The man with short hair and tanned skin was leaning against the wall with arms crossed, perfectly hiding his impatience. As soon as Raven's golden shoes announced her arrival, he raised his dark eyes to her without wishing her welcome in a lively manner.
"Did you get the mine?" he asked curtly.
Raven answered with a sweet smile, which contrasted with the poison that dripped from her words.
"How impatient, hm? It will be a matter of time until we get the diamonds. That will be enough to pay them, no?"
The man sighed deeply, clearly dissatisfied.
"I guess you still don't understand your place, princess."
Raven's smile hardened for a brief moment, but her mask remained intact as she crossed her arms, leaning against the edge of a worn table.
"Well, well, some unforeseen things always happen in businesses of this caliber. I sent people to get diamond' samples. When you see, your trust will be restored."
"We are not talking about mere contingencies." He raised his eyes defying her silently, though Raven does not seem to hesitate "Do you know how many men I have lost these days because of your delay?"
"I did not think that Rayland's traitor would attack them. He must have become impatient since the Imeprador did not approve his engagement with my sister" Raven leaned against a table and crossed her arms, pondering the information she had "though Dáhlia ran away from the tower anyway and somehow ended up in that pirate's arms."
"You are as foolish as your father."
Raven did not like those words, although she usually feels pride when compared to a ruler. However, the disdain in that guy's tone was what caused her heartbreak.
"Are you doubting me?" Your voice was a threatening whisper. "Don't think that minor setbacks will overturn my plans."
"Do not come to me with empty promises. All the weapons we sent are now in the hands of the Imperial Palace, the warehouses have been looted, and we can't even hear news from Geledel thanks to the sea blockade." He took a step forward, his oppressive presence. "I want these diamonds. Now. And with interest."
The man gave no chance for Raven to argue. His impatience was clear in front of all the failed plans that Raven had so far. Clenching her fists, she can only watch the Geledel's emissary, the enemy kingdom of the Empire, turn her back and depart silently.
All her plans failed miserably.
"I should have kept Dahlia locked up longer" Growled Raven, walking through the empty and dark room "And now Maverick is locked up too... ha. Let's see if Lucian at least meets my expectations."
So she marched directly to the library, hoping that the conversation with the Eighth Prince would yield more results. When she entered the room, she found Lucian now tied to a chair and slightly wounded, thanks to the little torture her personal knights inflicted on him.
The cold of the library seemed more intense than Lucian remembered, as if the cold stones of the walls and floor absorbed the despair that hovered in the air. The humidity permeated the space, and every step that Raven took echoed through the empty room, making him feel like he was trapped inside a drum.
Tied to a chair, Lucian took a deep breath, trying to calm his mind. The place where he had spent years of neglect was now the scene of a much more dangerous dispute. He watched everything around him: the torches burning faintly, the guards moving with a discreet restlessness, and the false smile on Raven's face when she arrived at the library.
She was in control. But, Lucian knew, this was only temporary.
Raven walked slowly, her golden dress reflecting the flickering lux of the torches. She looked like a living painting, the perfect combination of beauty and cruelty.
"You know, Lucian, it's funny how history has its cycles, don't you think?" Raven began, with an almost casual tone, as she slid her fingers through the empty and dusty shelves "The two of us here again, in this place that so many would prefer to forget."
"Perhaps because it is more useful as a ruin than as a memory" replied Lucian, keeping control of his voice despite being full of hiden meanings "Moreover, do not think that your distorted attempts to make me feel alone is a fraternal memory between us."
Raven stopped and looked at him, a slight smile emerging from her lips.
"Look just how sharp you knows to be in your words" Raven tilted her head, the peach-colored eyes shining with malice "But after all, what is left for you beyond that? A sharp tongue, an indifferent husband, and now, a place next to the temple that only tolerates you because it needs you to remain influential among commoners"
Lucian clenched his fists against the arm of the chair. She was trying to destabilize him, and he knew that giving in would mean handing over power to her.
"Curious to hear that from someone who hides behind flimsy alliances and empty promises. Geledel is unreliable, Raven. You should know that."
Raven's smile flinched, only for a moment, but it was enough for Lucian to notice. He had hit a sore spot.
"I see you're aware of my deal with Geledel, but don't underestimate the alliances too much, little brother" She said, closing in until their faces were inches apart "I have more power than you ever imagined."
Lucian kept his gaze fixed on hers, without blinking.
"Power that is based in mind never lasts."
Before Raven could answer, the library door opened with an abrupt ranger, and a man rushed in. He was one of Raven's subordinates, his nervous posture indicated that he brought bad news.
"Highness, forgive the interruption, but... we have a problem" he said, avoiding facing Raven.
She turned slowly, the look sharp as a blade.
"Talk."
"We could not enter the Eighth Prince's Diamond Mine. I was informed that the personal guard of the Jewel Baroness blocked the passage. They have reinforced security and are patrolling the secondary routes as well."
Raven squeezed her lips, her expression becoming icy.
"The Jewel Baroness? Why would she be in the mines of Lucian..." She murmured, more to herself. Then she turned to the man "And Geledel? They didn't send reinforcements?"
"So far no response, since they are trying to recover the sea route."
Lucian could not contain the smile, despite the situation.
"It seems that not everyone is willing to kneel, Raven."
She turned the body with a fierce grace, staring at Lucian as if she wanted to burn it with her eyes.
"You speak as if you know something, little brother" she said coldly "but the Baroness is nothing but a temporary obstacle. Whatever her reason for being there..."
"Temporary?" Lucian raised an eyebrow, clearly enjoying the moment "The Jewel Baroness is known for her stubbornness and resourcefulness. You underestimated your strength and your allies' network."
Raven approached, leaning over until their faces were dangerously close together.
"How can you know..." She was silent realizing the arrogance of the Eighth Prince. It did not take long for her to widen her eyes when she realized the detail that, until then, missed "You allied with her? How?"
"If you use this bright little head, you will realize that your maxim is indeed a fact. When you have royal blood running through our veins, it is necessary to know how to use the allies."
"I've gotten more powerful people out of my way, Lucian. A stubborn Baroness won't be a problem. Just give me permission to take out some diamonds, and I will return the profit to you when I sell them..."
"Impossible since it is an exclusive contract with the Baroness. Not even if you kill me will be able to have them in your possession. And as far as is known, the Baroness is influential enough to put an end to any attempt by you."
"How dare you go against me, your sister?!!"
"Are you angry just because of the diamonds?" Lucian provoked her, leaning forward "Because I have more of that, if you want to know."
"What do you mean..."
"The seizure of weapons smuggled in Port, Elyon's arrest, Dahlia's escape, Geledel's ships being shipwrecked by Rayland..."
As the prince listed each failed plan of Raven, the paler she became. The unbelief that appeared on her face was a savory revenge for Lucian.
"It was you..."
Lucian kept smiling, but inside he felt a small wave of relief. Knowing that Magnus's allies were fulfilling their part of the plan gave him a glimmer of hope.
"Maybe you should reconsider your priorities, Raven. It looks like your board is running out of tiles."
She straightened, the smile returning to her face.
"Don't worry, little brother. I have a lot more pieces than you think."
At Raven's signal, the subordinate left the room, leaving the two alone again. But now, Lucian felt that the game was beginning to turn. Even tied, he knew that he was not completely defeated.
Raven walked away, crossing her arms as she watched Lucian with a look that mixed fascination and frustration.
"You speak as if you have everything under control, little brother. But tell me, how long do you think that will last your courage?"
Lucian kept his gaze fixed on hers, his tone laden with disdain.
"Courage? Raven, you confuse patience with weakness. That's your biggest mistake."
Before she could answer, the door opened again, this time with a guard rushing in. He made a short bow, but his accelerated breath showed the gravity of the situation.
"Highness, sorry for the interruption... but we have a bigger problem."
Raven frowned, clearly irritated by another distraction.
"What is it now?"
"Patrols have spotted imperial knights in the vicinity. They are surrounding the palace."
The impact of words made Lucian's smile grow.
"Looks like your fun is over, Raven."
She turned her face to him, the look charged with a cold anger that would make anyone else shudder. But Lucian did not turn away.
"Do you think this ends here?" she hissed, approaching again. "Magnus may come, and even the Emperor himself, but I always have a card up my sleeve."
Raven gave quick orders to the guards before leaving, leaving Lucian alone again. Despite the tension in the air, he closed his eyes for a brief moment, concentrating on the feeling of relief that invaded him.
The rescue was on its way.
However, when he opened his eyes again, he noticed something that made him hold his breath: a small blade lay at the base of the chair where he was tied, left by someone he could not identify.
Lucian did not know who had placed it there — whether it was an ally or part of another manipulation by Raven. But of one thing he was sure: the game was far from over.
He moved his fingers discreetly towards the blade, as the sound of boots echoed through the corridors of the Abandoned Palace.