Chapter 120: _Three Mates Coexisting Lucian’s POV
"Sister?" He called out with a sigh when he saw his sister sitting close to a pond in the palace grounds. The pond in question was surrounded by beautiful trees with multi coloured leaves, birds chirping and fluttering around, a few even landing beside Aurora who sat on a bench facing the pond. Aurora’s silver hair, which faced Lucian, caught the sunlight, just like the clear pond water. "Sister, have you seen Elian?" Lucian asked when he finally stood in front of her. Her face was expressionless, a pink lily lying pretty in her palms. Her silver eyes were distant, almost as if she hadn’t even registered Lucian’s presence. "Aurora?" Lucian’s voice was softer as he stepped closer, but just when he stretched his hand forward, her eyes flicked to him. "What?" She asked in an agitated tone. "Elian. Have you seen him?" Aurora gave a sarcastic smile. "Well, I wouldn’t know brother. He’s probably frolicking with that murderer of a rogue king." Lucian’s fists curled when he imagined that possibility.
"Sister?" He called out with a sigh when he saw his sister sitting close to a pond in the palace grounds. The pond in question was surrounded by beautiful trees with multi coloured leaves, birds chirping and fluttering around, a few even landing beside Aurora who sat on a bench facing the pond. Aurora’s silver hair, which faced Lucian, caught the sunlight, just like the clear pond water. "Sister, have you seen Elian?" Lucian asked when he finally stood in front of her. Her face was expressionless, a pink lily lying pretty in her palms. Her silver eyes were distant, almost as if she hadn’t even registered Lucian’s presence. "Aurora?" Lucian’s voice was softer as he stepped closer, but just when he stretched his hand forward, her eyes flicked to him. "What?" She asked in an agitated tone. "Elian. Have you seen him?" Aurora gave a sarcastic smile. "Well, I wouldn’t know brother. He’s probably frolicking with that murderer of a rogue king." Lucian’s fists curled when he imagined that possibility.
Could Elian really be jumping Lord Kyren’s bone already?
"He killed Magnus. And just came in here casually admitting it." Aurora continued with a bitter smile, when Lucian was considering leaving. "I–I know my mate wasn’t the best person. But... But talking to him one last time wouldn’t have been bad."
Lucian blinked awkwardly, not knowing how to handle this. He and Aurora had had a heated argument in the dining room during breakfast after all.
He might not be the best person to comfort her right now.
"As much as it physically agitates me to defend the rogue king in any way, Magnus attacked him first, Aurora." Lucian managed to say but she scoffed, locking her eyes on him.
"Why then was Estella so insistent that lord Kyren was lying before she was dragged to the dungeons?"
Lucian shrugged, folding his arms in front of his chest. "She was probably searching for someone to take the fall with her. But Aurora, I—"
Suddenly, his communication ring flashed with a red light, pulling at his mind. His brows furrowed as he raised a finger, signalling he had to take the incoming call.
. "Lucian?" Axel’s voice was what came through the other end.
But Lucian’s frown deepened when he heard the worry behind his voice.
"What is it?"
"Have you seen Elian? I was searching for him earlier and heard his voice coming from the garden maze. Tracked his scent there too."
Crap.
Lucian turned away from Aurora who only rolled her eyes, going back to staring at the clear pond.
"I could ask you the same question too, Beta," Lucian spoke with a hoarse voice. "You think he’s with the rogue king?"
There was a short pause before Axel responded. "The guy hasn’t been here past a couple of hours, and he already has our mate wrapped around his fingers."
Lucian couldn’t help but feel jealous at the mere thought, his jaw clenching.
"Maybe he’s in his room." Aurora suddenly chimed from the bench, loud enough for Axel to hear too. "I mean, if the rogue king was searching for more privacy, he’d take him there. I guess."
She let out a sigh, stretching her limbs. "You’ve successfully disturbed one of the only peaceful spots in this palace. I’ll just head to my own room then."
She flashed Lucian a sarcastic smile before brushing past him, heading out of the area.
"She’s got a point," Axel said with a defeated sigh from the other end. "It was much easier when he had just the two of us as mates."
Lucian sniggered. "I wouldn’t go as far as calling it ’easy’. But yeah. It was tolerable at least."
"Do you think we should go to his room?" Axel asked after a small pause. "I don’t trust lord Kyren. Not to mention he’s like what? Centuries old? The age disparity is unhealthy."
Lucian’s lips curled. "More unhealthy than both of us being twenty-two and twenty-five?"
Axel chuckled genuinely from the other end, causing Lucian to crack a smile. A smile he sure as hell wouldn’t have shown if Axel were physically present.
What the heck is happening with his emotions recently?
’Our mate is becoming such a good influence on you, that’s what.’ His wolf growled excitedly in his head. ’Let’s find him. I want him.’
Lucian tried ignoring his urges, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "If Elian is truly in his room with Lord Kyren... We both know what that means, Beta."
"Yes, and I hate it." He could almost see the frown lines on Axel’s face when he said that.
Lucian walked toward the pond, standing just a few inches away from its clear waters.
He witnessed two birds swooping down and fluttering close to its surface before darting up again, circling each other as they did. The multicoloured leaves from the trees surrounding the pond fell on its surface, adding more vibrance to the scenery.
No wonder Aurora liked this spot.
"There’s nothing we can do." Lucian finally spoke through gritted teeth, letting out a heavy breath. "We’ll just have to deal with this the same way I dealt with you when we all found out you’re Elian’s second mate."
He paused intentionally, placing his free hand into his pocket. "And that’s by coexisting with our new rival."
"You barely coexisted with me, but sure," Axel grunted. "Anyway, I’ll make myself busy. Now that we know the Dark Hand was responsible for sending that first assassin through Estella and Magnus, that still leaves the question of who sent the second one. And until we figure that out—"
"Elian could still very much be in danger." Lucian completed the sentence, pressing his lips into a thin line. "I’ll join you and the committee soon. I still have other things to... Ponder."
With that, they ended the call, leaving Lucian to stare blankly at the pond, his mind reeling with just one thought:
How does he carry on with marrying Elian?
He squinted, withholding the urge to groan with frustration the more he thought about it.
Does he just propose randomly? Take him somewhere private? Do it during... Wait.
His eyes lit up when an idea came to his mind. "Should I bring it up during the masquerade ball next month?"
He blinked when he realised he was alone and talking to himself.
Ugh, Elian really was messing with his head.
Lucian was just about to turn away from the pond when a cold metal pressed against the back of his head, sending a chill down his spine.
That and the mechanical sound of something powering up made him realise what it was.
A plasma rifle.
The sound of boots crunching on the grass finally caught his ear’s attention, but it was too late.
"Prince Lucian Stormborn." A male voice blurted behind him, confident but cold. "We need to have a little chat."