To Love a Crowned Enemy

The wind howled through the open balcony, carrying with it the distant sound of the city below. The torches lining the courtyard flickered against the stone walls, casting elongated shadows over the group of nobles gathered below. Their whispers were too hushed to make out, but their body language spoke volumes.

Montreve stood at the center of them, his posture stiff with barely restrained arrogance. Whatever he was planning, he was growing bolder. Reckless, even.

Lucian hadn't moved from his place beside me, his arms crossed as he watched the scene below with sharp calculation. I could feel his tension, even as he remained outwardly composed.

"They're meeting too openly," I murmured. "They're confident no one will stop them."

Lucian's jaw tightened. "That's because they think we won't."

I turned to him, studying his profile. His expression was unreadable, but I knew better now. He was weighing options, calculating risk. And for once, I wasn't interested in waiting for him to come to a decision.

"We need to move first," I said. "Montreve is already ahead of us. If we let him continue unchecked, we will be the ones left scrambling."

Lucian finally met my gaze, something unreadable flickering in his icy stare. "You're not wrong. But we can't act without purpose. Every move we make must serve a greater strategy."

I tapped my fingers against the stone railing, considering. "Then let's give Montreve something to fear."

Lucian arched a brow. "And how do you propose we do that?"

I turned fully to him, a smirk tugging at my lips. "By making him believe that we already have the upper hand."

The next evening, I found myself seated at another court gathering, this one held in the lavish hall of Lord Davrian, an influential noble whose allegiances remained uncertain. The room was filled with candlelight and quiet murmurs, the scent of spiced wine thick in the air.

Montreve was here, as I had expected. And he was watching me.

I met his gaze across the room, holding it just long enough to make him uneasy before turning back to Lucian, who stood beside me, his expression carefully neutral.

"If you wanted to make an impression," he murmured, "you're succeeding."

I took a slow sip of my wine, allowing the pause to stretch between us. "Good. Let's make it count."

Montreve finally approached, his smile polished but not quite reaching his eyes. "Lady Verona. You look resplendent this evening."

I inclined my head slightly, forcing my own polite smile. "Lord Montreve. I must say, you've been quite… engaged in discussions as of late."

His eyes flickered. "A lord has many responsibilities, my lady. Surely you understand."

"Of course," I said smoothly. "But I can't help but wonder—what is it that demands your attention so urgently? I would hate to think there are matters in Praylor that are being kept from me."

Montreve's smile didn't waver, but his fingers twitched at his side. "You misunderstand, my lady. I only concern myself with what is best for Praylor."

Lucian, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke. "And yet, your concern seems to exclude my future queen."

Montreve's eyes flickered to Lucian, his stance shifting slightly. "I would never dream of excluding Lady Verona from what she must know."

I tilted my head, letting my gaze pierce through him. "Then perhaps we should schedule a time for you to educate me."

His throat bobbed slightly as he swallowed. "I would be honored."

Lucian stepped closer to me, his presence a deliberate reminder that I was not alone in this game. "I do hope so, Montreve. Because my wife will know everything that concerns this kingdom."

It was the first time Lucian had referred to me as his wife so publicly. And Montreve noticed.

He inclined his head stiffly. "Of course, Your Highness."

As he walked away, I exhaled slowly, turning to Lucian. "That was a choice."

Lucian watched Montreve's retreating figure before glancing at me. "Everything is."

Later that night, I sat before the fire in my chambers, replaying the evening's events. Montreve was rattled. That was good. But it wasn't enough.

A knock at the door pulled me from my thoughts. "Enter."

Lucian stepped inside, closing the door behind him. "You handled Montreve well."

I arched a brow. "Praise from you? I must be doing something right."

His lips twitched, but his expression remained serious. "It was a necessary step. But he won't back down easily."

I nodded, already knowing that. "Then we make sure he doesn't have the chance to regain his footing."

Lucian crossed the room, stopping just beside my chair. The firelight cast shadows across his face, highlighting the sharp angles of his jaw. "You're playing this game dangerously, Verona."

I tilted my head up to meet his gaze. "And so are you."

A beat of silence stretched between us, heavy and charged.

Then, slowly, Lucian reached down, his fingers brushing the edge of the chair's armrest. "We need to be aligned in this," he murmured. "If we're divided, they will see it. And they will use it."

I swallowed, my pulse quickening slightly. "Then we should ensure that doesn't happen."

He nodded once, his gaze lingering before he finally stepped back. "No missteps."

I smirked. "No missteps."

As he left the room, I let out a slow breath, my thoughts swirling.

Montreve was a problem. But Lucian Velthorne?

He was something else entirely.