Chapter 153: _Politics Will Consume You Lucian’s POV
After a little more talking, the Alpha King straightened his spine, looking past the faces of everyone present. He settled on Lucian specifically, squinting with an unknown emotion. Lucian kept his cool, pretending like he didn’t notice his father’s gaze... But he knew that look. It felt like the Alpha King was trying to silently tell him that he was onto whatever he had planned. Telling him to keep himself under control. But that’s the thing—this was Lucian being under control. The mere fact that he hasn’t decided to make all he knows about his father and Kyren blow in their faces yet was enough proof. "Well, it’s settled then." His father cleared his throat, drumming his fingers on the table as the holographic projection disappeared. "Lunaria will not be passive in this conflict. We’ll speak out in the loudest way possible... With a broadcast pushing for peace." Lucian let himself smirk as his father spoke. How pragmatic of his old man. "I’ll make the speech tonight." He continued, his tone heavy. "Whether it coincides with whatever lord Kyren says about the attack or not... The people of the continent will still see that our Empire is a vocal powerhouse." The Gamma, Delta and Axel nodded in approval—as expected.
After a little more talking, the Alpha King straightened his spine, looking past the faces of everyone present. He settled on Lucian specifically, squinting with an unknown emotion. Lucian kept his cool, pretending like he didn’t notice his father’s gaze... But he knew that look. It felt like the Alpha King was trying to silently tell him that he was onto whatever he had planned. Telling him to keep himself under control. But that’s the thing—this was Lucian being under control. The mere fact that he hasn’t decided to make all he knows about his father and Kyren blow in their faces yet was enough proof. "Well, it’s settled then." His father cleared his throat, drumming his fingers on the table as the holographic projection disappeared. "Lunaria will not be passive in this conflict. We’ll speak out in the loudest way possible... With a broadcast pushing for peace." Lucian let himself smirk as his father spoke. How pragmatic of his old man. "I’ll make the speech tonight." He continued, his tone heavy. "Whether it coincides with whatever lord Kyren says about the attack or not... The people of the continent will still see that our Empire is a vocal powerhouse." The Gamma, Delta and Axel nodded in approval—as expected.
Lap dogs.
"As for the war itself, we’ve all agreed that Arcadia winning wouldn’t be good for this Empire. So... I’ve come to a decision that still paints us in a good light." The Alpha king placed his arms behind himself, staring at Lucian now.
That look in his eyes made Lucian pause, arching an eyebrow.
What was he up to?
Soon enough, Lucian got the answer to that.
"I’ve decided Beta Axel and the Alpha Prince should both head to the Dark Lands as envoys to discuss ways to lessen tension. Then after that, they’ll head to Arcadia."
Lucian’s jaw slacked the second he heard those words, his blinking unending as he looked between his father and Axel.
The Beta seemed just as stunned as him but soon cleared his throat, plastering a smile and bowing slightly before the Alpha King.
"Very well, sir."
Very well? Very well?!
No, this was not "very well".
On the bright side, Lucian would get a chance to see Elian. But doing that in the domain of the rogue king after what he discovered about him?
That was a disaster waiting to happen.
His jaw tightened as his father clapped his hands, gesturing at all of them.
"Meeting dismissed. I need to plan a worthy speech."
The Gamma, Delta and Axel bowed, all three of them filing out of the room in an orderly manner.
But Lucian remained standing, even after his father turned away from him and brought out a holographic screen tablet, scrolling through it.
Lucian’s breathing became tense but just when he parted his lips to say something, his father cut through the tense silence.
"If you have anything to say, boy, now is not the time." His voice was cold but deep, reverberating through the room. "Also, don’t think I didn’t notice what you were trying to pull here."
Lucian’s nostrils flared but he didn’t let his emotions get in the way of rational thinking.
"Right... So you’re sending me to the Dark Lands AND Arcadia to what? Silence me?" He asked, tilting his head and walking around the table slowly, his eyes narrowing on his father.
The Alpha king froze at first, so silent that Lucian almost couldn’t hear him breathing.
But eventually, the holographic screen flickered out of existence and he turned slowly, squinting.
"I thought you’d be happy at the idea of getting a chance to see your mate again." He shrugged, his face deadpan. "Who knows? Maybe you could finally get a chance to discuss marriage like the Eastern Wolves Council wants."
Lucian ground his jaw, shaking his head.
He knew it.
The man was playing games.
"Don’t give me that bull, father." Lucian took two more steps forward, his tone firm. "You’ve never given a rat’s ass about my relationship with Elian. Just about keeping face."
A small smile curled the corner of Arian’s lips as he took a few steps closer as well. "I believe a father and a king are quite capable of both at once, son."
They were both silent after that, the air thick with unspoken tension.
But somehow, they both understood themselves.
They both understood that the trust between them was not only fickle... But becoming non-existent.
Or, at least Lucian knew that now more than ever.
"Point is, Lucian," The Alpha king finally cleared his throat, raising his chin. "A king must be willing to do anything to protect the family name."
Lucian sniggered. "Like sponsoring an organisation threatening to crumble the entire continent?"
Without warning, the Alpha King appeared a few inches in front of Lucian in the blink of an eye, grabbing his jaw. The latter gasped in a mix of surprise, pain... And rage.
"You don’t know the lengths I’ve gone to protect this Empire. To protect you and our family." His father growled, his silver eyes molten with rage. "Don’t push me, Lucian. Do you understand?"
Lucian’s chest heaved but he didn’t say anything, maintaining eye contact with him.
After a few more seconds, the Alpha king finally let go, turning away from him. But not without pointing at the door behind him.
"Leave. And stop poking your head in matters that don’t concern you if you know what’s good for you." He looked over his shoulder with a fierce light. "The politics of this continent will consume you whole if you’re not careful."
His father didn’t spare him another glance after that, keeping his back facing him like he didn’t exist.
But the ache left behind by his hand on his jaw still lingered, causing Lucian’s fist to curl beside him.
His father... Threatened him because of his secrets?
’We’ll see who gets consumed.’ Lucian thought to himself, finally turning away from his old man and heading for the doors.
Once he opened the large doors and stepped out, his eyes landed on Axel who was surprisingly waiting for him outside.
"What did you—" the Beta was about to speak but Lucian interrupted.
"Right now we need to plan our next steps. On going to the Dark Lands." Lucian blurted, walking past Axel, his footsteps hasty. But then he whispered to himself. "And then getting Elian back."