France, 1002
"She is lovely."
Lucien startled, he hadn't noticed Niklaus appearing beside him. He had been too concentrated on looking at the young woman who was sitting under the sunshade with few other women, including the Lady Aurora. The day was hot; many ladies were enjoying it in the garden. Lucien however only saw one of them. Lady Lydie de Martel. The youngest child of Count de Martel. The half-sister of the Lord Tristan and the Lady Aurora. The moment Lucien had met her, had changed his life for good. He had lost his heart to her, as foolish as that was. He knew better than well that she would never be his. Yes, his mind knew that, but his heart didn't care. It longed for the forbidden fruit.
"My lord?" he murmured after clearing his throat.
Niklaus smiled.
"Lady Lydie. I have seen you looking at her before."
Lucien blushed, he couldn't help it. He certainly wouldn't have wanted Niklaus to notice how pathetic he was.
"No, no, you are mistaken, my lord…"
"It's alright," Niklaus assured and touched Lucien's shoulder. "I am not planning to tell anyone."
"Thank you, my lord."
They were both quiet for a moment before Niklaus continued.
"She seems like a sweet young lady."
"She is," Lucien sighed.
That was one of he things Lucien loved about her. Unlike her father and her brother, she was a kind and gentle person. Yet she wasn't as fragile as her sister and her brother didn't coddle her the same way. Her mother, the Count's second wife, had died when she had been a small child and her father didn't pay much attention to her. Tristan was the one who made sure that no man came anywhere near her. Maybe he didn't coddle her, but there was no doubt that he would kill Lucien if he would ever find out how he felt toward Lady Lydie.
"You must find me pathetic, my lord," Lucien finally murmured.
Niklaus shook his head.
"No, I do not. She and her sister are both very beautiful."
Lucien glanced at him and understood immediately what was going on. Niklaus wasn't the first man who had fallen for the Lady Aurora.
"My lord… I beg you to be careful. As I told you, the Lord Tristan is a very ruthless man. Just like his farther."
Niklaus smiled.
"I appreciate your concern, but everything is fine."
Lucien truly hoped so. He had seen what Tristan was capable of. Speaking of the devil… Tristan had just arrived; he marched towards the sunshade and greeted Lady Aurora first. Lady Lydie smiled at him as he kissed her hand. Lucien knew that she cared about her brother, but she also feared him. She had said so herself one time when Lucien have had a chance to spent a moment alone with her in the garden. She had seemed troubled and absentminded, so Lucien had asked her was something wrong.
She had almost confided him, but then one of her maids had come to look for her. It wasn't difficult to see that Lady Lydie wasn't happy. Lucien had imagined many times how he would march over to her, scoop her up into his arms and take her far away from here. If he would have wealth and power, he would do that without hesitation. He would claim her as his and treat her as she deserved to be treated. He would worship her. If only he could… No, that would never happen. He would never be nothing more than a worthless servant.
