CHAPTER 237: _BREAKFAST

Lucian’s POV

*****

He stood just outside the war room, leaning on one of the walls with folded arms.

Estella’s screams and sobs still stuck to his mind—as well as the revelation from the Gamma and Delta.

She and Axel’s parents had been dead for years. Fifteen years to be exact.

And all this time, someone had been manipulating and fabricating communications with her, as well as sending gifts to make it seem like they were alive.

They thought they could find answers about Axel by bringing Estella out of the dungeons. But now it seemed all they did was dig up more dark secrets the bastard kept buried.

"Garrick..." He muttered, his jaw clenching under the golden lights of the corridor.

However, before he could ponder further, a soft hand landed on his shoulder, snapping him out of the spiral his mind was about to slip into.

He turned his head, his body relaxing when he saw Elian beside him with a wry smile.

"The Gamma and Delta took Estella to a... Private interrogation room somewhere in the palace." His mate announced, joining him in resting against the wall. "It was really sad. Wasn’t it?"

Lucian arched his brow. "Am I safe to say it was? You know... After all the horrible things she did to you."

Elian chuckled softly, his eyes half lidded. "Yeah, she was a bitch. But you’ve got to admit... She was a victim as much as the rest of us." He paused, his eyes scanning the empty corridor for a moment before he whispered. "Who knows if she was under Garrick’s manipulation somehow.*

Lucian’s brows furrowed into a deep frown.

Why did that seemingly make sense?

"You think it’s a possibility?" Lucian mumbled. "Maybe he made her and Baron Magnus cross paths intentionally, knowing Magnus was one of his lackeys in the Dark Hand."

Elian nodded. "Exactly. Either that or she might have a stronger link to the Dark Hand than she claims. Welp..."

He withdrew his hand from Lucian’s shoulder, brushing it through his blonde white hair. "We’ll get to know everything after they’ve interrogated her."

"Hopefully." Lucian sighed, not sounding enthusiastic at all.

They both stepped away from the wall, Elian sticking close to his side as they headed toward an Ascension platform.

Lucian couldn’t help giving him a side glance as they walked. Side by side. A small smile stretched across Elian’s face despite all the horrors they’ve faced from last night to this morning.

It was peaceful. A little thing Lucian never realised he had so much gratitude for.

"We’re both heading downstairs for the same thing, right?" Elian asked when they got to an Ascension platform, the metallic black doors sliding open.

Lucian blinked when Elian’s violet eyes locked with his. The Alpha Prince’s face flushed, faking a cough before speaking. "Yep."

Then they spoke simultaneously: "Breakfast."

Gods, he was starving.

They stepped into the lift, watching the doors shut in front of them.

’Hopefully that dining table is devoid of drama.’ he thought to himself as the thing lowered down the shaft.

.

.

"Aw, look at you two." Elowen’s bright smile at the head of the table was the first thing that greeted them when they got to the dining room.

His mother had a guard standing beside her, the slightly older man whispering something to her. Lucian frowned, noticing his mother’s tense temperament underneath the warm smile.

"Alright. Thank you, Jonas." Elowen nodded at the man, gesturing for him to leave.

When the guard bowed before leaving, Elowen brought her attention back to Lucian who was already sitting at the opposite end of the table.

"I was commenting on how cute you and Elian look. Side by side." She remarked, pointing a small knife at them. "Also, Lucian... You could’ve at least drawn out Elian’s seat for him before you sat. It’s basic couple etiquette."

Lucian nearly choked — and he hasn’t even started drinking yet. His face flushed with embarrassment, eyes darting to Elian who was already about to draw out a seat beside Lucian.

"It’s fine, your highness." Came Elian’s awkward response.

But before he could pull the seat out, a larger hand grabbed it, helping Elian draw it out properly.

Lucian frowned, swerving his head to the owner of the hand who stood behind Elian.

Kyren.

Of course.

"The Luna Queen has a point, little flame." The Rogue king muttered, his lips twitching with a smile. He didn’t even spare Lucian a glance as he continued. "You deserve to be treated like the diamond you are."

What the fuck?

Lucian’s fists clenched on the table, his jaw so tight his teeth hurt. Kyren finally dragged his eyes lazily to him, this time smirking knowingly.

Argh... That—

"Indeed, Kyren." Elowen chimed, slicing into the roasted chicken in front of her. "By the way... Were you able to decipher anything from that painting? And why it... Glowed?"

Lucian arched a brow, turning to face his mother while Kyren settled down beside Elian.

"Painting? Glowed?" The Alpha Prince tilted his head. "What are you talking about mother?"

Elowen sighed, glancing briefly at Kyren who was busy helping Elian pour wine into a glass. The latter just sat there awkwardly, clearly noticing the unspoken tension between the two alphas.

"One of your father’s paintings in the hallway dedicated to rulers throughout Lunaria’s history... Glowed." The Luna Queen finally explained. "Kyren and I were discussing there when the eyes glowed red."

Unease instantly crept into Lucian.

"That’s what I was discussing with the guard who just left." Elowen continued. "Security in the palace needs tightening. So Kyren. Did—"

"Yes." Kyren joined the conversation, swirling a crystal glass between his fingers. "My suspicions were correct. It was some magical surveillance."

Lucian and Elian exchanged weary glances.

"Do you think it’s one of Garrick’s spies?" Elian’s voice was low, cautious, like he was afraid the bastard would jump out of the walls. "I’ve experienced something similar once. Back in the Dark Lands. But the eyes were yellow and—"

"What do you mean, you had a similar experience in the Dark Lands?" Lucian’s lips parted with shock, his eye fleeting to Kyren.

The Rogue king’s face was also scrunched with a frown.

"It was during you and Axel’s..." Elian pursed his lips, lowering his eyes. "Sorry, Garrick. During your peace talks visit. I was going to tell you guys, but then that explosion happened, and Lucian lost his memories."

Silence.

Lucian couldn’t help scoffing silently.

So much for no drama.

The sound of incoming footsteps from the dining room’s entrance forced Lucian to turn his gaze there.

Aurora and Seraphyne were the ones walking in. Both faces were reddened, their smiles a contrast to the solemn air in the room.

And they were holding hands.

Wait... They were holding hands?

"Hey, family." Aurora waved, smile never faltering. "Sera and I have an announcement to make. First off... Turns out she’s my second chance mate!"

Lucian’s eyes widened while their mother gasped.

"Oh, my goddess... That’s great news!" Elowen got on her feet, gesturing for them to come closer. "The goddess has decided to smile on this family after—"

"There’s one more thing." Aurora interrupted, glancing briefly at Seraphyne. The latter seemed hesitant but Aurora was confident.

Lucian had a bad feeling, his eyes dimming.

"The other thing is that I’m moving out of the palace." Aurora turned her head back to them with a decisive tone. "Indefinitely."

Lucian’s heart dropped to his stomach, his fork freezing midair.

For a moment, he wasn’t sure if he’d heard her right. The silence that followed was deafening — only the faint clink of glass breaking the air between them.