Chapter Sixteen

WRONG DECISION

Lucien 

I did not plan to leave the castle that morning.

It just happened.

I woke up with my chest heavy and my thoughts tangled. The walls of my chamber felt too close, like they were pressing in on me. Every sound made me tense. I knew if I stayed there any longer, I would lose my mind.

So I dressed slowly, ignoring the pain in my leg, and walked out.

I did not take guards. I did not tell anyone where I was going. I did not want to be stopped.

I found myself standing in front of Marge’s house before I even realized where my feet had taken me.

The door opened before I knocked.

Selena stood there, holding a cloth in her hands. She froze when she saw me.

“My prince?” she whispered.

“Yes,” I said. “Good morning.”

She bowed quickly, almost tripping over herself. “Please forgive the state of the house.”

“I am not here for that,” I replied. “Is Erwin inside?”

Her eyes lit up. “Yes. He is.”

She stepped aside to let me in. The house smelled clean and warm. Selena followed behind me, nervous and excited at the same time.

“You know,” she said softly, “what you did was very brave.”

I stopped walking. “Brave?”

She nodded. “Standing up for Erwin. No one ever does that.”

“It caused trouble,” I said.

“Still,” she replied, “it was right. You are not what people say you are.”

Praise made me uncomfortable. I did not know how to respond.

Before I could speak, footsteps came from the back room.

Erwin stepped out.

The moment he saw me, he froze.

“My prince,” he said, bowing his head.

“Erwin,” I said. “I came for you.”

Selena smiled shyly. “I will leave you two alone.”

She rushed out of the room.

Erwin straightened. “Why are you here?”

“I need your help,” I said.

He frowned. “My help?”

“Yes.”

“With what?” he asked.

“I need you to escort me somewhere.”

He shook his head immediately. “I don’t know this place well.”

“I don’t need directions,” I said. “I need you.”

“That makes no sense,” he replied.

“I need protection,” I added.

He stared at me, then laughed shortly. “You have it backwards. You’re the one who’s been protecting me.”

“That is why I’m asking,” I said calmly. “Repay the favor.”

He walked past me and stepped outside. I followed him.

“You don’t need me,” he said. “You have guards and warriors.”

“And none of them will do what I need,” I replied.

He crossed his arms. “Where are you taking me?”

“Out of the pack,” I answered.

He sighed deeply. “This is a bad idea.”

“But you’ll come,” I said.

He was silent for a long moment. Then he nodded. “Fine. But don’t expect me to enjoy it.”

We walked until we reached the edge of the territory. I hired a carriage. Inside, Erwin sat stiffly across from me, his eyes fixed on the floor.

“Why me?” he asked after a while.

“Because you don’t lie to me,” I said.

He scoffed. “That’s your first mistake.”

When the carriage stopped, loud music hit us.

Erwin stepped down and frowned. “This is a motel.”

“Yes,” I said.

“There are drunk people everywhere,” he added.

“Yes.”

He looked at me. “Have you lost your mind?”

“I need witnesses,” I replied.

Inside, the noise was overwhelming.

Men shouted. Cups slammed. Women laughed loudly.

“Another drink!” a man yelled.

“You said you’d pay!” another shouted.

A woman laughed and leaned into a man’s lap. “Don’t be shy.”

Erwin stiffened beside me.

A woman with heavy makeup grabbed his arm. “You look quiet,” she said. “Want company?”

Erwin flinched and pulled away. “No.”

She laughed. “Oh, you’re cute.”

I leaned closer to him. “Relax. You’re safe.”

“This place is disgusting,” he muttered.

Another woman brushed against him. “Come dance.”

“Stop,” he snapped.

She rolled her eyes and walked away.

We stood there watching the dancers. Women swayed. Men cheered. Some stumbled and laughed. Some argued.

“Did you see that one?” a drunk man said. “She’s mine tonight.”

“No, she’s not,” another replied. “I paid first.”

Erwin’s jaw tightened.

“This is why I don’t come to places like this,” he whispered.

“I know,” I said.

After the last dance, a woman approached us. “Follow me.”

She led us through a narrow path behind the building. It was quiet there.

She opened a small hut. “Wait here.”

Inside, Erwin paced.

“I don’t like this,” he said again.

“I know,” I replied.

A knock came.

A woman entered first. She looked sharp and confident. Behind her stood a young woman, clean and calm.

“This is the girl,” the woman said.

I nodded.

The woman turned to her. “You understand what he wants?”

“Yes,” the girl said. “But I don’t understand why his family would believe this.”

“They will,” I said. “They know I help people.”

The woman crossed her arms. “And are you willing to pay?”

“Yes,” I answered without hesitation.

She raised a brow. “This is not cheap.”

“I don’t care,” I said.

The girl looked between us. “So this is real?”

“It is,” I replied.

I looked at her. “So is it a deal?”

She swallowed. “You want me to be your wife?”

“Yes,” I said.

The woman leaned forward. “And you will take responsibility?”

“Yes.”

She looked at the girl. “Well?”

The girl took a breath. The room went silent and Erwin stared at me in shock. Everything depended on her next word.