Chained Hearts: From Slavery to Sovereignty
Chapter 62: You look like … Lucian! Or maybe Cedric!

Chapter 62: Chapter 62: You look like ... Lucian! Or maybe Cedric!

Dorian stopped, half-turning with an arched brow, his expression just short of annoyance. "Rude?" He let out a quiet, humorless laugh.

"I suppose you’re well-versed in the matter." His gaze flicked over Vincent, appraising and cold. "Perhaps it’s customary in Drakonia to barge in without proper decorum."

Vincent’s smirk didn’t waver, and his dark eyes held a glimmer of amusement. "Oh, but I thought you needed someone to talk, Prince Dorian.

I’m simply giving you the chance to make an awesome friend of mine. No need for these formalities, he said and winked at him."

Seeing the unimpressed expression on Dorian’s face. He took a step closer, his voice dropping to a murmur. "Or is there something about my presence that unnerves you?"

Dorian’s calm mask slipped ever so slightly, his gaze hardening as he looked directly into Vincent’s eyes.

"If I feared you, Vincent, I would’ve acknowledged your presence by now," he said, his tone laced with ice. "But, unfortunately for you, you’re nothing more than a fleeting inconvenience."

The exchange didn’t go unnoticed, and the banquet guests began to fall silent, sensing the tension between the two.

They did not hear the words clearly, but the chilling aura around them was enough to confirm that it was not something pleasant.

Unmoved, Vincent gave a slight chuckle, as though he’d heard an entertaining joke.

"A fleeting inconvenience? Perhaps. But we both know this little encounter of ours is far from over." He raised a hand, as if in mock salute, before sweeping away from Dorian with a faint nod to the nobles whose attention he now fully gathered.

As the crowd divided their gazes between the two princes, the tension seemed to ripple outwards, filling the hall with an almost tangible electricity.

Dorian gave a single nod to those nearest him and moved to his place at the banquet table, pointedly ignoring Vincent’s departure.

Vincent, meanwhile, made his way to his own seat with a smirk still playing on his lips, leaving the room buzzing with whispered arguments.

It was clear to everyone present: the night had only just begun, and with both princes under the same roof, it was bound to be one that would not be forgotten easily.

Cassian slipped through the side gate of the banquet hall, his steps light and precise, careful not to draw any eyes.

His attire was a deep charcoal jacket trimmed with silver embroidery, felt strange on his shoulders—far from the simple servant’s tunic he wore daily.

The princess herself had arranged his disguise, ensuring he looked every bit the minor nobleman, just another face in the crowd.

As he passed by the guards stationed at the door, he couldn’t help but hold his breath, his heart pounding in his chest. He gave a subtle nod to the guard, and, to his relief, it was met with indifference.

Inside, the hall gleamed with grandeur and polish. Every servant moving through the room carried themselves with meticulous grace.

They are high-ranking palace servants trained specifically for such royal events. Cassian knew these servants well enough; they were kept apart from the rest of the palace staff, and he was thankful for that tonight.

No one here would recognize him, nor would they question his presence among the nobility.

Once past the gate, Cassian exhaled, keeping his gaze level as he scanned the room. He had a clear purpose tonight. It was all part of their carefully laid plans. She had entrusted him with this task, and he would not let her down.

He moved further into the hall, positioning himself near one of the side tables, where he could keep an eye on both the entryway and the royal family. His fingers brushed the edges of a goblet, steadying himself.

Cassian barely had time to adjust his position near the side table when a blur of pastel and ruffles came bounding toward him.

He froze as a young noble girl, likely no older than eighteen, skidded to a stop in front of him, her face lit up like the sun itself.

Her rosy cheeks and wide, sparkling eyes radiated pure, unfiltered excitement, and Cassian felt his stomach drop.

"Oh, my stars!" she gushed, clasping her gloved hands together. "You must be new to court! I’ve never seen you before! Who are you? Where are you from? What’s your family name? Oh, how wonderful to meet someone new!"

Her words came out in an unstoppable torrent, leaving Cassian blinking like a deer caught in torchlight. He opened his mouth to respond, but his voice seemed to have deserted him.

Instead, he managed a faint, awkward smile, his grip tightening on the goblet in his hand.

The girl took his silence as an invitation to continue. "You look so dashing! That jacket—it’s so refined. Oh, you must tell me who your tailor is!

Or maybe your family has their own? Do you like music? Dancing? I adore dancing! You must dance with me later!" She leaned in slightly, her enthusiasm radiating like heat from a blazing fire.

Cassian’s knees wobbled beneath him, his nerves nearly betraying his composure. Calm down, Cassian. She’s just a girl. A very loud, very persistent girl. But still... just a girl.

He forced a polite nod, his voice finally crawling out of the void. "I... I appreciate the kind words, my lady. You’re, uh... very lively."

Her eyes widened even more, if that were possible, and she clapped her hands together with a delighted squeal.

"Oh, he speaks so properly! And so modest, too! You must come from such a noble family. I can tell.

You have that air about you—so mysterious and elegant!" She leaned closer, her face mere inches from his. "What’s your name? Tell me! Oh, no, wait, let me guess! You look like a... Lucian! Or maybe a Cedric! Am I close?"

Cassian took a half-step back, his smile frozen in place as his mind raced for a believable answer.

His legs felt like jelly, and he swore his knees might actually knock together if she kept this up. "It’s... Cassian," he said finally, mentally kicking himself the moment the words left his mouth. Great. Real subtle.

"Cassian!" she repeated, her voice lilting with delight. "How dashing! I’ve never heard that name before. It suits you so well!" She tilted her head, studying him intently.

"Are you here alone? Or did your family send you? Oh, you must tell me everything!"