Left alone by the grand refreshment tables, the heavy weight of the nobles' judging glares seemed to double and Sora felt entirely exposed.
"Sora Curzon."
A deep, resonant voice cut through the background noise. Sora turned to find Lucien standing a few paces away.
"Wow I never thought I'd ever hear Sir Arden call me by my name."
"Well it can't be helped, His majesty and the church have finally acknowledged you and your kind after all."
The giant knight stood perfectly straight across Sora and his eyes completely steady. He held a silver goblet of water, offering it to the future consort.
"You looked pale during the dance," Lucien said, his tone professional, yet carrying a heavy, unreadable undertone.
"The heat in the hall can be overwhelming for those not accustomed to it."
Sora's eyes locked onto the knight. The insecurity that had been rotting in his chest during the dance flared into a sharp, defensive edge. He didn't take the goblet. Instead, he tilted his head, his long raven, long hair catching the chandelier light as he gave a cautious smile.
"Thank you, Sir Arden," Sora said, his voice dripping with a quiet whisper.
"But I am perfectly fine. I am merely adjusting to my new reality. After all, as the future father of the Empire's heir, I have many eyes on me. Much like you do."
Lucien's hand remained steady, though his gaze narrowed slightly.
"Well I am merely a knight fulfilling his duties, Sora."
"A retiring knight," Sora countered smoothly, stepping an inch closer, "His Highness mentioned your upcoming departure from his side. I must say, I saw you dancing with Lady Ruby and the two of you looked remarkably suited for one another. A legendary hero and the grand adventurer... it is a perfect match. I am sure Cassian is deeply relieved to see you finding your own happiness, so you no longer have to linger in his shadow."
The words were meant to cut, and they hit their mark perfectly. Lucien's chest tightened, the memory of Cassian's cruel rejection on the balcony echoing freshly in his mind. But the knight did not break. He looked down at the elf, seeing right through the sharp words to the raw, trembling fear beneath them.
"His Highness's relief is all that matters to me," Lucien replied, his voice dropping to a freezing, absolute calm.
"My happiness has nothing to do with it. But you... you are his fiancé, Sora. You hold his future, yet you stand here watching the crowd as if you expect him to disappear. If you truly possess his heart, you should not look so terrified of the shadows like myself."
Sora's breath hitched, his composure fracturing for a split second. Before he could deliver another biting retort, a smooth, gentle voice interrupted them.
"What a pleasant gathering."
Ruby had joined in, her eyes scanning the tense posture of both men. A profound satisfaction washed over her.
"Since the four of us are already here, we should share the evening feast," Ruby announced, gesturing toward a private, heavily guarded table near the terrace doors.
"I have already talked with His highness Cassian and he agreed seemingly lonely by himself. Now he is already waiting for us, so please come."
Sora couldn't believe his ears.
'Why would Cassian talk to her instead of me?, he is lonely?...then he should have came back to me like he promised.'
Sora scoffed marching past the two and headed to where Ruby directed them.
Minutes later, the four of them were seated in tight quarters. The table was filled with luxury, but the atmosphere was thick enough to suffocate.
Cassian sat closely beside Sora, deliberately serving the elf small portions of food, playing the part of the doting fiancé perfectly. Yet, his eyes constantly drifted across the table, where Ruby and Lucien sat side by side.
"Lady Ruby," Cassian spoke up, lifting his wine glass.
"I was watching you and Sir Arden on the floor earlier. You both move with an incredible synchronicity. It is rare to see anyone keep up with the Swordmaster's stride."
Ruby smiled gracefully, her intelligent eyes darting between Cassian's calculated expression and Lucien's silent, untouched plate.
"Sir Arden is a wonderful partner, Your Highness. He listens exceptionally well, even when his mind is... preoccupied."
"He has always been attentive," Cassian said, forcing a light, easy chuckle. He looked directly at Lucien.
"Sir Arden, you must take care of Lady Ruby tonight. She is our most distinguished guest, and since you are no longer tied to my shadow, you have the freedom to show her the hospitality she deserves. I expect you to escort her even to the imperial gardens later."
Lucien sat in agonizing silence. Every word coming from Cassian's mouth felt like ash. He watched as Sora possessively leaned against Cassian's shoulder, cutting a piece of meat and offering it directly to the prince's lips.
"Eat, Cassian," Sora whispered, his voice intentionally loud enough for the table to hear, his fingers trembling slightly as he held the fork.
"You barely ate during the afternoon. Let me take care of you."
Cassian accepted the food, offering Sora a soft, lingering smile.
"Thank you, my love. You always take care of me."
Across the table, Lucien's knuckles turned entirely white against his linen napkin. He looked away, staring out the glass doors into the dark night. The sight of Cassian's tenderness toward the elf was tearing his soul apart. Although it was a sight he was used to but remembering Cassian's rejection from earlier only made him want to tear the entire ballroom down just to drag the prince away.
Sora, watching Lucien's painful reaction, felt his anxiety skyrocket. He didn't feel victorious; he felt uneasy. He could see the unspoken, heavy currents pulling between Cassian and the knight. He could see that Cassian's eyes, despite smiling at him, were entirely focused on arranging Lucien's future with another woman.
'He wants them together, hurting himself in the process.' Sora thought.
'He is forcing them together... because if he doesn't, he knows Lucien will never look away from him. Yet he smiles at her... he smiles so warmly just at the thought of her it truly makes me sick. Shouldn't he just stick to Sir Arden instead?....even I think he is a better choice compared to this snake-like woman.'
Sora quietly clicked his tongue.
Ruby quietly observed the entire disaster, her sad, knowing gaze lingering on Lucien's tense jawline before she looked at the prince.
"Your Highness is truly working hard tonight to ensure everyone's future," she murmured softly, her words carrying a hidden, heavy meaning that only Cassian understood.
"I merely want everyone to be exactly where they belong, Lady Ruby," Cassian replied, his voice unshaken.
As the grand orchestra began another loud, joyous song in the background, the four characters sat in a prison of their own making, completely drowning in a tragedy that none of them could escape.
*****