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Severin hesitated "It is for Elle"

"The intruder?"

"Yes"

"So you’re sending her home soon?"

"I’m not certain," Severin confessed

Lucien cocked his head "What do you mean?"

"Duval tells me she will be able to safely travel in a feeeks," Severin said

"I see," Lucien said, looking at Severin’s supply list "Well, then, I’ll have one of et a pony"

"Thank you," Severin said

"My pleasure" Lucien hesitated "So, how does this girl act around you?"

"She is not falling in love with me"

Lucien scowled and looked away "It’s the least she could do after you’ve housed her for so long," he grue such affections in her?"

"No"

"Why not?"

Severin sighed and pushed the reports aside "Because it’s not going to work It didn’t work the last three ti and crushing experiences"

Lucien stared at Severin "You want to stay a beast, don’t you?"

"I don’t want to I--,"

"But you plan on it," Lucien said "Because then you never need to worry that so than ht feel like they are more worthy than my heirs"

Severin was silent

Lucien slammed his fist on the table "Severin, I’ve told you before, if people think you’re better than iving yourself a shadow of a life because you won’t forgive yourself for being illegitie the fact that I an," Severin said

"But you’re not!" Lucien exploded, standing up so fast he sent his chair clattering to the ground "Perhaps if you weren’t so blasted honorable and if we hated each other it would be true, but you are my closest companion Severin, in case you haven’t realized it I can’t rule without you Everyone knows that except for you!"

"You are a perfectly capable leader, all you need is the occasional bit of guidance," Severin said as a servant scraht Lucien’s chair