When the couple met again with the Emperor and the Consort, they noticed a great change in their expressions.
"Priest, could you help me here quickly?"
"Excuse me."
As the priest stepped away to help a student a few meters ahead, Cassander opened a subtle smile by commenting in a whisper.
"Well, you two seem to have had a good time together."
Lucian blushed intensely. How did he know?! The hair of none of them was messy, nor their clothes crumpled. Peeking at his fiancé, the prince was surprised by the lack of discretion in that arrogance.
"I only consoled His Highness a little, since he seemed bothered by something."
"I have asked them to be discreet" The Emperor muttered, not seeming to like the words of the Grand Duke.
The priest soon returned, continuing to guide the four through the temple and up a long staircase.
On the way, Lucian took advantage of everyone's distance and leaned towards Magnus.
"How do they know?"
"Humpf. You tried to cover me with your smell, idiot."
He had done it? But he didn't even realize that he had released the pheromones during the kiss! Lucian was surprised at his body acting on its own again, it only increased his shame to imagine that any hybrid able to feel pheromones would know what happened between him and Magnus.
Their shame only found peace when they finally arrived in the High Priest's office.
The High Priest was an old gentleman with a long white beard, who looked more like the figure of Santa Claus in the modern world than a priestly figure. The High Priest leaned on his table to get up, giving a slight impression that his arms were trembling, barely having strength to sustain himself. Still he bowed his head with his hand on his chest and smiled at the Emperor.
"I humbly salute the Imperial Family and wish you a warm welcome to our Temple."
"It's been a while, High Priest!" Cassander greeted the High Priest, who held his hand and gave an asthmatic laugh.
"Continue with that loving smile, Your Majesty. I am happy to see you again after returning from my pilgrimage."
"You should consider resting rather than making a pilgrimage."
"I will do it when my successor leave me with white hair", Joked the old lord, giving light taps in the hands of Cassander before releasing him,. "Or when the Saint is found."
"Still waiting for Saint?"
Lucian raised his eyebrow slightly when he heard something that, once again, was not part of the original story. Heck, if it wasn't for the kiss you had with Magnus, it was likely that your head was about to explode with so much new information.
Should he consider his villain his therapy?
"Hope is the last to die, Your Majesty. Ah, these must be the lovers in question."
Lucian repressed the laughter and looked discreetly at Magnus, swearing he saw a wrinkle appear on his forehead despite him trying to remain unexpressive.
"It is an honor to meet the High Priest."
"I say the same, Your Highness", The old lord then turned to Magnus. "Your Grace..."
"High priest..."
"I never imagined that I would see you in our temple, it seems that I lived long for this day."
"I would say that you have passed the time, but I am here only because of the tradition of the imperial family, so I will pretend to be polite."
"Hahaha, hostile as always. Sit down, feel free."
Jeez, did he really say those words to an old man who looked after the Temple? As soon as everyone was settled, the Emperor took the initiative of the conversation before Magnus offended the poor lord.
"I hope you have no problem about the marriage of the eighth imperial prince and the Grand Duke."
"There is no problem... as long as the Grimwood family agrees to have the wedding here in the temple."
"Ha... I should have guessed."
Lucian raised his eyebrow in surprise for Magnus, once again, to show his hostility. Without understanding the reason for such a quarrel, the prince asked:
"Would that be a problem?"
"Not for us" The High Priest smiled.
Magnus let out a growl and squeezed Lucian's hand on his arm. Was there any trouble between the temple and Magnus? He didn't remember anything like that in the original story. Even because the Temple of Souls did not appear much in history, being only mentioned when Maverick met with Cadec to investigate the smuggling of rebels.
In the lines of history, it was noticeable that the Temple had a political function. However, only when he heard from the Emperor himself how important they were did Lucian realize that there was a whole universe beyond the words written by the author.
Universe that he was living now. Such strangeness began to have to see the Emperor and the Consort so often. As the reverse also occurred, Lucian barely saw Stephen and Maverick, who were the protagonists of
Only one thing didn't change: no matter how much Lucian tried to take refuge under the name of Magnus, he continued to be seen as the perfect puppet. The second villain of that story was probably already trying to plan something for him, maybe had connections with the Temple, right? They claim to be neutral, but how far?
"It sounds like you plan to do something at their wedding."
"Indeed, Your Majesty. I assume you have already chosen a date for the ceremony."
"We just want to get married as soon as possible" Magnus replied coldly.
"Hm? Is there a reason for such haste?"
"You would have a heart problem if you knew."
Lucian gave a slight nudge in the rib of Magnus, who just snorted and turned his face. It was getting too clear the conflict between the two, although the High Priest does not seem bothered and only laugh. Before your dear villain threw another thorn at that old man, Lucian took the reins of the conversation.
"Is there any specific reason for the wedding to be held in the temple?"
"In fact, it is a tradition that members of the imperial family perform their weddings in the temple to show the people that the goddess blesses the crown. Besides, would it not be good for you to go through the purification to start married life clean of the sins of your past?"
"Ah... Not such a bad thing, it seems", Lucian said looking at Magnus, who just answered with a grunt.
"Wash the sin to continue committing sins, it makes no sense", Grumbled the Grand Duke.
"Whether you believe it or not, it is as the High Priest said. It is a tradition that members of the imperial family must do". The Emperor objected, making sure his presence as ruler made both of them listen to him carefully. "The traditions must be maintained."
"Right, right, we don't need to get attached to the details. That means the temple approves of the boys' union, doesn't it?"
"That's right, Your Majesty", smile the High Priest.
"I know the Grimwoods never got along with the Temple, but considering it's the first time in history that a member of the Grand Duchy joins the imperial family, I hope you can make certain concessions. Or, if you prefer, you can consider a favor to reward the little accident between you two."
Lucian felt a shiver rising up the spine, and by the grip on his hand, Magnus must have felt it too. That was a threat, a very clear one: 'for having disgraced each other, you have no right to complain'.
For the rest of the afternoon, the High Priest explained to everyone how such a ritual worked. The blessing they were to receive followed a series of rules and protocols that both the imperial family and the temple had. With all that talk, Lucian only understood that he would have to spend a few days in the temple just for "purified".
But he just needed to see that as... something more for his marriage.
"It seems that His Majesty has some business to deal with the High Priest, and this is likely to take some time"., said Cassander at the end of that extensive meeting.
"I can take Lucian back to the palace in my carriage."
Cassander looked at Magnus, then at Lucian, and then opened a friendly smile. Lucian had the slight impression that the father of the eighth prince was having a wrong idea of the situation.
"All right, have fun."
Without saying goodbye, Lucian followed the omega and went down those long stairs, redoing all the way from before until they reached the entrance. Along the way, the prince reflected on how he would solve the consort's dilemma. He still felt strange with Cassander, a little regret for having been rude at the same time that he was still angry about the general situation of the eighth prince.
He just didn't want to solve it yet.
As soon as the two arrived in front of the temple, Magnus turned to Lucian.
"Wait here, I'll call for the carriage."
"All right."
Finally, Lucian was left alone.
What a strange thing. He felt exhausted by the conversation with the Emperor and also by the meeting about the marriage. All this just so Lucian can leave the palace and live with his arrogant villain and escape from the radar of the second villain.
Should he find a way to be seen with Magnus in a compromising situation, so that the marriage is anticipated? No... It would make the emperor nervous that he would tarnish the reputation of the imperial family. Although the idea remains very tempting... However he could write a compromising letter... no, that would not work either.
"Argh!"
Lucian fell to the ground after hitting someone. By the way, how would he have hit if he was standing still? Looking around, the alpha noticed two fallen boxes and a tall men with a white robe sitting on the floor.
"Ouch! That hurt, hm...?"
"Are you okay?" Lucian asked, getting up quickly and reaching for the other men.
The men held Lucian's hand and stood up from the ground, then he wiped his robe of grass leaves.
"Thank you. My gosh, that was dangerous."
"I'm sorry for bumping, ah, let me help you with the boxes."
Lucian quickly picked up the nearest box, but didn't expect it to be so heavy that it made him lose his balance. Before he also fell, an arm held his waist and a chest supported his back. A hand held the box as if it was the lightest thing in the world.
"Ops, beware, hehe", Lucian tilted his head back, noticing the men with brown hair and thin face, "It seems that I have already returned the favor, isn't it?"