Married To The Enemy Kingdom's Illegitimate Prince-Chapter 51 — How Can She Lift a Sword?

"My husband is such a bad liar. He says he trusts me yet sends people to investigate my room when I’m not there. Isn’t that rude, Your Highness?" Cynthia demanded.

Her voice sounded unbothered by the presence of the strange lady in her husband’s study room.

She acted as if she hadn’t noticed to avoid the awkwardness but Fiona let out a soft cough, catching the grand duchess’ attention.

"Ah. Why don’t you keep quiet, Fiona?" Cynthia thought but kept the words stuck to her throat, forcing a brighter smile.

She felt as if her lips would tear apart but she couldn’t show her real feelings; she wanted to destroy her but she needed to act well in front of Lucian or the little trust she had gained would disappear, once again.

The sense of unfairness washed over Cynthia. She had to work hard to gain his trust while others could enjoy his kindness without even having to put much effort into their relationship with Lucian.

"Who is this young lady?" She grinned but her fury was evident in her voice.

"She is... a friend," Lucian hesitantly said.

He felt as if he was caught doing something wrong by his wife for an odd reason.

"A friend. Can we have a talk in private, Your Highness? Unless, you are too busy with this young lady."

"O-oh, of course. Fiona, you can leave," Lucian ordered.

The red-haired woman nodded hesitantly, not wanting to leave just yet. She stepped forward Cynthia, examining the silver-haired young woman standing before her. She was taller although they were almost the same height. Her waist looked thinner, and her neck looked slightly thinner. Even Fiona’s hands could easily wrap it.

"You aren’t leaving?" Cynthia asked, feeling the intense pressure from Fiona’s gaze who was clearly examining her every bone if possible.

"Y-Yes," Fiona stammered, feeling as if caught by the grand duchess. She bowed to the couple before exiting the hall and closing the door behind her, knowing the couple would want some privacy.

"That damned woman," she muttered, clenching her fist.

***

"What brings you here," Lucian’s voice broke the silence that had been hovering, making the air around them heavy.

It had been a few minutes since Fiona left yet the grand duchess hasn’t said a word. She simply took a seat and kept staring at the desk.

"Ah," Lucian gasped, understanding why her gaze was fixed in the table— her books, swords and other few belongings were place there.

"It is not what you think. One of my— subordinates mistakenly took these," Lucian tried to explain yet he felt short of words.

She wouldn’t believe it. It’s obviously a lie.

"Oh! I see. Then, I’ll take them back," Cynthia grinned at him, causing Lucian to flinch.

Did she really believe that obvious lie? He didn’t remember her being that dumb. She was smarter than most noble ladies. She was mean, shameless, evil— but not stupid.

Although baffled by her reply, Lucian nodded, gesturing to her to take them.

"Then, I’ll take my leave," she rose from her seat carrying the pile of books in her hands while she held two swords downwards with my hands.

"So she can lift them, after all." Lucian thought, surprised.

"Let me let you a hand," the dark-haired man reached his hands her way, placing his hands on the books.

"Hold the swords," Cynthia firmly stated, clenching her grip around the books. She couldn’t let him see more than he might have already seen. It would be bad news for her, and for her revenge.

"A-alright," Lucian took the two swords and walked forward.

He opened the door, following the ethiquets he learned and which nobles loved to follow. He couldn’t show his ’lowly’ side to her. He couldn’t be a mocking subject to her, as well.

Cynthia walked through the exit, followed by the taller manly figure.

"Your Highness, why don’t you walk beside me?" She asked.

His large silhouette behind her made her uncomfortable. Even if he trusted her a little, distrusted her a little less than before, she, on the other hand, still couldn’t trust the man behind her.

After all, just a few days ago, he threatened to ruin her life. Was a simple secret between them enough to drop the swords they held at each other’s throats?

On that night, Lucian and Cynthia had come to term with two deals.

First, he would trust her and she would also trust him in his decisions and not interrupt him. Her authority would be only exclusive to the mansion and his, would be about the other matters.

Secondly, they would both keep their magic powers a secret until they could both master it. After all, it was hard to learn magic after the age of twenty as they mostly start to develop them in their teenage years.

But were these two agreements enough to put their blind trust into their respective enemy?

Of course not!

Lucian stepped faster and walked beside Cynthia. There were many question racing in his mind but he couldn’t ask any of them.

How could she left these heavy swords on her own with her frail-looking hands? His gaze shifted toward her hands holding the books. They were slightly tanned than her pale face, and a few veins could be visible which he hadn’t noticed before.

Ah. Maybe her hands weren’t that frail looking.

He remarked, scanning them carefully.

Then, he pondered about the books she heard. Why would she read about human emotions?

Did she want to study how to keep a good complexion in front of those nobles who would bark at you no matter what you do just because you are from the royal family? Or... for some other reason I can’t think of?

Although his mind wandered around for a while, he couldn’t come up with any other thoughts. His mind filled with questions about Cynthia, and he dared not ask her. Showing any sort of interest towards her might cause her to misunderstand.

Just because he told her he will trust her, she had started to visit him to have breakfast, lunch or dinner together. Lucian despised the idea. Even if he decided to give her a chance, he did not accept her as his wife. And the sight of her still boiled his blood... but... something was different although he couldn’t identify it.

"We’ve arrived," Cynthia’s voice brought Lucian back from his thoughts.

"Oh."

The walk suddenly felt too brief, and it seemed not even half a second passed since he walked beside her.

Cynthia asked the guards standing in front of her room to open the doors.

Once they had done so, she entered her bedroom. She reached towards the table and placed her books there, exhaling deeply. Everything was safe and it seemed Lucian hadn’t seen any of it yet nor gone through them.

"I’ll place them here," Lucian who had followed her said, putting the swords on the table as well.

"Thank you," Cynthia smiled softly.

For once, Lucian felt her smile was genuine compared to the other fake ones. He nodded, returning the smile, his sharp gaze softening.

Ah, he is looking at me. And not with contempt? That’s a surprise, Your Highness.

Cynthia lowered her gaze, shifting her face towards the desk.

"You can leave now."

"Right," Lucian nodded, and turned his steps, heading towards the exit.

Cynthia clenched the edge of the desk tightly, not looking back. She wanted to stop him desperately but she knew she couldn’t.

She should not.

His kindness was not exclusive to her.

He was kind to everyone— whereas she just happened to be his enemy.

An enemy who would constantly lose her temper and who was unable to express herself.

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