The Prince's Arranged Marriage
Chapter 28: Back to the Palace

Chapter 28: Back to the Palace

The grand gates of the palace loomed ahead, their golden embellishments glinting under the afternoon sun. As the royal car rolled past the guards, Lucien felt an odd mix of relief and tension settle over him. He was home. Yet, after months on the road, it almost felt unfamiliar. The palace stood just as he had left it—majestic, imposing, and carrying the weight of history in its very walls.

Servants lined the entrance, bowing as Lucien and Alexander stepped out of the vehicle. The polished marble steps gleamed in the fading daylight, leading up to the imposing entrance where King Christopher and Queen Alicia stood, regal as ever. His father, dressed in a deep blue coat adorned with golden embroidery, observed their approach with his usual composed expression. His mother, radiant in an emerald gown, offered a warm but measured smile, her gaze lingering on Lucien as if searching for something beyond his outward appearance.

Lucien inclined his head respectfully. "Father. Mother."

"Welcome home," Queen Alicia said, stepping forward to place a hand on Lucien’s cheek. There was warmth in her touch, but also a silent scrutiny, as if assessing how the journey had changed him. "You’ve done well."

King Christopher nodded toward Alexander. "Prince Alexander, welcome back to Veridia. We trust the tour has been enlightening."

Alexander, ever poised, offered a slight bow. "It has been an invaluable experience, Your Majesty."

Lady Genevieve, who had arrived shortly before them, stepped forward, holding a neatly bound folder. "Your Majesties, the first leg of the tour has been successfully completed. There is much to discuss regarding its impact. We have arranged a meeting for tomorrow to review the outcomes in detail."

King Christopher exchanged a glance with his wife before nodding. "Very well. We shall convene in the council chamber tomorrow morning. A formal dinner will be held in the evening to commemorate the successful completion of the first phase of the tour. Members of the royal court will be in attendance."

Lucien forced himself to remain composed. He had known this was coming, but the weight of it settled heavily on his shoulders. Tomorrow, he would have to sit through discussions about what the tour had achieved, what still needed to be done, and—undoubtedly—more talk about his engagement.

"Understood," Lucien said. "We’ll be prepared."

Queen Alicia’s sharp gaze softened slightly. "For now, you must rest. You’ve earned it."

Lucien simply nodded, but as he and Alexander followed a servant toward their quarters, he couldn’t shake the feeling that tomorrow would bring even more challenges than the tour itself.

The halls of the palace were quiet as they walked, only the distant hum of murmured conversations echoing in the vast space. When they reached his quarters, Lucien hesitated at the threshold. He turned to Alexander, who had been silent for most of their return.

"Well," Lucien started, his voice quieter than before, "we made it back in one piece."

Alexander regarded him carefully. "That we did."

There was an odd tension between them—not hostility, but something lingering beneath the surface, unspoken. Perhaps it was the exhaustion, or the quiet understanding that they were stepping into another stage of this arrangement, one neither had complete control over.

Lucien exhaled. "Goodnight, Alexander."

"Goodnight, Lucien."

The door closed behind him, leaving Lucien alone with his thoughts. He glanced around his chamber, taking in the familiarity of the space, but instead of comfort, he only felt a strange restlessness settle in his chest. Tomorrow, everything would change again.

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