Prelude (Underworld Lucian Fanfiction)

93 - Chapter XCIII: A Fiery Rumour

Eighteen minutes later.

Lucian had moved to his study. One of three places on the grounds that he could rely on for giving him solitude. Or at least lock whenever the sound of footsteps suggested visitors were coming. His focus on keeping himself...specifically...where he was. Taking his time with packing up the last of his personal effects. All his things that would travel from one sinking ship to another. And the house thankfully quiet now they were closer to leaving, and for the sake of his mood, he was grateful. His need to mourn everything that he needed to leave...and let go. For the good of his Horde...and his grand-daughter. The only sound coming from the fire, the burning of pages...

...and a small scuffle occurring on the floor below. A short one. Causing his brandy to shake briefly and his hand to reach forward, stopping one of his pens from rolling off his desk. The second scuffle louder and this time accompanied by footfalls. Boots lightly announcing their presence by striding up the staircase and down the corridor, only stopping once, likely to adjust the angle on a portrait frame that had been straight—but in the interest of driving him insane—was now tipped ever so slightly to the right. A sure sign that the instigator, Miss Jeanne-Antoinette de la Roche, was getting perturbed.

Reinette entered.

The force with which she did so threatening to take off one of the door hinges. Fully aware that he knew the problem and therefore skipping to the more relevant question.

"Lyosha, did you just sign on my fucking behalf?"

He considered lying...

...and then failed to see the reason anymore.

"Yes."

She looked astounded.

Holding up the financial transfer. Her citizenship. Her Line ticket. Pages that ought to have been with Yarley. But that...somehow...were now in her possession.

"How could you do this?"

How could he...

It was...

...ludicrous that she could be asking him that, he thought in wonder. Trying to...not...engage. But forced to confront the utter insanity that could exist when a sense of entitlement crossed his path.

"Reinette, do you have any idea how much it costs to live in a lycan green zone," he asked. Counting the expenses on his fingers. "Papers for travelling, guards for your protection, blood for when you depart, blood for when you arrive, funds for securing an estate..."

"I did not ask for an estate."

"Well, you have one," he said.

His volume had risen.

As had...

...other...things.

But he just needed...everything...to relax, he decided. Taking a careful seat and refusing to meet her eye now. "So you will leave on the next transfer," he added. "When you arrive at the Line crossing, Rena will escort you where you need to go...and you will choose...whatever life...you wish. We can accommodate a change of hours, but not days. Do you understand?"

She looked vicious.

"So you...replaced...the decision I made with...one of your own making...and you are...asking me to be grateful?"

"No, Reinette, I am asking you to be reasonable," he said. The quiet and the calm of putting things in order starting to take hold again as he emptied another drawer. "To accept ...everything...I am trying to give you...and make a life for yourself in this world."