Some days have passed since the Saint's awakening. Lucian remained at the temple to recover, as Skyler's divine energy was helping him in the process. Daily he received visits, which kept him informed of the main events after his sacrifice.
The door of the room opened gently, revealing Cassander and Rehael. The royal couple seemed older, their worries engraved on their face, but there was still paternal tenderness.
"Lucian!" Cassander's voice trembled, and he quickly advanced to his son's side.
For a moment the prince remembered the fragments of possibility he saw while resting on the lap of the goddess. Repentance was stronger now that Lucian knew the whole truth. Those people broke taboos for love of him, and all he did was believe lies and deny their affections, despite being what they needed the most.
"We thought we would lose you again" said Rehael while stroking Lucian's hair, seeming not to know exactly how to be affectionate "I don't know if I can bear it..."
Lucian looked at them and lowered his head slightly.
"I'm sorry... for everything. For believing Raven's lies, for pushing you away..."
"No" Cassander shook his head, holding your hand tight "You did what you thought was right. You always did. And that's what matters."
"That's right, Lucian" Rehael touched your head again "We're proud of you. Wouldn't we be the ones apologizing for not protecting you?"
Lucian's heart accelerated as he looked at his parents. He lowered his head to hide the tears that flowed, but his fingers firmly held those of Cassander.
"Thank you... dad."
Rehael and Cassander seemed surprised to hear Lucian calling them that way, but they soon left the great noble etiquette aside to be vulnerable. Hugging Lucian tight, it was as if the beloved son had come home.
Rehael and Cassander seemed surprised to hear Lucian calling them that way, but they soon left the great noble etiquette aside to be vulnerable. Hugging Lucian tight, it was as if the beloved son had come home.
The visits continued to come. Eugene and Cadec talking about the engagement's preparations, Raven's execution that would soon occur... Lucian kept track, even though it was too much information to process. At least they served as a subject to make time go by faster.
Weeks later, Lucian finally left the temple, returning to Grimwood Mansion. The carriage advanced through the imposing gates, and he felt a mixture of nostalgia and strangeness. The place was the same, but it looked different.
When he came down, he was received by Argus, who ran towards him with tears in his eyes.
"Your Highness! I thought you would never come back to us!! cried the butler, wiping his face with the scarf.
Lucian chuckled, feeling warmed by the sincere reaction.
"Frankly, Argus... a butler who cries like that? What vision is this?"
"Just because my master is the meanest of all!" replied Argus between sobs.
Magnus, who was waiting by the door, smirked.
"Enough, Argus. Take a tea to the tea room. Let's celebrate Lucian's return."
"Yes, Your Grace!" said the butler, wiping more tears before running to carry out the orders.
Argus was comforted by the other servants, which left Lucian relieved. It seems that your loyal servant also lived well in the Grimwood Mansion even in his absence.
Then the omega led his husband through the familiar corridors, although Lucian knew well that it was not there that was the tea room.
As they walked, Lucian remembered more and more of that decoration. The feeling of anxiety and fear for the predicted future no longer existed. This gave him more confidence to walk alongside Magnus and hold his warm hand.
He was back again.
Now Lucian could live his life and fulfill his agreement with the Goddess.
In addition, Lucian would have enough time to prepare to be a father, since Magnus would soon show signs of his pregnancy...
"Where are you taking me, dear?" questioned the alpha, tilting his head slightly curious.
"There's someone you need to meet" Magnus said, as he drove Lucian through the hallways.
"Someone?"
Magnus stood before the door ajar and tilted his head.
"Come in."
Lucian hesitated for a moment before pushing the door. Inside the room, there was a crib covered with fine and delicate fabrics. Next to it, a maid organized children's toys, who bowed and left at the signal of Magnus. Lucian frowned and approached the crib, watching a sleeping baby, cradled in cloths that seemed made of pure light.
"Dear, who's..." Lucian began in a whisper.
"You've been away too long, Lucian" replied Magnus walking to the crib, he raised the cloth and looked at the husband "It's her. Our daughter."
Lucian felt his heart about to explode. When they had let out the news, absolutely no one mentioned about the time he was unconscious, much less about Magnus having given birth.
Stunned, the alpha stared at his husband silently and then at the baby. Does this mean that your decision made the omega face the whole pregnancy alone? Ah... a small regret arose in his chest.
Stepping forward, he leaned more over the crib, looking at the baby's delicate little face. Her features were a perfect blend of them: Magnus' eyes closed in a quiet sleep, the smooth and round cheeks reminiscent of Lucian's childhood.
"She's... so small" murmured the alpha almost without believing.
"And perfect."
Lucian held out his trembling hand, hesitating for a moment before touching the baby's hand. She opened her eyes slowly, revealing a vivid glow that seemed to illuminate the room. In addition, the eyes were as crimson as the parent omega.
The baby made a soft sound, something between a sigh and a babble, as it grabbed Lucian's finger with her tiny hand.
"She is recognizing you" Magnus said in a low voice, his eyes fixed on the scene.
His legs failed, Lucian felt his heart throbbing as he watched their daughter. He knelt beside the crib, his other hand covering that of Magnus who was leaning on the crib.
"It's her, isn't it? What's the best thing about us."
Magnus nodded before taking the baby from the crib with a surprising skill, cradling it before he could pass to Lucian.
"Hold her."
Stooding up, Lucian hesitated for fear of not being able, but Magnus guided him. When the baby was in his arms, Lucian felt as if his whole world had stopped.
"Kiana Grimwood" Magnus presented "Our light, our future."
Lucian smiled, looking at the little face that now filled his heart with something he didn't know was missing.
"Hello, my little one" he whispered, his voice shrunk.
Kiana snuggled up against him, her eyes already closed again, as if fully trusting in the safety of those arms.
Magnus put his hand on Lucian's, involving both.
"She already knows" Magnus muttered, with a rare gleam in his eyes. "That you will never leave her."
Lucian did not answer. There were no words to describe what he felt at that moment. He just held their daughter more firmly, silently promising that he would do anything to protect her.
(...)
The Imperial Hall was filled with an almost palpable expectation. Nobles, priests and emissaries from allied kingdoms were gathered, occupying every corner of the space adorned with gilded tapestries and coats of arms of the Saint Richmond dynasty. The brightness of chandeliers hanging from the high ceiling reflected on the jewels and armor, creating a dazzling spectacle.
In the center of the hall, two men waited. Lucian and Cadec.
Lucian was dressed in impeccable formal attire, but his expression was indecipherable. Beside him, Cadec kept a firm posture, his eyes facing the empty throne ahead. The Emperor and Consort were present, but it was evident that this was a moment for the people, a moment for the future of the Empire.
The tension increased every second.
"Who will be the chosen one?" muttered a marquise, bowing to whisper with her companion.
"Lucian has a closer bond with the temple, but Cadec is close to the people" answered another voice.
Magnus, sitting in the area reserved for the Grimwood family, watched the hall coldly. His crimson eyes went from face to face, attentive to any sign of threat. He knew that the outcome had already been decided, but the political game always had its twists and turns.
Lucian, on the other hand, felt the pressure of the moment. He knew that the possibilities were endless, but there was still uncertainty. Despite being informed of the plan, the ceremony was a spectacle to consolidate alliances and create intrigue.
Cassander advanced, wearing a golden cloak that made him look like an envoy of the gods. He raised his hand and the murmur ceased instantly.
"Today, Roveaven takes another step towards a bright future," announced Cassander, his voice echoing through the hall. "The throne needs continuity, strong leadership and solid alliances."
He took a dramatic pause, his gaze passing between Cadec and Lucian.
"Therefore, the Emperor, in his wisdom, has chosen an heir who reflects these qualities."
The silence was absolute.
"The First Prince, Cadec Saint Richmond!"
The hall exploded in applause as Cadec advanced, his face a mask of pride and determination. Lucian sighed quietly, allowing himself to relax. He knew that was the most logical and perhaps the fairest destination.
Cadec knelt before the Emperor, who rose from his throne, holding the crown that symbolized the heir's position.
"Cadec Saint Richmond, for your courage, wisdom and loyalty to the Empire, you will be the next to carry the burden and glory of ruling Roveaven" declared Rehael, placing the crown on Cadec's head.
"Long live the Crown Prince!" shouted someone in the crowd, followed by a unanimous chorus.
Cadec stood up, his imposing figure standing out even more with the crown. He turned to the crowd and raised his hand, silencing the applause.
"I appreciate the trust of all" he said, his voice firm and clear. "But this moment is not only mine. It's ours. It is the beginning of a new chapter for Roveaven, where commitment to our people will always be the priority."
The applause came back, more intense this time.
Eugene approached, dressed in costumes that reflected his position as consort. He stood next to Cadec, and the prince, in a gesture that caused sighs in the audience, held the omega's hand.
"Let it be known" announced Cassander "that the consort of the heir will be Eugene Grimwood, uniting two of the most important families of the Empire in alliance and purpose."
The response was warm, and the two bent slightly to the audience before turning to the Emperor and the Consort.
Lucian, watching everything from his place, felt a weight be removed from his shoulders. He knew that he had his role, but the throne was not part of it. Magnus, sitting next to him, slightly shook his hand.
"I think you're relieved" Magnus muttered.
Lucian smiled softly.
"More than I can express."
"Baaaababababa."
The two lowered their eyes to little Kiana, who was chewing on Magnus' tie. Calmly the omega pulled the tie and raised the baby to the height of his eyes.
"I told you not to do that. If you want to spoil someone's things, it must be the priest or the prince. Any of them deserves the Grimwood's drool."
"Please, dear, do not teach our daughter strange things" Lucian sighed taking the baby on his lap. But soon KIana got tangled in his father's long hair.
Kiana had blonde hair like Lucian's, but the crimson eyes were identical to those of Magnus. A Grimwood who would later lead the family, and already showed signs of destruction that ran in their blood. At least Lucian was glad that such destruction was contained in just biting anything, since her teeth were unborn.
At least now they would live in peace. Raven will be executed for the crime of treason. Cadec became crown prince and will get marry with Eugene. Jesse and Victoria waited for the first child, while Lucian fulfilled his duties as Saint and consort Grimwood.
"Babababaaa."
"I agree, only boring and unbearable people gather in these places" grumbled Magnus in a monologue with his daughter.
"Haa... let's eat a little and then go home, right? I think Kiana would love to walk around the garden while trying some sweets."
Thus, Lucian held Magnus by the waist and guided him through the Imperial Palace. With a smile on his face, the fear of loneliness and death no longer existed on his shoulders.