CHAPTER 253: _TOOK US LONG ENOUGH

Lucian’s POV

*****

After confronting his mother about the existence of his long-lost brother, he desperately wanted to focus on something other than—Well, everything else in his life.

"I promised Elian I’d make it up to him." He whispered, turning away from the Luna Queen.

Moonlight shone through the glass dome of the palace’s indoor garden, illuminating the flora and the small fountain at its centre.

"Make it up to him?" Elowen repeated. "What did you do? Tonight you announced to the world that you’re getting married to him."

Her footsteps echoed through the room. Lucian closed his eyes, sighing lightly when he felt her hand wrap around his wrist.

"That’s exactly the thing, mother." He barely glanced over his shoulder. "I announced a wedding to all of Lunaria. Even though I didn’t discuss it with Elian."

Elowen’s grip on his wrist stiffened. Nothing major. But just enough to make him know he’s indeed fucked up.

"You... You didn’t even give him a betrothal gift?" She questioned, disbelief clear in her voice.

Lucian could feel a scolding coming but nodded nonetheless. "I didn’t. I—"

"For the love of the gods, Lucian!" She gasped, grabbing his shoulders and forcing him to spin around. He swallowed hard when he met her disappointed gaze. "One would expect you’d at least try your best to keep up with Kyren in the race to woo that boy."

Race?

Lucian looked away for a moment. "It’s not a race, mother. Elian is very much capable of making decisions—"

"Exactly!" Elowen flicked his forehead with her fingers, sending a sharp sting that made him stumble back a couple of steps.

His right hand rubbed the spot; his lips parted in surprise as she continued.

"Announcing a marriage when you haven’t even discussed it with him. You haven’t even heard if it’s what he wants—gods, you need to make this right."

She withdrew her hands from his shoulders, rubbing her chin. "You want to make it up to him, huh?"

He nodded hesitantly.

Elowen smiled slowly. "Then you’re going to get him a betrothal gift and do exactly what I say..."

.

.

The heart jewel was the perfect gift for Elian.

A precious blend of magic, tech and elegance wrapped in a bracelet. Capable of keeping pieces of Lucian’s memories and feelings in it.

Elowen handed it over to him, picking it out of the royal family’s jewellery room... Which he didn’t even know existed until now.

The next morning, after Kyren left for the Dark Lands, Lucian did as his mother said. And it worked—

"It took us long enough." Elian basically skipped, clutching Lucian’s arm close when they stepped out of the crystal dome restaurant. "You know... To say those words to each other."

Lucian arched a brow, feigning curiosity. "Which words?"

"You know damn well..."

They both laughed this time, their heads brushing against each other.

The morning sunlight outside was gentle. Civilians moved about, attending to life as usual. Many spotted them, either whispering to themselves or stopping to bow.

"It looks like they’re on a date." A girl whispered to her friend after greeting Lucian. "Did you see that purple jewellery on Elian’s wrist?"

"I know, I know... I saw it too." The other girl said with excitement. "Do you think it’s an engagement gift?"

"It’s so pretty. When will my fiancé get me something like that?"

A small smirk curled up Lucian’s lips.

All around them, people had discussions like those. Judging. Talking. Throwing judgmental glances like they didn’t have lives of their own to live.

And through it all, Lucian didn’t care.

He wrapped an arm around Elian’s shoulder, pulling him close and pressing a kiss on his forehead.

"I love this new side of you," Elian mumbled, snuggling into his hold.

They paused, standing in front of the aether craft used in getting here.

"It’s a permanent side." Lucian spun Elian around, staring into those magnetic violet orbs. "A side you’ve always deserved."

For a brief second, his gaze flicked to the ruby necklace around Elian’s neck. Kyren’s mysterious gift.

His mother’s words echoed in his head just then. A race to woo Elian. He’s never seen it like that until now.

Elian was an adult capable of making his own decisions. They all were. But what if he accidentally chases him off? Forces him to cut him off permanently?

Lucian wasn’t sure he could live with that.

His fingers brushed against Elian’s wrist, tracing the glowing lines that pulsed faintly within the Heart Jewel. He smiled, his chest aching with something dangerously close to contentment. "You know, I could get used to this."

Elian tilted his head, playful as always. "Used to what?"

"To be this... normal with you."

Unfortunately, he didn’t get the chance to elaborate.

BOOM!

A deafening explosion ripped through the air. The street trembled. Glass shattered in a rain of diamond dust as screams tore through the crowd.

The sound hit Lucian like a physical force — the screams, the crackling energy, the shockwaves left behind.

"Elian!"

Instinct kicked in.

He pulled Elian close, shielding him as fragments of light and debris rained down around them. The aether crafts nearby burst into flames. The tranquil morning dissolved into chaos in seconds.

Black mist slithered through the air, cold and heavy, coating the ground with shadowy tendrils. And from that mist—figures emerged. They were clad in dark, rune-etched armour. Their movements were sharp and unnatural.

The Dark Hand.

Lucian’s pupils contracted. "How the hell—"

"They’re after me," Elian gasped. "I can feel it—Lucian, they’re not here to kill me."

Lucian’s gaze snapped to him, horrified. "Then what—"

"To take me."

The words were a whisper, but they froze him where he stood.

A masked soldier lunged.

Lucian reacted instantly, summoning a burst of his Alpha energy that sent the attacker flying backwards into a burning craft. The shockwave rippled through the street, toppling carts and shattering street lamps.

"Elian, stay behind me!"

"Like hell I will!" Elian’s eyes flashed with defiance — that stubborn streak that made Lucian want to strangle and kiss him in the same breath.

But there wasn’t time to argue.

Three more soldiers emerged, their weapons crackling with red energy. Lucian spun his wrist, summoning twin plasma blades from thin air.

Silver met crimson as sparks danced and magic screeched through the air.

He moved with precision, but even with his strength, they were outnumbered. The soldiers fought like machines.

One of them raised a cannon-like weapon and aimed straight at Elian.

Lucian turned, too slow. "Elian—!"

A beam of searing red light blasted toward them.

Lucian froze, his breath hitching. There wasn’t time to think. He shoved Elian back, throwing his arm forward in a desperate bid to shield him.

For a moment, the world blurred—

—then a blinding flash of purple light erupted between them, creating something that made Lucian’s lips part.

A bubble. A perfect, shimmering sphere of purple energy crackling with magic. The blast collided with it, scattering harmlessly into the air like dust.

Lucian’s eyes widened. "What...?"

At the centre of it stood Elian, his blonde white hair flowing into the air like fire.