Under the Veil I Rule
Chapter 80

Beside the flower bed, Lucian, dressed in his princely attire, slowly walked towards the woman clad in a plain gown. His eyes were fixated on her.

He lifted his long fingers, seemingly intending to touch the woman's hand, but she stepped back and softly said, "Your Grace, please restrain yourself."

"Cut! Cut! Cut!"

At that moment, Cedric jumped out from behind the camera and yelled, "Lucian! Your expression is way too fierce. Remember, she's the woman you love, not your arch-nemesis! What's going on with you today?"

An awkward silence fell over the set. Lucian's face was tense, Liliana looked uncomfortable, and everyone else didn't say a word.

Another take ruined. Just then, Finnian arrived, and Cedric announced, "Alright, let's take a break. Everyone, gather your thoughts! If this doesn't work, we'll shoot the next scene."

With that, everyone dispersed. Liliana, holding up her long dress, approached Finnian, looking rather aggrieved.

She looped her arm through Finnian's and said, "Finn, I'm exhausted. We did that scene over ten times and still haven't succeed. Lucian kept giving me this hostile look. You'd think he had something against me."

Liliana was just venting a little, not expecting Lucian to overhear her. He walked over to her and Finnian, his expression icy as he claimed, "You're right. I do loathe you."

Liliana was rendered speechless.

Everyone on set, all seasoned adults familiar with the drama of showbiz, was taken aback by Lucian's bluntness. They turned to look at him in surprise.

"Why do you loathe me?" Liliana asked, momentarily stunned.

Lucian's handsome face was cold. "Because you keep picking on Amara."

As soon as he said it, a hush fell over the set. A dozen of onlookers cast glances their way, their eyes gleaming with curiosity and gossip. Amara, who was nearby, felt her heart jolt.

Finnian's expression darkened as he glared at Lucian and uttered, "What's your relationship with Amara?"

Seeing Lucian reminded Finnian of the time Amara gave this guy a bag, the half-eaten spread on the table, and the awkward experience of him being stuck in a closet.

He supposed that Amara's so-called actor friend was this Lucian, a young guy with guts. Did he care a lot about Amara?

"Ama and I are friends."

Lucian knew Amara always saw him as a younger brother, but he never treated her like a sister. Maybe it was because Amara lived such a stifled life; he couldn't help but feel protective of her.

"Friends," Finnian repeated, his tone a bit menacing.

He was a few inches taller than Lucian, and they practically met eye to eye one exuding authority and the other an icy aloofness. The tension between them was palpable to the people around.

Sensing the escalating situation, Liliana clutched her stomach and leaned into Finnian. "Honey, my stomach hurts."

Finnian frowned, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. "What's wrong?"

"I don't know, it just hurts a little."

As the couple embraced openly in front of everyone, with Liliana shamelessly calling him "honey", Lucian's gaze turned even darker.

Coming from a humble background, Lucian owed his current success to Amara. If she hadn't discovered him and recommended him twice, he might still be an extra with no name, or perhaps he would have left the industry and sought another occupation altogether.