Married To The Enemy Kingdom's Illegitimate Prince-Chapter 124 — Unknown Truth?

In Lucian’s study hall, the sunlight broke through the thin curtains, lightening up the room. On the chairs facing each other separated by a desk with a pile of organized documents, Lilith and Lucian sat, exchanging silent eye contact.

After a long moment of silence, Lilith inhaled before starting.

"That woman earlier... She was your wife, am I right?"

"That’s not quite polite. Call her grand duchess," Lucian’s gaze sharpened, his voice low yet firm.

With a dry scoff, Lilith raised an eyebrow.

"Did you not hate her, her kingdom and everything related to it? Why the sudden change of tone with me, Lyon?"

"I thought I told you to not use that name, Lilith. Come to the point," Lucian leaned against his chair, his arms crossed, growing impatient as he waited.

She did not disclose the reason behind her sudden request to visit the estate, leaving him wondering all this time. It was short notice, and he barely had the time to inform Cynthia about it.

"She seemed... upset," he mumbled, the sight of her furrowed complexion flashing before his eyes.

"Well, as you instructed me last time we met, I kept a close eye on the king with the help of a few people I know at the palace. And you know what? He is preparing big this time."

"Preparing what?"

"Your death. You won’t even realize how he’ll serve it on a plate decorated with roses, as if it’s a gift, while you fail to see the thorns hidden beneath the petals," the young woman paused before mumbling, "Nobles..."

"And... how will he do that?"

"He mentioned some mission where you will go at the border. And the Eldorians will misunderstand you as someone who wants to attack their land, resulting in another war. Only, this time, he wouldn’t support you with men and arms."

Lucian scoffed, placing his hands on the desk, leaning closer to Lilith, locking gaze with her.

"It seems my wife is a... I am unsure what they call it but someone who sees the future for sure."

The blonde woman looked at him, perplexed.

"She had already warned me about it and I have just returned from that mission you are talking about."

Lilith gasped, covering her mouth.

"I... Was I late this time?"

Lucian nodded softly.

"I appreciate it. You travelled quite far for this information I’m certain."

"Do you..." Lilith hesitated.

"Yes?"

"Do you still not want to rebel against him? I mean... he wants to kill you! Not only did he abuse and neglect you as a child, but he also took your eye in the name of some stupid punishment! Your mother would never want you to tolerate abuse. She would want you to fight it," Lilith said, her clenched fists trembling as her jaw tightened.

Lucian’s gaze dropped, his voice low but heavy. "But she isn’t here. She isn’t here to tell me if I should rebel or keep her promise. How can I break it?... I simply don’t want to disappoint her..." His breath quickened slightly, betraying the emotions he worked so hard to suppress.

"Calm down," Lilith said firmly, though her tone softened. "It seems you still get agitated whenever that event is mentioned. You’re lucky I had even basic knowledge of how to tend to such wounds. And that bastard of a king—he somehow had the gall to send a mage to ’heal’ your eye, as if that would fix anything."

"About my eyes..." Lucian hesitated, his hand briefly touching his left eye. "It seems the original is returning. I can feel it. The pain—burns through my chest as well. But I’ve managed to make a potion that keeps this emerald eye stable, at least for now."

Lilith’s brow furrowed, her sharp gaze locking onto his. fгeewebnovёl.com

"Returning? Are you sure? That doesn’t sound like ordinary healing magic..."

Lucian nodded, his tone grim. "It’s not. Whatever they did to me, it wasn’t normal. The potion helps dull the symptoms, but it won’t hold forever. And I am not sure but it occurs more often now. Before the potion would last twelve hours however, now, it changes almost every four hours."

"Do you want me to find a good physician? He might be able to help."

"I am thinking I should ask the grand duchess. She has awakened healing powers after all."

"Do you trust her?" Lilith asked, almost repulsed at her question by how absurd it sounded.

But seeing a soft smile on Lucian’s face, she frowned, shaking her head in disagreement.

"Seems too dangerous to me."

"Well... I believe I have learned to play with danger at this age."

The knock on the door interrupted their conversation. With a cough to clear his throat, Lucian permitted the person to enter the room.

"Lunch has been served, Your Highness."

"Is the grand duchess coming as well?"

"I am afraid no... I have asked her if she wished to eat but she refused," the servant hesitantly replied.

"Prepare food for both of us and bring it to her bedchamber. Oh, and serve this lady at the dining table meaning," Lucian rose from his seat, exiting the study room, leaving Lilith confused by his caring behaviour.

"Wasn’t he a cold man? What has the princess of Eldoria done to him?" She snorted, unable to believe what she was witnessing.

***

Arriving before Cynthia’s bed-chamber, Lucina inhaled deeply, almost nervous to face her. He didn’t know why she seemed mad earlier but he needed to clear any possible misunderstands.

He raised his hand, knocking carefully on the door, making sure the sound wouldn’t be too aggressive.

"What is it?! I said I don’t want any meals! I will notify–"

"It’s me, Lucian," the dark-haired man interrupted, slowly creaking the door open.

Cynthia was sitting at the corner of the room at her desk, holding her quill. She glanced at the person entering her room before she allowed it only to shift her gaze back on the paper in front of her.

Lucian stepped closer, examining her closely without speaking for a moment.

The frown on her face clearly indicated she was mad.

"You seem very upset about something, Your Highness," he finally said, pulling the chair in front of her and sitting on it.

"Me? Why would I be?" Her voice filled with a lingering anger she tried to mask with a smile.

But she failed to fool Lucian who had learned to distinguish between her real and fake complexions.

"You can tell me honestly. Is it because I invited someone without asking you? I apologize. It was an urgent request and I barely found the time to have a proper conversation with you."

Ignoring everything he said, Cynthia simply demanded.

"Are you going to divorce me?" Her voice slightly above a whisper, she dropped the quill on the paper, the ink staining her flawless calligraphy.

"What nonsense are you spouting?" Lucian let out a dry laugh, his pulse quickening.

He was unable to understand why she came up with an absurd question.

Unless he is planning to leave... It’s not the first time she talked about such things...

Lucian pondered, his gaze focused on Cynthia.

"I mean... Why else would you bring a woman to your estate, Your Highness? Should I bring a man as well so it will only be fair?" She snorted mockingly.

Lucian clenched his fists, the thought of Cynthia even being near another man and even showing a little affection to him ran his blood cold.

"Why are you saying such a thing? Her and I are nothing like you think," he explained.

"Really? Isn’t she the woman you met when you went to that inn? Be honest, Your Highness, you are no better than any other man— a cheater. And I hate cheaters above everything," she gritted between her teeth trying to control her anger.

She couldn’t ruin her plans over such a trivial matter. However, if he brought up divorce before the annual banquet, her whole plan could flop. The thought alone sent chills down her spine.

"It is not like that... She is a friend of mine," Lucian sighed.

He never explained himself to anyone, making it harder for him to understand why she was making it a big issue.

Perhaps if he had grown up with his parents by his side, he would have been able to understand how marriage worked. Or if he had more friends he would spend time with instead of fighting constantly, he could have known how to convey his true feelings to someone else.

"A friend?" Cynthia frowned, unable to believe what she had just heard.

But... didn’t they sleep together in the past?... That’s what Elise and everyone told me!

She mused, lost in thoughts.

"Yes. I met her during the battlefield and we have been exchanging letters sometimes. I recruited her to do some work for me as well. It is nothing like... cheating. I... I would never cheat on you," he hesitated but gently held a lock of her hair, looking intensely into her eyes.

Almost as if he loves me.

She snorted inwardly.

Him? Loving someone? Impossible!

"Your Highness, you must truly love me," Lucian smiled gently, placing his hands on her cheeks as he pressed a soft peck on her lips.

Cynthia’s eyes widened, shocked by his actions. Her heart raced as she tried to understand what was going on but failed.

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