Lucien Zańe; power of the throne.

THE PERFECT TRAGEDY.

The day Brix has been waiting for has finally arrived. Lucien and Aria are getting married today. Lucien never expected this day to come but here we are. The entire castle was up, even Lucia. Everyone was panicking. Lucien and Aria were getting married at the church, so they all wanted to be there early. Lucien was drinking tea while Brix helped him get dressed in a beautiful black suit with a leather lapel. His hair was slicked back and he wore all black leather shoes. Aria was already at the church, she was getting her makeup and hair done. Two people that are totally not alike, two people who are definitely not soulmates are getting married. It's all or nothing, It just feels right to get married to her. She was someone good, and he was someone bad. That's always how this thing goes. Brix looked handsome today, as well. He had on a traditional black and white suit. "I'm so proud of you, Lucien." He smiled at his butler, "It feels right." Lucien said, pouring himself a scotch and sipping it. "I know this will be hard, marrying someone is never easy and the nerves never die down." Lucien held his drink up, "This will help." Brix shook his head, "You cannot get drunk before your wedding." Lucien chuckled, "Why not?" He was entirely confused. He doesn't know that you're supposed to look your best and act your best. "You have to behave." Brix takes the cup from Lucien and the King rolls his eyes. "I have a few errands to run and then I'll be at the church." Brix looked at Lucien in shock, "Do not be late to your own wedding." Lucien takes the cup from Brixton. "Trust me, I'll be there." He kissed Brix's cheek playfully and then made his way downstairs. Lucien didn't have much planned today, he had a to-do list. He was going to start off with the bottom and make his way to the top. First, he needs to visit a crazy ex-girlfriend of his. He arrived at her home fifteen minutes later, he got out of his car and knocked on the door. She answered, she was getting Lucia dressed. "Hello, love." Candy smiled at him, "King Lucien." Lucien stepped inside and looked around the house, it needed to be cleaned. "Have you come here to apologize?" She puts Lucia down and Lucien lifts his eyebrow, "For what?" Candy walked towards her dress and gazed at it. "For marrying someone else?" Lucien stared at the woman, "I came to say goodbye." She turned to look at him, "Goodbye? Why are you saying that?" He looked down at his daughter and then back at the woman. "A goodbye can mean many things, darling. In this case, I'm going to die." Her eyes widened, "What? This is crazy!" Lucien nodded, "I know, but I would still like for you to come to my wedding. It would mean the world to me. You can even bring your husband too." She was so confused, and he understands that. "Please, just come. You don't have to understand what I'm saying, just believe in me." He nodded his head and then turned to walk away but Candy stopped him. "Lucien.." She said and he turned back around. "I love you." She states and then walked over to him and kissed him. He kissed her back of course, this was it. This was the end of any relationship they ever had. This was finally the end, she would really be free after today. He would finally be free. Two hours later, Lucien had another stop to make, he needed to see his best friend and his old enemy. He grins at Lex as he was preparing makeup and hair products to get ready. "Lucien, don't tell me you're here to make amends.." He joked but Lucien nodded. "Actually, I am. I came to tell you before the wedding that I thank you for helping me overcome all that cruelness and anger inside of me. You are a wonderful person and I am so grateful that you decided to fight for our friendship all those years ago." Lucien placed his hand onto Lex's hand. "I owe you a lifetime of skirts and bright coloured outfits." They laughed, "I want you to know that you gained my trust back. I trust you with my life, I trust you with my daughter's life. I wouldn't wish for anyone else to be my bestman. You have changed my life, Lex Bates. I am no longer seen as the vicious target, I tried my best to be painted as a monster but I already was one. Now, I'm better and now my people trust me. I thank you for all your kind gestures and stupid ass remarks. It reminded me of when we were boys and we would laugh all night." Lucien took a deep breath, "After the wedding, I won't be seen anymore and I want you to know that I adore you and I love you. Thank you so much, mate." They hugged. Lex knew Lucien wanted this to end on good terms. He knew his ending would be the day he became happy, the day the world knew Lucien Zańe as a pure and trustworthy man. "I'll see you at the wedding, mate." Lucien made his leave and went to the church, finally. He walked through the doors and saw people already seated in the pews and he went upstairs to the room. He was going to get married. He fixed his suit and Brix walked into the room. "King Lucien, are you ready?" Lucien stood, "I am." They both smiled at one another. "I owe you this lifetime and the next, butler." They both snickered. "I'll be back up shortly." Lucien went downstairs and the low, beautiful music began to play. All eyes were on him. He walked down the aisle as everyone bowed and he stood by the Bishop. Behind Lucien, was Lex. Aria had her friends as her bridesmaids. Lucien looked into the crowd, Candy, Louis and Lucia waved at him and he smiled at them. The crowd of people began to stand up and look at Aria in awe. She decided to wear the dress that was passed down from Lucien's mother and the Queen before that. Aria would be set to rule once this was over. Lucien adored the sentimental woman. She looked stunning. She held Brix in one arm and flowers in the other. Lucien had a smile on his face as she walked in front of him and bowed. The priest allows everyone to sit and Aria hands her flowers to Brix and he sits down. "God is love, and love is King Lucien and Aria Banard. Love is the testament of God. We define ourselves as the source of Love, here with the King and his bride love is in all of us. King Lucien, do you believe in the love of God?" Lucien nodded, "I do." He states and smiles at Aria, "Aria, do you believe in the love of God?" She nodded, "Yes, I do." They both agreed to loving God, and God's power is love almighty. "Will you love, hold, and share any hardships that settle upon you two? Will you respect each other during times of anger and sadness? Will you do right by one another and always protect their name and values?" They mutually nod, "Yes, sir." Lucien said and the Bishop smiled. "Lucien, do you take Aria Banard to be your promise of happiness and devotion?" He nodded, "I do." Lucien felt a chill go down his spine. "Aria, do you take Lucien Zańe to be your promise of happiness and devotion?" Aria nodded, "Yes, I do." They both mutually agreed, Lucien was never going to feel this way again. "All this, love and honor defines you both. Do either of you have any words for one another?" Lucien nodded, "Yes." He cleared his throat. "Aria, I have never felt happier with a woman than I am with you. You are delightful and understanding. You care for me as I do you. You are sincerely a beautiful woman and the hardships that will come once this is over. I know that it will be hard but you will take good care of it. Under the worst circumstances or even the best I would choose you to be my bride, to be my friend, to be the one I love. You inspired mortality inside of me, and unlike anybody else I've ever known, you encouraged love inside of me, and made me honor you. Thank you so much, for choosing to love and cherish me. All the pain and suffering that will come, please, just know that I will find peace and that I love you." They both smile, "You may kiss the bride." Lucien leaned in to kiss her, and he wrapped his arms around her waist and everyone began clapping and cheering loudly. "I love you." She whispered to him and they both pulled away. The church began to bring out food for everyone to eat and beverages for them to drink. Lucien smiled and sat down in a chair. He eyed all the people dressed up nicely for this wonderful occasion. Lucien looked at his father who sat down in front of him. "Decided to show up?" He asked him and the father nodded. "Why wouldn't I?" Lucien shrugged, "Well, because you despise me. You loathe me. Your happiness is to see me suffer, to see me fail." The father sipped some champagne. "You never showed me that you cared for me, you never wanted to see me rule this kingdom that so proudly speaks my name with hope and respect." The father took a deep breath and chuckled. "Lucien, I always knew what you were capable of." Lucien leaned in closer to his father. "What I was, Andrew, was a child. You beated me like a dog, tortured me like a pig. I was a young boy and you, a grown man...King of our home..you put me through so much agony I cannot take you seriously anymore and I do not trust you. I never had the time to truly enjoy my childhood because of you..this isn't all about you though. My siblings all betrayed me. Every chance they got..Matthew allowed me to get beaten knowing what was going on and he sat there in his colorful wardrobe and judged me. Rosemary hunted me down for years and lied to me as well, to protect me? No. To see me suffer and mother watched you destroy her son." The father sighed and stared at Lucien, "I was a bad father." Lucien chuckled, "I was your son, your bloody son. I am a part of this family, and you all tore me away from each and every one of you, day by day, hour after hour. So, sorry if i didn't realize you or anyone else in this god awful family would show up is because I don't have a family who showed their love for me all those years, but here I am, getting everything I ever wanted and you four sit back and watch me make my kingdom preach my name, and have all my wishes and commands come true. Thank you for coming." Lucien stood up and walked away from his father, and made his way towards his beautiful daughter. She giggled at his presence. "Hi, daddy." Lucien smiled, "Hi, my love. Can daddy talk to you for a minute?" She nodded and he grabbed her tiny hand and they went up the stairs to the room. She sat in the chair and Lucien went on his knees. "Lucia, you will understand this more when you're older. I am so proud of you. My little girl, you are a Zańe. You must remember that I fought as hard as I could to become a better man and a better father for you. I want you to know that I wasn't always so fond of your mother but I do love her, and I know that you will become a strong warrior just like she is. You redeemed me. I may not be there for all your accomplishments but I want you to know that I'm proud of you so much. The most important thing to remember is that you made me a better man and that I love you." Lucien exhaled, "I love you so much. There will be times you will miss me but remember I am always by your side. I am always with you. You will see me again, Lucia. No matter what happens, whenever and wherever you need me..I will be there." Lucien hugged his daughter who had a smile on her cute face. "I love you, daddy." Lucia said and jumped down from the chair and ran off. Lucien sat down in the chair and pulled off his tie. Brix comes into the room and shuts the door. "Sir?" Lucien chuckled, "It's time, Brix." The butler made a sad face. "Please, King Lucien.." Lucien shook his head. (Flashback - "Kill me the day I become happy.") Lucien smiled at Brix, "Thank you for allowing me to see the greater things in life other than being hateful and murderous. You inspired mortality inside of me, just like Aria. You truly redeemed me, and for that I cannot thank you enough. You led me to the path of righteousness. You, having all that ambition and hope for me to become better, without forcing me to change, was very kind and very special so thank you so much for that. Thank you, for allowing me to marry your daughter, even with all the cruel actions I've done to women before, you are amazing, Brixton. You have been a father to me for the last twenty eight years. You have burned bodies for me, done illegal things for me, you have set the boundaries high. Nobody will ever have a butler as passionate and as understanding as you. Brix, I love you. I thank you so much for being the father I needed, I hope you will do right by my daughter and your own." Lucien hands Brix a gun. "Kill me the day I become happy," I said to you. Well, todays the happiest day of all." Brix had tears in his eyes, "Do not cry, Brixton. I have made peace with my demons and with God. I made peace with my past and the future. Please, Brixton. This is not a question, this is a command. Do it." Lucien held his arms out a little bit and sighed as Brix cocked his gun back and stared at Lucien. "Thank you, Lucien. I am so proud of you. You are a good man, and a great King. I promise I will make sure your daughter is happy and understands why you did this and that you found peace. I love you, King Lucien. You will live on and never be forgotten." With those last words, Lucien smiled at his butler~

- Jalessa Randazzo, 2022.