How would Lucia react? Lucius could barely process his own reaction as it was. Had Lord Damien Hargreaves just suggested marriage? Had he actually proposed?

It was the absolutely worst proposal Lucius had heard, not that he'd heard many over the years. He'd been under the impression they were heartfelt, usually after knowing each other for a long time. Most importantly, were they not supposed to be a product of romantic feelings?

"Lord Hargreaves..." He had a feeling his voice croaked. "... I'm flattered, of course, but... We don't know each other. Not at all."

"That is of little importance," Damien said, raising his shoulders in a shrug and Lucius felt his shoulders slumping in return. What the Waste was this man on about?

"One would think such an act is performed between two people holding affection for each other."

"Yes, it happens." Damien's eyes narrowed, more in pain than annoyance, and he even turned them away for a brief moment. "But people get married for many reasons. Often for the legal perks tied to it."

Lucius was brought back to the conversation he'd had with his family right before that horrid birthday of his. They'd been hassling Seth about marriage, and how he was supposed to get married to a woman specifically.

For children...

Lucius swallowed, staring at his desk as the thought struck him. It would have been a way out, since they were both men, but as far as Damien knew Lucia was a woman.

"It's just..." He failed to hide a grimace. "... A marriage for legal reasons will still keep me away from a more... Loving one."

"You would have to play along in public." Damien looked back at him. "Other than that, I won't interfere with any partners you choose to have. I'm not interested in us as a romantic relationship, and I don't expect you to be either."

"Well it's still... A big decision." Lucius frowned. What was he doing? How hard could it possibly be to say no? Yet, the power he could obtain through this was not so easy to ignore. "Despite my private life out of sight, I would still be restricted in many ways."

Finally Damien seemed to catch on, and he shook his head.

"No children required," he said, possibly with a tone of sympathy. "I have a son, and I feel no need for another one."

Lucius' eyes widened, and he cleared his throat before assuming a composed appearance.

"That is also a concerning matter, isn't it? Even your son is older than me. I'm aware women often marry older men for financial reasons, but even so, an age gap like that seems a bit extreme." Lucius sucked in a breath. "Don't you think that perhaps your son would be a more viable option for me? He's a part of the BBT too, after all."

It wasn't a bad idea, Lucius thought as he considered the matter. He'd have the power of the BBT while not letting Damien do as he wishes. As a bonus, he'd get to be with Anthony as if they were married.

Heat rose to his cheeks, and Damien's forehead wrinkled, looking more troubled than usual.

"Even without the emotional strings of this union, my son has no interest in women, and I won't force him into that position if I can help it. Besides... I don't think he will stay in South Kerilia much longer."

"What?" Lucius blinked, trying to sound as casual as possible. "Why wouldn't he be?"

"With everything that happened... Everything that's going on right now, I think it would be better for Anthony to continue his work for the BBT somewhere else." Damien truly looked troubled, but Lucius could see nothing but malice in the man at this point.

Lucius was already screaming at the man on the inside, but he bit his tongue.

"And is... The younger Lord Hargreaves aware of this?"

"I still haven't decided," Damien clarified. "There is no reason to tell him before I've made that decision."

"One would think a grown man should be able to make his own decisions," Lucius said, mouth having so much trouble smiling. "It would be a life-altering event."

Damien didn't look very concerned about that, likely because a couple of years wouldn't mean much to Anthony life-wise.

"It's always been like this." Damien shrugged again. "He listens to me because I know what he needs, and right now I think South Kerilia is bad for him."

Lucius balled his fists under the desk. What the Waste was that supposed to mean? That Anthony had no say in what he did with his life?

"Well... I believe we have gotten off topic," he said, exhaling to calm his rising anger. "And as flattered as I am by your offer, Lord Hargreaves, I simply don't think marrying you is the right choice for me."

To Lucius' further frustration, Damien laughed through his nose.

"I think you're horribly mistaken there, Lady Cromwell."

Lucius pinched his lips together, eyes remaining locked with Damien's as the latter continued.

"Even if we disregard the financial loss you will face if my organisation loses money, the fact that the people of this town are sceptical regarding your abilities will remain even if I try to calm them from where I stand now." He paused, sighing as a weak smile formed on his lips. "But then... With such a loss on my part, and your refusal to cooperate even if just a little, it might even prove hard for me to say anything at all without it coming out as, well... Criticism."

Lucius paled, a knot forming in his stomach.

"You're... Saying you would actively harm my reputation instead?" He shook his head. "Why would you do that? You know I have information about your trade—"

"But in the end, if no one listens to you, why would they care about that?" Damien cocked an eyebrow. "From what I hear, people think you're pleasant to be around as a person, but when it comes to your job there's much to be desired."

"Because high society expects constant, special treatment." Lucius muttered, barely hearing himself speak.

"Yes, as they always have." Damien arched both his eyebrows now. "Even with your inexperience you must know the reason you're struggling is because you try to change things?"

Lucius averted his gaze, mood taking a drastic turn for the worse. Why did he have to keep struggling with this? Why didn't that fucking Scourge do its job? Even if he had no idea what he was doing, it was supposed to help him, right? He was supposed to get by anyway. He'd have no chance to hold on to his position the way things were going.

Unless...

Lucius narrowed his eyes, the anger finally boiling to the surface. Was this it? Was this another cruel prank disguised as 'helping"? Like making Anthony disappear in order to make him town chief, now his way to keep his position was to marry Damien?

"Lady Cromwell?" Damien asked, and Lucius' eyes snapped back to him. "I hope you don't find this too harsh. You seem like a sensitive soul, and considering the future I wouldn't want to make you too uncomfortable."

"I believe many would feel uncomfortable if they were threatened into marriage."

"This is not a threat." Damien's gaze finally shifted into annoyance. "I am stating facts, and am presenting you with a way out where you can still keep your position and have the people be happy."

"You mean the rich will be happy," Lucius corrected him, matching Damien's glare. It was so hard not to slip back into his regular voice.

Damien clicked his tongue.

"There's no need for us to have that conversation again." He brought out a watch from his pocket to look at it. "Anyway, I've said all I wanted to. I can't force you to do anything, but at least I have informed you what the future will look like with either option."

Lucius bit his lip. What a stupid, stupid choice he'd have to make. It hadn't even been a possibility ten minutes ago.

But can I just ignore that kind of opportunity?

He shook his head. Not that again. Why did his mind go ahead to think before him sometimes? However that worked. Why would he choose the marriage option? Surely he could think of something else.

"Is that a no, then?" Damien raised an eyebrow, and Lucius realised he'd shaken his head so Damien could see.

"I..." His stomach turned into a tighter knot, and cold sweat prickled his skin. He couldn't say yes, but he couldn't say no either. "... Can I think about it?"

"Yes, my offer will stand," Damien said, putting his watch back into his pocket. "Of course, it goes without saying that your reply will count as a 'no' in the meantime."

"Yes." Lucius' cheeks hurt from the constant, forced smiling. "I'm well aware."

***

What a lousy day, and it was all because of that Scourgefucking man. He had some nerve killing both Lucius' and Lucia's moods like that. Worst of all, their sucky predicaments clashed with each other, and there was no way he could keep up his act if he had to spend time around Damien that much.

Especially if we're fucking married.

If he hadn't dreaded talking to Anthony before, now it felt near impossible. How would he explain that he may have to marry his father? How would Anthony even begin to react?

There was the absence of obligation to consider. He could still have romantic partners on the side, and since he'd be working close to Anthony anyway, perhaps it wasn't so bad.

Lucius blushed for the second time that day, but he drew a deep breath to be rid of it.

He didn't have time for that. His schedule was full enough and any kind of impractical feelings would have to step aside.

To Lucius' surprise he could not find Anthony when he walked through the mansion. He'd almost expected the man to come running and scold him for disappearing without telling him about the earlier conversation, but as he looked around he had to wonder if something had happened.

Thoughts swirled as he tried to form sentences in his head. Where to begin? Just take it from the beginning? Anthony would be screaming halfway through the first conversation.

If he could find Anthony in the first place.

Tom and Richard didn't seem to be around either, and Lucius was reminded that they usually stayed out late during cleaning days as if the workers didn't leave before supper.

Lucius frowned as he thought of one place to look. They were brothers after all, so them spending time together would not be surprising.

So after changing clothes and removing his makeup, Lucius walked upstairs and knocked on the door to Ethan's room.

It was Ethan's voice that answered, most likely asking who it was, but his voice was low and Lucius sighed.

"It's Lucius. Can I come in?"

There was a pause, and Lucius leaned against the door to hear better.

"If you want."

It was good enough for Lucius, and he gladly accepted the half-hearted invitation and opened the door.

It shouldn't have come as a surprise that the room was dark, with thick curtains serving their purpose flawlessly, but Lucius still stopped to squint as he opened the door.

"I was just... Wondering if Anthony was here," he said as he looked around. There were no signs of Anthony as far as he could see. Ethan was sitting on his bed, mindlessly braiding his hair while staring into the wall next to him.

Lucius pursed his lips.

"But I guess not, huh?"

"No," Ethan said, refusing to look away from the wall. "He probably ran after Damien."

Even Lucius could hear the bitterness in his voice, and he chewed on his lip while considering his options.

"So, uh..." he began, deciding to postpone his search for Anthony just a bit. "Are you feeling alright?"

"Doesn't matter," Ethan replied. "Unhallowed blights can't feel emotions anyway."

Lucius sucked air through his teeth, grimacing at the immediate response that he assumed had been simmering in Ethan's head for a long time.

Just how long though?

"Listen..." He stepped into the room, hesitating as Ethan's red eyes glared at him. "... Can—Can I sit?"

Ethan looked like he was about to object, but then his face scrunched up as if holding back emotions, and he nodded.

"So, I don't really understand why—" Lucius began, leaving the door open a little in order to see before walking forward but Ethan interrupted him.

"Why are you speaking like that?"

Lucius raised his eyebrows at first, but then remembered he'd relaxed his voice.

"My former gang gave me a good beating. Hit me right over the ear."

"Lie." Ethan's voice had taken on a cold tone eerily close to his father's, and Lucius let out a resigned sigh. Either it was some kind of vampire trait, or he could figure out what had happened from context.

"Damien and Derek set me up. Tried to have me killed by..." He trailed off, pursing his lips as he looked at Ethan, who only stared at him. "... By a vampire."

Ethan frowned.

"... Why? And where is it now?"

Lucius paled.

"It—It didn't, of course. And I didn't hurt it either... But, um... That shifter friend of yours? He wouldn't happen to live here in South Kerilia?"

Ethan finally averted his gaze.

"No, but I'm going to send for him, so he can come pick me up."

"Already?" Lucius tried to think back. "But you just got here, right? And it seems you're not here too often."

"Well, I'm not really welcome here." Ethan looked down at his knees. "The people in this mansion, sure, but... Not by everyone."

"Yeah, that's what I was gonna say at the beginning." Lucius grimaced. "Your father's like, the worst kind of toe-sucker, isn't he? Why would you even care to see him with the way he's treating you?"

Ethan made a face as well, opening his mouth at first but closing it again, taking a moment before replying.

"Well, he's... I don't think he's actually so bad. I know he acts like it, but he was different in the past, and I'm certain a part of that person is still there."

"Eeth, I don't think—"

"Don't call me that."

Lucius pursed his lips. Perhaps it was only a Derek thing, and he could understand why Ethan didn't like it if so.

"Ethan, I don't think you're so oblivious not to notice how he's treating supernatural people." Lucius shook his head, finding it hard to keep his tender, comforting voice intact with the kind of delusional thinking Ethan displayed. "He's openly admitting that he has them killed, just because of some dumb ideology spawned from Dinthia worshippers."

Ethan nodded.

"The Bane Of Blights And Terrors."

Lucius blinked.

"... The what?" Then he repeated the words in his head, realising another question of his had finally been answered. "... The BBT?"

Another nod from Ethan.

"Isn't that all you need though?" Lucius tried to smile. The whole idea of approaching Damien in Ethan's state was suicidal. Even he had to acknowledge that. "Why go near someone who wants you dead?"

"Why hasn't he killed me then?" Ethan insisted, finally meeting Lucius' gaze. "He's had the chance on multiple occasions, but all he ever does is order Derek to rough me up."

"Well..." Lucius couldn't argue with that, he supposed, but it seemed odd. "Maybe Derek just... Fails? I'm gonna assume you don't just stand there and let him beat you? He just doesn't get the opportunity to finish the job?"

Ethan laughed, to Lucius' bewilderment. An empty laugh, but his expression was indeed amused.

"You don't get it," he said. "If Derek wanted me dead, I would be dead."

"That's—"

"Derek is slaughter incarnate. His aim is impeccable. If he takes a shot, or throws a weapon, it will hit exactly what he wants it to. Your only hope to make him 'miss' is if you disrupt his aim a mere second before he fires." Ethan shook his head, amused expression now tinged with terror. "Compared to him, no unholy creature deserves to be called a monster."

Lucius felt goosebumps on his arms, recalling the knives pinning his sleeves to the chair with Derek barely sparing him a glance, and how he'd predicted that shifter vampire's movements enough to aim before it had even reached that spot, and he was supposed to work with that man?

What had he gotten himself into?

"Even you, despite being human, would do well in staying away from him." Ethan scrunched up his nose. "If all that wasn't bad enough, he's got an uncanny talent and affinity for torture, just for the sake of 'fun'."

"Yeah, I..." Lucius' hands were trembling, now remembering Derek's monologue about chest splitters and whatnot. "... So I've heard."

It occurred to him that telling Ethan about his current affiliation with the BBT, not to mention Damien's proposal, seemed like a very bad idea.

"Well if it's only a little comfort, I think you should stay for a while." Lucius shrugged, smiling again. "You still got me, and Tom and Richard, and of course Anthony. Eliza's also able to make friends with just about anyone too, so we could invite her over. And I don't know how much of a high society... Vampire, you are... But Samueli's usually really nice too."

Ethan finally smiled as well, not in a bitter or amused way.

"I'll consider it."

It was good enough for Lucius, so he got up from the bed to find Anthony. Just as he did however, the door flung open and said Anthony barged into the room.

So while Ethan had inherited his father's glare, it seemed Anthony had inherited the inability to knock.

"Ethan! Have you seen Lu—" For some reason he looked unusually dishevelled, and as he spotted Lucius he let out a deep sigh of relief. "Oh, good. I would have talked to you about Da—"

"Oh, the daisies can wait." Lucius waved his hand dismissively, giving Anthony a lowkey threatening look before dragging him along into the corridor. "It's evening anyway so we'll have to buy seedlings tomorrow. We can go in the morning if it's that urgent."

Then he waved to Ethan before closing the door. The latter waved back, but not without a concerned frown.

"What the—" Anthony began but Lucius hushed him, waiting until they'd reached Lucius' room before talking, in case vampires heard better than humans.

"Alright," he said, letting go of Anthony and turning around to face him.

"What daisies?" Anthony wanted to know, looking awfully confused and Lucius noted that he was not nearly as skilled at spotting lies as his brother. "Why are we buying daisies? And to plant? Why?"

"Listen, if I want to pick up gardening then that's my choice, but that's not what's going on." Lucius pointed over his shoulder, lowering his voice. "But I don't think your brother needs to hear about the Damien conversation."

"Oh..." Anthony seemed to understand. "... Well, I would very much like to hear it. Derek dragged me away before I could ask."

"Should have figured." Lucius rolled his eyes, but the knot in his stomach from earlier appeared again, and he drew a deep breath. "So... Where to begin..."

"The conversation wasn't that long."

"Well, other stuff happened..." Lucius scratched his cheek. "But alright. Let's start with some good news..."

Anthony narrowed his eyes, rather appropriately, and Lucius gave him a sheepish smile before continuing.

"So, it seems like if things go in a direction I'd rather not have them, we might see a lot more of each other... Both as Lucius and Lucia."