Chapter 161: Warning
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 161: Warning
Lucion reclined in the high-backed chair, staring blankly out the window.
The lace curtains of the open terrace doors swayed sluggishly in the breeze. The Northern wind seeping through his shirt was quite chilly, but instead of closing the doors, he tilted back a bottle of strong liquor from the table.
As the clear liquid slid down his throat, it left a searing, burning sensation in its wake.
What on earth am I doing here?
Lucion pressed the back of his hand against his weary eyes.
Coming to Blenheim hadn't been his choice in the first place.
— "Go and seduce the Grand Duchess."
Princess Pelianes had summoned him and made the request in a casual tone, as if she were merely asking him to deliver a greeting.
— "Your charms have always been quite effective, haven't they? I need you to make sure the divorce happens with the Grand Duchess at fault."
Her reasoning was simply that it was a waste to give up on a marriage with the Grand Duke.
— "And if I refuse?"
— "How could my dear brother possibly refuse? It was his gracious sister, after all, who placed a child of such unremarkable blood into the seat of a prince."
In the end, the leashed dog could not defy its master and was forced to come to Blenheim.
Since childhood, Lucion had been strikingly beautiful. Had he been born of noble status, he would have been adored by all. Unfortunately, he was the King’s illegitimate son, and people viewed even his beauty as a mark of his lowly birth.
“Is it because his mother was a dancer? Look at those wanton eyes.”
“Did you see him smile? He’s already practicing his coquetry to bewitch people.”
Everyone gossiped that his future would amount to nothing more than being some noblewoman’s plaything.
Then, Lucion met the Grand Duke of Blenheim, a man whose reputation was as storied as his own.
“He’s just as handsome as any man could be, and yet...”
No one dared to sneer or speak sarcastically in front of the Grand Duke, who was roughly the same age as Lucion. The Grand Duke of Blenheim was the embodiment of majesty. Sentries and knights alike held their breath in his presence. He was royalty of the Empire and the sole legitimate heir to the Grand Duchy.
It was on the night he was detained for cursing at the Grand Duke that Lucion finally realized he envied him. At the very least, he didn't want to live like this anymore.
As soon as he was released with Count Pacio’s help, Lucion went straight to the Princess.
— "Recognize me as a member of the royal family. In exchange, I will do everything in my power to ensure you ascend the throne."
— "I like your spirit. I happened to be in need of a pretty face to represent me."
The Princess, who lacked the support her uncle enjoyed due to her authoritarian attitude, accepted his proposal. Since then, Lucion had never once defied her will. Until the King passed away and he received a proper title, the Princess held his leash firmly in her hand.
But to seduce the Grand Duchess?
My sister always finds a way to make me feel wretched.
From the moment they met, Lucion had genuinely liked the Grand Duchess. He liked that she held no prejudice against him, and he liked that she didn't look at him with the suggestive eyes typical of other noblewomen. The more they interacted in Blenheim, the more his affection for her grew.
The Grand Duchess was clever and witty, making her not only easy to talk to but also someone he deeply admired. Moreover, she was always warm and lovely.
— "Are you angry with me because the Princess couldn't marry the Grand Duke because of me?"
How could he possibly explain this feeling—this simmering, roiling sensation in his gut?
Because he had been ordered to seduce her, every bit of interest and affection he showed her now became an act of deception. How could the Goddess be so cruel? He had only wanted the Grand Duchess for a fleeting moment, yet the Goddess had made even speaking to her a sin.
Was he angry? Perhaps.
The thought that he might have had a chance if the Grand Duke had married his sister as originally planned haunted him constantly.
Could we have been a couple?
Lucion imagined himself attending a ball in the Imperial Capital. He would enter the ballroom with his usual boredom, only to discover a woman with pale blonde hair swept up elegantly. One look into those sparkling blue eyes, and he would surely fall in love at first sight. The moment he saw her smile, he would be drawn to her like a man possessed, asking for a dance.
Just by exchanging a few trivial jokes while dancing, he would realize what a lovely person she was. He would feel an immediate impulse to kiss the inside of her white wrist. Lucion could easily imagine himself asking for another meeting before she could even finish her curtsy.
But in his imagination, Lucion never heard her answer. Every time, a man with black hair would appear out of nowhere and stand between them.
— "I’m the lucky one. The Grand Duke is a very kind man."
I could be a much kinder husband than the Grand Duke...
His face contorted in frustration, but just then, the door swung open with enough force to shatter it, and Loik strode into the room. Before Lucion could even lift his head, a powerful hand grabbed him by the collar and hauled him up.
"How dare you spout such nonsense to the Grand Duchess?"
Eyes burning with murderous intent met his.
"Ha. A man like this is 'kind'?"
Lucion roughly shook off Loik’s hand.
"You’ve done well to hide your true nature from her so far."
"Tell me. What are you plotting?"
"Why? Did I say something I shouldn't have?"
Lucion let out a scoff and slumped back into his seat.
"My sister still loses sleep over the feeling of betrayal."
Loik took a deep breath, struggling to suppress his rage, and sat down across from him.
"Don't make me laugh. I know the Princess had no feelings for this marriage beyond political intent."
"Which is exactly why she’s so angry."
Lucion picked up the bottle of liquor and took another swig.
"She lamented that men are useless for ruining the 'Great Cause' over such trivial emotions."
"So, the Princess sent you?" Loik’s cold eyes flashed. "To try and force a divorce on me again?"
It wasn't a mere guess. Honestly, the man’s intuition was impressive.
"Wouldn't that be the wise choice for a Grand Duke?" Lucion shrugged instead of denying it. "The son-in-law of the King of Rondoris versus the son-in-law of Marquis Frais. I don't think we even need to weigh which side is better."
Loik stared at him for a long moment before slowly leaning forward.
"And? If I divorce her, do you plan to swoop in?"
His voice was terrifyingly low. In that moment, Lucion flinched as their eyes met. Loik’s black irises had turned a vivid, glowing gold.
"Why? Do you think you’ll have a chance if she divorces me? Do you think you can do something just because the Grand Duchess is kind to you?"
His pupils were slit vertically like a dragon's, glaring as if he wanted to kill. It was a gaze filled with thick, murderous intent—a warning to an enemy daring to covet what was his.
Lucion fell silent, unable to find a retort.
"...Annette is soft-hearted," Loik said, gripping the armrest of the sofa as he tried to maintain his composure. "She cares about everything—from a stray dog passing by to a single wilting flower in a vase."
There was a surge of strength in his hand, and the armrest shattered with a sickening crack.
"That’s why a piece of filth like you, who doesn't know his place, thinks he can step forward just because of a tiny scrap of her kindness."
Loik opened his hand, and the remains of the armrest showered onto the floor.
A tiny scrap of kindness.
Stung by the truth of those words, Lucion snapped back, "My place? And do you think you’re a man who actually deserves the Grand Duchess?"
Loik narrowed his eyes. "No matter what bastard you put in front of her, he would fall far short of Annette. In that case, it’s better that I’m the one by her side."
A vivid obsession bled through his low, rumbling voice.
"Furthermore, Annette walked in here of her own accord. The Temple notarized our marriage vows, and I am legally her husband. Do you really think I would let her go for something as trivial as the sake of Blenheim?"
"The people of the territory would love to hear that."
"The people love her regardless. It’s thanks to Annette that the North has changed this much."
Seeing Lucion’s sarcasm, Loik smirked—the smile of a victor.
"To be honest, it doesn't even compare to a royal marriage with Rondoris. In that regard, yes, I suppose I should thank the Princess."
"So don't waste your breath on useless hopes. Just stay quiet, put on your opera, and go back."
Having regained his composure, Loik slowly stood up.
"And if you ever mention the Princess in front of Annette again..."
"Save your pathetic threats about cutting off my wrists or whatever," Lucion spat, clenching his fists.
Loik’s lips curled into a predatory smile.
"...I will make sure you never set foot on Blenheim soil again. You won't even be able to see a single hair on Annette's head for the rest of your life."
Lucion started to let out a hollow laugh, wondering if that was supposed to be a threat, but the words died in his throat.