Transcending Fate (Transmigrated to an Otome Game)

Hidden Emotions

After the tense breakfast, the palace atmosphere remained charged with unspoken words and simmering emotions.

Lucian, still grappling with the previous night and morning's events, found himself returning to his room.

The echoes of Alaric’s words and the looming party weighed heavily on his mind. He needed a moment of clarity, a space to think about everything that had transpired.

As he entered his chambers, Lucian sank into an armchair by the window, staring out at the sprawling gardens below.

His thoughts were consumed by Alaric—his vulnerability, his strength, and the kiss they had shared. The memory of that kiss played over and over in his mind, stirring a whirlwind of emotions he couldn’t quite name. He resolved to support Alaric, no matter what challenges lay ahead.

Later that day, one of his special knight arrived at Lucian's door, informing him that Crown Prince Elias had summoned Alaric. Lucian's heart tightened with a mix of protectiveness and unease he steeped outside his room and stated going toward a certain place.

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Alaric, on the other hand, later that day after breakfast,he was surprised when a servant came to escort him to a more secluded and beautiful part of the palace. As they walked, Alaric couldn’t help but marvel at the intricate designs and rare flowers that adorned the corridors. The servant finally stopped before a door and gestured for him to enter.

Taking a deep breath, Alaric knocked on the door. A deep, magnetic voice from within responded, "Come in."

Nervous, Alaric pushed the door open and stepped into a breathtaking indoor garden. The room was surrounded by glass walls, allowing natural light to flood in and illuminate the vibrant, rare flowers that decorated the space.

In the center of the room were a sofa and a table, where Elias sat waiting."Good afternoon, Your Highness the crown prince "

"Just call me Elias, Alaric," the Crown Prince said,gesturing him to sit,his tone smooth and commanding.

Alaric took a seat, feeling the weight of Elias's gaze. "Why did you call me here, Your High— I mean, Elias?"

Elias smiled slightly. "The designer will come to take your measurements for the suit you'll wear to tomorrow's party. As my partner, our outfits should complement each other."

As if on cue, there was another knock on the door. The designer entered, followed by the butler. They presented several designs to Alaric, each more beautiful than the last. Alaric was overwhelmed, unable to decide.

Elias, noticing Alaric's confusion, leaned in closer. "Do you need help choosing?" he offered, his voice low and suggestive, creating an ambiguous atmosphere that made Alaric’s heart race as if being stared by a snake who wants to eat little kitten.

The butler and the designer kept their eyes respectfully lowered, pretending not to notice the charged interaction. Alaric felt a strange mix of nervousness and something else he couldn’t quite identify, a feeling that intensified as Elias’s presence grew nearer staring at Alaric with burning gaze.

To break the tension, Alaric randomly selected a design. The butler and the designer bowed and left the room, leaving a tray of snacks and refreshments behind.

Feeling his throat dry, Alaric picked up a glass of juice and drank it all in one go. A wave of fatigue washed over him, and his eyelids grew heavy. He didn't know when he drifted into sleep.

Elias picked up the empty glass and smiled, a predatory gleam in his eyes. "Sorry, kitten, but this way you won't run away. You'll stay here with me for a while."

He gently lifted Alaric, cradling him like a precious porcelain doll. Sitting back down, Elias positioned Alaric on his lap, handling him with care. He brushed Alaric’s hair with his fingers and traced his delicate features - Alaric's eyes, nose, cheek and those pouty lips as if remembring the bathroom scene where he think of Alaric,his heartbeat quickening.

Overwhelmed by unfamiliar emotions, Elias leaned in and kissed Alaric’s closed eyes and hands and gently sucking his fingers savoring the softness of his skin. As he moved closer to Alaric’s lips to claim ,the door suddenly burst open.

Lucian stood there, eyes blazing with anger. Behind him, the butler looked tense and unsure of how to intervene.

Without a word, Lucian crossed the room and snatched Alaric from Elias's grasp. His rage was palpable, and he couldn't hold back any longer. He punched Elias, sending him reeling back in shock.

Elias, momentarily stunned, composed himself and smirked. "Prince Lucian, is there a problem? We were having a private discussion, and you’ve interrupted us."

Lucian’s fury did not abate. "We will discuss this later," he growled, his voice low and dangerous. He carried Alaric out of the room, calling for a doctor.

Once the doctor confirmed that Alaric had merely consumed a sleeping potion, Lucian sat by his side, watching over him with a mix of protectiveness and frustration. He gently kissed Alaric’s forehead before leaving the room, determined to confront Elias about his actions.

As Lucian walked through the palace corridors, his mind was a storm of conflicting emotions.

He knew he had to protect Alaric, but he also realized that Elias's interest in Alaric was a complication he couldn't ignore. The rivalry between them was no longer just about power—it was about the enigmatic and captivating Alaric.

The stage was set for a confrontation, and Lucian knew he had to prepare for the battles ahead, both in the court and in matters of the heart.