Chapter 10
1075 Words
Lucien stood in the silence for a while after the guards left.
The folded parchment still burning in the pocket of his tunic
He exhaled slowly and then left for the hall.
The hall was quiet that morning, the morning sun barely reaching through the tall windows
A servant had already laid out the meal, he looked around the table, black tea, hard bread and spiced meat.
A servant came forward and pulled out the dark chair at the head of the table, its legs scraping softly against the floor.
He sat slowly, bringing the seat forward himself
The servant bowed and then turned and walked away
Steam curled up from the waiting cup of tea, he stared at it for a moment before reaching for the handle.
He was mid sip when the door creaked open, he didn't look up but the scent of crushed roses drifted into the room before the footsteps.
“ Selene” he said calmly without turning “ Did your husband send you to spy or you are here on your own curiosity?” he asked taking a sip of his tea
She stepped into the light, dressed in silver, her eyes sharp as ever
“ Neither” she replied
“ You have become very bold then”
“ I heard you were wounded” she said, gliding to the table like she belonged there “ Again ”
His eyes narrowed slightly
“ News travel fast. I didn't think gossip was quicker than a guard's mouth”
She smiled faintly, pouring herself a cup of tea without asking
“ When blood spills in the Lord's hall, people talk. They say Elias came to confront you and that you stabbed him” she said before sipping her tea.
Lucien chuckled low
“ Is that how the story goes now?” He asked
“ They also say he slashed your arm in return” she added her eyes flicking briefly to the cloth under his sleeve
He leaned back, smirking
“ Interesting how accurate lies have become ”
“ Are they lies?” She asked , tilting her head
He didn't answer , he just watched as she picked at the bread on his plate
“ Still pretending not to care ” she asked softly
“ Still pretending this isn't dangerous?” He shot back
Selene's eyes softened
“ You are always dangerous, Lucien that's what made it hard to forget you”
He look at her, his expression unreadable
“ And yet you married my brother”
“ And yet, I'm here with you”
Lucien didn't say anything, he let the silence settle
“ I still love you, you know” She said, breaking the silent
Lucien still didn't say anything
Selene took a bite of the bread, her eyes never leaving his face
“ You are quieter than I remember ” she said “ Is it the poison or did Elias finally said something that got under your skin?”
Lucien's finger drummed lightly on the table
“ Elias never had the words, just a blade and borrowed pride”
Selene let out a soft laugh
“ He did leave here blooded, that much was true”
He met her eyes
“ And yet you came to sit across me” He scoffed before smirking
Selene leaned forward slightly
“ I came to sit across the man who should have been mine”
Lucien's smile faltered a little
“ Don't say that like it is noble”
“ I'm not noble, Lucien ” she said “ You taught me that”
She reached out, her fingers brushing lightly over his wrist
He didn't pull away but his muscle tensed
“ You never asked why I married him” she said softly
“ I didn't care” he said
“ I want you to stop pretending you don't feel anything ” her voice dropped “ Because I do”
Silence stretched between them again
Lucien looked down at the spot where her hand rested
Then slowly, he pulled his arm back and stood up
“ I don't need feelings, Selene. I need loyalty ”
Selene stood up, stepping closer to him
“ Then let me prove it, let me help you before the court swallows you whole”
Lucien stared at her for a long moment, his expression unreadable.
Then without a word, he turned away and walked out
Lucien was stead at the head of the table, a scroll unrolled before him
It surface in faded ink and sharp markings
He scanned the content slowly, his brows slightly furrowed.
The door creaked open and a guard stepped into hall, bowing low
“ My lord” the guard said “ Lord Marr has arrived, he waits in the outer chamber ”
Lucien didn't answer right away , he kept his eyes on the scroll tracing a worn symbol with one finger.
Then he spoke, calm and low.
“ Alone?” he asked
“ Yes, my Lord ” the guard replied
He finally dropped the scroll and look up
“ Good. Bring him in and see no else enter until I say so”
The guard gave a quick bow and turned, closing the door behind him.
Lucien sat still, his eyes fixed on the doorway
The door opened and a man walked in with stead steps
He wore a dark green cloak, dusty from the travel.
He face was thin, with a long scar on his jaw
And his gray eyes were sharp as they landed in Lucien
He gave a half smile to Lucien
“ Lucien ” he said when he stopped at the table “ I heard you were dead. What a surprise you sent for me”
Lucien stayed seated, watching him closely
“ I did "
Marr gave a short laugh
“ I thought the poison had taken you, word is that you were close to the grave ”
“ But I'm not” Lucien said calmly
Marr stepped closer, eyes scanning Lucien's face
“ You look the same, but something is different ”
Lucien didn't reply right away, be stood up slowly and steady
“ I have questions ” he said “ And if you are really who I remember, you will answer ”
Marr nodded “ Of course, I came because you called. I'm still your friend ”
Lucien said nothing
But in his mind, he thought
You don't know who I really am.
- Writer
