Chapter 259: Heretic / 1.20 : In hateful memory
Serena entered the dining room with her father and took a seat next to the queen. She smiled at her and filled her plate. Arabella asked:
"How are you?"
Serena answered:
"I’m okay. I just wish to focus on the reason we are here."
"It’s okay to take some time to mourn Serena."
Cayus spoke:
"All of this was significant to Aurelia, and I know she wouldn’t want us to fall apart, but to be strong."
Arabella glanced at Cayus and nodded.
She then considered her husband and could tell he felt the same way as she did. Oddly enough, they won’t take even a minute to digest what took place yesterday. Normal people would be traumatized, or at least show that they’re touched by what happened, but that’s not their case.
Except when Serena passed out, she hasn’t seen anything more out of her, when she just lost her mother. It’s like for them, it’s business as usual.
They recognize that the treaty between the vampires and witches is important, but they would understand if they needed a few days to digest everything. She was about to ask her husband where her son was when he entered with Kian.
Serena frowned. You would think Lucian would check on her after what happened yesterday, but he is more worried about Kian. Lucian pulled the chair for Kian and took a seat next to him.
Kian looked at the king who was at the head of the table, then the queen, and said:
"Hello."
They both smiled. Arabella asked:
"Are you okay, dear?"
Kian smiled touched.
"I’m okay. The spell just used an abundance of power."
Magnus said:
"We’re glad we were worried about you."
Kian smiled, it’s still crazy to him that strangers care more about his well-being than his flesh and blood. Lucian caressed his head. He could tell that Kian was touched by his parent’s care. After having a family like that, it’s not surprising.
Serena’s hands tightened into fists. Cayus glanced at her then Lucian and stated:
"You would think the crown prince would be better worried about his fiancé, than leader Kian."
Kian stared at his uncle and asked:
"Are you saying you think Lucian should’ve let me fall to my death?"
Cayus froze a second and replied:
"That’s not what I meant. I just mean that the prince seems considerably worried about you, when his fiancé just lost her mother."
Serena said:
"Cousin, do you even know how hard this entire situation is? I need support."
Lucian’s eyes darkened, but before he could talk, Kian spoke:
"I know how hard it is because I went through the same. No, actually I went through worse. I lost my mother and couldn’t even mourn her. Because I became the leader of all witches and had to work hard. If it wasn’t bad enough, a week later I found out that I was dying. So don’t ask me if I know how hard this situation is. At least you still have your father, while I had no one."
He thought he had his uncle, aunt, and cousin, but he never did. And even so, he believed that for less than a month. He felt suffocated by them always being there and controlling every aspect of his life.
Serena has her father, but it won’t last. And it’s clear as day that they were only touched by Aurelia’s death for a matter of seconds. The only reason Serena passed out, is that she saw someone’s head being bitten off. She would’ve reacted the same if it wasn’t her mother.
He’ll be done with them soon anyway, so he’s done pretending. Cayus said, offended:
"How can you say that when we took care of you?"
Lucian’s green eyes turned red and Kian held his hand. Lucian looked into his eyes and calm down.
He honestly doesn’t know how Kian can bear to be around them like that. If it were him, he would’ve ripped them apart as soon as he found out the truth. He won’t let anyone hurt Kian ever again. He tightened the hold on his hand and caressed the back of his hand.
Kian smiled at him and his heartbeat quickened. Kian looked at his uncle expressionlessly and said:
"You weren’t there for me, all you did is suffocate and stress me."
Cayus and Serena looked at him wide-eyed. Even after what happened yesterday, he still acts like a spoiled brat. Serena looked at him teary-eyed and said:
"I thought you and I were like brother and sister."
Kian couldn’t stop himself from laughing. Lucian looked at him with an amused smile. Kian said:
"Let’s just have breakfast in silence, honoring Aurelia."
Cayus and Serena’s eyes darkened. It was clear that Kian was being sardonic. Serena looked at Lucian furiously as he filled Kian’s plate, then his. She stood up and left. The rest of breakfast ensued in silence.
When they were done, Magnus looked at Lucian and ordered:
"Come."
Magnus left with his wife and Lucian followed. Cayus frowned when he saw that Lucian was holding Kian’s hand.
Lucian entered the elevator after his parents. The king and queen were surprised to see that Kian was there, but they didn’t say anything. Lucian pushed the button to the third floor and then gazed at Kian.
He pulled him into his embrace and kissed his forehead. Kian looked into his green eyes and his heartbeat quickened. There’s always so much affection in his eyes every time Lucian looks at him, like he can’t hide his love.
He reached out and caressed those emerald eyes he loves. The queen looked at them intently. She feels like Lucian and Kian are in their world. It’s like they can’t see anyone when they’re together.
Their love for each other is apparent, but it will only end up with Lucian heartbroken. Even if she likes Kian, he’ll die in a week. But there’s so much intensity coming from the two that regardless of what she says, it won’t change anything.
She looked at Magnus and saw that he looked just as anxious. When the doors opened, Lucian walked to his father’s office. He let his parents enter first and followed. When the king and queen saw that Kian was still there, they sat on the couch.
Lucian closed the door and sat in front of his parents with Kian. Kian looked down. He doesn’t know how Arabella and Magnus will feel after everything. Lucian caressed his head and he looked up. He smiled at him reassuringly, and Kian smiled.
Magnus asked:
"What is going on, Lucian? Didn’t we already talk?"
Lucian said:
"I’m not going to marry Serena, I love Kian."
Arabella sighed. Didn’t they have this conversation already? She said:
"Darling I understand, but Kian’s clock is ticking."
She looked at Kian and saw that he looked uncomfortable.
She said:
"I’m sorry, dear. I just don’t want him to be heartbroken in the end."
Kian said:
"I understand, you wouldn’t be a good mother If you weren’t worried about that."
Arabella relaxed when she saw that he understood. Kian said:
"I’m not dying anymore."
The king and queen looked between the two, confused. After thinking, Magnus asked incredulously:
"You did the ancient blood oath?"
The queen looked at him stunned. Lucian said:
"I was going to, but Kian stopped me."
They looked at him, shocked beyond words. Even if he didn’t do it, the fact that he was going to, shows how much he cares for Kian.
Arabella asked:
"If he didn’t, how are you better?"
Kian explained to them the truth about his family’s plan, and how he found out before coming.
They were speechless. When Magnus could speak again, he asked:
"Are you sure you got it all out of your system? I should call our physician to be certain."
Kian waved his hand and his core appeared. He showed what it looked like before than now. He waved his hand and it disappeared.
Arabella expressed outrage:
"I can’t believe they would go so far just to take the throne. And they dared to act like victims during breakfast."
Kian said:
"I’m not upset about it anymore. They’ll get what they deserve."
Despite those words, the king and queen couldn’t help but feel bad for him. They understand him better than they did before. No wonder they acted so controlling. And to think they even corrupted the physician who was there when Kian was born.
Arabella took a seat next to Kian, she held his hand and said:
"No matter what you decide, we’ll be there for you."
Kian smiled and she smiled back.
Arabella inquired excitedly:
"Does that mean you two will marry?"
Kian blinked, and he looked away uncomfortably. Lucian frowned, Arabella, let go of Kian’s hand and took back her seat. Lucian asked
"What’s wrong?"
