Chapter 41 Plans
“Your Majesty?” Sam drew a sharp breath, hesitating. “I…I don't think it's a good idea, it's very much…”
Lucien waved his hands, interrupting him. “I know what it is I'm asking you for, Sam. You don't need to spell it out.”
Sam shook his head, his calm stoic demeanour clearly ruffled by Lucien's proposal.
“This will not be easy to achieve, your Majesty.” He grunted.
“Why?” Lucien pointed at a bird that flew past and shot his gun.
They'd both stepped out of the Royal Palace under the guise of hunting. There was barely any detail of Lucien that he could trust, save for Sam and then Marcus, but Marcus belonged to Isabella now.
“Lord Damien,” Sam said a little too tightly, his eyes focused on the nuzzle of the gun.
Lucien nodded. “You think he's not going to sit down?”
“No,” he shook his head.
Lucien sighed. He was puzzled. “How do you know I was talking about him?” He voiced the question running through his mind.
Sam's stare at him was like Lucien had just asked the most ridiculous question ever.
Lucien shrugged. “I'm just curious.”
Sam smiled. “Your Majesty, news runs across the palace very fast. And,” he trailed.
“And?” Lucien pushed. “And what, Sam?”
Sam cleared his throat nervously. “I'm friends with some of his details. We go over drinks sometimes. It's nothing serious.” He added hurriedly.
“I see,” Lucien nodded in agreement, he had a slight smile on his face.
“So, you think Lord Damien is planning the same thing?”
Sam nodded. He opened his mouth to speak, then closed it immediately having decided against it.
“Speak, Sam.” Lucien's voice was gentle but firm.
“Lord Damien is cruel, My Lord. Cruel and vile. He can go to any lengths to achieve what he wants.” He stopped.
Lucien's nod was grave. “I figured.”
“Not to mention that he has people working for him on all sides, even in the palace.”
“I figured that as well, which is exactly why I want us to go through with this as soon as possible.”
The facade they'd been putting up had stopped, the guns forgotten. They were talking serious business now.
“War is coming, Sam. Something that is going to shake the pack. We need allies. And even though this is going against the decision of the pack, this is our own weak attempt at having allies.”
“And if it doesn't work?”
Lucien sighed. “Then we'll figure out another way.”
Sam nodded. “Where do I begin?” His voice was grave.
“First things first, you leave tonight. Take some of your trusted men with you. The ones you can put in charge of your life.”
“Your Majesty!” Sam protested.
“I'll be okay, Sam.” Lucien raised his hands, waving Sam's concern off.
“You need someone you can trust. I…I” he spluttered.
“I have Marcus.”
“He's not skilled enough.” The disdain evident in Sam's voice, made Lucien smile despite the situation on the ground.
“I'll manage, Sam. Enough about me. I'm also dangerous, you know.” Lucien muttered.
“Yes, your Majesty,” Sam said resignedly.
“We should begin,” Lucien said and led the way out of the hunting ground.
“What's the plan?”
“The plan?” Lucien's smile was evil. “Wipe away the weak faction and place the stronger one in charge. We're helping them, with the promise that they'll be our allies. All previous scores, settled.”
“And if we can't?” Sam pressed. “If Damien gets there before us?”
“The plan stays the same, Sam. However, if Damien gets there before us, we'll still help them. We can't save all of them. Take them to safety.” Lucien's smile was bitter.
Sam hesitated. “Yes, your Majesty.” He bowed.
“You leave through the back.” They were in the open space now. The volume of Lucien's voice had been reduced to the barest minimum.
“The excuse?”
Lucien's smile was one of approval. This was exactly why he'd chosen him. He was thorough. “I'll think of one before nightfall.”
“I hope it doesn't involve some form of humiliation?” Sam's smile matched his.
He knew exactly what Lucien was going to do.
“Wow, Sam. Such a spoiler of fun.” Lucien's voice dripped with sarcasm as he hit Sam on the back, playfully.
“Thank you.” He said seriously. “I don't take this for granted.”
The king was gone, replaced by a friend, a brother.
Sam nodded. “I promised to protect you with my life, Your Majesty. I don't intend to stop now.” He bowed slightly.
“Be careful, Sam. Don't you dare die on me.”
Sam smiled. Lucien was barely vulnerable. “If dying will make you cry, then I think it's not that bad of an idea.” He teased.
Lucien huffed, his arrogant display back. “That would be a damn shame then. Imagine losing the chance to see me cry.”
He walked through the door Sam had opened. “It was a pleasure, Sam.” All traces of laughter gone.
“Likewise, your Majesty.” Sam nodded. “See you in a few hours.” He muttered and closed the door.
The palace was noisy as some guards were bundled into the meeting room.
Maids formed groups, talking excitedly.
“I hear that's His Majesty's most trusted guard.” Someone said out loud.
“What is his offence?” Someone else asked.
The chatterings amongst the women made the palace rowdy.
A guard appeared from behind. “You should go back to your various posts, before I report to His Majesty that you're making the Royal home a marketplace.”
The women disengaged promptly, each of them rushing back to their duty posts, cursing under their breath.
Lucien stood up, as the men were brought to him. They'd evidently been beaten, as their faces and lips were bloody.
“Have their properties been searched?” His voice boomed, showing his anger.
A guard on his left side nodded. “Yes, my Lord. There are evidences against them plotting for a coup.”
Some of the women who had been stubborn enough not to give in to Marcus's threat, shouted.
Lucien nodded. “Very well then.” He glanced at the faces of the men who knelt before him.
“Look at me.” His voice was chilly, icy. He looked like he could burn them on a stake with just a wave of his hand.
All the other men looked up, save for one person. Sam.
“Look at me.” Lucien commanded again, his voice firm.
The guard who had been standing by the side walked up to Sam, throwing him a punch as he forced his head up.
“Leave him alone,” Lucien commanded. If this were not a performance, he would have ordered the overzealous guard to be thrown into the dungeon or even killed.
“You have all served me well.” His voice shook, making all the bystanders glance in pity.
He had just been betrayed, of course he had to look the part.
“The price of betrayal in this clan, is death.” His voice reverberated all over the palace. Some of the women were already teary.
“You chose to usurp your king. That won't be taken lightly.”
“Death to all betrayals!”
Someone shouted from the back. Soon, others followed.
Unconsciously, Lucien's eyes widened. He needed to act fast. He raised his hands, stopping the chant, causing everything to go silent.
“But I won't kill you. You shall be banished from the clan.”
“Your Majesty!” The guards cried in gratitude.
“Do not thank me, at least not yet. You should part that you are not eaten by the wolves, when you are left for dead.”
Lucien could see Sam trying to keep his expression in place.
Even he, was surprised at his own creativity. He was a damn good actor.
“Your families however, will remain here. There shall be no need as it has been proven that you acted alone. Take them away.”
His tone held finality as he turned away, walking inside his chambers.
Then, as though a thought had just occurred to him, he turned back.
“Let them be escorted out of the clan through the back. They served His Majesty well up until this time. Their families do not need to see them humiliated.”
He closed the door behind him, sighing loudly. His heart thumped. He was nervous.
Lucien walked to the mirror, as he took in his reflection. He had never been nervous in his entire life. Not even when he was fighting for the throne, but now he was.
And there was only one reason why. Damien was as good as he is.
“Even better,” Lucien admitted grudgingly. He'd never had to resort to underhanded tactics to win, but here he was.”
He walked over to the cabinet and poured himself a drink.
An idea popped into his head as he took a sip, making him smile.
Perhaps, this was the best time to add some spice to what he was planning.
Damien sure had some spies that watched his every move. What better way to give him something to talk about, than to place it in his hands?
A face appeared, making his smile brighter. He had the perfect person.
Victoria Thorne.