Lucien dragged the quill across the parchment with swift precision, his signature settling beneath the order that commanded his men to cut down the trees surrounding the northern woods. The cleared land would soon make way for the cabin he intended to build deep within the forest.

​"I still think it’s dangerous," Rowan said as Lucien handed the parchment to Finn.

​"Hand it to the general," Lucien ordered.

​Finn nodded and walked out of the study.

​"You’re really decided, huh?" Rowan asked, crossing his legs.

​"I am," Lucien nodded, pulling out another parchment to read.

​Rowan hummed, leaning in to study Lucien’s face. "What’s bothering you?" he questioned. "Apart from your normal gloomy mood, what else has added to your misery?"

​Lucien didn’t speak; he concentrated on working, his brows creasing slightly from the unconscious frown that crept onto his face.

​"If you do not speak, I will conclude that my speculations are true," Rowan stated calmly, watching Lucien carefully.

​Silence.

​Rowan sighed, sitting up. "You’re acting strange, cousin. The sun is out and normally you’d take me to the archery range to boast of your perfection, but here you are, working yourself like a donkey just to kill a thought in your head. What did you do?" he questioned very calmly.

​"If you want to shoot arrows, take Finn with you. That is... if you can beat him—"

​"I’d stop you right there, cousin," Rowan narrowed his eyes and leaned over Lucien’s desk. "Firstly, I shall not take a guard as my competition; it is an insult." He lifted two fingers in front of him. "Secondly, Finn is not built to wield a bow. If you’re reducing me to play with your servants, at least give me Edgar; that can be managed." He scoffed. "Finn is... not fit," he concluded.

​Lucien pulled another parchment, never lifting his face. "That is your fault, Rowan. You talk too much and miss the point, every time," he murmured.

​"Are you calling me stupid?" Rowan asked, frowning.

​"Your words, not mine." A small smirk played on Lucien’s lips.

​"Don’t get so cocky. Next time, I’m breaking right through your arrow," he promised.

​Lucien only shrugged a shoulder, not bothering to reply. Rowan was about to speak again when the door quietly opened behind them.

​"Good morning, my love," Rowena majestically walked in, smiling so beautifully.

​Lucien’s hand paused on the parchment, his shoulders tensing for just a moment before he lifted his face and gave the faintest of smiles.

​"Good morning, my Princess. You look breathtaking... as always." He gently stood and walked around his desk to kiss her cheek. "Did you sleep well?" he asked her, touching her arm gently.

​Rowena sighed. "Almost... I couldn’t stop thinking about you," she whispered, hugging his arm.

​Lucien cleared his throat, smiling gently.

​"I almost feel invisible," Rowan said, standing up and bowing slightly to Rowena.

​Rowena smiled. "Forgive me, Rowan. I did not see you," she said.

​Rowan chuckled. "You know, I feel like you chose the wrong man to fall in love with—"

​"Rowan?" Lucien called calmly, but his eyes were filled with warning.

​Rowan smiled. "I just want to tell her that she should have chosen me. I mean, our names even match and..." he leaned in, his voice lowering, "I wouldn’t wait a year to worship such a beautiful body like yours," he whispered.

​Rowena blushed. "I’m flattered, Rowan. But you’d never measure up to my Lucien. He’s perfect." She kissed Lucien’s cheek.

​"He’s a bastard," Rowan muttered, rolling his eyes.

​Rowena chuckled softly, looking up at Lucien. "My love, did you see how well I punished the traitor last night? He would never dare to steal from your table again—"

​"Forgive my intrusion, Princess. But what are you talking about?" Rowan asked, arching his brows.

​"I did. I appreciate your concern, but next time, report to me... this is my home." Lucien tried to sound gentle but firm enough to tell the Princess he wasn’t joking.

​Rowena’s face fell for a second before she smiled and nodded. "I understand, my love," she said, touching her temple with the tip of her fingers. "I don’t feel so well. Will you accompany me to the garden?" she asked, snuggling her head against his chest.

​Lucien glanced at his unfinished work on his desk, then at Rowan, who looked curious to know what they were talking about. He nodded. "Yes, my Princess. I will walk with you," Lucien said, placing his hand at the small of her back to lead her out of the study.

​Truly, he, too, needed to clear his head with some fresh air and sun. The events of last night and the early morning were very much still pestering his thoughts. Elian was still pestering his mind. He needed to distract himself.

​As they left the study, Rowan stared at their retreating figures, shaking his head slowly. "Disaster," he muttered, walking out of Lucien’s study.

​In the Duke’s chambers, Elian had just finished his healthy fruit breakfast that was "packed with healing vitamins," as Ms. Beck had stated. He couldn’t keep lying down, so he pulled himself out of the bed and limped toward the window.

​He pulled the curtains aside and pushed his head out of the window, letting the sun kiss his skin and warm him. He sighed softly, closing his eyes, and almost immediately, they flew open. His fingers gripped tightly around the window pane as the thoughts of Lucien’s hands on him burst through his mind.

​He gulped, forcing his eyes down to the beautiful orchid beneath him. It didn’t help. He could still feel the way Lucien’s surprisingly gentle hands slid over his body in a smooth glide, massaging his skin like there was something more to it than just the healing oil.

​He sank his teeth into his lower lip, his breath catching as he recalled the moment Lucien’s hand went below his waist.

​"No..." he gasped, feeling that strange stir between his legs again. "Oh, God... please, no." His lips trembled as he realized what was happening.

​He couldn’t want that man! The only thing he’d want with him is to kill him! He couldn’t let it happen, because if he did, it would be the greatest sabotage in history. What would he say to his mother? It would kill any remaining hope she ever had left. Tell her that instead of killing the Duke, he... he what exactly?!

​He groaned, raking his fingers through his curls. He wouldn’t let it happen again. Earlier was a mistake, and probably because he’d never been touched like that before. That was it, nothing else.

​He was about to move away from the window when a soft, familiar laughter reached his ears. With a sharp snap of his head, he lowered his gaze to the orchid. A sharp, invisible arrow pierced right through his heart as he saw them: Lucien and Rowena walking leisurely between the trees.

​Lucien seemed at ease, a side of himself he never showed around Elian. Elian should look away, pretend he didn’t see them, but he didn’t. He stood there, watching, fists balled beside him for no reason. Lucien said something to Rowena and she laughed again, leaning her body into his.

​Elian scoffed, very sure Lucien wasn’t even that funny even if his life depended on it. She was just being... her.

​He was just about to leave when he saw Rowena tilt her face up and lean in. Elian stood frozen, waiting to see what would happen, his fingers digging crescent moon marks into his palms as the couple’s lips got closer. Rowena kissed Lucien, and he even wrapped his arms around her waist to pull her closer!

​Elian lowered his gaze to the floor, unsure of what he was expecting to happen. For the Duke to push his fiancée away? Why was he even bothered about their kiss? What was it to him?

​Slowly, he lifted his face and stiffened when his eyes locked squarely with Lucien’s.

​"Oh, no," he gasped and moved away from the window, his heart beating like a drum within his chest. He gulped and licked his dry lips. "What am I doing?" He frowned, shutting his eyes tightly and groaning in frustration.

​Lucien was probably going to think he was some peeper watching a couple get intimate. Was he going to get punished for snooping? He hoped not. Maybe he was overthinking; perhaps Lucien hadn’t even seen him?

​With a deep exhale, he moved toward the bed and fell onto his front across the mattress, fingers buried in his hair as he tried to convince himself that Lucien hadn’t seen him.

​A knock came at his door and he lifted his face, staring at the door with furrowed brows. Lucien probably wouldn’t knock, and that wasn’t the way Ms. Beck knocked. Who was it?

​Elian got off the bed with minor difficulty and went over to open the door.

​"Hello, Elian," Rowan stood in front of his door with flowers in his hand.

​Elian blinked slowly. "Lord Rowan?" he called quietly, his eyes moving from the flowers to his face.

​"May I come in?" Rowan asked gently, his eyes smiling tenderly at Elian’s surprised face.