The days following the announcement of Lukas's engagement to Aurelia Calderon were filled with a sense of both excitement and tension. Preparations for the wedding were in full swing, handled primarily by his grandfather, General Veridan, and Aurelia's grandfather, Lord Alistair Calderon. The union between their houses was more than just a marriage—it was a statement of power, a signal that House Veridan was solidifying its standing among the most influential families in the kingdom. Yet, even with the political significance, Lukas found himself feeling somewhat detached. His focus was still on the unseen threats lurking in the shadows, threats that went beyond the court's pleasantries.
He had spent his days overseeing the training of his elite guard, ensuring they grew stronger after the assassins' attack. His nights were consumed by alchemy, refining the pills that would boost the cultivation of his men. But in between those moments, his thoughts would drift to Princess Elara.
Her visits had become more frequent since the wedding announcement. At first, Lukas had welcomed the princess's company; her light conversations and small gifts were a welcome distraction from the weight of his responsibilities. But now, with the shadow of suspicion growing in his mind, he began to question the true reason for her visits. 'Why now? Why so often? It wasn't like her to be so persistent. And though she had always been warm toward him, something felt different now—more desperate.'
---
The First Visit
Lukas was in the middle of crafting a new batch of cultivation pills when Princess Elara arrived unannounced. She appeared in the doorway of his study, her soft blue dress swaying with her gentle movements. She carried a small basket, her radiant smile lighting up the room.
"I hope I'm not disturbing you," Elara said, her tone cheerful. "I thought you might enjoy a little break."
Lukas glanced up from his work, offering her a polite smile. "Of course not, Princess. Please, come in."
She crossed the room with an effortless grace, setting the basket on the table. "I brought you some of my favorite sweets. I thought you might like them. Wedding preparations can be quite... exhausting, I imagine."
Lukas raised an eyebrow, sensing the subtext in her words. 'She knows about the engagement,' he thought. Her eyes lingered on him a little longer than usual, a faint blush rising on her cheeks.
"Thank you, Elara," he said, deciding to humor her. "I'll be sure to try them later."
They exchanged pleasantries, and for a while, the conversation remained light. She asked him about the estate, the guards, and even the battles when he went to the eastern front. But Lukas couldn't help but notice the subtle shift in her demeanor. She was trying to get closer, her visits more frequent since the engagement was announced. 'Was she trying to win his affection before it was too late?'
---
The Second Visit
A week later, Elara returned. This time, she brought a delicate painting, one she claimed to have made herself. It was of the Veridan estate gardens, an image that captured the beauty and tranquility of his home, which he had rarely had the chance to appreciate lately.
"I thought you might like something personal to remind you of peaceful moments," she said, her voice softer than before. "It's something I made during my free time."
Lukas took the painting, admiring her skill. "It's beautiful, Elara. I'll find a good place for it."
The princess blushed slightly, her gaze lowering to the floor before flicking back to his. "You've always been kind to me, Lukas. I... I'm glad we've stayed close, even with everything happening."
Her words lingered in the air, and Lukas began to understand. Elara's visits weren't just friendly gestures. 'She was trying to connect with him, perhaps before the wedding finalized his relationship with Aurelia.' Elara had never openly confessed her feelings, but her actions were speaking louder now. The situation was becoming delicate.
---
The Third Visit
It was during Elara's third visit that Lukas began to piece together the deeper plot unfolding. She arrived late in the evening, her cheeks flushed with a soft pink, carrying another basket of sweets.
"These are my favorite," she said, her voice lighter but tinged with something Lukas couldn't quite place. "My father gave them to me earlier today."
Lukas's mind immediately went on alert. His system had given off a faint warning, detecting an unusual energy in the air. It was subtle, but there. He had learned to trust the system's instincts.
He smiled, but his thoughts were already racing. "Thank you, Elara. I've always enjoyed your gifts."
They sat together, but Lukas kept a close watch on her behavior. As they spoke, Elara's movements seemed slower, more languid than before. Her smile was still warm, but her eyes occasionally drifted as though she were trying to focus.
"Elara," Lukas said carefully, "are you feeling alright?"
She blinked, slightly startled by the question. "I... I think so. Just a little warm, that's all."
His suspicion deepened. Her father had given her the sweets—her favorite, no less.
[System Notification: Foreign substance detected]
Scanning... Mild Aphrodisiac detected
The system hummed faintly, sensing a foreign substance. It wasn't overpowering, but it was enough to set off alarms in Lukas's mind.
"Elara," he said softly, "thank you for coming. But I think you should rest."
She hesitated, then nodded, her expression slightly confused. As she left, Lukas sat in silence, his mind racing. 'The king'. He had long suspected the king was playing a deeper game, and now it seemed clear. The king was using his own daughter, feeding her an aphrodisiac, likely to frame Lukas in a scandal that would destroy him. An affair with the princess—especially just before his marriage to Aurelia—would be catastrophic, a taboo that could ruin his house.
Lukas gritted his teeth, silently cursing the web of deception being woven around him. The king was far more dangerous than he had imagined, and if Lukas wasn't careful, he would fall right into the trap.
---
That night, as Elara left the estate, Lukas sat alone in his study, the weight of the situation settling on his shoulders. 'The king was plotting something, using his daughter to carry it out. But what? And how far would he go to frame Lukas?'
The system buzzed faintly, but no new information came through. For now, Lukas was left to his own suspicions. But one thing was certain—Elara was being used, and she didn't even know it.
---
In the royal palace, King Valerian sat in his private chambers, deep in thought. Beside him, the advisor moved silently, her presence like a shadow, always near. She knew the king's mind better than anyone else, their secret relationship providing her with unprecedented influence.
"The marriage between Lukas Veridan and Aurelia Calderon will shift the balance of power," the advisor said, her voice calm but edged with concern. "We must act before they solidify their strength."
Valerian nodded, his expression unreadable. "The Veridan household is growing too powerful. Lukas is becoming too influential, and his victories are making him a hero among the people. We cannot allow that."
"What of your daughter?" the advisor asked. "Her affection for Lukas could be useful."
The king's eyes flickered with something dark. "She will do what is necessary. She is my daughter, after all."