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Luca knew something was off the second he walked into Damien's headquarters.

The men were tense, their eyes shifting towards him, then away, like they were waiting for something.

Or someone.

And then—

"Oh my, it's been a while, hasn't it, darling?"

Alina.

Luca's jaw clenched as the woman practically glided into view, exuding confidence like it was her second skin.

Dressed in a form-fitting crimson dress, dark waves cascading over her shoulder, she was every bit the princess of chaos he remembered.

And she was standing way too close to Damien.

Luca rolled his eyes. "Ah, great. The cockroach survived."

Alina smirked. "And here I thought you'd miss me."

"Yeah, like I'd miss food poisoning."

A few of the men snickered.

Damien, to his credit, stayed quiet. But Luca could feel the amusement rolling off him.

This man loved watching Luca fight his battles.

Fine.

If Alina wanted a game, she was about to lose.

Alina tilted her head, her red lips curling. "You know, Damien, you never did tell me—what do you even see in him?"

Luca raised an eyebrow. Oh?

Damien's grip on his glass tightened. "Alina."

But Luca stepped forward. "No, no, let her talk. I want to hear this."

Alina's eyes glowed with mischief. "You're cute, Luca. I'll give you that. But a leader's partner should be more than just a pretty face."

Luca's smile was sharp.

"And a leader's ally should be more than just a desperate ex."

The room fell silent.

One of Damien's men coughed awkwardly.

Damien smirked.

Alina, however, wasn't done.

She stepped forward, eyes gleaming. "Tell me, sweetheart—if Damien wasn't here, what power would you have?"

Luca's heart pounded.

Because that was the real question, wasn't it?

Everyone saw him as Damien's sweetheart.

But Luca was so much more.

Luca stepped forward, closing the gap between them.

Alina didn't flinch, but her eyes narrowed.

"Power?" Luca murmured. "You think that's what keeps me here?"

Alina tilted her head. "Isn't it?"

Luca laughed. "Wow, you really don't get it, do you?"

And then—

He leaned in, whispering right against her ear.

"I don't need power to stand by Damien's side."

He pulled back, smirking.

"I just need to be me."

Alina's expression froze.

And Damien?

His gaze softened.

Alina took a slow breath before flipping her hair. "Well," she said smoothly, "I suppose we'll see how long that lasts."

With that, she turned on her heel and walked out.

This time, she knew she lost.

And Luca?

He simply turned to Damien, lips quirking.

"So... I win, right?"

Damien chuckled. "Sweetheart, you obliterated her."

Luca grinned. "Good."

And just like that—

This King had defended his throne.

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