Alexia stepped out of the bathroom, her damp hair clinging to her skin as her eyes swept across the room.
Her gaze landed on the boy sprawled across her bed, and despite herself, her expression softened.
Lucius lay there, fast asleep, his face relaxed in peaceful slumber. He clutched her pillow close, his breathing slow and steady.
She sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. He's only two years older than me, right? Then for Lugus' sake… why?
Even with his tall frame awkwardly stretched across the small bed, he looked completely at ease—like he belonged there.
And that was the part that unsettled her most.
"Mother…" Lucius mumbled in his sleep, clutching the pillow tighter.
Alexia sighed, shaking her head before quietly making her way to the wardrobe. She skimmed over the hanging fabrics, her fingers lingering on a dull grey dress before she frowned and reached for a shorter, deep purple one instead.
Turning back, she barely had a second to react before colliding with something solid.
A broad chest. Warm. Unyielding.
Her breath hitched as she clutched her towel tighter, tilting her head up—only to meet half-lidded golden eyes.
Lucius stood before her, his towering frame shadowing hers. The usual warmth in his gaze was absent, replaced by something unreadable.
"Sister."
No teasing lilt. No playful grin.
Just a quiet yawn. And a presence far too close.
"Lucius—"
He froze the moment she said his name. His golden eyes widened slightly before he abruptly stepped back, his usual composure cracking just a little.
Alexia's lips twitched. Was that… a blush?
"I didn't mean to… I would never—" Lucius started, but then exhaled sharply, shaking his head. "Forget it."
Still retreating, he miscalculated his steps and—
Thud.
The proud prince of Aethera unceremoniously tumbled onto her bed, limbs sprawling across the sheets.
Alexia blinked, momentarily stunned. Then a chuckle escaped her. Then another. And before she knew it, she was laughing—a real, full-bodied laugh that had her clutching her stomach as she turned away.
Lucius, face now burning, grabbed a pillow and shoved it over his head.
Alexia wiped a tear from her eye as she reached the bathroom door. "Smooth, Your Highness," she teased before disappearing inside.
Lucius said nothing. He just buried his face deeper into the pillow, cursing his own existence.
Hearing the door click shut, Lucius peeked out from under the pillow.
"She laughed."
A slow, genuine smile spread across his face as he stared at the door. But then, his brows furrowed.
"She laughed?"
His smile faded slightly. "Lex hasn't laughed in so long." His golden eyes darkened, thoughts churning.
He lifted the pillow, staring at it like it held all the answers.
"Was it because I embarrassed myself?" His expression soured. "I don't want to make a fool of myself in front of her… but I do want her to smile more."
He turned his gaze back toward the door, then back to the pillow, as if expecting it to respond.
"But I'm the prince of Aethera," he murmured, almost like a reminder to himself. Then, softer—"And I'm also her brother."
With a heavy sigh, he pulled the pillow over his face and sank deeper into the bed.
"...What a bother," came his muffled grumble.
Lucius scrambled to compose himself the moment he heard the door creak open.
Alexia stepped out, her hands brushing over the fabric of her dress as if second-guessing her choice. "How do I look?" she asked, hesitating before giving a small twirl.
Lucius' gaze swept over her, lingering just long enough to make her shift slightly under his attention.
"Sister, your dress is far from traditional," he murmured, before his lips curved into a slow smile. "I love it. Just like the princess you are."
Alexia exhaled softly, lowering her gaze. "Am I really?" The words barely escaped her lips, more to herself than him.
"Yes," Lucius said without hesitation, stepping forward, his golden eyes warm and unwavering.
A shimmer of crimson light flickered between his fingers. In the next moment, a delicate ruby tiara materialized in a rain of sparks.
Alexia barely had time to react before he lifted it, carefully setting it atop her head.
"You are," he murmured, fingertips lingering for just a second longer. "And I refuse to let you forget it."
He pulled back slightly, his expression softening into something almost boyish. "I know I'm a day early, but I had to be the first to say it—"
His smile widened.
"Happy birthday, Lex."
Alexia stared at him, her expression unreadable, making Lucius frown slightly.
Then, without warning, she threw herself into his arms.
Caught off guard, he barely had time to react before instinct took over, his arms wrapping around her securely.
"Thank you, big brother."
Lucius went completely still. His breath hitched. Lex is hugging me. His voice was barely a whisper, as if speaking too loudly might shatter the moment.
"Yes, Lucius. I am." Alexia sighed, rolling her eyes.
Slowly, his lips curled into a rare, genuine smile. He held her closer, his grip tightening ever so slightly.
"You're welcome," he murmured, his voice soft, almost reverent. He breathed her in—subtly, but not subtly enough.
And for the first time in a long while, he felt… at peace.
"Lex, I stayed up all night preparing the perfect surprise for you," Lucius murmured, his voice low as he lazily rested against the nook of her neck.
Alexia stiffened, warmth creeping up her face. She placed a hand on his chest, gently pushing him back.
For a second, Lucius didn't move. His eyes darkened, fingers twitching as they clenched and unclenched at his sides. Then, as if nothing had happened, he straightened, his expression smoothing over.
"Really? A surprise?"
A slow, proud smile spread across his face, his earlier tension vanishing like it had never been there.
"It will be the best gift you've ever received." He leaned in, golden eyes gleaming.
Taking a step back, Lucius gave a graceful bow, extending his hand toward her.
"May I have the honor of leading you, dear sister?"
Alexia hesitated, her fingers twitching slightly before she awkwardly lifted her hand.
Before she could fully commit, Lucius caught it mid-air, his grip gentle yet firm. His thumb brushed over her knuckles, lingering just long enough to savor the moment. A quiet sigh escaped him, his expression unreadable.
"Off we go," he murmured, his voice laced with something almost wistful.
Alexia said nothing, simply letting him guide her forward.
****
Alexia glanced around the grand chambers, her lips pressing into a thin line. Opulent. Overindulgent. Unnecessary. She exhaled sharply. "Father really plays favorites," she muttered under her breath.
Lucius, standing a few steps ahead, turned at the sound of her voice. His golden gaze softened. "I truly don't understand Father," he mused, tilting his head. "This room is far too much for me alone. Perhaps, dear sister, you'd consider sharing it with me?" He smiled, warm and inviting.
Alexia barely had time to process the suggestion before a maid stepped inside, bowing—well, attempting to bow.
"Your Highnesses," she said, her voice laced with nerves. "It is ready."
Alexia's brow arched. The maid's posture was all wrong—too stiff, too hesitant—and her gaze kept flickering toward Lucius, cheeks dusted pink.
Lucius, however, wasn't looking at her. His attention remained entirely on Alexia.
Blinking, Alexia's gaze flickered downward. The maid's uniform—or lack thereof—left far too little to the imagination.
She stared.
Lucius smiled.
The maid fidgeted.
Alexia sighed. This is going to be a long day.
Lucius turned to the maid and offered a warm smile. With a graceful bend, he extended a hand to help her stand.
"Velrith, I appreciate your service," he said smoothly, his touch polite—distant, but deliberately gentle.
Velrith adjusted her dress, her cheeks a shade pinker. "Your Highness is always so kind. It is my greatest honor to serve you."
From the side, Alexia covered her face, barely suppressing a groan. She turned away, desperate to focus on literally anything else. Her gaze landed on a door she hadn't noticed before.
"I don't think I've ever seen what's behind that," she muttered, more to herself than anyone else.
Velrith, still clinging to the moment, hesitated before bowing—deeply. A little too deeply.
Lucius' smile remained unchanged.
Alexia crossed her arms, scanning the room with an arched brow. Her gaze settled on the seven maids lingering nearby—each one impeccably dressed, yet somehow… not dressed enough.
She exhaled sharply. "Lucius."
Lucius immediately straightened, golden eyes gleaming. "Yes, sister?"
Alexia gestured vaguely at the women around them. "Why—exactly—do you have seven maids, all dressed like… that?"
Lucius blinked, following her gaze as if noticing them for the first time. "Ah." He tilted his head, lips curving slightly. "Mother assigned them to me. They're lesser daughters of nobility. Something about ensuring the royal bloodline… should the need arise."
Silence.
Alexia stared at him, then at the maids, then back at him.
"...I see."
Lucius sighed, strolling toward the door Alexia had noticed earlier. His fingers traced the handle absentmindedly. "You see, tragedy befell my assigned partner from Kalindi. Mother is quite insistent that I marry a mermaid." He exhaled, shaking his head as if the very thought exhausted him.
"Tragedy?" Alexia echoed, her eyes narrowing. Did he kill her?
Lucius let out a soft chuckle, as if reading her mind. "No, sister. I had no hand in this. You think like Mother—I don't kill randomly." He laughed to himself, pushing the door open and descending the spiral staircase.
Alexia hesitated before following.
"Lady Isla of Duke Theon is dead."
His voice cut through the dimly lit stairwell, startling her. She couldn't see his face, but something in his tone—calm, almost detached—sent a chill down her spine.
"...Okay," Alexia murmured, stepping into the underground chamber.
The air was thick, pressing against her skin like unseen hands. The lantern's dying light barely touched the corners of the room, where shadows stretched and curled like something alive.
Lucius lifted his hand. A soft whoosh filled the silence as a small blue flame flickered to life in his palm. He watched it with an expression too unreadable to be called fascination—his golden eyes reflecting the eerie glow.
His lips curved.
With a flick of his wrist, he sent the flame drifting forward. It hovered for a breath before sinking into the lantern's empty maw.
For a moment, nothing happened. Just the faintest, struggling flicker.
Then Lucius whispered, "Burn."
The word slithered from his lips—soft, almost reverent.
The fire roared to life. Blue flames devoured the oil within, throwing the room into sharp relief. Shadows recoiled, chased away by the violent light. The walls flickered with distorted shapes, the heat pressing close.
Lucius smiled.
But he wasn't looking at the fire.
He was looking at her.
Alexia's breath hitched. Around her, cages stretched into the dimly lit chamber, filled with creatures she couldn't name. Some pressed against the bars, watching her with unsettling intelligence. Others lurked in the shadows, their outlines barely distinguishable. Even with all the books she had devoured in solitude, some of these beings felt… wrong.
"Lucius," she started, voice wary. "What is this?"
Lucius turned to her, golden eyes gleaming with something disturbingly close to joy. He gestured grandly toward the cages, his smile widening.
"Sister, behold—my collection."
He exhaled, almost reverently.
"Aren't they magnificent?"