A DUKE'S CRIMSON SCANDAL

Elian didn’t lift his head once from the food in front of him.

He stuffed his mouth with it, keeping himself busy so he would not have to look at Lucien.

"You’re quiet... are you okay?" Rowan asked beside him.

"He’s more than okay," Lucien replied calmly, eating his food.

Rowan narrowed his eyes at Lucien, wondering what might have happened between them.

"Hey, I see you’ve got something on your hand," Rowan reached out to wipe the sauce from Elian’s hand but Elian pulled his hand away before he could reach him.

"I’ve got it... thank you," Elian murmured, wiping his hand with his napkin.

That single action had Lucien pausing his hands.

He stared briefly at Elian and looked away, his gaze blanking out as he thought of what he had just seen.

Elian had moved his hands away.

That could only mean one thing...

"I will head to my study," Lucien said, standing from his chair, his food untouched.

Elian frowned slightly, watching Lucien leave without bothering to speak to him.

Wasn’t he that eager to get him to like him again?

"I... I think I’m full," Elian murmured, standing quietly.

"Elian," Rowan called, halting Elian’s steps.

"Yes?" Elian answered quietly, glancing at the door Lucien had walked through.

Rowan stood, sighing softly. "I don’t know what happened to you out there," he placed his hand on Elian’s shoulder, "But it changed you. You used to be this defiant fellow, but now, you’re simply... kind." He chuckled.

"Is that not a good thing?" Elian questioned.

Rowan shrugged. "I used to think so..." he said.

"What changed?" Elian frowned.

Rowan took a deep breath, glancing at the door. "None of you are happy."

Elian smiled. "I am happy." He stated.

"It does not look like it–"

"He made me understand that he hurt me... badly. He says it himself that he does not deserve my forgiveness. Tell me, Lord Rowan. If you were in my shoes, would you give your heart to such a man again?" Elian stared at Rowan, waiting for his reply.

Rowan hesitated.

"No."

Elian shrugged. "Then, I shall protect my heart until I find a way to return home again –"

"He will die," Rowan cut him off smoothly, shaking his head. "Lucien would die if you left his side again. He barely survived the first time." He stated.

"My cousin is not the best man. I hate him sometimes, but in the end, he’s human. He needs someone to love him, to draw him out from his darkness–"

"It is not me, Rowan. I am sorry." Elian said and turned away.

"Wait," Rowan caught his arm, stopping him. "Elian..." he called softly.

"No, Rowan. I may not remember what happened. But I would very much like to return to the beautiful life I had with Cassian than be with a man who only seems to need me because he selfishly wants to heal his broken heart, ego, and to satisfy his need for control and ownership. I know it’s hard for you all to comprehend, but, your old Elian is gone... dead." He spoke very softly, withdrawing from Rowan.

Rowan stared at Elian’s face for a while and nodded slowly. "Very well, then. Whatever you wish." He said.

Elian nodded and turned away.

He had said his mind, and there was no way he was changing it.

His body would forever respond to Lucien, but his heart, his heart was never going to love Lucien again.

He walked down the stairs, fists balled.

As he climbed down, he recalled the fear that had gripped his body as their carriage plunged down that cliff, and the hopelessness that engulfed him as the cold water pulled him deeper and deeper into its dark abyss.

"Elian," Edgar suddenly blocked his way as he reached the bottom of the stairs.

For a moment, Elian’s heart skipped.

Whenever he saw Edgar, he recalled the things that guard had done to him in the past.

Suddenly, a thought came to his mind... since he has made it clear he wasn’t back here for Lucien, then it was time to fulfil the promise he made to himself.

"What do you want?" He asked Edgar, voice firm.

Edgar was taken aback for a moment by Elian’s directness; he was used to the cowering, scared boy, not this stern, fearless man.

Edgar cleared his throat. "His Grace is asking for you... outside." He informed.

Elian nodded and glanced around the grand hall; no one was around.

As he was about to step down from the last stair, he "accidentally" tripped on himself and fell forward.

"Oh no!" He gasped, grabbing Edgar’s arms to support himself.

Edgar stiffened, staring down at the small man holding onto his arm.

"Um, are you okay?" Edgar asked, trying to step away from Elian.

Elian nodded, smiling softly as he shook Edgar’s hand. "Thank you for not letting me fall," he clasped his hand tightly around Edgar’s, closing his eyes tightly.

"Uh, you’re welcome..." Edgar stepped away, narrowing his eyes.

"I have to go now." Elian said, frowning as he turned toward the door.

He was disappointed.

He saw nothing helpful in Edgar’s head. He was just an ambitious guard who wished to be promoted to a higher position, and a very rough childhood.

That won’t do.

He wasn’t stopping at Edgar. He was going to touch every darned person in this manor until he found his truth.

He stepped out of the manor and found Lucien standing beside his black carriage. He slowed his steps, wondering why the carriage was standing there.

"Your Grace?" Elian called quietly at the top of the stairs.

"Come, Elian. There’s somewhere I need to take you." Lucien said, pulling open the carriage door.

"Where?" Elian questioned, not moving from his position.

Lucien remained expressionless. "Come here, Elian... please." He said calmly.

Elian hesitated at the top of the stairs, staring at the open carriage door.

Lucien stood motionless beside it, black cloak stirring slightly in the wind, green eyes fixed on him with quiet intensity.

"Come here, Elian... please."

There was no command in his voice this time. Only something heavier.

Elian descended the steps slowly. He did not ask again where they were going. He simply climbed into the carriage and sat on the far side of the bench, putting as much distance between them as the small space allowed.

Lucien entered after him and shut the door. The coachman received a single silent nod, and the carriage began to move.

They rode in complete silence.

The wheels turned steadily over the dirt path as the manor disappeared behind them. Trees thickened on both sides. The further they went, the quieter the world became. No conversation. No explanations. Only the sound of the horses and the occasional creak of the carriage.

Elian kept his gaze fixed on the passing trees. He refused to look at Lucien. He could feel the Duke’s eyes on him from time to time, but neither of them spoke.

Hours passed.

The light began to change, filtering softer through the canopy as they entered deeper woods. Elian’s fingers tightened slightly in his lap. He recognised this path. The curve of the road. The particular density of the trees. The distant sound of a river.

His heart started to beat harder.

When the carriage finally slowed and came to a stop, Elian already knew.

Lucien stepped down first. He did not offer his hand. He simply waited.

Elian climbed out slowly. The air here smelled different — cleaner, heavier with pine and damp earth. In front of them stood the cabin. The same royal cabin Lucien had once brought him to in the rain. The place where the Duke had first dropped his mask. Where he had been gentle. Where he had held Elian like something precious instead of something to be owned.

Elian’s breath caught.

He turned to look at Lucien properly for the first time since leaving the manor.

Lucien’s face remained carefully blank, but there was something unguarded in his eyes — something that looked almost like fear.

Elian’s voice came out quiet.

"Why have you brought me here?"

Lucien said nothing. He only held his gaze.

And in that silence, Elian understood.

Lucien had realised something.

The cabin. The place of first vulnerability. The only place where the Duke had ever truly let him see the man beneath the title.

Elian’s chest tightened.

Whatever Lucien had figured out... it had led him here, and he knew he might not like the outcome of this unplanned travel.

"Come on," Lucien said, gesturing toward the cabin and waiting for Elian to move first.

Elian gulped quietly, praying to the Heavens and hoping it wasn’t what he was thinking that was about to happen.

Reluctantly, he moved, each step heavy and dragged.

He heard Lucien’s footsteps behind him, steady, heavy and purposeful, like a man who had his prey right where he wanted him.

The woods around them were quiet. The cabin waited.