Author's note:
I apologize if it took a while for me to post an update. I've been busy lately so there's not enough time to betaread this chapter, but I'm finally done completing the final checks and seems to be quite satisfied with what I wrote.
Please leave a review if you have any opinions or thoughts.
CHAPTER TWO
"Lucas?"
The chief peaked inside the inner most library. It's a place where you'd see the most ancient text books, the most comprehensive encyclopedia of medicinal plants, and records of forbidden spells. Lucas often come by and read stuffs that he probably have read hundreds of times only to tell people he's busy. And they do buy it, but mostly for the reason that he's frightening and a bully.
"He's not here." A green haired lad came walking by while holding a few stack of books in the crook of his arm.
"Where is he?" The chief said with a tiny bit of frustration. Lucas often ditches his work, ignore rules, and do whatever he wants
The lad shrugged. "Where else?"
Not much is known about the great black mage, but the magicians knew without a doubt that Lucas often visits Princess Athanasia even when there's no order, no emergency, no important meeting whatsoever. Of course, it is understandable given that they've known each other for years, but the magicians still couldn't wrap their heads that there's one person on the planet that can completely dictate the infamous mage. And it's catching people's attention, and creating ruckus among the maids since they don't have anything interesting to do other than gossip about the imperial family and nobles.
One time the chief caught them betting on who will catch the princess' heart. There was a stand off between Ijekiel Aplheus, the oldest son of the Alpheus family, Lucas, the great black magician of the tower or often ridiculously called 'The Lonesome Wolf', and the prince of Etos whom the maids call, "The Flaming Eagle of Etos".
He shook his head. How they could come up with such ridiculous names was beyond a normal person's comprehension. Either way the chief knew immediately who the princess admires. There is a big problem, however, because she is absolutely clueless about her own feelings.
The chief walked down the path to the main palace since he had to discuss new regulations and policies with different guilds. The path he's walking on crosses with the rose garden that the emperor built for Princess Athanasia, and the said princess seems to be in a heated discussion with Lucas.
"Of course, he would be lazing here." The chief muttered as he watched them argue. The reason though seems unclear knowing they fight over the silliest of things.
"Why do you have to do that to him?" The princess said with an irritated tone that she seldom show. Well, they did say that she has a temperament, but like any other member of the imperial family or nobles for that matter, the princess follows social norms as much as possible.
Seeing her ire right now clearly shows how comfortable she is in his presence. Lucas, on the other hand, is more relaxed. He allows the princess drag him around willy nilly, which is very unusual, yet he's not that grumpy about it. Yes, he shows irritation but there's no hostility. Around others, his jokes are usually a combination of sarcasm and insult, but with the princess it's more like a friendly banter between old friends.
"Don't change the subject. Why are you so hostile with Henley?"
The chief raised a brow upon hearing the name. Henley, or rather, Prince Henley, is the only remaining successor of Etos. A kingdom that has been wrought with chaos because of the previous king's reckless and tyrannic corruption. The whole royal family got killed by an unknown group while they were travelling. Henley, who's a very distant relative, became first successor of the throne since his mother is the only blood relative of the previous king. The whole kingdom is still figuring how to get up from the mud they're in. And their decision to align with Obelia is, thus far, the most practical, but still has its own disadvantage because Emperor Claude will most likely rip them off.
"So, you're calling that guy without honorifics now? I didn't know you are already that close." Lucas was sitting down, legs crossed on a chair. He's looking bored, but the chief knew better.
"Oh, for heaven's sake! He's five years younger than me." Replied the princess who was also sitting across from him.
"So?" Lucas raised a brow. "He's already fifteen. There are royals much younger than him that are already engaged. You ought to be careful with people who will only use you as a leverage."
Well, that is true. Nobles and royals don't usually marry for love. Marriage for them is not sharing nor exchanging sweet words or romantic vows but rather of wealth and power.
The princess scowled. "I know that already so you don't have to worry."
Lucas snorted. "I'm not worried. I just don't want to come running whenever you place yourself in difficult situations."
The chief chuckled. Their relationship is really just a door away from that white aisle if both of them know their own feelings.
The princess crossed her arms and huffed. "You don't have to come 'running'. I can take care of myself."
"Oh, really?"
Lucas snapped his fingers.
"What are you doing?!" Athanasia cried out after feeling what seems to be a big male body pinning her down on the ground. Lucas had a tight clasp on her wrists as he held them flat above her.
"So, if someone were to attack you like this. You will be able to defend yourself?" Lucas looked down at her as she kept on struggling.
"Of course, I ca—"
"You can what?"
Athanasia stopped squirming upon realizing that she couldn't use magic. Cold sweat started dripping down her throat. He looked absolutely like the Lucas she first met.
Sinister.
Cold blooded.
A Lucas who would not hesitate to kill.
"See what I mean?" He said before his gaze trailed down her neck. "What if you encounter a very bad guy and he does this?"
Lucas must've placed a restricting spell on her so there was nothing she could do but stare in shock as he slowly leaned down. There was only a few inches between them. He was so close that she could feel his breath across the exposed skin above her dress.
Athanasia gasped as he placed his lips delicately against her neck and made a slow path up to her left ear. She let out a frustrated groan as it sent shivers all over the nerves on her body.
Suddenly, she felt herself being pulled. It was so quick that it didn't immediately register on her brain that they're back on their chairs with Felix standing nearby, the birds chirping peacefully as if nothing happened.
"Now you get my point?" Lucas ran a hand through his locks, seemingly more irritated. "Even if Felix is keeping watch on you, don't drop your guard down. There's still a chance that people may see you in a compromising situation and your reputation will be done for." His gaze landed on a gold trimmed pillar. "Like that guy peeping behind that tree."
"What?" Athanasia glanced at where he's looking at and saw the chief standing still and looking confused behind it.
"Pardon my intrusion, princess." The chief greeted. "I was just passing by since this is the closest route."
Lucas didn't buy it even for a second. He knew he's been standing there for quite a while. He raised a brow. "Then, what are you doing standing there?"
The chief scratched his head. "I apologize. I felt dizzy all of a sudden that's why I tried to stand as still as possible to prevent myself from falling down."
"You must be getting too old." Lucas smiled dauntingly at the chief. He knew that it's the effect of the magic. Others wouldn't feel anything, like Felix for example who didn't even notice that something happened. The chief, however, has a higher magical level and, therefore, more sensitive to any magical energy.
"Anyways, I should be going now." The chief cut in with a sideward glare at Lucas who was totally unaffected. "Blessings and glory upon the Obelian Empire."
Lucas stared at the princess. "Like I was saying, yes, your father will kill anyone who lays a finger on you but you'll still be soiled goods to the eyes of other people or worse you could've been hurt. Do you understand?"
Athanasia nodded.
They stared at each other for a while until Lucas cut the awkward silence. He ran a hand through his black locks. It's becoming a habit lately when he's with the princess.
"Here, give me your hand." He extended his hand out to her.
"Why?"
"Just do it."
The princess placed her hand on top of his. No later than a few seconds, one of her bracelet started to glow but stopped.
"Hmm." Lucas stared at her hand.
"What? What are you doing?"
"Just placing a tracking spell on you."
Her eyes went wide like saucers before she tried pulling her hand away. "I don't want you to spy on me. That feels too weird."
"Well, you already have one. It must've been placed by your dad." He turned her hand and was oddly examining the rings on her fingers too much for her peace of mind. It seems physical contact with him turned her into a dithering idiot after what happened earlier.
"Contrary to what you're thinking. The tracking spell is just a simple spell that will send signals to the caster if you, for example, got hurt." He snapped his fingers and the skin near the pulse in her wrist throbbed.
She looked down and saw a small tattoo of a sun. She turned her hand in different angles. It looked as if the color keep on changing, but it's really small so it's not that noticeable.
"Why a tattoo?" She asked.
He shrugged. "Jewels can break. You may lose it or drop it. It can be stolen or taken from you, so a tattoo is more practical."
"I see." Athanasia stared at the tattoo. It is practical. Still, she feels weird. It's as if he branded her somehow.
Based on some parts of the novel, Lucas is more like a territorial male lead for the princess. He called her "Mine" a few times so it's really not that surprising if he's gonna put a tattoo on her. On the other hand, I was a bit hesitant to post this one earlier than I intended, but the chaper I was working on before this seems to be hanging on a cliff. lol.Anyways, I hope you enjoyed this one.