idn't like them? Yeah... he didn't.
However, the feeling of seeing the characters from his favorite book in the flesh was very... frightening. I mean, there was a little bit of euphoria and surprise, but there was also something strange and scary.
Like a skeptical person coming across a ghost and questioning their sanity. The person feels a chill in the stomach, a shiver in the spine and feels his soul leave the body by fright.
As if he was dealing with the supernatural unconsciously.
That was the feeling of seeing Maverick from afar. As described, broad shoulders, strong body, short hair and light brown... At least that's what Lucian was able to see from afar. Was about to take a look at Magnus' younger brothers, when Raven pulled his arm as they reached the end of the staircase.
Giving only a nod to the guests, the eighth prince accompanied his sister to the center of the hall that was already empty and ready to begin the dance. As soon as the musicians saw Raven in the center of the hall, they began to play their instruments in a slow and harmonious melody.
So...
What should he do?
Until now it was easy to pretend to be a prince, after all he have read several stories of princesses and princes and knew how they behaved, but dancing was something completely different.
What rhythm was that?
Waltz? Tango? Flamenco?
Even if he knew what style it was, that didn't mean he would know how to dance! He was shaking inside and his smile seemed forced and cracked. If Raven paid attention, she would notice that his fingers were shaking too.
As soon as Raven held his hand and shoulder, Lucian's hands went to her hand and waist. And then gradually they took small steps to the sides, as if he was still picking up the rhythm.
"Haha, are you nervous about dancing with your sister?"
"I'm not a good dancer, I'm afraid to embarrass you in front of everyone."
"What a liar."
Unfortunately it was not a lie.
The music was accelerating and increasing the pace, making the steps bigger. To Lucian's surprise, his body moved almost alone and in sync with Raven.
Such was his amazement when he noticed such a movement.
That is, he was moving on his own without consciously desiring each step.
Lucian's bright eyes widened slightly in surprise, his feet moved next to his sister's and her arms rotated elegantly. With each turn, the guests sighed fascinated by their dance.
They would hardly know that Lucian was also completely overwhelmed.
Since he woke up in that body, it was the first time something like this happened. He had no control, felt strange.
Raven, on the other hand, did not seem to have noticed his discomfort. She danced beautifully next to him, drawing sighs from her noble guests. Being swirled from side to side, with Lucian's delicate hands holding her promptly, the choreography seemed simply perfect.
Amid his discomfort and surprise, Lucian was spinning around the hall — not even knowing how exactly he had not yet stumbled on his own feet — passing close to the guests until he saw someone.
A glimpse only.
In that graceful waltz, Lucian saw a pair of bright crimson eyes staring at him.
When he stopped spinning and returned to the center of the hall, his eyes quietly searched for that pair of eyes again, without finding them.
Was it an illusion?
Thought he saw that villain there.
Only he had crimson eyes so bright and burning.
"Is there a problem, Lucian?"
Lowering his eyes to Raven, the prince just swallowed dry.
"It's nothing."
The music came to an end and the banquet hall was filled with applause. The two brothers bowed thanking for the praise, and soon another song played so that other couples could also dance.
As he was about to flee, Lucian had his arm held by Raven. She smiled sweetly as she whispered.
"Where do you think you're going?"
"Ham... over there."
"Don't even think about leaving me alone here, little brother."
He was about to give some excuse to go after the owner of those crimson eyes, but soon the brothers were surrounded by nobles who praised his waltz. With Raven firmly holding his arm, Lucian had no way to escape from that trap. The nobles preferred to turn to Raven, ignoring the presence of the renegade prince, which for Lucian was a certain relief, because he did not want to hear such empty and false compliments.
During that siege of incessant praise, a sweet smell like wine made Lucian hesitate for a moment.
The feeling was intoxicating.
His body suddenly seemed to respond to that smell, as if an animal woke up from its deepest sleep as soon as it felt the presence of someone nearby. The aroma of wine was like mermaid's song, which bewitched him to fall into the sea. Only that instead of seeing a beautiful mermaid, in the bottom of the sea would have a pair of crimson eyes looking at it coldly.
Turning to look over his shoulder, Lucian found those eyes. A standing posture and elegant, black hair as charcoal and a well drawn face. It was as if the beauty of the world, in its most perfection, became real before his eyes.
"Magnus..."
The name slipped from his lips before even Lucian could see it. The omega narrowed its eyes slightly, continuing to stare at him without blinking. That exchange of glances lasted for mere seconds, but it again caused that strange sensation in Lucian.
That scary and fascinating feeling that something was real.
At his core he wanted to escape. Avoid all the characters and make sure he stay hidden away from anyone who could pull the rope around your neck. However, it was intoxicating that chilling and horrible feeling.
That a character in a story was standing right in front of him.
"I, Magnus Grimwood, salute Your Imperial Highness", said Magnus as he bowed his head.
Lucian blinked stunned to hear his voice, melodious and gloomy. A shiver of excitement passed over his back, and it took a few seconds for him to recover and put a smile on his eighth prince mask and step away from Raven to greet his favourite character.
"Well, if it is not the famous Grand Duke. Congratulations for victory in the war."
Keeping his head bent, Magnus kept the label.
"It is an honor to serve the imperial family."
Perfect! Magnus was perfect! There was no fanart in the world that lived up to its real beauty. At any moment, Lucian could pass out of euphoria, and he wouldn't even care for such detail since he won by seeing his villain in the flesh.
The smell of wine came from him, although Magnus did not hold any glass of wine. Lucian wanted to smell it a little more. His throat was suddenly dry, as if he had a sudden thirst.
"Oh, Your Highness!"
Two more young guys approached, and by similar traits, Lucian knew that they were Magnus' younger brothers. The shiver in his spine intensified, and Lucian widened his eyes slightly as he noticed that the lowest among them held a cup in hand. The sweet smell of apple answered Lucian's silent and secret question.
"Is the juice good?"
"Yes, Your Highness. I would like to thank you once again for your kindness."
"I feel like I'm out of the loop. Is there any reason to be grateful?"
Wow, Magnus knew how to hurt someone's ego. His voice sounded so cold and thick that it became irritatingly exciting.
"My brother, His Imperial Highness was considerate with Eugene and reserved a soft drink for him."
Magnus raised his eyebrow and cast a sharp look at the prince, however, Lucian remained on the innocent facade.
Yes, he still did not forget what he had heard before the ball and would make sure to avenge the stupid character of which he had possessed.
"And why would His Highness be so generous to Eugene?"
"Brother, that's rude", warned Jesse with a serious look.
"I'm just curious, since the eighth prince is someone who doesn't seem to care about such details."
"You know, Magnus Grimwood, you are one of the heroes who brought peace to our empire. I know you are a very respectable man", Lucian intervened, with a smile that did not match the meaning of his serious look. The controversy seemed to crack a bit your fool prince facade. "But you should know that regardless of your aversion to my person, I am still the eighth prince."
Magnus looked at him silently as if he was evaluating him deeply.
Yes, he agreed with him about Lucian. However, Luciano was now Lucian, and would not let his person be treated in such a way. Even for your favorite character.
Especially if the life of both depended on that foreigner.
"I apologize for my rudeness, Your Highness."
Although Magnus bowed his head respectfully, Lucian knew very well that he was not at all sorry. Perhaps he was suspicious since the Emperor sent a marriage proposal in his name. It would not be surprising if Magnus saw the situation as an attempt to win his favor.
Would pass the cloth to Magnus' arrogance, if his hypothesis was right. After all, it was because of his arrogance that Lucian really liked him.
"All right, I forgive you. Besides, I don't want any trouble to occur during the banquet prepared by the imperial family. So do not need to see me with suspicion, I just took a safe measure since you were the only one to bring a minor to this party."
Magnus's face became gloomy, which left Lucian happy.
Yes, he was no fool. It would be bold to point out the fault in the arrogant Magnus just so that his existence would be recognized. It didn't matter if he was hated as long as Lucian existed in Magnus' life.
"So if you'll excuse me, I will retire. Please enjoy the banquet". Lucian smiled turning his back. But before he actually left, he looked at Magnus over his shoulders. "Oh, if you see any rats hiding in the palace tell the servants, I'd love to get rid of them."
Surprised, Magnus narrowed his eyes.
Lucian left proud of himself. He sure made a strong impression on Magnus and still left the stage with a catchphrase.
Ha... he really was living a fantasy, do the protagonists feel like this all the time?