Lucian reached out, his hand dripping wet, and took the envelope, opening it and reading the contents.
He completely neglected his teaching duties in the Royal Academy, and it was probably a miracle that they still considered him a guest lecturer.
"Will you go?" Jax asked, leaning against the doorway, watching his boss relaxing in the tub.
The old bruises on his body had faded over time, but the new ones still looked like someone had tried to turn him into a punching bag.
Fighting two hundred men every day did that to him.
Lucian became so good at dodging that they had to use dirtier tactics to land a hit on him, using the element of surprise and numbers. It was the only way they could land a solid punch.
The feral soldiers were also improving in their combat skills, and their loyalty was getting stronger.
Lucian leaned his head back against the edge of the tub, his sharp nose pointing to the ceiling.
It had been four months since he last saw his child's mother, and he missed the little rascal in her belly.
He could feel its presence, even though he never met him or her yet. The mother didn't seem interested in seeing him. All the talk about chasing him to the end of the world had turned into silence.
"Boss?"
"Send my regards," Lucian sighed, the invitation slipping from between his fingers onto the ground, "I'm not interested. But ask Mumbai to send a donation on my behalf."
She would know what kind of donation to send to keep up appearances.
"Alright," Jax nodded, turning to leave.
"Wait." Lucian stopped him.
Jax turned back, waiting for further instructions.
"We will depart to the north in two days," Lucian informed, "I need to check on the other business ventures, and prepare for the next phase of the plan."
"Understood." Jax bowed his head, and left him to his bath.
Lucian stayed in the water for a while longer, 'What would be the cost of kidnapping the duke's daughter?'
It was not like their relationship was going to get any worse than it already was, so what was there to lose? Love? Respect? Was there any left to begin with?
'If I don't do it, she will. She has the resources, and the manpower. I might as well do it before she does.'
Lucian smiled to himself, playing with the water in the tub. He was having wild thoughts, but they were not too far fetched. He could pull it off if he put his mind to it.
The gold mine could serve as a fortress, the southern alliance would hold back the north's forces in his stead.
Nobody would reach them here.
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One week later…
Celine didn't seem to be in the south anymore. She had abandoned her southern post and went north due to her father's summoning.
Lucian had used his third eye, and there were no traces of her in the southern borders, but he caught the new fashion trend. Corsets went out of style, and a new type of dress was in.
It spread just below the breasts and flared out in a loose skirt, hiding the waist and the hips. It apparently added to a woman's innocence and modesty, and was the latest hit among the noble ladies.
Lucian took over another Lucian's (employee with the same name) shifts as a gardener in the Rochefort's gardens after finding out where she was staying.
He felt a bit nervous, but that was to be expected. He had not seen her in a while.
He carried his tools and went to trim the bushes, a straw hat on his head.
The rest of the gardeners worked more diligently than usual, for their boss was watching over their shoulders. Glory's founder had grown bigger and more muscular compared to last time, making him appear more imposing.
Lucian activated his third eye, searching for the person he came here for.
She was sleeping inside her room, the covers pulled over her head. He could feel a faint tug at his chest, but ignored it.
He continued his work, tending to the plants. It's been a while since he tended to a garden, and he found it relaxing.
He was trimming a rose bush when he noticed her waking up. His hands paused.
He watched her through the walls, her dark blue hair spilled over her shoulders as she sat up, the blanket sliding down to reveal her nightgown.
She stroked her belly, rubbing it gently, the curve of it visible even through the fabric.
Her eyes half lidded from sleep, her face turning from white to green. She gagged, holding her mouth, and rushed to the washroom.
She leaned over the chamber pot, vomiting.
The scissors in Lucian'shands fell to the ground, his feet moving on their own, running towards her balcony.
Celine continued to throw up, her hair a mess around her face. She leaned back, catching her breath, her hand resting on her stomach.
Lucian stopped abruptly below her balcony, his breathing heavy. He could climb up and see her, but there were too many eyes watching him.
Celine wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and went to the mirror, looking at her reflection, her eyes fixed on her stomach.
"Do you have to take after your father?" she muttered, her voice hoarse. "You are going to make me suffer for another five months, aren't you?"
She glared at her belly, as if blaming the child for her morning sickness. She washed her face and cleaned her mouth, then went to open the balcony doors to let fresh air in.
Lucian took a step back, hiding behind a tree before she could see him. He peeked from behind it, watching her take a deep breath before going back inside.
She moved to her vanity table and sat down, picking up a brush and beginning to comb her hair.
A lady's maid entered the room, carrying a tray with breakfast on it.
She placed it on the table and curtsied before her mistress, "Good morning, my lady. How are you feeling?"
Celine gave her the brush, letting her take over the hair brushing without a word. Her eyes followed the maid's movement in the mirror, "Do I look okay to you?"
The maid smiled, "You look beautiful, my lady."
Celine sighed, "I feel like a beached whale."
Lucian snorted from behind the tree, covering his mouth.
Celine frowned, her eyes darting around the room, "Did you hear that?"
╔═══ Author's note ════╗
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