"Lorcan." Castor's tone was gentle yet firm, his eyes narrowing ever so slightly as he placed a hand on Lorcan's shoulder, guiding him away from Jaegar. "Lorcan, co with ."
Lorcan, who had been visibly sweating under Jaegar's intense gaze, did not protest.
Instead, he allowed Castor to lead him away without a word, his posture still stiff, though relief flooded his features.
Jaegar watched them go, his gaze lingering for a mont longer than necessary before shifting to the woman who had remained a silent observer—the princess, Kyra.
Before she arrived at the palace, she had learnt about the family and its state of affairs, and she knew that tensions were running high between Lorcan and Jaegar. She ignored it as a fight between brothers and hadn't paid much attention to the na of Jaegar, as he was practically a nobody in the palace. She thought Lorcan would take care of it; why would she bother with such a matter?
Ever since she received the news of her engagent to the prince of the empire, she was elated and had been preparing herself. Although she didn't show it, she was quite ambitious.
Learning that she was promised to the thirdborn and knowing Lorcan had given up his right to the throne had disappointed her. But she had her own plans to proceed further, and she was getting ready for the palace, and the family resided in it.
Now, all her resolve shook under Jaegar's arrival. And she couldn't believe that Lorcan just left her.
She stood a few paces away, trying very hard to keep her composure in the face of the unfolding drama. But even she could not completely mask the subtle signs of distress; a slight tremor in her hands, her stiffened posture, and the sheen of sweat on her forehead all spoke volus about the weight of revelation about Jaegar.
Kyra let out a quiet sigh, wiping her brow with the back of her hand before turning her gaze to Jaegar.
"Were you… a prince?" Her voice was barely audible, laden with disbelief as if she still couldn't fully grasp the implications of the encounter.
Jaegar allowed a small, knowing smile to tug at his lips as he nodded, the confirmation settling into the air between them. "Yes," he said simply, his tone neither boastful nor dismissive—just matter-of-fact.
Kyra took a mont to digest this revelation, her eyes flicking to the spot where Lorcan had been taken away by Castor. The brief distraction gave her the space she needed to regain her composure.
With a deep breath, she turned back to Jaegar, her features hardening slightly, though there was still an undercurrent of uncertainty.
"Well, this is quite the reunion, I must say," Jaegar remarked, the words hanging in the air like a teasing challenge. His eyes were keen, watching her every movent as if trying to read what lay beneath her carefully crafted mask of composure.
Kyra's gaze shifted again to where Lorcan had been escorted away, her expression faltering for a split second before she seed to gather herself.
She stood in front of Jaegar now, her posture shifting, a more guarded look settling over her features. With a small shake of her head, she exhaled softly and spoke, her words barely above a whisper, yet tinged with the weight of sothing more serious.
"Listen…" She paused, her voice soft but firm. "What happened in that war… it's closed business. I got what I wanted, and you got what you wanted. So, I warn you—don't run your mouth."
Jaegar's lips curled into a slight chuckle, the sound low and laced with a quiet amusent. "Are you in a position to give warnings to , Princess?" he asked, his voice teasing but edged with sothing sharper beneath the surface.
Kyra's eyes flashed with irritation for a brief mont, her lips tightening into a thin line.
Then, as quickly as it had appeared, the hardness in her gaze softened, replaced by sothing else—sothing almost vulnerable. She sighed softly, her shoulders sagging as if the weight of her words had finally caught up with her. "You don't understand," she murmured, her voice quieter now, almost regretful. "For to get here... I worked very hard. You have no idea what it took."
Jaegar's eyes softened just a fraction, but his voice remained steady, his words weighed with sothing far more knowing. "Don't worry," he said, his tone oddly reassuring, "I won't say anything to anyone. But my silence…" He let the words trail off, the implication hanging in the air like a shadow. "…Will cost you, Princess."
Kyra furrowed her brow in confusion, clearly thrown off by his response. "What do you want?" she asked, her voice a mix of curiosity and caution.
Jaegar's smile didn't quite reach his eyes as he leaned in slightly, lowering his voice so only she could hear. "Patience, Princess," he said cryptically, his tone almost teasing, as though he held so secret she wasn't yet privy to.
Before Kyra could respond, the sound of footsteps drew her attention.
Veronica appeared at Jaegar's side, her expression one of subtle concern mixed with a hint of amusent. She greeted Kyra with a polite nod before turning to Jaegar with a knowing glance.
"Co, I need to talk to you," Veronica said to him.
Jaegar nodded, giving Kyra one last look—his gaze lingering just a mont longer than necessary. He could see the storm behind her eyes, the uncertainty swirling beneath her composed exterior.
But for now, he would leave her to her thoughts. Jaegar just knew what to do with Lorcan, and Kyra would be the centre of it.
As Veronica led him away, Jaegar watched Kyra and Lorcan appear beside her again. Lorcan appeared relaxed but his sight never left Jaegar and Castor was saying sothing to Lorcan.
Jaegar shot Lorcan a confident smirk as their eyes locked, sending a jolt of unease straight down Lorcan's spine.
Kyra also watched Jaegar, her mind running with all sorts of emotions.
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