Chapter 2

Odelli palace, years XX

Spring royal ball

Claude never liked Alexander, his cousin, and his sister's fiance. Nor did he care for that girl. What was her name again? Right, Olivia Grandel. That baron's daughter didn't amount much compared to Lucina.

If it were him, he would have ripped the girl's head. He only tolerates her because he needs her. She seemed stupid enough to manipulate. When, as she called it, the confrontation scene happened, Olivia seemed upset. She wished for it to be in the middle of the ball. Publicly.

"_This is a private matter; the whole kingdom doesn't need to know.

_But what she did needs to be punished!

_And she will, but it doesn't need to be in the middle of the ball.

_Claude is right, Olivia."

She looked a bit careless. It was almost like she forgot to put in her act. The girl pouted a bit and waited for the ball to start. Claude could hear her mutter about the game and public execution. He couldn't help but frown at it. He knew she was a nut case, but she sure has lost it now. 

The  "confrontation" came, and the prince broke his engagement. Even when she was crying, Lucina looked stunning. He had to hold himself back to not rushing to her. The silver-haired young man had a small smile. As a noble, she wouldn't have a big punishment. Confinement in their family home, at least, she was still of royal blood, after all. 

"_What will be her punishment, your highness?

_She will be held in confinement in her family territory.

_Huh? No way, that's too light for a punishment!"

Claude could see Alexander frown a bit. The girl who a few minutes ago begged him to spare her bully was now demanding a heavier sentence. Alexander was naive but not that stupid. He could see something wasn't right. Not just him but the others too. 

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Present day

Lucina woke with a shaky breath. It's been a few days since her bird's gruesome death. She had a hard time moving out of bed, primarily because of the pair of arms around her waist. Out of fear that he would do something worse, she accepted sleeping with him once more. Looking at the window, she let a sigh. Claude was a monster from the beginning. She wondered how come she had never noticed it. She had to find a way to escape both her engagement and her brother. 

The young girl turned around to meet Claude's placid stare. She jumped a bit, startled. Since when was he awake? The silver-haired boy stared silently for quite a long time. He seemed deep in his mind while looking at her. Blinking a few times, he cheerfully smiled. 'Creepy! That's creepy, creepy, creepy.'

"_Goodmorning, sister! Did you sleep well? 

_Ah... Yes, good morning."

Claude crawled nearer to her before hugging her. He rubbed his nose under her ear and jaw before putting his head on her neck. Lucina shuddered at the sudden show of affection. She could feel his smile against her skin. 

The young boy had a mischievous gleam when he felt her shiver. She was so cute and defenceless. If they were older, he would have gobbled her long ago. His precious little "sister". This time around, she wouldn't escape him. He will just need to take care of the unneeded pest around.

"_I love you, sister. Just stay with me forever." 

The white-haired girl didn't respond back, but he didn't care. It wasn't important to him. This lack of response was just a small insignificant detail. He could only feel pure joy when he felt her hugging back. He could feel her small body trembling as a sadistic pleasure took him. As long as she stays next to him, everything would be alright.

"_It would be a pity if something terrible were to happen."

She opened her mouth to answer only to be cut off. She was scared shitless when she heard his cheerful voice. 

"_I mean, you really like Mary right? I just hope she wouldn't be careless and slip down the stair you know? I heard people could break their necks."

That was how her nanny, Mary, died when she was 15. She fell down a ladder because Lucina was throwing a tantrum over a stupid ribbon stuck on the tree. The poor woman had no choice but to get up there and the ladder broke.  The nanny fell head-first and twisted her neck. People said it was her fault and she was feeling guilty about that. Ever since she never put a ribbon in her hair anymore. 

Cold sweat fell down her face. She had to protect her nanny. She nods and lets him hug her. Lucina was starting to think everyone she lost, was maybe Claude's fault. She could hear him laugh. He cupped her face before leaning. Too scared to do anything, she could only watch him take her lips. She was shaking just like a leaf. He saw easily and naturally took away her first kiss from her. The young boy smiled proudly before kissing her again. This time with more confidence she will not go against him. 

"_What should we play today? How about we play pretend? Or maybe we should play hide and seek?"

This was when Mary knock at the door. It was time for breakfast, after both children got dressed, they sat with the parents. Claude looked at Mary who looked anxious. He smiled until he heard his parent's ominous words. 

"_We have big news for you Lucina. You will soon be 13 years old, which means your and your brother's debutantes will start in two years.

_I see"

Both children knew what was coming. For Lucina this is another dreadful moment. 

"_We decided to have an engagement with Prince Alexander.

_I don't think she will suit the prince, mother. He has... unique taste. 

_Claude right, I don't think I'm suited for that. 

_Nonsense, and it was decided by the royal."

In another word, she could only suck it up. She didn't have a choice and will have to find a way to break her engagement. 

A few days after, Lucina was sitting in the carriage. She planned to wear the ugliest dress she had. Which happened to be a big pink gown with frills and ribbons everywhere that even a clown wouldn't wear it. And Claude was on board with the idea.

Of course, Mary totally disregarded it and with the grand duchess's approval took upon her to choose her dress. It was a beautiful pastel dress with just the right amount of lace and ribbon. She looked like a youthful and innocent little lady.

In the past, her first meeting with Alexander, was the same date but she did pick her dress. Unlike today, she wanted to impress him, she was trying hard to look pretty and mature but failed incredibly.

"_We are here my lady!"

Lucina looked at the palace at the end of the path. It wasn't the first time she saw it. there was a time she thought it would be hers. The most beautiful palace, Divinia Palace, is also most commonly known as the empress's palace.  At the bottom of the stair, a 14-year-old teen along with maids waited for her. He had a fake smile on his face, like always. 

"_Wellcome lady Lucina Valentine, I'm Alexander Acascius von Vestalis, this country's only prince and your fiance. 

_It's an honour meeting you, your highness."

She tried to act like she used to, but couldn't hide the pain in her eyes. She loved him in her first life. He was her first love, the one she saved her first kiss for. Even when her brother stabbed her, her heartbreak was recent. She LOVED him. 

Alexander couldn't help but notice the sadness and distance in her eyes. It was so mesmerizing that he couldn't help but be attracted to it. He wanted to see her cry, but felt a strange grudge and anger at the idea it wasn't for him. His fiance may need to learn not to look at other men.