that he will be happy with you. It is only my own greed that allowed things to drag on this far."
Ruby frowned faintly, genuinely puzzled. "Then–...if you love him, why did you choose me? Why not simply be with him instead? As a Duke, his standing is even higher than Sora's. He is more than eligible to be your consort."
"Because I am leaving in two months," Cassian said flatly.
Ruby gasped, her aristocratic composure breaking for a fraction of a second.
"What? Leaving... to where?"
"I cannot say much, but it may take a very long time," Cassian murmured, looking toward the open balcony. "Perhaps even forever."
"My Lord... then what of the Crown? What of Edrath?"
"I have plenty of siblings My Lady," Cassian answered with a dry, faint smile.
"Isn't that why my father made so many?"
He turned back to Ruby, his eyes clear and resolute.
"Do not worry, Ruby. Lucien hates me now. And since you have made your feelings and boundaries entirely clear, I will respect them and let him go. My greed can wait. After all, my feelings will only cause pain once I am gone. Walk into your marriage with confidence and claim him as your own. I have no place here."
Ruby looked at him for a long moment, taking in his quiet, absolute surrender.
"Very well, Your Highness," Ruby said, rising from the divan with a graceful bow.
"Now you have assured me."
*****
Outside the guest wing, the stone corridor was cold and dimly lit.
Lucien stood near the heavy archway, his arms crossed over his bare chest, staring blankly out at the dark courtyard. His mind was an absolute storm of anger, betrayal, and lingering heat.
Hearing footsteps approach, he didn't even turn his head as Ruby walked up to stand beside him.
"Sir Arden,"
Ruby addressed him smoothly, her tone composed and polite. Lucien's eyes flicked to her, cold as ice.
"Lady Thompson. What did His Highness have to say to you?"
Ruby looked at the Knight, her gaze calculating. She knew what Cassian had truly said inside that room—she knew the Crown Prince loved Lucien enough to surrender him for his own good.
But she also knew that if Lucien knew the truth, he would never let Cassian go. He would ruin his title, his future, and his standing just to chase a man who claimed he was leaving the world in two months.
'Forgive me, Lucien,' Ruby thought coldly to herself. :But I need to keep the path to our future clean, no matter what it takes. After all what I am about to tell you is not entirely a lie.'
Ruby let out a soft, sympathetic sigh, looking at Lucien with a face full of pity.
"I spoke with His Highness regarding our upcoming marriage," Ruby said, her voice dripping with artificial sadness.
"Well I noticed how much you paid attention to him and how you two seemed drawn to each other and thought I could talk to him and I ask him if he would consider setting aside our arrangement so that he can be with you if that is what he wanted. But... His Highness was quite adamant, Sir Arden."
Lucien's posture went rigid.
"What do you mean?"
"He told me plainly that he has no intention of being with you or stopping our marriage," Ruby lied effortlessly, watching Lucien's face closely.
"He said that his duty to the Empire comes first, and that he merely views you as his loyal knight. He insisted that I prepare myself to become your wife, as he believes it is the most suitable outcome for everyone, more especially you Sir Arden."
She took a step closer, resting a gentle, comforting hand on Lucien's arm.
"He told me... that whatever happens between you two in private is only fleeting, but our marriage is absolute. He wants you married, Lucien. Come hell or high water he wants you gone."
Lucien felt as though an icy blade had been driven straight through his chest.
'Fleeting?....and he wants me married and gone.'
Every word burned through him like poison. Cassian had just lain in his arms a few minutes ago, allowed him to kiss his skin, and let him pour his entire soul out—only to turn around minutes later and reaffirm to his fiancée that he still intended to give Lucien away.
A dark, dangerous fury kindled deep within Lucien's chest, making his blood boil. His jaw clenched so hard his teeth groaned under the pressure, his eyes flashing with pure, unbridled madness.
"Is that so?"
Lucien rasped, his voice dropping into a low, terrifying growl.
"I am sorry to be the bearer of such news," Ruby said softly, pulling her hand back with a polite bow.
"I will leave you to process this, Sir Arden."
As Ruby walked away into the shadows of the hallway, Lucien remained standing alone in the freezing draft. His hands curled into tight, trembling fists at his sides.
'You use me, you push me away, and you still dare to decide my life for me?'
Lucien thought, a dark, bitter smile slowly spreading across his face as he stared toward Cassian's locked doors.
'If you want to play the cold, calculating Crown Prince until the very end, Cassian... then I will show you just how far a fallen knight will go.'
*****