The words of the servant did not come out of Magnus' head. He stayed the whole night turning in bed without being able to rest properly, just thinking about the various hypotheses of that nonsense.
"Haa" sighed the omega, passing his fingers between the dark and sweaty wires "What the fuck. Where did I get…"
There was a feeling of regret for having engaged with Lucian. Was the eighth prince mad and dragged the servant into his delusions? If so, he was getting involved with a person who would only give him a headache.
However, Magnus remembered every moment he had with the alpha. The false smile, although still beautiful, his intelligence… his elegance when moving… Nothing in it made him look like a crazy person.
Only that… the words of the servant beta really made everything seem a big nonsense!
"Of course I'll die, we all will… Why should the obvious be considered a gift?" Mumbled Magnus staring at the dark ceiling of his room.
Still so…
"Prevent the… Grand duke's death.'"
Those were the servant's words before the effect of the drug passed. Argus fell into a deep sleep, had the feat of sleeping standing! After that, that woman just left him lying on a upholstery.
"I don't know if the Grand Duke will believe it, or not. But I finished my work here." Were the last words of that woman, before she disappeared from the window.
Magnus had no choice but to return to the Grimwood mansion, and… hours later — which seemed like an eternity — there he was rolling in bed without being able to sleep. Sitting on the bed, Magnus sighed heavily and leaned his arms over his knees. The coarse covered slid revealing the naked torso of the omega, which seemed to be on fire just with all that confusion.
Should he question Lucian?
What would he say?
And what business would the eighth prince have with a member of a guild?
"Honestly, it seems that I'm opening the curtains of a cheap circus" Growled Magnus, rubbing his palm over his face "Cadec did not say anything about Lucian being allied with some brother in this battle for the throne… Is he deceiving me?"
The first rays of sun passed through the heavy and dark curtains of Magnus' room. A new day was beginning, and that afternoon he had an appointment that would give him the chance to take all his anguish into evidence.
.
(…)
.
"My goodness, I can't believe we're going to have tea at the Sun Palace!" Eugene smiled cheerfully, watching the huge palace that got bigger as the carriage approached.
"I am also very anxious, it is the first time that I visit the imperial palace."
"It's not a big deal" Magnus responded indifferent to the excitement of his sister-in-law and his younger brother. Crossing his arms and legs, he was the complete opposite of them both.
It was no less, he could hardly sleep that night. He returned late from that palace and his head could only repeat the words of that servant beta. Eugene turned on the comfortable seat to face his brother, and made a cunning little pout.
"You always go to the palace, of course you won't find it that interesting, Mag!"
"Please remember to behave, Eugene. It seems the Imperial Consort will be joining us."
"I will, I will."
Being that the first time the two families would meet apart from festive occasions, it was natural for young Eugene to be anxious. However, the other adults knew well that it was a tradition because of the marriage of Magnus and Lucian. The families of both engaged would gather, something intimate to know each other and strengthen their ties.
The carriage bearing the Grimwood branding passed directly through the huge gates of the imperial palace. The guards saluted the commander who was inside the carriage. The same act was repeated when those four got off the carriage, long minutes later, and were greeted by the Consort and Lucian.
Just seeing the eighth prince there, Magnus felt strangely uncomfortable. Or would it be better to say "intrigued"?
"Welcome to the Palace of the Sun, Grimwood family." Cassander smiled sweetly.
The four bowed with their hands on their chests.
"The Grimwood family salutes the Imperial Consort and the eighth prince" Magnus said formally.
"Let's go in? I hope you are hungry, because our chef seemed very excited this afternoon."
While his brothers and sister-in-law followed the consort, Magnus took a look at Lucian. He noticed the purplish dark circles under his eyes and it puzzled him. Well, maybe he wasn't the only one fighting insomnia. Approaching the eighth prince, the omega whispered so that only her fiancé could hear it.
"By chance you were so anxious for this day, that you couldn't even sleep?"
Lucian looked at him surprised, but then hid behind that his false smile.
"I'm always anxious when it comes to seeing my beautiful fiancé."
"Humpf… you don't waste time, do you?"
Releasing a gracious laugh, Lucian extended his arm and Magnus unconsciously held him giving permission to be escorted.
"But for your information, lately I've been tired because of the wedding preparations."
"I won't disagree with you, Lucian. Although I am grateful that you have agreed to take care of the most urgent matters on the subject."
Lucian stroked lightly theMagnus' gloomy hand, and looked at him with such sweetness that the omega was bewildered by the beauty of that damned prince.
"I know you've been busy, and as your companion it is my duty and pleasure to relieve your stress."
It was amazing the ability of that prince to relieve his tension with such… shameful words. Or was it the meaning behind his words that always seemed to catch the Grand Duke off guard?
Did he already know about your coming to the palace that night? Probably your servant would have told him. However, Magnus did not want to fill his fiancé with questions. At least not at that time. Since his brother was eager and happy to have tea at the Imperial Palace, Magnus chose to keep the facade of ignorance, pretending to know absolutely nothing.
Just wait for the ideal moment to touch on the subject.
"But how have you been the last days?"
"I have just been doing my job as commander, and also settling the final details of Jesse's marriage. Even if he can take care of it, I am the bearer of the title of Grand Duke, so certain matters must be resolved by me."
"Wow… I always thought your brother was responsible for handling the Grimwood's bureaucratic affairs."
"That's my responsibility. I didn't put any kind of pressure on my brothers. I want them to choose their own paths."
Lucian slightly squeezed his arm as they walked. The omega knew very well the meaning behind that gesture, since Lucian also looked at him with that smile full of tenderness and admiration. Magnus didn't know how to deal with that kind of affection, however, it wasn't so bad.
Well, it was only obvious to Magnus that he should hold the name of his family and let his brothers live their own ways. This is something your father would have done if he were still alive. Thanks to this, Jesse got a position within the administrative staff of the Imperial Palace, while Eugene was able to enter the academy to study and find his future without having to worry about marrying someone with great possessions.
Magnus would bear any burden that was necessary.
Even if tangled in the circus of horrors that his mysterious fiancé seemed to be starring.
Guided into a greenhouse between the Palace of the Sun and the first prince's palace, Magnus was surprised to enter and feel the warm, moist air caressing his face. It was common knowledge that Cassander liked flowers, so much so that at his wedding the Emperor presented him with that greenhouse full of the alpha's favorite flowers. It was a story that showed the Emperor's devotion to his love, and how much he wanted him to feel comfortable in his new home.
Magnus never thought that such gifts made any sense, he imagined that it was only an excuse of the Emperor to flaunt all his wealth and power for his husband. Something to brag about. However, he admitted it was a beautiful greenhouse.
In the center of the greenhouse, surrounded by white roses, there was a tea table very well prepared. The smell of tea and desserts combined perfectly with the scent of roses.
"Please feel free."
"Wow… Your Majesty really has good taste in preparing events" commented Victoria Shang with a slight blush on her cheeks.
"Haha, thank you, Miss Shang. Because of my health, my duties are limited. Preparing a tea party for those who will be part of my family is a pleasure to me."
"But Your Majesty seems excited and healthy."
"Do I look like it?" Cassander tilted his head slightly and smiled gracefully.
A nerve jumped on Magnus's forehead. A natural reaction when he saw "that" smile.
Such father such son.
Now he knew from whom Lucian drew.
The servants entered the greenhouse perfectly uniformed. They quietly served tea to the guests and when they finished putting the last dishes of sandwiches and savoury pies, they withdrew to leave them at ease. Magnus kept silent while drinking the tea, giving room for his brothers to enjoy prose with the Consort.
Well, such atmosphere was not so bad.