The capital of Roveaven was in turmoil with the latest news. The year had barely begun, and chaos has made its debut. Now, citizens were used to seeing the Imperial Palace being rebuilt after the sudden rebellion. In the central square, an official of the Imperial Palace climbed on a podium and drew everyone's attention by opening a scroll. People walking through the streets stopped falling in curiosity to hear an imperial pronouncement.
"On this twelfth day of the seventh month of the new year, His Imperial Majesty Rehael Saint Richmond declares that the attempted rebellion has been completely subdued. The culprits for the act of betrayal are..." The officer began to recite the names of all nobles and factions that were involved. The assembled people covered their mouths in horror "... and finally... the First Princess, Raven Saint Richmond."
"What?"
"The princess was involved in treason?! But she was always so kind..."
Everyone began to murmur surprised. It was an expected reaction, since the princess always kept her good reputation without raise suspicion. So it was natural that some were skeptical about such an announcement. Although they would not have to do, since the Emperor himself has declared her guilty.
"Thus, trials will be made according to the laws of the Empire for all accused. Punishments must be carried out for those found guilty regardless of their social status."
"Where will this world end?"
"My goddess..."
Observing the reaction of the people, the officer continued.
"In addition, honors will be given to the Grimwood Family and the Temple of the Goddess Kronosis, who have once again shown their loyalty to the Empire and its people. The Temple announces that it will hold a great festival in its gardens, to celebrate the prosperous life of the Empire. Commoners and nobles are invited."
"Thanks to the Goddess!"
"And finally, His Imperial Majesty announces that the heir to the throne has been chosen. Soon we will have a coronation ceremony."
And so the news spread throughout the Empire. Everyone had the names of the people most involved in the whole new year scandal. But the fact was that everyone felt safe now.
It has become common to walk the streets and encounter imperial knights under the command of the First Prince making their patrols and ensuring peace. The number of mercenaries and rebels had decreased significantly in size, although a certain Grand Duke knew very well where those rats were fleeing.
While the central square was seething with discussions and reactions inside the Grimwood Mansion, Magnus was far from any sense of relief.
Magnus sat in his office, the evening light casting long shadows over heavy furniture. Documents scattered covered the table, many of them related to the interrogations of the conspirators.
Eugene and Jesse stood beside him, watching their older brother with concern. Magnus seemed even colder and more distant since the attack, as if all his energy was turned to a single purpose: to complete what he had begun.
"Brother, you should rest" Eugene looked at his older brother with concern.
"Eugene is right, Mag."
The crimson eyes did not leave the documents he needed to analyze, but his voice sounded perfectly authoritative.
"Do not think of saying sweet words to make me forget the current problem."
Eugene sighed and looked at Jesse, silently asking for help.
"I believe this is a waste of time, Mag. Eugene has already bitten His Highness, and there's nothing we can do."
"I'm angry enough to cut off Cadec's head. If it wasn't for the whole rebellion, that duel would have made that clear."
Again the two brothers exchanged worried looks. Jesse sighed low and shook his head to Eugene calm down. Then he approached the table and removed the documents from Magnus' hand.
"You're wearing yourself out, Mag. We've done our part; let us help."
Magnus finally looked up. His crimson look met that of Jesse, cold and inflexible.
"Do you think you can ease the burden of my responsibilities?" He uttered a dry laugh, filled with bitterness. "None of you understand."
"What we understand is that you are not coping well with his absence."
Magnus froze for a moment. His expression remained cold, but Jesse knew that his words had reached the right point.
"How's the baby?"
"Ha?"
"Don't make me ask again, Mag."
The cold, demonic look that Jesse cast at his older brother made Magnus sigh. What on earth had he taught his innocent brothers? Anyway, he lowered his eyes to the slightly bulky belly where the Grimwood heir was growing up.
"Healthy. I'm resting and feeding as I should."
"The royal doctor and the Imperial consort were clear that you exaggerated during the battle. I hope you are not going against medical advice and left for senseless battles."
"I'm not!" Snared Magnus pulling the documents again and leaving them on the table "Frankly... am I an idiot for doing something so reckless?"
Eugene and Jesse stared at him in silence, an obvious answer. The omega rolled his eyes and just leaned on the chair, crossing his arms over his chest.
"I'm fine and following every medical recommendation. But that won't stop me from being against the engagement of Eugene and Cadec."
"But it was His Majesty's order, since I have bitten the prince" Eugene explained calmly "We cannot go against his words."
Magnus puffed angrily, but soon sighed low giving up arguing. His scent was present, and everyone knew that he had reached his limit of the day. The pregnancy has left your emotions floating, mainly because Magnus don't have his alpha by his side.
Rubbing his fingers on the forehead, Magnus tried to calm down and not pour out his frustration on his brothers. Even because they were right about him not being able to do anything about the Emperor's decision on marriage.
"Do you intend to go to the temple?" Jesse asked suddenly.
"Already said not to worry" Magnus lost it, recovering "Take care of Eugene's affairs in my place. And keep an eye on Cadec, because any approach less than a hundred meters should be considered dishonor."
"Brother!!!" Yelled Eugene annoyed.
"Go now. It's time for my tea."
Jesse and Eugene exchanged glances and preferred to retire. As they left the office, they came across Argus with the tea cart. They knew very well that Magnus never liked tea, but since that night he started drinking in his afternoon snacks.
At the tea table, Magnus sat in silence, holding a hot cup between his hands. The floral aroma calmed him momentarily, but his mind was far away. In fact, it deceived him by showing the illusion of the alpha sitting in front of Magnus, drinking tea with a calm smile as he always did at that time. Perhaps it was his illusions that caused Magnus to create new habits.
Raising his crimson eyes, he felt a movement in his belly. The illusions faded, and Magnus looked out the window, watching the shadows stretching in the garden.
"I know" he murmured to himself, stroking his belly "I miss him too."
The silence of the room was oppressive. Magnus closed his eyes and let Lucian's memory surround him. Every smile, every word, every shared moment seemed so close and at the same time unattainable.
So he spent the day, between occupying his mind not to fall into the trap that those feelings so sticky made him feel.
As night fell, Magnus stepped out of the carriage and raised his crimson eyes in disgust for visiting the Temple. It was then that a voice rang near him.
"It seems that you have not yet overcome your aversion to the temple."
Bowing his head, Magnus formally greeted.
"Your Majesties..." When he saw Cadec there, he continued dryly "Your Highness..."
"I can feel your anger contained by addressing me" Cadec said as he crossed his arms "Shouldn't you have overcome that already?"
"Lucky for you I'm unable to make you quiet."
"Well now boys, enough enough" Cassander laughed holding the hand of Rehael. "Came to see him too?"
Magnus hardened and calmed down quickly. The coldness in his countenance returned when he turned to the Emperor and Consort.
"Yes. But seeing your faces it seems that there was no news."
Cassander showed a sad smile and the Emperor sighed.
"Come in, Grimwood. It's too cold for a pregnant omega to stay here."
Magnus watched the Emperor, who looked even more tired and quiet. Since the New Year's Eve dance a few months ago, the weight of your children's choices seemed to sink your father into his own thoughts. In addition, the crime of treason had only one end: the death sentence. It would be unnecessary to oppose him now, and so Magnus just bowed his head before marching into the temple.
The priests were accustomed to seeing his presence in the temple at night, and some even avoided him. Not that Magnus had a contagious disease, but the fact that he forced the temple to admit that their received help from the Grimwood hurt their pride, increasing the raid between the two.
Well, that would be fun.
The Grand Duke crossed the temple and went to the less crowded area where he already knew the way. The chamber where the divine treasures were kept opened to Magnus' step. The crimson eyes focused on the man in priestly robes who just looked at him over his shoulder.
"You are late, Grand Duke."
As Magnus approached, he just concentrated on the glass box full of flowers that covered the thin mattress where the Saint rested. His serene expression as if he was just stuck in a deep sleep. Just to see Lucian did something inside himself to tighten, an anxiety grow to the point of leaving him ambitious to make his alpha awaken.
"It's taking longer than you had said" Mumbled Magnus, touching the glass.
"His physical wounds have been healed, but even giving my divine power to him, I see no sign that he will awaken."
"Didn't you say that you were going to see some oracle with your imaginary friend?"
Skyler growled low and rolled his eyes, despite being used to Magnus' provocations.
"Goddess... please keep some respect at least in this space" The priest sighed and then walked through space stopping near a messy table of books "Before I saw a sickle on his neck, as if the fate of his death was impossible to be prevented. But I don't see this sickle anymore when I meditate..."
Magnus narrowed his eyes. Lucian continued to sleep soundly for months after saving his life. A deep sleep too long for Magnus' personal taste.
Lost in his own thoughts, Magnus did not hear the rest of Skyler's endless conversation. He just stood staring at the sleeping husband feeling strangely irritated for one more day to go without seeing his eyes open.
Leaning his forehead against the glass, Magnus closed his eyes imagining himself holding Lucian's hand. If only your imagination was enough to bring him back...
"I'm here, and I won't go anywhere" whispered Magnus "Lucian..."