The training camp of the Imperial Palace was not small, of course, it was the training environment of the imperial army that had the strength of hundreds of men and women willing to put their lives in the name of the Empire. And now, that place was full of people watching the two men get ready in the center of the arena.
The Emperor and the Consort remained unexpressive despite not taking their eyes off the them. Even the other three imperial members watched with genuine interest. In fact, there was no one in that arena who was not interested in the unfolding of that romance-worthy drama.
Now that one! Everyone thought that Magnus Grimwood had married Lucian for love, but Cadec revealed that the Grand Duke and the eighth prince had a hot night without being engaged. And more surprisingly, Magnus did not love Lucian as everyone thought!
The duel itself was something unnecessary, since Magnus and Lucian were engaged, this was the reason for the party that night. But the first prince still challenged the Grand Duke. Is he doing this because he found out too late? Did he love his half-brother so much that he fought for his honor regardless of the moment?
Well, surely that would make many people gossip about it, further animating the noble guests with the duel.
There was only one person who watched everything with great anxiety, although he tried to control his expression.
"Your Highness."
Lucian's diamond eyes turned to Magnus' two younger brothers. Swallowing dry, the prince tried his best to smile, but probably what he showed was only the immense discomfort he felt.
"You have arrived..."
"Yes, Your Highness. Forgive me for not greeting you with congratulations, but what is happening?"
Lucian shook his fingers and told the brothers about what happened with Cadec. Jesse and Eugene were surprised to hear, but this only increased Lucian's concern.
"I'm sorry for putting your brother in this position" Lucian said with hesitation. "I didn't know that could happen..."
"I understand what His Highness, the first prince, feels" Jesse said leaving his hand on Eugene's shoulder, who was looking at the arena lost in thought. "I would do the same in his place. However, I know that Magnus is responsible."
"Of course."
"I hope we can have a proper conversation when we come to the end of this duel, Your Highness. We will be a family, so secrets should not be kept, right?"
The way Jesse Grimwood spoke was calm and serene, however, Lucian felt slightly intimidated by his presence. The seriousness of Jesse was transmitted in his look and posture, although he tried to balance in excellent choice of words and tone of voice. Yes, Lucian realized that his future brother-in-law did not want to scare him, only at the same time Jesse made it clear that he would not accept problems for his family.
Lucian can only agree with his head. The eighth prince's body reacted on its own by shrugging.
Cowardly.
The eighth prince was a coward before other alphas.
Clenching his fingers as if he had the embarrassment of being reprimanded by his parents, Lucian tried to calm down somehow. Where was the determination Lucian had in your words when said trust Magnus?
Please, determination, come back...
It was a soldier of the imperial army who started the duel. The two mens wore no armor and only brandished their iron swords. Cadec took the initiative and ran attacking Magnus, who quickly raised his blade to block the blow.
The first prince had a stronger body than Magnus, since he was an alpha. However, Magnus was able to block the blows with mastery and dodge other physical attacks that Cadec did. In those first minutes of the fight, the two were balanced without being able to reach each other.
Damn, the anxiety only increased.
Lucian could not even admire how handsome Magnus was while brandishing his sword and moving through the arena, managing to dodge Cadec's blows. Although it was clear how well he fought, there were times when Cadec's blade grazed Magnus, stealing a breath from Lucian.
Almost.
It was just a scratch on his cheek.
Magnus would jump to the side and move his arm to push Cadec away and regain some space. Forced to back a few steps, Cadec turned the sword in his hand and attacked again. Gradually their fighting pace increased, making movements too fast for Lucian to understand what was happening.
The public, in general, was also impressed by the high skill of these two.
However, Cadec managed to hit his first shot at Magnus' waist.
"Argh!"
Lucian almost stood up, wide-eyed as he watched Magnus bend his shoulders and press the wounded muscle.
"Get up, we haven't finished", Cadec said coldly, turning the sword again and promptly attacking Magnus.
Magnus was forced to keep fighting, because if he did not deviate, Cadec would hit him again. The pace of the fight was still intense, only Magnus' movements slowed down. For the relief of the prince's heart, Magnus managed to deliver two blows on the first prince. The wound on his arm and torso bled, but he did not seem to bother.
Then another blow was struck, this time Magnus was hit in the thigh.
Lucian covered his mouth, horrified.
No.
No, that could not happen in any way.
His blood was boiling to see his fiancé hurt because of a bloody unnecessary duel! At the same time he was terrified at the idea of seeing Magnus die in front of him and everything evaporate.
Those were the few moments when Lucian sighed in relief, and that was when Magnus also managed to hit Cadec. The difference was that the body of an alpha was more muscular and prepared to deal with wounds than that of an omega. However, Magnus did not show any vulnerability. He just tore a piece of his shirt and tied it on his thigh to stop the bleeding, and during the fight Magnus avoided exposing his right side which was also injured.
The fight was so exhausting, that even those who watched felt pressured and distressed. The draw was suffocating. The training camp lamps were lit when it got dark.
That's when Magnus took advantage of a break from Cadec and tried to unbalance him. The plan was a success, Cadec really got out of balance, and Magnus used the moment to try another blow that Cadec blocked awkwardly. Furious, Magnus kept trying while Cadec took time to recover.
However, Cadec took advantage of his own weakness to hit Magnus hard and throw him to the ground. The alpha's blade made a cut on the Grand Duke's neck, taking everyone by surprise. Especially when Magnus, even cornered lying on the ground, raised his blade and wounded the side of Cadec.
Jesse and Eugene Grimwood widened their eyes and stood up stunned by the scene in front of them. Before the brothers even thought of reacting, a blonde hairy ran past them, jumping over the wall separating them from the arena and approaching the two duelists.
Not...
It cannot be.
Not at all.
What would he do if Magnus was really fatally injured?
The diamond eyes widened when they saw Cadec raise the blade again and when Magnus's eyes closed slowly.
Despair only grew.
Cadec was strongly pushed to the ground. Stunned, the alpha dropped his sword and was surprised to see the state he found in that arena. The astonished and slightly horrified guests staring at him, the Emperor and the Consort also entering the arena and heading towards him.
And Lucian leaned over Magnus and hugging him tight in tears.
"Lucian..." Cadec whispered extending his hand, only that the eighth prince did not look at him.
He could only hold Magnus tightly against his chest.
What should he do?
Stop the bleeding?
Quickly he tore the sleeve of his shirt and wrapped around Magnus's neck. Lucian also wore his own coat to warm the omega and leave it on his trembling arm.
It's going to be fine.
It's going to be fine.
"Lucian, you should..."
When Lucian heard the voice of Cassander, the eyes of diamond turned to those three figures. Emperor, Cassander and Cadec... those three.... Damn them were.
The fury was clear in his countenance. For the first time they saw Lucian make such an expression, so furious that it seemed to carry hundreds of years of remorse and anger. He did not run away from the truth... the eighth prince lived secluded just to avoid getting involved with those people. They were using him as a mere pretext.
Lucian had no idea how the eighth prince managed to live that way, but since he was in his body and with a goal in hand, he would not hesitate to do what was necessary.
Possessively embracing Magnus, Lucian made clear his hostility towards his own family.
"Don't you dare!" Growled Lucian. "Damn you, don't you dare come closer!"
Well, what a great surprise.
None of them expected such a reaction from a prince who was always introverted and polite. And from the little approximation that they had, Lucian was always smiling to the point of seemingly not knowing the emotion of anger. However, the alpha was there looking at them fiercely as if he would kill them if they took a single step.
"Lucian, I..."
"Your Highness" The serene voice of Jesse Grimwood reached Lucian, who squeezed Magnus in his arms and shrugged. The alpha of the grand duchy approached and touched Lucian's shoulder "I called the royal doctor to examine my brother, could you let me take him inside?"
Lucian knew it was the right thing to do. He was overreacting, only he was so... fed up!
Hesitantly, he let Jesse take Magnus in his arms. Unfortunately Lucian would not be able to carry his fiancé in such a way, since he was too weak to bear his weight. This made him experience the taste of impotence.
And it was bitter.
"Come, Your Highness", whispered the sweet Eugene, holding Lucian's hand and helping him get up.
"Wait, Lucian, you didn't..."
Jesse and Eugene looked over their shoulder at Cadec, that cold look only a Grimwood could have. A very clear warning that "wait" would not be allowed.
"Excuse me, Your Highness, but it's better that the two duelists receive proper treatment now", Jesse replied politely. "Later the two families will be able to talk properly."
And without saying any more commas, Jesse and Eugene accompanied the couple into the imperial palace. May they have all the good fortune in the world to calm Lucian, who seemed to hold the weight of the world on his back at that moment.