[BL]Reborn as the Empire's Most Desired Omega

The bedroom was dim, lit only by the amber glow of the bedside lamp and the soft flicker of the hearth across the room. Lucas was sprawled half‑under the blanket, hair still perfectly in place from dinner but now falling a little softer over his forehead. A book rested in his hands, thumb tucked between the pages as his eyes skimmed the lines slowly, as if savoring the luxury of reading without interruption.

Steam drifted in from the half‑open bathroom door, the sound of running water having stilled moments ago. Trevor emerged barefoot, a towel draped low on his hips, another slung over his shoulders. Drops of water traced the lines of his collarbones and slid down his arms, catching the light in ways that would have been distracting if Lucas hadn’t been so content to finally, finally sit still.

Trevor paused in the doorway for a heartbeat, watching him. Lucas didn’t look up immediately; he was too caught in the rhythm of his book, the way his brow furrowed slightly when a sentence intrigued him. It was a sight Trevor rarely got anymore, Lucas unguarded, quiet, not the duchess, not the imperial mystery, just... Lucas.

"You look too calm," Trevor said at last, his voice low, rich from the shower steam. "Should I be suspicious?"

Lucas turned a page and smirked without looking up. "If you’re lucky, I might share the plot twist with you. Or I might let you stew in mystery. Consider it revenge for all those last‑minute council summons."

Trevor padded over to the bed, dropping the towel from his shoulders onto the armchair as he passed. "Fair enough," he murmured, settling on the edge of the mattress. He reached out, gently brushing a stray lock of hair from Lucas’s temple. "Feels strange, doesn’t it?"

Lucas glanced up at him, the corner of his mouth lifting. "You mean... silence?"

Trevor nodded, leaning back against the headboard. "No Cressida hovering over your shoulder. No Serathine taking apart my calendar. No summons. No brothers trying to negotiate stipends with a straight face." His tone softened, just a hint: "Feels almost... dangerous."

Lucas closed the book, letting it rest against his chest as he shifted to face Trevor. "I like dangerous," he said lightly. "Still... I was thinking about something."

"I knew something was up."