Chapter Eight

THE PULL

LUCIEN

I could not sleep the night before. I laid awake in my room, staring at the wall. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw that strange boy again. Erwin. That was the name they told me. He was small, quiet and kept his head down, but when our legs touched… something happened.

I felt a spark run through me so fast that I stopped breathing for a moment. I tried to tell myself it was my nerves or the cold floor or the pain in my wooden leg, but that was a lie. I knew it the moment it happened.

Something in me reacted to him.

And it did not stop.

I felt pulled toward him all night. My chest kept feeling tight, and my stomach twisted every time I remembered the feeling. I did not understand it. I tried to push it away, but the pull only grew stronger.

By morning, I could not take it anymore.

I had to see where he stayed.

I hated myself for it. I hated how restless I was. But I still asked a guard where the servants’ quarters were. Then I lied and said I needed to speak to the head servant, Marge. She lived near the market area. I knew where that was. I had been there once when Father forced me to make an appearance.

I told myself again that I was only going to see Marge.

But that was a lie too.

Now I stood inside her kitchen, waiting, and breathing hard. The pain in my leg pulsed, but I ignored it.

Then he walked in.

Erwin.

He froze when he saw me. His eyes widened, and for a moment we just stared at each other. I felt it again. That strange pull that made my chest tighten.

Then I noticed the blood.

It spread across his side, soaking through the cloth wrapped around him. His steps were shaky.

Something ugly burned inside me.

I pushed myself up in my chair.

“What happened to you?” I asked.

He looked away. “Nothing.”

That made me even angrier. “You’re bleeding.”

“I said it’s nothing,” he muttered.

I took a slow, hard breath. “You are lying.”

His eyes flicked toward me, surprised.

I leaned forward. “Tell me what happened.”

“I tripped,” he said quietly. “On a stone.”

“That is the worst lie I have heard.”

His jaw tightened. He lowered his head. “I don’t want trouble.”

Before I could ask again, footsteps echoed behind him. Selena entered the room quickly, her face worried.

“I told you not to walk so fast,” she scolded Erwin.

I frowned. “Who are you?”

“Oh—” she straightened. “I am Selena, sir. Marge’s daughter.”

She bowed her head.

“And what happened to him?” I asked again.

Erwin glared at her, warning her silently.

But she didn’t keep quiet.

“He was stabbed,” she said.

Erwin’s eyes shot wide. “Selena!”

She ignored him and continued, her voice trembling but strong. “A boy named Bren stabbed him yesterday . He was angry at me. Erwin tried to stop the fight, and Bren stabbed him and ran.”

My hands curled into fists.

“He stabbed him?” My voice dropped lower and colder.

Selena nodded. “Yes, sir.”

I felt my pulse slam hard in my ears. Rage rose so fast that my breath shook. Someone stabbed the boy who saved me?

I stood up fully.

“Where is this Bren?”

Selena swallowed. “His home is near the east field.”

“Bring him to me,” I said through clenched teeth. “Immediately.”

Erwin stepped in front of me fast. “Stop. Don’t do that.”

I looked down at him. “Move.”

“No,” he said firmly. “It is not a big thing. I do not need you to get involved.”

“You were stabbed,” I said colder. “How is that not a big thing?”

“I handled it.”

“You nearly died,” Selena whispered.

Erwin shot her another glare, but I ignored it.

I took one step toward the door.

Erwin grabbed my arm.

“Don’t inconvenience yourself because of me,” he said.

I looked at his hand. Small. Thin. His fingers were shaking.

“I will not let someone who stabbed you walk free,” I said.

“You owe me nothing,” he said quickly.

“I owe you my life,” I replied, my voice tightening. “You pulled me out of that cage. If you had not come, I would have died.”

Erwin looked away fast. “I didn’t do it for a reward.”

“I know,” I said. “But I repay what is given to me.”

“I don’t want it!” he snapped.

I stared at him.

He was angry. But there was something else behind it. Fear. Fear for himself? No. Fear for me? That made no sense.

I pulled my arm from his grip gently.

“I will repay you,” I said. “Whether you want it or not.”

He clenched his jaw. “I do not need you to fight for me.”

“I am not fighting for you,” I said. “I am punishing someone who deserves it.”

Erwin stepped back, breathing hard, while holding his side.

I turned toward the door.

Selena rushed to Erwin’s side. “Don’t move. You’re bleeding again.”

“Stay away from him,” I said to her without thinking.

She looked confused. “But—”

“Just take care of yourself,” I muttered to Erwin, my voice lower than before. I didn’t understand why I said it like that. I didn’t understand any part of this day.

I walked out before I could think about it.

Back at the palace, the guards straightened when I entered the main hall.

I raised my voice, sharp and loud.

“Bring Bren of the east field to me. Now.”

The guards looked at one another, shocked.

One of them spoke. “My prince… Bren is the son of—”

“I do not care whose son he is,” I snapped. “Drag him here if you must. I want him in the throne room within the hour.”

“Yes, my prince!” They answered and ran.

I stood in the silent hall, my chest still tight.

Why was I this angry?

Because someone stabbed a servant boy?

No.

Because someone stabbed the person who pulled me from death. Someone who was small, silent and brave enough to touch a prince when others hated to look at me.

And because someone hurt him right after… that spark I felt.

I pressed a hand to my chest, confused again.

What was this feeling?

Why did I care this much?

Why did the thought of him bleeding make something inside me twist so hard?

I didn’t know.

And it bothered me more than anything else.