{A long chapter and smut at the end :) }

The grand dining hall was alive with quiet activity as the maids and cooks meticulously arranged the table, placing silverware, crystal glasses, and a spread of delectable dishes with precision. The long, polished table gleamed under the soft glow of the chandeliers, reflecting the careful attention to detail that had gone into preparing for the evening.

Amara stood at one end of the table, her eyes scanning the arrangements. She was known for her meticulous nature, ensuring every detail was perfect. As she adjusted the position of a floral centerpiece, Lucian approached her, his footsteps nearly silent on the marble floor.

"Everything looks beautiful," he murmured, standing close to her.

Amara smiled, a light laugh escaping her lips as she continued her work. "I just want it to be perfect for Elara. It's her special night."

Lucian's gaze softened as he watched her. "It will be because you've seen to it."

She glanced up at him, a playful glint in her eyes. "You're just saying that because you're biased."

"Perhaps," Lucian admitted, a rare, gentle smile curving his lips, a sight that was a privilege for only one person in the entire kingdom. He reached out, lightly brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "But it's true."

Amara felt warmth spread through her at his touch, and she giggled softly. "You've become quite the charmer, Your Majesty."

Lucian chuckled, his deep voice a comforting sound. "Only for you, my Queen."

Their light-hearted exchange didn't go unnoticed by the maids, who exchanged amused glances as they worked. It was no secret among the staff that their leader, known for his stern and unyielding demeanor, reserved his smiles and laughter for one person alone—Amara. The sight of their king, so tender and open with his queen, was something that brought a quiet joy to those who served them.

As they continued their gentle banter, Amara caught sight of one of the cooks carefully placing a platter of her favorite dish on the table. "Oh, they remembered!" she exclaimed softly, turning to Lucian with delight. "The roasted duck! Elara loves it."

Lucian nodded, his smile widening just a fraction. "I made sure of it. Anything for you and Elara."

Amara's heart swelled with affection, and she leaned into him slightly. "You're too good to us."

He simply shrugged, his hand resting on the small of her back. "It's only right that the ones I love have the best."

Their conversation was interrupted by the head maid approaching, bowing slightly. "Your Majesties, everything is ready. The guests will be arriving shortly."

Amara nodded in approval. "Thank you, Maria. Everything looks perfect."

The atmosphere in the dining hall was light, filled with congratulatory remarks for Elara, Lucian's step sister, and her engagement. Lucian's arm was wrapped protectively around Amara's waist, a small smile playing on his lips as he watched his youngest step-sister's excitement. The table was filled with conversation about wedding planning—colors, flowers, and who would stand as bridesmaids.

"I think the ceremony could be in the garden," Amara suggested softly, her voice warm. "The view at sunset would be breathtaking."

Elara beamed at the idea. "I love that! It would be so beautiful but I've been thinking of a spring wedding, with lavenders and white roses everywhere. What do you think, Mother?"

Her mother, Alexandra nodded with a forced smile. "That sounds lovely, dear. A royal wedding should be nothing short of perfect."

William chuckled. "And we mustn't forget the guest list. It'll be the talk of the kingdom."

Her husband smiled at his sister. "Whatever you choose, Elara, it'll be beautiful. You deserve nothing less."

Amara leaned in, offering a small idea. "Perhaps you could add a touch of lilac. It would complement the lavender beautifully."

The conversation flowed nicely, and weirdly enough Alexandra was also giving her suggestions. Amara had thought that she wouldn't talk much because of her but that wasn't what she expected. 

Moments later, a guard entered the huge hall before bowing at the King and Queen as Evander and Livia rolled their eyes. "Your majesty, Prince Landon has called you. He needs a few minutes of your time," the man spoke professionally as Lucian nodded, standing up. 

"I'll be back," he announced as he put on his rhinestone coat before he left the room, he leaned down to give his wife a brief, loving kiss, which only served to stoke Livia's envy further.

With Lucian gone, the dynamic shifted subtly. Alexandra and Livia, who had been masking their disdain for Amara, now saw an opportunity. Livia's smile was thin and insincere as she looked at Amara. "So, Amara, how does it feel to be living in a castle now? Quite the change from...well, your previous station." Her tone was taunting, the words laced with venom.

Amara, though initially taken aback, maintained her composure. "It's been an adjustment, but Lucian has made it easier."

Livia's eyes narrowed. "I'm sure he has. But tell me, do you really think you belong here, among royalty? You were a maid, after all. Can someone like you truly understand what it means to be a queen?"

The room grew tense as she processed the insult. Her fury began to simmer, but she remained poised. "Whether or not I belong isn't for you to decide, Livia. I'm Lucian's wife, and that alone is enough."

Evander, who had been silently enjoying his wife's taunts, couldn't resist adding fuel to the fire. "Livia's just speaking the truth, Amara. You were a maid—what could you possibly know about ruling a kingdom?"

Amara's temper flared as she responded, her voice firm. "It's not your place to question me. You may not respect me, but you will respect the position I hold as Queen. Insulting me in front of everyone is not only disrespectful to me, but to Lucian as well."

Alexandra, who had been silently observing, finally spoke up. "Lucian's always been too soft when it comes to you. You should be grateful he accepted you at all. He's the king, and you should know your place."

Elara, unable to stay quiet any longer, jumped to Amara's defence. "Mother, that's enough. Livia, Evander, this is beyond disrespectful. Amara has done nothing to deserve this."

Livia shot Elara a glare, but before she could retort, Lucian re-entered the room. The sight that met him was a clear indication that something was wrong. Amara's tense posture, the anger in her eyes, and the silence that had settled over the room told him everything he needed to know.

"What's going on here?" Lucian's voice was calm, but there was an edge to it as he walked toward Amara, standing beside her while he addressed the room.

"We just decided to discuss how well Amara is taking in everything since she wasn't used to all of this and she is being a bit of a dramatic brother. Nothing much," Evander spoke nonchalantly, his face having a nasty smirk as he took a sip of his wine. 

Amara stared at her brother-in-law in anger, her eyes holding nothing but fury and disbelief. "How dare you? You questioned my position as a Queen and now you're calling me dramatic?" she spat at him as she stood up and glared at him. 

"Is that so?" Lucian asked as his jaw clenched, and his gaze hardened, radiating fury, each second of his stare sharper than the last. "That's how you talk to my wife?" 

Evander sneered. "You're blinded, brother. By love, by her. And it's making you weak."

"Enough!" Lucian's voice thundered through the hall, silencing everyone. His eyes were like ice as they bore into Evander. "You forget your place, Evander. Amara is not just my wife; she is your Queen. And I will not tolerate such insolence. But if you think otherwise, you can take it up with me directly."

His stepbrother stood up, approaching him. From inside, he was trembling, but he didn't show it. "Maybe I will." 

The tension in the room thickened as Lucian's icy gaze locked onto Evander, his patience finally snapping. Without warning, Lucian's fist flew through the air, crashing against his brother's jaw with a sickening thud. Gasps erupted from everyone around the table as Evander staggered back, stunned, before retaliating with a clumsy swing that Lucian easily dodged. 

In a blur of fury, Lucian tackled him to the ground, fists hammering down with relentless force. Each punch landed with a brutal crack, Evander's face quickly bruising beneath the onslaught. Lucian's voice, cold and menacing, cut through the chaos, "Never cross my wrath, Evander. And never disrespect my wife!"

Evander struggled beneath him, but Lucian was relentless, his powerful blows connecting one after another. Evander grunted in pain, helpless under the barrage, while everyone yelled for Lucian to stop.

"Lucian! Stop!" Amara's voice broke through the madness, panic lacing her words. She tugged at his arm, trying to pull him away. The others joined in, pleading for him to stop, but his fury was unyielding.

With one final punch, Lucian delivered a crushing blow to Evander's face before standing up, chest heaving. Evander groaned as he sat up, blood smeared across his mouth and nose, glaring at Lucian with raw hatred. Livia, wide-eyed and pale, hurried to her husband's side, clutching him protectively as she looked up at Lucian in horror.

Silence fell over the room, the weight of the moment suffocating. Alexandra, her face twisted with anger, pointed at Amara. "This is all your fault! You're the reason my sons fought. Is this what you wanted? To divide this family?"

Lucian's eyes darkened as he whipped around to face his mother, his voice dangerously low. "Don't you dare speak to her like that!" His voice dropped to a deadly growl, "I'll fucking murder anyone who talks shit about my wife."

The room froze at his words, his threat hanging heavy in the air. He advanced on Alexandra, anger blazing in his eyes, "The only reason I have respected you is because you were my father's wife, the man I loved more than anything. And Evander," his eyes flicked briefly to his brother, "was my younger brother. But don't think for a second that gives you the right to insult my Queen."

"Oh and by the way, you ruined Elara's engagement which was the important theme of the day," he raged out as he shook his head with disappointment. 

Grabbing Amara's hand, he turned sharply, pulling her along as they stormed out of the room, leaving the stunned silence behind. Alexandra's face was a mixture of shock and rage, while Evander sat in a dazed heap, nursing his wounds.

As they reached the door, Lucian didn't look back, but Elara, watching everything unfold with wide eyes, smiled quietly, proud of her brother for standing his ground.

Several guards stood outside the hall and bowed to both of them. "Evander and his wife are inside along with my mother. Tell them to leave immediately and guide my sister and her fiancé to one of the grand guestrooms," he ordered them as they nodded and immediately got to work. 

Finally reaching inside their chambers, Lucian went straight towards the shower to cool his anger, and Amara was left with her thoughts. 

He looked so hot, so possessive in her eyes, the way he would stand up for her and keep her safe made her feel grateful and .... horny. 

She bit her lips as she approached the bathroom door, clicking it open, her eyes wandered to the steamy glass walls of the shower where a naked Lucian stood with his eyes closed. The water ran down his body as his muscular back was toward her. 

Slowly, she took off her gold dress, placing it on the bathroom hangers as she was in her bra and panties now. Smirking, Amara made her way to him and crept the glass door open quietly so he wouldn't notice. And he didn't, he hadn't realized she had entered. 

She gently hugged his back as he flinched from the sudden touch. Glancing down he saw her arms wrapped around his waist as he sighed and placed her hands on his. "I couldn't resist seeing you naked." 

He smiled and pulled her in front of her as he watched her in her black lacy bra. "Mhm, is that so baby?" 

She bit her lip seductively, roaming her hands on his 8-pack abs. "Yeah, I can see you're tense. I can make you forget Evander's bullshit if you want," Amara leaned closer, her breath warm against his ear as she whispered, the sound teasing, dripping with temptation and laced with desire.

Lucian groaned feeling her hands moving lower towards his dick as it hardened because of her and her body before he held them, stopping her. "You are playing with fire right now baby, you really want to do this?" 

"Yes, Luce I want to, now let me," she whispered breathily as she smiled, moving her hands onto his shoulders. 

Amara gently cupped his face, her touch soft and reassuring. She kissed him slowly, patiently, coaxing him to relax, her lips brushing his with a tenderness that gradually softened his resistance. His rigid stance faltered as her warmth seeped through, her gentle affection melting away the tension until he surrendered, deepening the kiss with need and vulnerability.

A husky moan escaped his lips as her hands worked their way to his dick, stroking him the way he definitely wanted. 

She sat down on her knees and licked his pre-cum as he exhaled loudly, clearly enjoying everything. "Fuck baby, your mouth is the best," he husked, his voice deeper than ever as she sucked him, one of her hands holding his dick and the other on his toned thigh. 

His hand raked her hair, pulling it into a ponytail as she took him in fully, his huge dick hitting her throat, making her pant loudly. 

"Mm baby, keep going. I really needed this," Lucian rasped, his hands pushing her mouth even more harshly on his dick. 

Amara looked up at him with her wet lashes smirking with the way she had all her control over him. Before she could do more, he pulled her back up and turned her around, kissing her again. 

"I'm going to fuck you so hard baby," he said as he spun her around, her hands were placed on the wall while her ass was at his mercy. 

A shaky whisper left her lips when his pulsating hard dick entered her ass, making her bite her lips as arousal ran down her legs with the water running down her body. 

His hips rocked her over and over again as one of his hands held her neck. "Mmm baby, don't stop," she whimpered as a needy shaky breath escaped her, his dick destroying her insides. 

"The night is going to be long for you, my Queen." 

A/N

This wasn't as good as I thought it would be tbh. Anyways, hope you enjoyed!

xoxo

-lily