Chapter 3 The promise with the devil - Part 2

At the end of the day, his door was broken open again by Aretha who squeezed his cheeks for leaving him talking to himself after the morning incident.

"I have a surprise. Get ready for the ball at the royal palace. Today will be the celebration of the queen's royal birthday and we will perform at the piano. What an honor, don't you think?"

It really was a high-value honor, but had she said "we"?

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The night came and Luke was super nervous. I didn't know how Aretha had managed to convince him parents to allow him to play a duet on the piano with her.

But it didn't matter, they couldn't say anything against him at that time, in front of everyone.

Aretha shook his hand, to support him. And he decided he wouldn't be afraid. Playing the keys was one of the few things that comforted him. The music was something so clear and perfect that made him feel that he could be more than what he heard in his daily life.

And without fear, his hands slipped by the keys as soon as his sister started. The harmony was perfect, it's like it was just him and the music. Nothing else existed there. Just that feeling of familiarity and comfort.

When the score came to an end, he could hear the applause. He and Aretha stood up and held hands bowed in gratitude. Luke sighed relieved and by his sister's smile, he hadn't ruined everything.

Queen Persephone herself came to thank and praise them. Right behind her was her son, who had the same hair.

The bastard was wearing a typical royal outfit, the dark blue shirt, the vest and white cape with golden details. He gave a gentle smile to the brothers, making Luke bite his lips. Anyone who saw thought he was holy.

Luke would have to pretend. He bowed properly before Artanis and thanked him:

"I would like to thank Your Highness. For helping me the night before. My family is very grateful for your generosity."

"No need to thank, Willians. What kind of prince would I be if I didn't help someone in need?"

And they both smiled, but of course in their looks, Luke wanted to kill him, because it was he who made him faint. And Artanis threatened him not to speak. The silent war continued for a few seconds, until the queen and prince said goodbye.

After they left, Luke was distracted by the guests. Content with listening to the conversations and watching the shows. Until something caught his eye, the wretched prince with his sister heading towards the gardens.

And like a good brother, someone who knew the true face of the prince and of course, a super curious person; he followed them.

Silently, he stayed hidden against the high scriptures of bushes in the palace garden. He couldn't hear anything, which made him very frustrated.

It seemed just a casual conversation between the bride and groom, they didn't even meet. But the prince's gaze was kind.

"Liar." - Luke thought.

Until finally, his sister walks away and leaves the prince alone.

And of course, it was followed. There was still a chance to save your sister.

As they went deeper into the garden, amidst a maze of roses, the prince turned with a cheeky smile.

"You really like following me, Luke Willians. Did you miss last night's kiss?"

Luke got angry and said:

"Yours... That wasn't a kiss, it was an evil magic to erase me. And you still lied, like you were my savior or something."

The prince laughed and the malicious look appeared. There he was, the real Prince Artanis of Athea.

"What matters is that I talked to your sister. That's why you're here, right? She told me she didn't really want to get married, but she would do it for the good and the reputation of the family."

Luke was surprised at Aretha's sincerity. But, as far as he knew, the prince wouldn't let it go cheap. After all, I needed God knows what this marriage was about.

"And with that, I thought of a solution. That can save your dear older sister."

Luke was excited about the opportunity.

"And what is it?" - Asked hopeful.

Artanis approached him, causing Luke to lean his back against a bush.

"Marry me, Luke Willians. Do that and your sister will be free and alive to live her life as a cartographer and palace researcher. To travel wherever you want."

"How do you...?"

Luke was in total shock. The prince wanted to marry him instead of Aretha? But he had nothing special. He should thank you for seeing his sister free and alive... but he was still confused by it.

"Your sister will be free and you will marry me. So she won't have to die and neither will you."

"But... if you had to kill her first. Why is it different with me?"

The prince smiled amusingly.

"Because you are different, puppy. So, do you accept my proposal or not? "

Luke's heart was racing, he was more and more confused. However, there was the certainty of what was most important at the time.

"I agree to marry you, Prince Artanis of Athea."

"So now we're engaged, Luke Willians"

And again, the prince's lips clashed with his, and this time, Luke felt the blood flow through them. As if a pact had been made.