Chapter 11
1241 Words
Lucien looked away Marr, looking at her tall windows at the end of the hall.
Marr stepped into Lucien's sight, his arms crossed
“ You always hated the cold, yet her you are sitting in a room that could freeze bone”
Lucien didn't respond, he just watched Marr
“ Remember when we got trapped in the hollow spines during the winter raids? You nearly lost your toes to frostbite, you swore you'd never ride north again” Marr said, chuckling
Lucien gave a faint nod “ I remember ”
But he didn't. Not really
The memories weren't his.
Marr stepped closer, watching him
“ You are quieter than I remember, more distant”
Lucien looked up, meeting his eyes
“ A lot changes after a man almost dies ”
“ That does it” Marr said softly
He paused , then added
“ But not everything, some things stay the same. Loyalty for one”
Lucien let the silence stretched
Marr gave a half smile
“ You used to trust me with everything. Lucien, what changed?” Marr asked
Lucien leaned back, his arms folded
“ You tell me” He said
Marr frowned slightly, confused
“ You sound like someone trying to test me”
“ I'm trying to understand ” Lucien said , his voice low and careful “ What kind of man you think I am”
Marr blinked, the words cutting him off guard
“ You are Lucien , Lord of Valebrigde ,You are sharp as a blade, twice as stubborn. You made choices that test of us were too afraid to make. We followed you because you saw what we couldn't ”
Lucien's jaw tightened
That wasn't who he was
Not anymore
Lucien stood up and stepped away from the table, he picked up the scroll , folded it and put it aside .
“ I suppose I should tell you what you have walked into” he said , turning to Marr
Marr raised an eyebrow
“ You mean beyond the rumors? There's always talk you know”
Lucien gave a dry laugh “ Then, let me confirm a few of them”
He turned and sat at the edge of the table
“ My brother tried to kill me with poison”
Mart didn't flinch
Lucien watched him closely “ He sent a maid to do his job, his mistress, she was feisty I tell you”
“ And?” Marr asked calmly
“ Well , I killed her”
“ You always did handle betrayal quickly ” Marr said his expression barely shifted.
Lucien's eyes narrowed “ You are not surprised?”
“ I know Aric had ambition ” Marr said , folding his arms “ But I didn't think he will be stupid enough to make a move on your life. I will say that is bold or will I say desperate?”.
Lucien gave a short chuckle before continuing
“ He took the matter to the court. Framed it as a slaughter and told them I abused my household ”
“ And the council believed him?”
“ They listened, they always do. Elias came to deliver their command ”
Marr's face darkened at the name
“ He wants me to step down , surrender my title, my land , everything, saying I'm unfit to rule”
“ And you refused?”
Lucien gave a dry chuckle “ Of course I did, so hit me. Right across the face and then he pulled his dagger”
“ He stabbed you?” Marr asked, his voice low and full of surprise.
Lucien rolled up his sleeve slightly, showing Marr the bandaged wound underneath “ Here ”
Marr stepped forward and stared at it
“ He came into your house, raised his hand against you? And you left breathing?” Marr asked
“ I stabbed him” Lucien said simply
Marr let out a short laugh “ Well, that's works too”
Marr stepped closer, lowering his voice .
“ You may have forgotten how many enemies you have made, Lucien. The court was afraid of you long before this. Now? They smell weakness ”
“ Then, let them come”
Marr held Lucien gaze “ This isn't the same as before. You are wounded , no allies left except maybe me and even I , wasn't sure if you were still breathing until you sent for me”
Lucien walked past him , walking toward the tall window at the end of the hall
“They think I have grown soft ”
Marr didn't say anything
“ I haven't ” Lucien said flatly
Marr nodded “ Good. Because they are already sharpening their blades. Elias already gathers support. Nobles would rather be a puppet than watch you live"
” I will never step down” Lucien said, coldly
“ I know” Marr said
Lucien turned and look at Marr sharply
“ And what about you Marr?” Are you here as a friend or to decide which way the winds blow?”
“ Would you believe if I said both?” Marr said smiling faintly
Lucien didn't return the smile
“ Hm” Marr tilted his head “ You are not the man I remember. You speak less now”
“ That man died the day his brother betrayed him”
Marr gave a slow nod “ Then you need more of me ”
“ Then bring me more” Lucien said, lowering his voice
Marr glanced to the door, then back at him
“ It begin again, doesn't it?” Marr asked
Lucien turned back to the window “ it never ended”
The door slammed open
Lucien spun around fast
Aric strode in, ignoring the guards behind who looked tensed and unsure
One of the guards stepped forward
“ Forgive us, my Lord. He..”
Lucien raised a hand cutting the guards off and then gave a nod dismissing him
The guards bowed quickly and backed out, shutting the door behind them.
Now it was just the three of them
Marr stood still, eyes shifting between the brothers
Aric eyes looked on Lucien, the flickered to Marr before smirking
“ Well” Aric said “ I see you are not dead after all”
Lucien rolled his eyes before responding “ Disappointed?” he asked
Aric shrugged “ Surprised”
Lucien kept his eyes on Aric “ You came to see how much of the poison is still in me?”
“ I came to see if you were well enough to listen to reason”
Lucien stepped closer to Aric “ And now?” he asked
“ Now the court waits for your answer” Aric said “ Elias gave you one last chance to step down”
“ I'm not stepping down” Lucien said “ Not now, not ever”
Aric stared at him for a moment, his jaw tightened and his fists clenched then he turned to leave.
At the door , he looked back over his shoulder
“ You should have died, Lucien. It would have been easier for all of us”
He walked out without another word , sl
amming the door shut.
Marr let out a slow breath
“ That brother of yours, he is worse than the rumors ”
Lucien didn't respond, he just stood staring at the door
“ He just made his worst mistake”.
- Writer
