Chapter 163: _Arrogant Prince Lucian’s POV
You’d think that after a dark hand spy attacked his mother and the rogue king publicly declared war on Arcadia—maybe Lunaria would rest their balls and forget about the "peace talks". But oh no. The Alpha king insisted it continued as planned with Lucian and Axel. Lucian had told Aurora to watch over their mother while she recovers from the laser blast wound but also told her to keep an eye on their father. The fact that a spy in the form of a guard was able to pull off that stunt helped to cement his fears that there was a higher-up in the Lunarian palace linked to the Dark Hand. His father was currently his biggest suspect... But something told him there might be more to it. Who knew coming to the Dark Lands would also have its own bucketloads of problems? Oh, right... He did. "Again, Lord Kyren." Lucian straightened his spine, tilting his head. "I have no idea who poisoned your drink. Who knows? Maybe your palace is compromised just as much as Lunaria. Or worse." Elian had left the dining room so now he didn’t have to pretend like he had an atom of regard for the rogue king.
You’d think that after a dark hand spy attacked his mother and the rogue king publicly declared war on Arcadia—maybe Lunaria would rest their balls and forget about the "peace talks". But oh no. The Alpha king insisted it continued as planned with Lucian and Axel. Lucian had told Aurora to watch over their mother while she recovers from the laser blast wound but also told her to keep an eye on their father. The fact that a spy in the form of a guard was able to pull off that stunt helped to cement his fears that there was a higher-up in the Lunarian palace linked to the Dark Hand. His father was currently his biggest suspect... But something told him there might be more to it. Who knew coming to the Dark Lands would also have its own bucketloads of problems? Oh, right... He did. "Again, Lord Kyren." Lucian straightened his spine, tilting his head. "I have no idea who poisoned your drink. Who knows? Maybe your palace is compromised just as much as Lunaria. Or worse." Elian had left the dining room so now he didn’t have to pretend like he had an atom of regard for the rogue king.
However, Kyren sniggered, shaking his head. "Last I checked, I’m not the one dipping my claws into the Dark Hand’s schemes. Why would my palace be compromised?"
Lucian paused, glancing at Axel who was silent.
The Beta gave him a look that said, "Calm down before this escalates".
Hmph... As if Lucian would care if that happened.
"I’m curious about one thing though," Kyren remarked, slowly falling back into his seat. "What were you hoping to happen when you told Elian that I captured the people who kidnapped him to begin with?"
Lucian stood still, his breath calm. But his eyes squinted with suspicion. "What? You’re not bothered about almost getting poisoned again?"
The Rogue king’s lips curled into a lopsided smirk. "Oh, we can get back to that later. I’m just curious to know how exactly that arrogant little head of yours works."
Lucian’s jaw tightened, his fists curling beside him. "Arrogant? That’s rich coming from you, Rogue king. You’re the embodiment of—"
"If this is your attempt at evading my original question, you’ve failed woefully." Kyren interrupted with a yawn, placing his right hand over his mouth. "Pftt... This ’peace talk’ is going well so far, don’t you think?"
Lucian watched as he stretched out his right hand, counting out his fingers. "First, one of you tried poisoning me. Then, you scared off my mate with information in hopes of blackmailing me."
Lucian’s claws threatened to surge out of his fingers, his chest heavy with a guttural growl coming from his wolf.
He drew in a few deep breaths while Beta Axel raised his hands, trying to act as mediator like always.
"Lord Kyren. Accusing us of trying to kill you is... Quite serious" he began, his voice calm but still oddly respectful. "You have magic. If you want you can search through our minds and see if we’re telling the truth or—"
Lucian’s expression instantly became sour, his head swerving to Axel before he could complete that last part.
"There’s no way in Hades that I’ll let him go into my mind and check anything." Lucian snarled, glaring first at the Beta before locking his eyes on Kyren. "You can take my words or not. I have no reason to kill you but I don’t trust you either."
Kyren’s expression was stoic, his fingers drumming on the table. "Aw, why’s that, Alpha Prince? Afraid I’ll see whatever dark secrets you have hidden in there?"
Lucian raised a hand to say something that would probably get him kicked out when Axel grabbed him, pulling him aside.
"What the heck do you think you’re doing?" Axel sneered with a low tone, his voice like a scolding father.
As if Lucian didn’t have enough of those already...
"What does it look like I’m doing?" Lucian pulled his arm out of the Beta’s grip, barely trying to keep his voice unheard by Kyren. "You really want to trust that conniving snake with your mind? Be my guest. But I’ll not be deceived into doing so."
The rogue king cleared his throat loudly. "I heard all that by the way..."
Axel grunted lightly. "Listen, Lucian. We’re supposed to be Lunaria’s envoys for peace here. Your father and the Council of Fangs trusted you. Trusted us."
Lucian sniggered mockingly. "Look at you. The Alpha King’s golden boy, as always. Do you think I care about what my father thinks, especially after recent developments?"
The Beta paused, his lips pressing into a thin line.
"No. I know you don’t."
Lucian was just about to turn away when Axel grabbed his arm yet again, but this time with a softer grip.
The Alpha Prince’s jaw clenched at the physical contact when Axel added:
"But I have a feeling I wouldn’t be wrong to say that you care about what our mate thinks. As much as you try hiding it not to seem vulnerable."
. Lucian froze, an odd feeling surging through his chest at the thought of Elian.
The Ome—Elian had mentioned how he had hoped three of them could get along before leaving dramatically.
Yes, that may be nothing but a pipe dream at this point... But doing this would at least clear his name permanently.
And maybe show Kyren that he wasn’t backing down anytime soon.
"I believe this is the part where you finally come to your senses." Kyren’s voice boomed just then, thick with amusement. "You two make an adorable pair... When you’re not at each other’s throats."
Lucian’s eyes twitched but he didn’t let those words get to him. He turned around slowly, facing Kyren with a straight posture.
After glancing at Axel one last time, he nodded. "Make it quick or I’ll actually make a move to poison you."
The Rogue king laughed dryly. "Very well then. Just relax and let go of any thoughts..." He got on his feet, walking toward them.
When he finally got to them, he raised his right hand slowly, his fingers lighting up with a bright red light.
Lucian braced himself, his fists clenching and unclenching in preparation and also in an attempt to relax before the Rogue king.
But then—
"It was me!" A voice tore through the silence behind Kyren, forcing all of them to turn their gazes in that direction.
Lucian frowned when he saw a seemingly unimportant lady walking toward them, her expression solemn... But also eerily detached.
Like someone ready for death.
"I poisoned the Rogue king’s drink."