CHAPTER 219: CHANGE OF PERCEPTION

The empress turned without another word, her robes trailing like a river of light as she made her way out of the hall. The atmosphere shifted instantly; when the empress left, her presence seemed to leave a hollow behind...one that no one dared fill.

The counselor quickly gathered his scrolls and followed after her, he hurried but his face dark with displeasure. Just before he disappeared through the doorway, he stopped and turned slightly toward Lucas. His eyes, sharp and cold, lingered for a moment. It was not the look of a man simply angered by insolence...it was something deeper, the gaze of someone who felt undermined in his own domain. The counselor’s lips tightened, and without a word, he turned away and followed the empress out of sight.

Prince Khan, however, did not move. He sat rigidly in his seat, his jaw clenched so tightly that the veins on his neck stood out. His fingers tapped slowly against his knee, a habit he had whenever something stirred his temper. His gaze remained fixed on Lucas, unblinking, simmering with irritation. "Unbelievable," he muttered, his voice low but audible enough for those near him to hear. "A mere envoy wins her attention after speaking nonsense about alliances. What sorcery does he possess?"

An older courtier beside him leaned closer, whispering carefully, "Your Highness, the empress must have her reasons. Perhaps it is better not to question her judgment in public."

Prince Khan’s eyes flicked toward the man, and for a moment, silence pressed between them. Then he scoffed, looking away again. "Reasons or not, I do not trust him." His voice carried faintly across the hall, though Lucas pretended not to hear.

The atmosphere shifted again once it was clear that court was adjourned. The empress’s departure meant every remaining petition, every judgment, and every dispute scheduled for the day had been postponed. The hall that once buzzed with whispers and laughter now hummed with murmurs of curiosity instead.

The nobles and officials who had mocked Lucas earlier now regarded him differently. The same faces that once sneered now looked at him with reluctant respect...or cautious curiosity. Some looked away when he met their eyes, while others studied him as though trying to see through the calm confidence that had earned him the empress’s favor.

A few of the younger nobles approached each other quietly.

"Did you see how she looked at him?" one said.

"I did," another replied, shaking his head. "I have never seen Her Majesty speak that way to anyone. Not even to Khan."

"Perhaps he truly carries something extraordinary," a third added, his tone uncertain. "Or perhaps... the empress enjoys toying with danger."

As for the women of the inner court...their reaction was quite different. The moment Lucas turned slightly toward them, soft laughter rippled among the group. Their veils shifted as they whispered and blushed, stealing glances at him. One of them murmured, "He must be brave, to stand his ground like that before the empress and the counselor."

"Brave?" another replied, giggling softly. "He’s dangerous, remember? She said so herself."

The group laughed again, a mixture of amusement and fascination. Some of the younger attendants lowered their gazes when Lucas’s eyes met theirs, though their lips curved with shy smiles.

Lucas stood quietly in the center of it all, neither smiling nor frowning. He was aware of the eyes on him, the changing tide of perception, but he did not let it distract him. What mattered to him was not the stares or the whispers...it was the fact that tomorrow, he would stand before the empress again. Whatever she had seen in him, whatever had caught her interest, he would make sure to use it to Valerion’s advantage.

Still, as he walked slowly toward the exit, he couldn’t help but notice how the same people who once mocked him now made way for him with deference. The shift in the hall was almost tangible. By the time he reached the grand doors, the murmurs behind him had grown into a low wave of speculation, admiration, and unease.

He paused briefly, glancing back one last time at Prince Khan, who still sat unmoving, his cold gaze fixed upon him. Lucas met it calmly for a fleeting moment before turning away.

And as he stepped out of the hall, his lovers followed him proudly....the boy who defied the court, caught the empress’s eye, and walked away unharmed with his lovers.

Shortly after leaving the Throne Hall....Lucas and the girls reached and entered the guest chamber, the soft light of the chamber washing over them as the door closed behind.

Nyx sprawled lazily across the bed, her hair falling freely down her back, while Selene and Lira giggled beside her, their naked skin glimmering faintly in the lamplight. They turned toward him as he walked in, their eyes bright and mischievous, teasing smiles curling on their lips.

Lucas sat at the edge of the bed, rubbing the back of his neck, his thoughts drifting. "I didn’t expect her to react that way," he admitted. "I thought she’d have me thrown out...or worse."

Lira moved closer, her voice softer. "Instead she praised you. ’You’re dangerous, I like danger.’ That’s not something she says to anyone. You should feel honored, Master."

He let out a small laugh, though his eyes were distant. "Honored? Maybe. But it also means she’s watching me now. And I don’t know what she saw."

Selene leaned in and traced a finger down his arm. "You think too much. The Empress may be powerful, but she’s still a woman. And women always notice confidence. You spoke like no one else dared to. That’s why she likes you."

Lucas looked at her with a faint smile. "You think she likes me?"

"I know she does," Nyx said, smirking. "And I think that’s why her prince was glaring holes through you."

The girls all laughed, but Lucas didn’t join them this time. His gaze wandered toward the window, where the moonlight bled into the room in soft silver threads. "Maybe that’s a problem," he murmured.

Lira frowned. "Why?"

"Because if she’s interested in me for the wrong reason," Lucas said quietly, "it could end badly...for all of us."

The laughter faded, replaced by a quiet unease. He looked at them, noticing how their smiles wavered. Then, softening his tone, he added, "Don’t worry. I’ll handle whatever comes tomorrow. For now, just rest."

Nyx grinned again, trying to lighten the mood. "Rest? We were hoping you’d do anything but rest." She reached for him, and the others followed, their laughter returning as they pressed against him, their warmth and perfume filling his senses.

But Lucas’s mind was elsewhere. Even as the girls giggled and teased, he found himself unable to shake the Empress’s image from his thoughts..the sound of her voice, the commanding aura she carried, the faint glimmer in her eyes behind that veil. He finally sighed and pulled away gently, standing up and adjusting his robe.

"What’s wrong?" Selene asked, her tone suddenly tender.

"Nothing," he said. "I just need to clear my head....a lot’s running through my mind."

He tied his robe, the deep fabric brushing lightly against the floor as he walked toward the door. "Tomorrow’s important," he added, turning slightly toward them. "Get some sleep."

Nyx pouted, though her eyes were full of admiration. "Don’t think too much, Xavier. You’ll charm her tomorrow just like you did today."

Lucas smiled faintly but said nothing. He stepped out into the hallway, the cool night air hitting him as the door closed softly behind. His thoughts turned heavy almost immediately. What did she see in me? he wondered. What made her call me dangerous?

He walked slowly down the palace corridor, the glow of the spirit lamps flickering against the polished marble floor. Despite the calm of the night, a strange tension lingered in his chest. Henrietta had seen through parts of him before...but the Empress was different. She had an aura that seemed to strip away pretense, to look straight into the soul.

If she had truly seen what he was, then tomorrow’s meeting would really be more than just an alliance...it would be a test. And whether he passed or failed would depend on how much he was willing to reveal.