The front gates of the Starline Manor were alive with a display of opulence and influence. Luxury cars rolled in one after another, spilling out individuals from some of the most powerful families in the region. The crowd buzzed with quiet murmurs, each person eager to uncover the reason behind the grand event.
Lucian stepped out of the car, taking a deep breath as he stretched his arms wide, letting out a yawn. The crisp evening air brushed against his face, momentarily easing his tension.
Cough
The delicate sound of a fake cough brought him back to reality. Turning his head, he noticed Celestia still seated in the car, her bright eyes blinking expectantly at him.
Her expression clearly said, Don’t forget your manners, darling.
Lucian sighed inwardly but composed himself, extending his hand like a proper gentleman. Celestia smiled softly as she placed her hand in his, stepping down from the car with an elegance befitting her royal status.
“Thank you, darling~,” she whispered, her voice low and teasing, ensuring only Lucian could hear her.
Lucian’s lips twitched in frustration. He knew she was doing it on purpose, pushing the limits of how far she could tease him. This woman… she’s becoming more outrageous by the day, he thought, suppressing a sigh.
Another cough interrupted his thoughts, louder and more deliberate this time.
Lucian glanced toward the other side of the car, already knowing who it was. “Ah, right. Rose.”
He made his way to the other door, extending his hand to help her out as well. Rose hesitated for a moment before placing her hand in his, stepping out with a quiet elegance. However, her eyes betrayed her annoyance, shooting daggers toward Celestia the moment she stood upright.
This insufferable woman! Rose fumed silently. Memories of their earlier argument on the way here flashed through her mind.
—
Earlier the morning
Rose: “You can’t come with us! This is a private event, and you don’t even have an invitation. Only the Kane family is invited.”
Celestia: “Hah! Invitation? I’m a princess. No one dares to turn me away.”
—
The scene played repeatedly in Rose’s head, her irritation growing with every passing second.
“Are you alright?” Lucian’s concerned voice broke her thoughts. He looked at her closely, noticing her tense expression. “Is something wrong?”
“No… nothing,” Rose mumbled, pouting slightly as she glanced away.
Lucian raised an eyebrow, puzzled. She’s been acting strange lately, he thought but decided to let it go.
As he turned, Olivia stepped out of the car gracefully, her eyes scanning the grand venue before her. She walked up to Lucian, slipping her arm forward with a warm smile.
“Shall we, Lucy?” Olivia asked, her voice filled with anticipation.
Lucian hesitated for a moment but eventually nodded. “Yeah… let’s go,” he said, offering his mother a soft smile as he placed her arm in his.
Before Rose could move to join him, Celestia had already swept forward, claiming Lucian’s left side with the kind of poise only she could manage. Her eyes glimmered with silent mischief as she linked arms with him, matching Olivia’s stride.
Rose’s jaw clenched as her plans were thwarted. She wanted to pull Lucian to her side, but the growing crowd around the manor caught her attention. People were watching, and Rose’s stoic nature took over. She wouldn’t make a scene in public.
Instead, she begrudgingly took her place on Olivia’s right side, glaring at Celestia’s back as they walked.
This woman is unbearable, Rose muttered under her breath, her eyes never leaving Celestia.
Celestia, aware of the hostility directed at her, glanced back momentarily, her lips curving into a barely-there smirk before turning her attention back to Lucian.
As the group approached the main entrance, Olivia glanced at Lucian with a smile, trying to ease the tension. “What do you think, Lucy? This is quite the event they’ve prepared, isn’t it?”
Lucian nodded slightly but remained quiet.
“They’re keeping it under wraps, too,” Rose added, curious despite herself. “What kind of surprise requires all this extravagance?”
Lucian didn’t answer, his mind elsewhere. He had a sinking feeling about the evening but kept it to himself.
Sensing his unease, Olivia gently squeezed his arm. “Let’s enjoy ourselves tonight, alright?” she said, her voice encouraging.
Lucian offered her a faint smile, not wanting to dampen her excitement. “Yeah… sure.”
Meanwhile, Celestia’s grip on his other arm tightened slightly, her presence unwavering.
As they walked through the grand gates, the tension between the three women simmered just below the surface, unnoticed by the glittering crowd around them. Lucian, caught in the center of it all, could only hope the night wouldn’t spiral further into chaos.
As they stepped inside the grand hall of the Starline Manor, Lucian’s discomfort grew with every passing second. The ornate chandeliers glittered overhead, casting a golden glow over the well-dressed crowd, but all Lucian could focus on was the murmuring that seemed to follow him wherever he went.
“Hey,” he whispered, his voice low enough to escape the ears of anyone but his immediate company. “It feels weird and bad you both clinging to my arms like this. One side is fine, but both? It’s… too much.”
His voice carried a faint plea, his eyes darting to Celestia on his left and Rose on his right. He could feel the judgmental gazes burning into his back, accompanied by hushed whispers that swirled through the room like an incessant hum.
Celestia smirked, leaning in slightly as though to tease him further. “What’s wrong, darling? Feeling a little overwhelmed by all the attention?”
Rose tightened her grip on his other arm, her lips pressed into a thin line. “If you don’t like it, maybe she should let go first,” she muttered, glaring past Lucian to Celestia, who only smiled more brightly in response.
Lucian sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose as they continued walking. This is going to be a long day.
—
Meanwhile, the whispers among the guests grew louder, though still hushed enough to avoid catching the attention of their subjects.
“Wait… isn’t that Miss Kane? And… is that her infamous son? You know, the so-called ‘useless’ one?”
“Ah, yes, Lucian Kane. I heard so much about him recently. Didn’t the young lady of the Starline family propose to him at her college last week?”
“Yes, and the most shocking part? He rejected her. Imagine, he rejected her! The biggest suitor of hers, the perfect match, they said and he turns her down? People are saying the poor girl’s gone mad.”
“I know. And remember her last birthday? Avey made quite the scene back then, too. If not for the Starline family suppressing the news, she’d have been a laughingstock in every headline.”
“Honestly, what’s so special about that Lucian boy anyway? He’s just a disgrace to the Kane name.”
“Indeed. And this sudden event tonight it has to be about that scandal, doesn’t it? What do you think? Maybe the Starline and Kane families are arranging their marriage after all, to put an end to all the embarrassment?”
“It makes sense, doesn’t it? Why else call such an important gathering on such short notice? And look Miss Olivia Kane herself is here. Even her daughter, Rose Kane! Everyone knows they never attend events unless it’s something monumental.”
“Wait a second. Who’s that on Lucian’s left? The woman holding his arm?”
“I… don’t know. But she’s stunning, and her presence… She’s definitely someone important. But why can’t I remember her name?”
“Wait, I know! That’s Princess Celestia G. Valentino! I saw her at her 20th birthday celebration. She rarely makes public appearances, not even on social media. But why is she holding onto Lucian Kane so… intimately? Don’t tell me…”
“This is huge news.”
—
Though the murmurs were subdued, they were impossible to ignore. Eyes followed Lucian and his entourage, speculation running rampant. The grandeur of the hall paled in comparison to the intrigue surrounding the Kane family and their unexpected companion. Discover hidden tales at empire
Lucian, Olivia, Rose, and Celestia, however, remained unfazed or at least, they appeared to be. Years of enduring the scrutiny of high society had taught them well. Yet, Lucian couldn’t help but let out a quiet sigh as they moved deeper into the hall, the weight of the attention settling heavily on his shoulders.
Celestia, in contrast, wore a confident smile, her gaze sweeping over the crowd with an air of nonchalance. She leaned slightly closer to Lucian, as if to make the rumors even more delicious for those watching.
Olivia walked with poise, her expression unreadable, though her sharp eyes darted briefly to each group of onlookers as though silently challenging anyone to speak louder.
Olivia, however, couldn’t hide her annoyance, her grip on Lucian’s arm tightening slightly as her gaze shifted between Celestia and the crowd.
Lucian, stuck in the middle, sighed once more. This night is going to be far worse than I imagined.
—-
merry Christmas my lovely dovely pumpkins
and ofcourse special thanks to Collin_McCall fo big gift appreciate it very much