Part 28

/Lukas POV/

The Sun Prince blearily blinked his eyes, tilting his head towards the window. Harsh, bright light filtered across, hitting his face and body. It dawned on him that he needed to report for his duty along with his friend. How did he let that slip his mind?

Ever since Lukas came back from Olympus, he’s been moody, annoyed at everything and lazy to get out of bed. Talia’s word stung, making him rethink everything. It's been two nights since that incident took place.

Taking a cold shower, he got dressed in his usual patrolling clothes, hair wet and falling over his forehead. For a change, he decided to spend the night in his father's Castle instead of on earth or his lonely Palace. His dear dog was being trained in the Castle as well.

"You could've woken me up," Lukas mumbled, going straight inside the kitchen to get some water when he spotted the housekeeper—Bert.

Bert rolled his eyes, grabbing a mug from the cabinet when the kettle began to make that awful shrieking sound. Sometimes Lukas forgot how loud the kitchen got around early morning. He didn’t miss it.

"Seeing as it's the last day of the week, I thought you should get some sleep, my lord”, The housekeeper replied, taking the kettle off the stove and pouring water into his mug. "Did you want a cup of tea?"

Lukas narrowed his eyes, mentally counting the days when he realised that Bert’s right. Still, he would rather work than think about a certain blue-eyed princess.

"No." The Prince groaned, taking a large gulp of water. He trudged off to the dining room, dragging his feet and making a point to sit on the chair with extra force. Once he looked over at the food on the table, he instantly regretted his answer to Bert. Maybe he could've done with a morning cup of tea. His pride was too high to go back out and ask for one, though, so Lukas decided to wait until Bert made a move.

Then again, his housekeeper knew him too well, from when Lukas was just a kid. In a matter of minutes, Berts heels clicked against the floor, holding out a mug of tea for him. "Here, my lord.”

Lukas smiled, sitting up and reaching his hand out to take the mug. "Thank you, Bert." He managed to breathe before his housekeeper left the room. The Prince couldn’t see his face, but he's confident that Bert rolled his eyes before exiting the room.

***

Lukas and Cruis have been stationed at the easternmost tower; they're almost invisible to the guards around them, acting as their leaders. It was not on his schedule, but the Prince thought anything to distract his mind. As a leader, he could influence their guards in their best interests, giving them the intuition to know when to step back, when to reload their quivers.

After breakfast in the morning, the Prince declared that he would assist his friend in the battle. It was nothing huge, just a minor conflict of interest between two territories that couldn’t come to a decision. One of them declared war, and the other requested help from Helios. Naturally, Lukas thought he could intervene and help his father relieve some of the duties.

That’s why his entire morning was spent in battle preparations, the afternoon spent waiting for the other territory to wave the white flag in peace and surrender.

Lukas and his friend had lunch with the rest of the guards in the battle tents, deciding to adopt a new strategy.

As the sun started to drawn, either of the territories refused and took to the front of their ragtag army, proud in their armour, just as they'll be proud in death. Torches were lit to keep allies from stabbing each other. As far as the battles went, this moved quickly; no ridiculous celebrations or envoy-sending. It'll be over soon. Or so the Sun Prince thought.

Lukas arms hurt. It was currently early evening, and he had spent the whole day carrying heavy armour and weapons. He let out a big sigh as he plopped himself on the nearest resting bench. His curls were tangled entirely together, and there were tiny beads of sweat threatening to drip down his forehead.

The Prince asked the guards to take a break and rest in their tents. In the night, they have to be highly attentive, so for that, those poor creatures needed some rest.

Cruis sat by his side, applying herbs to his cracked heels. It was typical of them—taking responsibility on their shoulder. Another commander—Kurt, joined them as well.

"So there’s a rumour," Kurt started. The eastern tower has cleared of soldiers, so they're alone, no armour clanking to cover their words. "About you and the moon, princess."

Lukas froze but didn’t look his way, continuing watching Cruis tense up. The three of them used to be thick as knives, but with Kurt taking up most of the war duties, they rarely sat together.

"Yes? What about it?” The Prince sounded defensive to his liking. It's a simple question. Why did that rile him up?

Kurt licked his lips, picking each of his words carefully. “Why her of all the goddess?”

Why her. It's a good question. A strange emotion crawled in his chest at the mention of Talia’s name. Honestly, he didn’t know when that happened.

"Talia," The Prince started, cutting himself off, suddenly lost at words. "She’s…” Lukas tried again, clearing his voice, but still, nothing came out. Both of his friends turn to look at him, Kurt pushing his fingers, covering a grin.

"Oh, come on!” Lukas rolled his eyes.

"Never thought I'd get to see you fall in love, my friend” Cruis made a sound.

"She is..." The son of Helios breathed loudly. “Talia is good in a way I don't understand. She’s ambitious, easily spooked at times but also kind, generous, and caring. And when she talks about the things loves…like her favourite books, there’s this passion behind those words which makes you want to hear her forever.” He trailed off, his smile small and unfit for their location, surrounded by the dead and desperate. "I have never met anyone of her status who doesn’t care about jewels or any artificial items. I truly believe that knows me better than I know myself.”

Kurt grinned. "That's quite romantic, you know."

"Is it?" Lukas asked, deadpanned. "Is it romantic to be refused to meet her whenever I want? That I have to pretend nothing is going on between us while she’s getting engaged to Ajaxson?”

Kurt’s laughter ceased as soon as he heard the name, sound dying in his throat. The commander’s face shifted, frown settling over his features. “Engaged to Ajaxson? Why would she do that? That’s so…unless does he have something over her? Is that it?”

The words themselves drip with pity, and his insides cramp from immediate, slashing worry. Those strange questions took Lukas. "Huh? What? What do you mean?"

Cruis also appeared equally taken back by Kurt’s choice of words. He stopped applying the herbs, abandoning the activity to focus on him entirely.

“He killed his brother to be next in line for the throne.”

Lukas lips parted at the information. He thought that his brother passed away due to a boating accident. “But—”

“I know what everyone thinks. It's not true. Ajaxson is the type to go to any extent so that he could get what he wants. You won’t believe this, but everyone, as in the guards talk and know his truth. No one dares to speak their mind” Kurt let out a sigh. “He always manages to manipulate the situation and slink his way out of it, unharmed. It's better to stay away from him as far as possible.”

The Prince's heart twisted, words soaking in and causing his blood to rush to his ears. What if Ajaxson has been manipulating them all along? And he truly wanted to be with Talia?

Kurt made a noise. “I am surprised Zeus is letting his favourite daughter marry that guy. As far as I am aware, he had eyes on some nymph, but she denied him.”

“What happened to that nymph?” Cruis asked.

“No one knows. She disappeared just like that” Kurt shrugged.

Lukas immediately stood on his feet, chest heavy with all kind of thoughts. The Prince wanted to see his lover as soon as possible, make sure she’s safe. He cannot allow the engagement to move forward.

“Lukas?”

“I-I need to go.”

***

The Prince murmured her name under his breath and transported into Olympus. He opened his eyes and saw the river, his heart beating fast at the unfamiliar temple grounds, the great gates open wide and welcome.

Upon squinting his eyes, he noticed the moon princess standing with her toes at the edge of the water. She’s wrapped in a cloak, deep green and velvety soft, a flower crown sitting on top of her hair.

"Talia," He breathed in her direction. The sound of his whisper carried on the wind and he saw the moment Talia stilled. Instead of turning to him, she tilted her head towards Ajaxson in the distance.

The Prince nervously gulped, his Adam's apple bobbing up and down. She was readily going away with Ajaxson in his carriage, his hand resting on the small of her back. Within seconds, they were already on the road.

Lukas held back, exhaling sharply. He needed to do something quickly at that and expose the truth of the evil Ajaxson.

***

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