Chapter 46: 46 The Forbidden Threshold
Rowena walked into the room and went straight to Lucien.
"What happened? Are you okay? I heard the maids murmuring about an accident," she asked, lowering herself onto Lucien’s lap.
"I’m fine. It’s Elian," Lucien spoke quietly, glancing at Elian who had turned his face away to the other side.
Rowena scoffed, "What did he do now? He’s simply seeking attention, my love." She smiled, caressing Lucien’s face.
Lucien remained unmoving, his fists balled beside him.
He was still trying to tell himself that Elian didn’t harm himself for his sake, and Rowena was blatantly accusing him of faking it.
The fear he felt a few moments ago wasn’t fake; he felt it in his bones and soul when he thought he was about to lose Elian for good.
"Your Majesty, I do not think he was seeking attention; Commander Cassian was the one who found him drowning in the bath," Monica slowly inputted.
Rowena frowned, facing Elian. "Elian," she called coldly.
Elian, who had been quiet the whole time, slowly faced Rowena.
His fingers curled inward as he took in the sight of Rowena sitting on Lucien’s lap. He had no right to feel that way, but he was gradually losing his reign over his feelings, and seeing Rowena that way with the man who had kissed him like he meant more shattered something within him.
"Why did you try to kill yourself? Did you think it would free you from your father’s sin?" Rowena questioned, her voice dropping with venom.
"I didn’t try to kill myself," Elian replied to the princess, but his eyes were locked on Lucien.
He held Lucien’s gaze for a few seconds before looking away.
"I simply was poisoned," he murmured.
"What did you say?" Lucien gently pushed Rowena out of his lap, standing slowly to get closer to Elian’s bed.
"What did you say, Elian?" he asked again, his voice darkening.
"What a preposterous accusation! You will face treason!" Rowena glared at Elian.
Elian clenched his fists, biting his lip in anger. "I did not try to kill—"
"My father will have your head for accusing the royal house of murder! Do you think we’re like your—"
"Do not say my father’s name," Elian murmured, his anger slowly taking over.
"You dare to talk back, you filthy—"
"Enough!" Lucien snapped, pinning Rowena with a dissatisfied look.
Rowena gasped, her hands flying to her mouth in shock.
For the first time, Lucien raised his voice at her—and for what? Elian?
"My love..." Rowena whispered, tears rapidly forming in her eyes.
Lucien gritted his teeth and turned away from Elian, pulling Rowena into his arms. "Do not cry. I do not want you stressing yourself, my Princess. I will handle Elian’s case myself. Do not cry," he whispered.
Rowena sniffled, nodding slowly. "He talked back at me," she murmured, wiping her cheeks gently.
Lucien stared at the floor for a tense moment before he looked over at Elian. "Apologize."
Elian froze, his heart combusting inside his chest at the sound of that single word.
Apologize?
For what?
Everyone knew he was barely defending himself over Rowena’s ill accusations, and now he was asked to apologize?
"What—"
"Apologize, Elian," Lucien ordered coldly.
Elian’s eyes fluttered shut, willing back the sting of tears that threatened to roll down his cheeks.
Why?
Why was Lucien’s action hurting him so much?
Why did he feel like he was being betrayed?
This was not good; it was dangerous. He was starting to let himself think of impossible things. Him and Lucien would never happen; Lucien was a Duke who had a woman he was going to marry. He was a man, and most importantly, he was a murderer.
He needed to keep repeating those things inside his head; if not, he would slowly trespass into a forbidden threshold.
Slowly, he unclenched his fists and opened his eyes. "I’m sorry, Your Majesty," he murmured, staring at the ceiling above.
Rowena smiled. "You should be happy you’re alive, you scumbag. Although, I don’t think that would be the case after my father’s discussion with my fiancé this evening," she threatened.
Elian froze, his pulse slowing drastically before spiking out of control.
What did she mean? What was Lucien planning with the King?
He glanced at Lucien, his gaze questioning silently, pleading.
Lucien’s gaze lingered—hesitation, anger?
"Your Grace," Cassian’s voice broke the silence as he strode into the room.
Lucien instantly straightened, his eyes sharpening as he looked toward Cassian, who now stood at the other side of Elian’s bed.
"The seer will be here in a few minutes. My men went to fetch her from her home," Cassian informed.
"What?" Rowena asked quietly. "Is everyone not overreacting a little too much over this peasant?" Her face slowly lost its innocent charm, frowning.
"I thought I asked you not to get a seer. You are indeed overriding my authority," Lucien stated, narrowing his eyes.
Elian knew both Lucien and Rowena might have something to hide from the seer, but he did, too. Rowena mentioned that the seer already prophesied about the finding of the last Truth Seeker, and if it happened that the seer succeeded in touching his hand, it was over for him.
He was about to become a kingdom’s royal weapon. And that is why, for once, he was going to side with Rowena.
"The princess is right. I’m fine now; there’s no need to seek a seer," Elian said, looking up at Cassian’s serious face.
"I’m sorry, Elian, Your Grace," Cassian calmly spoke. "But, as the captain of the royal guards, it is my duty to make sure that everyone is protected and every sinner is punished. The seer will come." He bowed his head in respect.
Lucien was boiling with anger. He knew Cassian was right, but he really cannot have a seer near Elian. His plan would shatter, and the King would discover that he was harboring a Truth Seeker under his roof.
"Your Grace," Monica called from the door, her head lowered.
Lucien turned to her, his brows still knitted in a frown. "Speak, Monica," he commanded.
"It is the maids. They have arrived," Monica informed.
Lucien had almost forgotten he had asked to bring the maids to him. Perhaps if he could get one of them to really say something, then there would be no need for the seer.
"Why have you summoned the maids, my love?" Rowena asked, looking toward the door.
Lucien glanced at Elian, but he saw the way Elian looked away from him before their gaze could even lock. He sighed and waved the maids in.
"He accused them of poisoning him. I want to make sure it’s just accusations, because as you said..." he glanced at Elian again, "such an accusation in the royal house is worth treason," he spoke calculatedly.
The maids walked into the chamber one after the other, standing in a file beside the wall.
Elian watched the maids with curiosity. He could easily solve his case with one touch, but he was protecting his identity. He knew none of them were going to admit to it, but he knew exactly what he felt in that bath.
The effect of Dreamshade can never be mistaken: drowsiness, immobilization, and numbing. Someone definitely put it in his bath water.
"I’m going to ask once, and I need each of you to answer honestly. Are we clear?" Lucien asked calmly, slowly stepping forward so he could watch their expressions.
"We understand," the maids answered in unison.
"My attendant was found drowning in his bath. Can anyone tell me why that had happened?" Lucien questioned lowly.
Monica stared at her maids, a deep frown marking her face.
"Margaret?" she called out.
"I know nothing, ma’am."
"Lucy."
"I did nothing."
"Amber."
"It wasn’t me, ma’am."
"Augustina."
"I simply poured his warm water, ma’am."
"Anita."
"Perhaps it was Charity," Anita murmured.
The room fell silent.
Monica glanced around and realized that Charity wasn’t in the room.
"She is not here, Your Grace," Monica informed cautiously.
Lucien shared a brief look with Elian before facing Monica again. "Bring her here," he ordered.
"Yes, Your Grace. Everyone out," she ushered the maids away from the chamber.
Rowena sighed. "All this fuss, for him? Look at him, he’s looking fine. Can we go now?" she asked Lucien, pouting her lips.
Lucien didn’t spare her a glance; his thoughts were occupied with numerous thoughts of what exactly this Charity had done.
"Please, sit down, Your Majesty." Cassian pulled a chair over to Rowena, bowing his head.
Rowena smiled at him. "Thank you, Cassian," she murmured, sitting down.
However, Cassian was already facing Elian, placing a gentle hand over his forehead. "You feel fine," he said softly.
Elian managed a smile. "I am fine," he replied.
Lucien saw the exchange and felt his chest tightening painfully.
What was he supposed to do to make Cassian understand that Elian was his?! And what was he to do to make Elian realize that he should not smile at anyone but at him?!
"Here she is, Your Grace," Monica walked into the room with a young woman behind her.
"Greetings, Your Majesties." The maid bowed to Lucien and Rowena.
Lucien wasted no time in going straight to the point. "Did you add anything unusual to my attendant’s bath water?"
Charity blinked slowly, searching the room for one particular person. "Yes, Your Grace. The captain gave me something to add to your attendant’s bath water."
A heavy, deafening silence fell upon the room as everyone slowly turned their heads to Cassian, who looked just as shocked as they were.
But Lucien knew a pretender when he saw one.
Lucien was livid; his legs moved before he could stop himself.
"Your Grace," Elian tried to call Lucien, but it was already too late.
Crash!
Lucien’s fist had already collided hard against Cassian’s face, sending him crashing backward and falling onto the small wooden table by the window, breaking the wood with his weight.
"Bastard! I’ll kill you!" Lucien growled.
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