Rebirth: The unfavored Princess is the Tyrant King's favorite-Chapter 153: A chance to make it right

"It’s a long story," Harriet said.

"Make it short then," Luciana pushed, not relenting.

"There’s not much time for us to talk. I need to tell you something. I’ll tell you the long story later. The prince and his men are about to leave, and you must return to your body or stay close to it at least," Harriet said and added inwardly to herself,

’I don’t know if you’d forgive me in the future if you remember everything I’ve done in the past, but give me a chance to make it up to you.’

Luciana turned and saw that James and Amirion were currently with Nick; they looked like they were about to leave. She knew she had little time left, but she also knew she must make a decision.

She watched the woman with a skeptical gaze; how could she trust someone who tried to kill her just a few minutes ago?

"Why now after all these years? Why should I trust you?" Luciana’s tone was calm as she asked this question.

"Because that’s what I owe you all these years for not being a good mother," Harriet said. 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

"What should I do?" Luciana asked, going straight to the point.

"You must go to the kingdom of Zubrekacadesh; everything you need to know about breaking the curse and your magic is there," Harriet said.

"The kingdom of Zubrekacadesh? Why there? I learned they don’t allow outsiders to enter through that land," Luciana said.

"They are expecting you there; it shouldn’t be too difficult to gain access; there’s someone close to you who would aid you, but brace yourself and be strong; things will be different when you wake up, but don’t let it affect you too much. Some things are meant to happen," Harriet said.

Luciana felt the woman’s heavy tone, and her heart quivered; she couldn’t help but feel whatever was about to happen would bring major changes in her life.

"You must return to your body," Harriet said, and in the next moment, Luciana found herself back in that familiar darkness.

But this time, it wasn’t so cold anymore; she felt her body enveloped in a warm embrace, and she didn’t need to be told that Nicholas was holding her in his strong arms.

Harriet saw them leaving and returned to the coiled-up body of the heavily wounded serpent. She hoped she made the right decision in telling her daughter about Zubrekacadesh.

The only problem is that she didn’t tell Luciana everything she needed to know about her destiny in Zubrekacadesh; she hoped she wouldn’t be too overwhelmed by everything she needed to go through.

Harriet knew she shouldn’t have meddled again, but after finding out her daughter’s soul had not vanished into nothingness, she couldn’t continue being oblivious.

She would accept any punishment that came with meddling in her daughter’s life. She must make it up to her daughter; she would correct her previous mistakes before it was too late.

~~~

Meanwhile in the palace, after Luciana said everything she had to say to Second Prince David and left his presence, the prince no longer wanted to stay in the manor he was currently staying at. He had only stayed because of Luciana.

Even though it hurt to admit, David could tell Luciana wasn’t threatened by his brother to say those words to him. She had drawn a clear line between them. He had seen the determination on her face, the determination that stemmed from her years of training as a princess.

How she effortlessly let her soft-spoken words sound stern and full of authority without even trying. She was a true princess, a true empress...his empress.

David knew he should give up, but how could he give up without trying? If Luciana was able to forget everything his brother did to her family and wanted to stay with him, then she would forgive him sooner or later for what he was about to do.

Luciana was naturally kind, and that would be his way to get close to her again. He just needed to apologize and be remorseful enough, and Luciana wouldn’t keep him at arm’s length anymore.

"Get out of my way," David said sternly to Adam.

"I’m sorry, Your Highness, you can punish me later, but for now, you can only wait for the eldest prince to arrive before you leave. Please don’t put me in a difficult situation," Adam said respectfully.

"Who do you think you are to keep me here against my will? Do you think you are qualified? I dare you to stand in my way again and see how I throw you into the dungeons and make you face your worst nightmare. Even your precious prince wouldn’t be able to save you from my wrath," David said and began to approach the door again.

This time, Adam did not try to stop him, and he sneered.

"I guess you still have some brains left."

Second, Prince David left and made his way to his estate, trying to avoid being seen by the servants and maids. For his plan to work, he was going to use Nicholas’ words to his benefit.

Since Nicholas had already told his father, the emperor, that he was out of the capital, then he would corroborate his story.

~~~

When Eric, Second Prince David’s right-hand man, saw David returning to his estate looking like he had been attacked by assassins and had barely survived after treating his wounds, his heart jumped to his throat as he approached his prince.

"Your Highness, thank heavens you returned; I was so worried. You told me to prepare a carriage, but I didn’t know you wanted to leave the palace alone. Why did you leave without me? You didn’t even take the carriage too," Eric said.

David’s mind went to all the preparations he had made to help Luciana escape.

He had prepared a normal carriage that wouldn’t draw too much attention and could take Luciana away from the palace to a little house he had bought for her outside the capital.

He had planned to let Luciana go first, and then he’d later go and visit her, knowing it would seem suspicious if they both disappeared together. He had planned to let her stay there under a new identity until he finally took over from his father and became the emperor.

He would then publicly make her his empress.

But alas, wishes were not horses; Luciana had decided to stay with his brother.

He didn’t want to believe that Luciana had fallen in love with his brother. No, he wouldn’t to admit it; what he saw in Luciana’s eyes wasn’t love for his brother; it was acceptance; she had accepted her fate.