𝐀𝐝𝐦𝐢𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 | 𝐌𝐋𝐌

Tension

(Warning! This chapter may be slightly explicit!)

-☆-

It had been three weeks since Lucian had started staying in Cruizar, and he was lingering around the arena to watch Cairo train in his swordmanship since Cerise had to attend to some duties that day. His eyes were focused intently on Cairo as he swiftly dodged some sword attacks from his opponent when someone suddenly broke his concentration.

"Ahah! My dear comrade, Lucian!" Prince Alexander of Kymber exclaimed in excitement as he wrapped his toned arm around Lucian's shoulder, tousling his silver tresses. The sheer volume of Alexander's voice grasped Cairo's attention despite duelling against his opponent. The mere sight of his enemy with his soon-to-be brother-in-law agitated Cario since he was no stranger to Alexander's nasty personality.

"Oh, hello, Alexander," Lucian greeted him with a warm smile, "So what brings you to Cruizar? I always assume that you train in the Kymber Arena instead of taking a trip here.."

"Hoho! Cruizar Arena is much suited to my fine tastes," Alexander put his hands on his hips as he sat down on the wooden bench right next to Lucian, "So what are you here for? Training? I think you might be lost, because this is not the spearmanship range. Come on, let me show you the right way."

"Ah, no," Lucian waved one veiny hand at Alexander, "I am watching Cairo train. I intend to get to know my future brother-in-law through this experience," he added before pointing at the prince of Cruizar who was busy countering his opponent's attacks.

"Oh, him," Alexander scoffed, refusing to say Cairo's name as if he were scum, "You are betrothed to Cerise, are you not? I cannot imagine the misfortune that you will go through when he becomes your brother-in-law," he put a calloused hand on his gold-plated chest to gesture that he 'sympathised' with Lucian.

The way Alexander did not even mention Cairo's name and instead referred to him as if he was some kind of lesser being, was quite a clear indication of his disdainful attitude towards him. Of course, such remarks had not gone unnoticed by him as he was aware that Alexander's tone was dripping with a lot of mockery and arrogance.

"He is not as bad as you make him out to be.." Lucian sighed, "He is very generous and brave — what the people of Cruizar say about him is all true!" he tried his best to defend Cairo.

"Oh, so is it true that he sleeps with different women every day?" Alexander raised an eyebrow as he smirked, folding his arms confidently, "That is the word in the kingdom."

However, Alexander's words were mere rumours that were circulated by the doubters of Cruizarian royalty. Lucian knew that what his friend was saying was untrue because he had been sharing a room with Cairo for the past three weeks.

"Look, Alexander. I would appreciate it if you could not speak so ill of Cairo. I know for a fact that he does not invite women to his room for the sole purpose of sleeping with them, because I have been sharing a room with him for the past three weeks," Lucian narrowed his icy blue eyes, almost glaring at Alexander as he tried to handle the situation with poise.

Alexander appeared to be rather taken aback by the sudden firmness within Lucian’s words, as if he was not expecting the northern prince to actually stand up for his future brother-in-law like that.

Alexander's malicious smirk became replaced with a look that was more akin to bewilderment, although it was clear that he was no a fan of the way he was being called out by the northern prince. Furthermore, Alexander was evidently surprised that Lucian was well-versed in Cairo’s private personal affairs, particularly that of his bedroom activities.