10 — Gifts

Lucian and his soldiers had been escorted to their quarters by Duke Ramsel, but with nothing to do, they decided to train, even if it was with fake swords. Hence, after resting for a while, the knights gathered in the training ground of the Princess's palace. 

Resting his chin on his hand, Lucian watched his men train with the wooden swords they had been lent, deep in thought. 

The young lady he had seen in the garden puzzled him with her response.

"We have never met," she had said simply before leaving without even looking back at him. 

A normal person would at least glance back before answering, but she didn't.

"Your Highness, what are you thinking about?" Adrian asked, noticing that his master seemed preoccupied.

"That lady... she was strange," Lucian replied.

"That lady?"

Lucian nodded.

"She was pouring tea in the garden! And strangely, I felt… as if I knew her." He shook his head in disbelief. 

How could he know a woman from Eldoria when he had never set foot in the kingdom?

"Are you referring to the silver-haired lady?" Glain approached the two men, resting his sword on his shoulder and gasping for breath. 

He had been training for hours. Although he had noticed the grand duke's odd behavior when they were given their rooms, he couldn't ask him about it—for a simple reason: a servant had no right to question his master.

Lucian glanced up at the brown-haired man. 

"Do you know her?"

A nervous laugh escaped Glain, causing Lucian to frown. 

"I apologize," Glain promptly bowed, regaining his composure before continuing. "I believe that was Princess Cynthia, the woman you are to marry."

Lucian grimaced upon hearing his words. 

He was to marry a woman who threw tea for no reason? He had heard she was a villainess, but he hadn't expected her demeanor to be so harsh, even towards whatever she ate and drank! 

No wonder I hate these Eldorians. They are all...

Lucian's jaw tightened at the thought of having to marry a woman who didn't value anything—not humans, nor food. He had seen countless people lose their lives on the battlefield because they couldn't afford a drop of water or a morsel of food, yet she was wasting the luxuries she had.

Sensing the grand duke's anger, Adrian coughed to clear his throat before speaking. "Don't worry, Your Highness. As long as you don't get involved with her, nothing will go wrong," he smiled, trying to soothe Lucian's fury.

The dark-haired man rose from his seat. "I think you forgot. I am to marry that woman. I'm already too involved with her, and I can't even..." He paused, unable to continue. 

Refuse.

The word caught in his throat. He couldn't express his disapproval of this alliance openly before his subjects, nor in an open place where guards were permitted to roam around. Anyone could hear, and another conflict could arise at any moment.

As Lucian fell silent, a red-haired man rose from his seat. "I heard from a servant that the wedding preparations are ready."

"It seems they're in a hurry," Dylan scoffed. "Oh! But who wouldn't want to get rid of such an evil princess?"

"Dylan!" The red-haired man frowned, disapproving of his outrageous remarks about the princess.

"What? I'm stating the truth. They want to get rid of her, so they're throwing her into our kingdom through marriage," Dylan snorted.

"Do control your tongue!" Glain exclaimed sharply.

The sound of someone clearing their throat caught the three men's attention. Nervously, Dylan, Adrian, and Glain shifted their gaze toward a tall, blond-haired man who stood slightly apart from them. 

Lucian raised an eyebrow, examining the man. The blond man wore a scarlet suit with golden lace patterns. He had a smile on his thin lips as he looked at them, his arms crossed.

"And you are?" Lucian demanded, approaching the stranger.

A soft chuckle escaped the man before he spoke. "I should have introduced myself. I am Alistair De Luminas, King of Eldoria. I'm surprised you haven't recognized me. We have met before."

Alistair paused, locking eyes with Lucian. "On the battlefield. But I suppose it is indeed hard to recognize each other without our armor."

The dark-haired young man lowered his upper body in a bow. "I, Grand Duke Lucian of Erion, greet the King of Eldoria," Lucian spoke softly, though he wished to grab a sword and strike the man before him. 

He desperately tried to keep his contempt in check—he couldn't afford to make a mistake. King Valerian would never forgive him.

Lucian's soldiers mirrored their commander, greeting King Alistair.

"Oh! No need to be so formal. You are to be my brother-in-law," Alistair said, gently lifting Lucian from his bow and waving his hand to signal the soldiers to rise as well.

"How could we not?" Dylan said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

Everyone knew the strained relationship between Selvarys and Eldoria, and Alistair's casual dismissal of formality felt like rubbing salt into a wound. 

Adrian threw an elbow punch Dylan's way, signaling him to keep quiet. "You and your big mouth will get us in big trouble!" he whispered through gritted teeth, trying to conceal his irritation.

"At least I dare to speak the truth! Unlike you," Dylan whispered back, scoffing.

Alistair laughed, clapping his hands twice. A line of servants entered the vast training ground, carrying large trays. The soldiers slowly shifted toward the edges, making space for the servants.

"What is this?" Lucian demanded, puzzled.

"Oh! Just a few... gifts," the blond-haired man replied with a bright smile. "For my sister. I know that despite being a prince..." Alistair paused, inhaling before continuing. "I hope you keep my sister happy and can give her everything she needs."

Lucian pursed his lips, keeping quiet. It wasn't that he hadn't expected such an insult from the Eldorians, but hearing it from the king himself was another story!

"Your Majesty, I apologize, but... I cannot accept these," the dark-haired man stated firmly, locking his emerald gaze with the man's violet ones.