To reach the blade, Lucian threw himself on the ground to hide it under his legs. No matter who the fool left there, Lucian would find a way to use it to secure his freedom and escape from that damned place. But first, Lucian needed to make sure that no one would come after hearing the sound of his fall.
At Raven's request, the knights of his escort did not torture Lucian beyond what was necessary. All for refusing to give up his wealth, which would surely be enough for Raven to settle her debt with Geledel. That was not your problem, since Lucian were avoiding the tragic end of your own character.
For that end, he would endure all the torture. For his luck, Raven wanted him whole and avoided crossing the line where Lucian could hate her. Although it's too late for that.
When a few hours passed, it was still possible to hear the carriages going back and forth from the Imperial Palace. The New Year's Eve dance was still going on as planned, it would probably go until dawn after the countdown was held. Lucian was relieved to hear no commotion from outside.
Sign that there was still time.
Time to avoid the final part of that story, which would result in royal blood shed at the Palace.
Some time later, Raven returned with another attempt to get Lucian to sign contracts that would give up much of his income. However, all the proposals that the princess brought proved to be not at all advantageous for her brother, who continued to reject and deceive her to gain more time.
The silence in the library was only apparent. Under the surface, there was enough tension to suffocate. Lucian kept his eyes fixed on Raven, every fiber of his being struggling with the feeling of impotence. Her words still echoed in his mind, each one full of derision and veiled threat.
"You know, little brother, there's something charming about seeing you try to be so strong" Raven said, slowly spinning in empty space as if she were a dancer on a stage "This misdirected force, this... hope."
"I hope enough to know that you will fail, Raven, as you have always failed."
Her smile faltered for a brief moment, but soon returned, sharper as a blade.
"Oh, dear. That's why you're here, tied up, and I'm about to change the fate of this Empire."
She raised her hand, a small gesture, but it was enough to attract the attention of the men in the room. One of them advanced, holding a scroll that he gave to Raven. She unrolled the paper with an exaggerated flourish, reading it quickly before looking at Lucian again.
"The game has begun, brother. It's time to get rid of unnecessary pieces."
Lucian felt a chill rising up his spine. He knew what Raven intended to do.
"Will use the rebels and mercenaries to attack the Imperial Palace."
Raven tilted her head, looking genuinely surprised.
"I always underestimate how perceptive you can be. Is it your infamous divine gift? Anyway, yes, they are already on their way. And when all is done, all who have opposed me will be but a bitter memory that almost prevented our Empire from prospering."
Lucian clenched his fists, feeling the anger bubbling in his chest.
"Do you really think this will work? That no one will see through your performance?"
Raven laughed softly, approaching until their faces were a few centimeters away.
"I don't need it to work for everyone, just enough."
She moved away, turning her attention to the man who gave her the scroll.
"Tell everyone to start the attack."
Lucian saw the subordinate bow his head before leaving the room in a hurry. The confirmation of what he feared made his blood cold.
The Imperial Palace was about to become a battlefield.
As the door closed, Lucian felt an unbearable weight fall on his shoulders. The images that had previously been only fragments in his mind, now seemed to come to life. He could see clearly: the explosions in the halls of the Palace of the Sun, the shouts of the nobles, the chaos spreading like fire on a dry prairie.
At that point in the memories, Magnus was no longer alive. Lucian could only see himself falling, wrapped in blood, as a ghost who refused to disappear. Despair began to squeeze his chest, but he took a deep breath trying to concentrate.
"I will not let it happen again".
Lucian looked around, assessing his situation. The ropes that held him were tight, but perhaps not impossible to undo. He was lying on the ground, as Raven wanted to hear him flogging for help. He began to move his wrists, trying to loosen the knots while keeping an eye out for any changes in the guards.
Just needed to be alone to draw that blade and then...
"Do you really think you can escape?" Raven's voice interrupted his efforts, and Lucian stopped immediately, casting her a defiant look.
"Don't underestimate the ability of someone who has already faced the worst you can offer."
Raven laughed, but there was something in her expression that seemed... hesitant.
"Maybe. But don't worry, little brother, you'll have a special place in this new one I'm creating."
"If it is like a corpse, I prefer to refuse."
The provocation worked. Raven clenched her teeth, her patience clearly wearing out.
"You talk too much. If you want to talk that bad, why not try to see the future of your older sister. I guarantee that would be enough to change your mind."
"See the future? Do you really think that what I have seen in the Temple is the future you crave" He mocked Lucian, moving his hands subtly to try to get rid of the ropes "Don't be foolish, Raven. What I have seen was something completely different."
Suddenly, Raven held Lucian's wrists to prevent him from moving the way he wanted. With force she pushed the chair, causing Lucian to sit right on it again. As soon as Raven noticed the hidden blade, she kicked it away.
"Then you saw something. It was through this gift of yours that you have acted against me, isn't it?" She carefully observed Lucian's reaction, but then continued "How about you tell me what you saw? I think my little brother is acting too desperately for someone who claims to be confident that all my plans will fail."
Lucian did not want to tell the future he saw. Or rather, the past he experienced and made him enter into that confusion. For there was one information that Raven would make good use of to threaten him: the certainty of his death.
"It is a divine gift given by the Goddess. Do you think I can access it at your pleasure? Certain things I cannot tell."
"I have all the time in the world to wait for your good will, brother. Although I can not say the same of your husband."
Lucian was about to answer her, but an explosion stopped him. The sound of screams and chaos that was established reached the library as a ghoulish whisper. Lucian widened his diamond eyes to the library window, feeling his heart stop for a minute as he imagined that the worst was happening.
For a moment he closed his eyes, trying to block the images that his mind kept showing him. What would happen to Magnus? What about the Grimwood? And all the others?
More importantly, what would happen to the Empire?
Opening his eyes again, Lucian was more determined than ever, though trembling like a coward as he was. Continuing to work on the ropes, Lucian ignored the burning in his wrists and the growing pain in his arms.
"Are you nervous, brother?" Raven asked, her voice loaded with sarcasm as she watched the torches flicker in the vibrations of the distant tumult.
"You were already prepared for this, weren't you? Would attack everyone even if I tried to stop."
"You always seem to forget that I have a lot of control over everyone."
Lucian felt the ropes give a little more, but before he could try anything, the door opened again, and the former subordinate entered, his expression alarmed.
"Your Highness, something went wrong. It seems they were prepared."
Raven's face writhed in fury.
"How so prepared?"
"The defenses of the Imperial Palace were reinforced. There are soldiers scattered at strategic points and the mercenaries are being blocked."
Lucian held a smile. In the end, Magnus chose to trust him once again.
However, his relief was short-lived. Although she was furious, Raven quickly regained her composure.
"This changes our plans a little. Keep pressing, and if necessary... destroy everything."
Lucian felt his stomach turn. She was willing to sacrifice everything, even the allies, to achieve her goal. The subordinate hesitated too.
"But, Your Highness, what about the hostages?"
"They are disposable."
Raven's cold and merciless words were enough to rekindle anger in Lucian. He stared at her, letting his voice full of determination sound low.
"This is a waste of time. There's no chance for you to win."
Raven turned to him, returning with a smile.
"And who will stop me, little brother? You? By chance you predicted everything and planned my defeat? Well, what a beautiful saint."
Lucian didn't respond. Instead, he felt the strings finally give way. He was almost free. Just one move and...
An explosion, much closer this time, made the whole room shake. Raven stumbled, momentarily losing balance. Lucian took advantage of the moment, breaking the strings and rising in a single movement.
The riders knocked him to the ground. Raven approached and looked at him coldly.
"What else did you see, Lucian? I hope it doesn't test my patience anymore."
"I said, there are things I can't say..." Growled Lucian, feeling his ribs ache with the weight of the riders on his back.
"I understand..." She turned her heels, calling another subordinate "Make sure my brother is silent. Sell his eyes and cover his ears. I want him in utter darkness until he starts to go mad."
The man agreed with his head, although he hesitated for a moment.
"Your Highness, what if he's right? What if this doesn't work...?"
Raven used the blade that Lucian tried to hide before, and used it to make a cut on the subordinate's face. He fell to the ground in tears, covering the dark floor with his blood.
"How silly. We'll make it work, at any cost."
The library that was originally empty became full of knights. Some dragged the wounded subordinate out, while others covered Lucian's eyes and ears. He felt his body untidy and raised, but could not say where it was taken. The silence surrounded him in a frightening way, and the darkness invited fragments of the future experienced and feared by him.