Chapter 584

"I was hoping," Lucien said to his brother, "that I would have some kind of solution before going to Helion."

"Why?" Eris frowned at him, and Lucien tried to work out his response. Again, he felt uncomfortable, and then he realised that it was embarrassment he felt. This whole situation was embarrassing. He was embarrassed that this seemed to have been something he had brought about, and he was embarrassed that he had not noticed or known about it. Lucien had been surprised by Vassa's advances the last time he had seen her, but he had assumed that when he had told her to leave his room in her manor that had been the end of it. He was embarrassed now that it had gone this far and that it was something he now had to tell his father about and he was embarrassed that it was not something he would be able to just fix.

"I had hoped that … I did not want to appear…" Lucien rolled his eyes at himself. "It's embarrassing." He said. "I feel like it makes me look unbelievably stupid, and incompetent."

"It may feel that way." Eris said, voice measured, "But would it make you look worse to mishandle the whole thing?"

"Probably." Lucien muttered, agreeing. He knew that going to the High Lord and deciding to do something correctly with that support would be preferable than trying to fix something behind closed doors. Especially if something went wrong.

"Besides," Elain said gently, her fingers moving slowly over the back of his hand, "You trust Helion… and you've already proven to him that you're worthy of being his Heir. Even the rest of the Court have realised that. They all respect you. They will all be on your side with this too. Vassa is just proving herself to be another threat to this Court."

Nodding, Lucien thought about that. He had noticed that the other members of the Court had begun to treat him differently, especially after the horror events that had taken place recently. He knew that those who had witnessed his efforts to defend the court in the Throne room had spread word of what he had done and, in general, the entire Court had treated him even more warmly than they had previously. Overall, both he and Elain had been welcomed more wholeheartedly than before, and he had thought that they were both now considered valuable members of the Day Court. Perhaps if everyone knew of Vassa's actions, he and Elain would find the rest of the Court coming to their defence.

"Do you think," Eris asked, "that Helion will revoke your status of Heir and tell you to leave the Court?"

Did he think that? Lucien could see why Eris would think he would be afraid of losing another home. "No." he replied softly, "I suppose I would have at one time."

Elain squeezed his hand, "But you still want to go to Helion with an idea of what could be done?"

"Yes." He replied, looking at her. He could read the understanding in her eyes and he smiled, thankful that his reaction to this didn't seem irrational. "I want to show him that I'm taking it seriously."

"What could be done, then?" Nera asked, "I would be surprised if Vassa would just admit whatever it is she is doing." Nera looked to Eris with a slight frown. "I've not seen many palace guards in the halls…"

"That is an option." Eris agreed, and Lucien could practically see his brother's mind working as Eris went silent for a moment. "You might post guards by your room… there are several you trust particularly, are there not?"

"Kaii and Siv…" Elain said, looking at Lucien.

"Ah, yes. I believe I have met them." Eris agreed.

"Are they trustworthy enough to not be… persuaded… by Vassa's attentions?" Nera asked, "I have seen that all too often…"

"I think they prefer the company of other males…" Eris told Nera.

"Perhaps the company of each other…" Lucien added and Nera's eyes widened.

Really?" She asked, and Lucien gave a one-shouldered shrug. He'd not asked them, and it was nobody's place to judge.

"Is that something you would want?" Eris asked, "Guards by your door?"

Lucien looked to Elain when he felt her shift. The Day Court didn't generally have guards patrolling the hallways. There were some at the entrances, and protecting the Court in general, but it was essentially safe enough within the palace to avoid such a thing. At least, it was meant to be.

"I suppose," Elain said, voice low, "at least temporarily."

"Yes." Lucien agreed, "It would not be something I would want for long either. This is our home, not a prison."