CHAPTER 406: AN OFFER

Callista and the voices were saying the same thing. It was the same fact he always knew. The same fact his mother always told him.

Cedric wanted him dead and would destroy his sisters and everyone for revenge. He was a bloodthirsty monster, and this was just the first.

He released a sigh, "What do you want, brother? Do you want to kill me off immediately now you have the chance?" He taunted.

The person behind stepped closer taking a few steps forward. "Even if I want to. I doubt I would stand a Chance against you. I have always been the inferior youngest prince." His voice was calm and collected as he spoke.

Lucian sighed, then turned around, his gold eyes met Alfonso’s calm, Hazel eyes. They just lost their father, but it seems like no one was mourning.

"Callista, give us the room." He instructed. The priestess looked reluctant but she bowed and turned to leave. "I will be assisting outside." She said before leaving the room.

The door shut behind her, and it was just Lucian and Alfonso.

"What do you want to talk about?" He asked right away. Alfonso sighed and ran his fingers through his auburn hair before his voice came out reluctantly.

"Do you really think this is true? That Abrielle killed Father." He asked, and Lucian scoffed.

"I believe you have reasons to think otherwise." He mentioned that his eyes were monitoring Alfonso.

"I just find it hard to believe. She is weak and isn’t the brightest out there. How can a shy woman who avoids everyone in fear be capable of doing this?" Alfonso spoke out. Lucian was the only one he could speak to about this. Lucian was the only one who didn’t have a bias in this situation, besides being the one who would benefit the most.

Lucian walked around Alfonso. The younger Prince’s eyes followed him warily until he stood. "You have always been praised as the most cunning one. Using the noble wives as leverage against their husbands. I understand your conjecture but are you sure you aren’t being biased in the matter"

Alfonso’s eyes darkened. "I am trying to use a different approach from your mother, who always wanted to dispose of Cedric."

Lucian tilted his head, an amused look on his face, as he rarely smiles. He knew what Alfonso was saying. He even suspects his mother of the death of Cedric’s mother, rumoured to be the most beautiful woman to have stepped foot in the palace. Not even Calista came close.

"Those are big words. Even if Abrielle can’t think about it and doesn’t have the heart to. You forget the man she is married to is one of the smartest people we know. Cedric is extremely hard to predict. " Lucian stated. He was already tired of this discussion.

"You are easy to condemn the brother you have always been chasing his shadow. The same way I have been chasing yours knowing I could never catch up to either of you." The room went silent.

A conversation they didn’t need words to express. Lucian’s hand clenched. "I am just doing my duty, Alfonso." He walked closer until he was just a step away.

"I am just a crown prince. A title I was given because my mother was the recognised queen. What power do I have when every evidence points to Cedric? All I can do is act based on them. I know you love Abrielle but you just have to let go."

Alfonso backed away, his eyes going wide. "I don’t love my brother’s wife, they were all rumours. " He denied immediately, causing Lucian to just smile at him.

"There is no need to deny it. I recognise your gaze when you stare at her. It was filled with longing and something dark. A forbidden obsession you know you should not have. You love her despite knowing you should not. You were so helpless against it."..

His hand grabbed Alfonso’s shoulder. Alfonso could not deny it. "Let go of it, Alfonso. She was never yours and will never be. Even if she hadn’t gotten married to Cedric, Abrielle was arranged to wed me from birth which she rejected because she always loved him. At least that’s what mother says.".

Lucian watched Alfonso tremble at the truth. It was something he knew but being told directly still hurts. "The only chance I have is if he is dead," Alfonso muttered and Lucian smirked

He wasn’t expecting that from Alfonso. He let go of Alfonso’s shoulder and then turned to face him. "Let’s say you manage to kill Cedric. Only one of us can live in the end in the battle of succession. You can’t fight me. It is a lost cause. The advice I will give you, Alfonso, as my brother, is to escape with your mother far away from Darconia ."

Lucian’s words were harsh but still kind. Although Lucian didn’t look like it, Alfonso always knew Lucian and Bernice were the kindest in this family. Lucian had no intentions of spilling blood but had no choice but to.

Cedric and he could never coexist. Even the court won’t allow it.

"That is why I came to make an offer for you, Lucian. Something beneficial for both of us.".

The bells sounded faded, loud roars of soldiers could be heard from a distance as they chased after Cedric. "An offer," Lucian arched his brows.

"What if we join forces to take down Cedric, but in exchange, you will allow me to quietly leave Darconia with my mother and Abrielle. I will fade away like the smoke and there won’t be any threat close to you..."

Outside of the palace, the chase was on in full force. Cedric had managed to cross the first gate and was heading for the outer city gates.

His hands were tight on the reins as he rode at full speed. "Halt in the name of the queen." The knights demanded to chase after them.

Elias smirked, his eyes glancing at Cedric and Axel. They were faced with danger but still felt a thrill in them

.

"You will have to catch me first then," Cedric muttered.