The most natural reaction when you saw someone as beautiful as Magnus looking at him that way was to blush and deny he was worried. The shyness would be so clear that they unmasked his lie. However, Lucian did not act that way in recent months.
Sometimes he just wanted to ignore absolutely all that death crap and just stay in bed with Magnus making love and kissing him, showing the omega that he had the right to be happy and loved. However, there were times when Lucian was worried and afraid to wake up from that dream and return to his world, where none of it really existed.
It was a fact, Luciano had become attached to Magnus and fell in love with him, going beyond a literary crush. Would it be okay if he left his worry aside, and acted like a selfish one more time?
Approaching to Magnus' face, Lucian chose his answer without losing any more time.
"Exactly. I was worried to the point of crying like a child lost in the market."
"I said it was unnecessary to worry."
"You said you would win, but you fell to the ground like a sack of potatoes."
"Bag of pota—" Magnus grumbled irritated by the comparison, "Well, you damn rat..."
"I have the right to worry about my fiance, so don't be abused!"
"This is what I get for trying to defend you?"
"Well, then take your prize!"
Lucian leaned over and kissed Magnus' lips. A brief, gentle kiss, only to silence his mouth from further cursing. The feeling of Magnus' hot lips against his own caused a wave of shivers in Lucian, making him want that touch more, even though his body did the opposite. When the alpha lean back, he opened an innocent smile as he realized that Magnus was really quiet.
"Heh, now I have peace."
The omega blinked stunned by the sudden kiss, and by the fact that it was such a casual kiss. I mean, they kissed before, but always in moments of pure despair like a rut! A casual kiss, of its own volition was a world unexplored by both, and that certainly caught Magnus off guard.
"Glad you're getting along, but I'd like to deal with a little more serious."
Petrified at hearing Jesse talking to them, Lucian looked over his shoulder and tried not to blush with shame. Damn, that was as embarrassing as being caught by your own mother while doing something kinky. Stepping away from the omega bed, Lucian opened a yellow smile.
"I'm sorry."
"All right, Your Highness. I am glad you are so affectionate."
"Hehehe, Mag must like His Highness very much to be teasing him", Eugene joked.
"Me? Teasing him?"
"Well, you practically asked to be kissed, Mag."
Magnus seemed horrified to see his younger brother say it right in his face. Lucian had to drown out his laughter at such a hilarious scene. Only lost to the little outbreak that the prince would like to give by seeing, first hand, the famous look of Jesse Grimwood. A silent look full of reproaches intended exclusively for his older brother.
It has always been described that Jesse threw that look when he wanted to give "that" sermon on Magnus. A sermon that would make the Grand Duke feel really guilty just to listen. No one can hear a sermon of hours. Jesse reached the level of being able to make such a sermon telepathically with just one look. And it was fun to see Magnus shudder and look away.
Clearing his throat, Magnus tried to disguise his own shame and turned to the younger brother.
"Eugene, could you check with the servants about my clothes and our dinner?"
"But of course, Mag. Excuse me, Your Highness."
Eugene made a bow to Lucian, and it was so cute that the alpha smiled happily. Having younger siblings was so cool~
"Okay, what did you do, Jesse?"
Magnus' serious voice caught Lucian off guard. He noticed that the atmosphere was suddenly serious, which was a novelty in some ways. Jesse approached Magnus'bed corresponding to his seriousness by lowering the tone of voice.
"I made it clear to Their Majesties that you did not intend to cancel the engagement."
"Did well. And what about Cadec?"
"It's against your commitment, however, the Imperial Consort has maintained support. I believe you will have no problems."
"That's great."
"Did it right"? Lucian got stuck in those words, having his heart racing just at the thought of Magnus actually wanting to marry him. Regardless of the fact that he was worried to his core and ashamed to have exploded with the parents of the eighth prince, Lucian was stuck with a hope of making his villain like him.
Ah, Lucian could already feel the heat of spring coming to him.
"I'm just curious to know why Your Highness, the first prince, got so angry that way", Jesse looked at Lucian.
Waking from his daydreams, Lucian hid his little moment of outburst by the literary crush. Trying to look innocent, Lucian tilted his head and thought a little before giving some answer. From time to time, Lucian needed to remember that he owned one of the characters in that story, and that he should not act like a reader who pours all his frustration on the characters.
Jesse was expected to wonder his reaction.
"Even when I was sick and bedridden, I did not receive the visit of absolutely anyone, and it has been so for a long time. Forgive me for having created a commotion, but it is infuriating to say they do something for my good, being that I have never received so much care before."
"He's just being a crying baby", Magnus said calmly, fingers through black hair, "Cadec was the most supportive of my marriage to Lucian, but finding out that we had sex before the ceremony must have been a stabbing in his ego."
Lucian observed him making that gesture so simple, but it excited him very much.
Ah.
He would die horny for that damn villain. Only it was not time for this!
Turning his face, Lucian covered his mouth and tried to count little sheep, passing unnoticed by the Grimwood brothers.
"You know that His Highness has always been a person who takes etiquette and noble duties seriously, after all, he is the main candidate to inherit the throne."
"I know, I know. That's why I preferred to deal directly with the Emperor. In any case, he will only have a tantrum for some time and soon return to normal."
"I believe he will do it for a long time."
Jesse looked discreetly at the eighth prince, who was still counting sheep. Magnus followed his gaze and frowned when Lucian looked at him innocently.
"What is it?"
"What did you do, Lucian?"
"Nothing."
"He practically said that he intends to cut ties with the imperial family by marrying you."
Why was Jesse Grimwood a gossip?! Certainly that trace never appeared in the lines of the original, Lucian felt betrayed.
"You said what?"
"Were words spoken by the heat of the moment, I was furious because of that duel."
"I'm marrying just to enjoy the benefits you have as a member of royalty, Lucian!"
"Sure, I know that, no need to be angry." Lucian glanced at Jesse for help. Jesse sighed low and interjected only this time.
"I believe that this will not be a problem, Mag. The Emperor and Consort must not have taken the words of His Highness to their hearts."
"I hope so."
It was unfair as Magnus only calmed down with his brother's words. All right, the alpha admitted that he was jealous. Who knows one day he becomes the person that calms Magnus Grimwood, although depending on whom he is going to shout, Lucian would let it happen for pure pleasure.
Releasing a low sigh, the prince held the omega's hand as he spoke quietly.
"I know that you want to strengthen yourself to ensure the welfare of your brothers, and I will help you with this. Believe Magnus, even if I was disinherited, I would still be able to help you with a lot."
"What are you talking about now?"
"I'm talking about my dowry, of course."
Magnus and Jesse blinked stunned when they looked at each other.
"Your dowry?"
"Yes."
"But I haven't talked to the Emperor about your dowry, Lucian."
"It's obvious, because he's not going to take care of it", Lucian smiled.
"Forgive me, Your Highness, but considering that you are a single alpha, I imagine this matter should be dealt with with His Majesty and the Consort, no?"
Frankly, it was shameful that he, in his thirties, still depended on his parents controlling his economy! All because he was an alpha prince. No way, Lucian needed to find out more about the life of the eighth prince originally, but until then he had to calm his fiancé.
"Yes, in theory. But I managed to get it right. My dowry is ready and can be enjoyed by Magnus as soon as we get married. I just need... make it active."
Lucian's words sounded too enigmatic for the two Grimwood brothers, and no less. The eighth prince was literally a box full of secrets.