Perhaps In Another Life [WMMAP]

28 [18+]

Lucas has always found the duke of Alpheus somewhat insufferable.

The way he kept visiting the Palace for Athanasia despite her not necessarily needing his help, the way he wouldn't so much as glance at Lucas's way when he tried to annoy him, the way he would flash anyone but him a charming smile, the way his dimples show up when he laughs, the way his eyes flutter open....

Lucas did not like him. It infuriated him even more when no matter what he did in order to annoy the young Duke, he wouldn't budge. Lucas so badly wanted to catch him off guard, wanting his fake persona to slip in front of him. He wanted to see what was behind Ijekiel Alpheus's mask.

"I don't know how to make him slip his mask off- I've tried everything from childish pranks to jumpscares!" Lucas lamented to his childhood best friend, Athanasia.

The woman was busy working on some paperwork on her desk - empress duty - Lucas guessed. "Maybe he just doesn't have anything to hide." Athanasia said, clearly still listening to her friend while doing her job.

Lucas scoffed, "That's impossible. It's always the innocent looking ones who end up being wicked."

"Well, have you tried seducing him?"

The magician paused and looked up to the empress, who looked like she didn't even think about what she said.

"...Athanasia." Lucas muttered, causing the woman to look at him with an eyebrow raised, "You're a genius! There's no way he won't fall for someone as beautiful as I." He said, gesturing to himself for further emphasis.

Athanasia couldn't help but roll her eyes, before his words fully registered in her head, "Wait, are you really going to-" when she looked up, Lucas was no longer there.

She sighed, rubbing her temples before returning back to her work.

-o-o-o-

Lucas wasn't exactly sure what it meant to seduce someone. He's never done it before, and planning to seduce someone like Ijekiel might turn out to be... tricky. Well, how hard could it be? He even made sure to wear something slightly revealing, with his chest exposed quite a bit.

It wasn't long before he spotted the young duke walking around the hall, no doubt planning to see the empress.

Lucas quickly came up to him, "Duke Alpheus." He greeted, earning said duke's attention to turn to him.

The man didn't even look surprised to see him, perhaps he was already used to Lucas attempting to annoy him everytime he came to visit the palace for political affairs. "Sir magician." Ijekiel greeted curtly, nodding his head.

They stood there awkwardly for a few seconds, not knowing how to proceed. Lucas realised he did not know a thing about seduction and it was ruining his pride.

He decided to just go on with it without thinking.

"Isn't it hot in here?" He said, tugging his collar to expose more of his chest that wasn't already, fanning himself with his hand. He peeked at the duke from under his lashes, and saw him looking at anywhere but him.

It ticked him.

"Not really, but if you'll excuse me, I really have to get going." The duke said, still managing to stretch his lips into a fake smile that he clearly did not mean.

Before Lucas could respond, he had already walked away.

Lucas scowled, annoyed by the whole exchange. How dare he be rude to his face like that?! The only person whose rudeness he'd accept is his own!