TAPGB - Chapter 35
The Abandoned Prince's Ghost Bride
Crack! Crack! Crack!
The two wooden swords exchanged hands with each other along with a lively rhythm.
Two boys of the same age were sparring. Among commoners, it was rare for children to learn swordsmanship in earnest, so the village children gathered together to watch their sparring.
Among the children gathered, there was a strangely high proportion of girls. Even though it was swordsmanship and there was nothing to be interested in, the girl's eyes were bright.
"Dio is so cool."
"He was a total kid two years ago, but when did he change like that?"
"Hmph, Dio was always cool, right? Whenever I hate him for being like a child."
"My, when did I do that!"
They couldn't take their eyes off Dio, who was sweating and smiling brightly.
"I thought Lucian was cooler than Dio."
"That's right. Look at that face. It's my first time seeing someone so handsome."
Even the girls who followed Dio couldn't deny that. While Dio was a handsome boy with healthy tanned skin and a mischievous look, Lucian was a handsome boy with white skin and the appearance of a nobleman.
In addition, he didn't talk to anyone other than Dio, creating a mysterious atmosphere. The girls' faces melted because the only chance to see Lucian smiling was during his sword sparring with Dio.
"Hmph, what's cool about looking like a bitch?"
At that time, a boy watching next to them grumbled. The girls who heard his words opened their eyes and glared at him.
"How dare you call Lucian a bitch!"
"How many times cooler is our Lucian than you who are arguing on a random day?"
"You say such nonsense because you're jealous for no reason."
The boy blushed and trembled at the fierce criticism. Just then, the swordsmanship training that had lasted for quite a long time came to an end.
Crack!
Dio lost the sword he was holding. Dio sat down when he saw Lucian's wooden sword pointed at him.
"Ahh! How can you not have one!"
"Thank you for the compliment."
"... You seem to be getting more and more sly. Who are you? Is this the Lucian I know?"
When Dio opened his eyes like a flounder, Lucian burst out laughing. Flowers bloomed in the girls' hearts at the sound of his bright laughter.
Wow! Lucian! Look here!
Let's talk with us too!
Sure enough, some girls who were passionate about Lucian started screaming. Lucian smiled shyly after seeing that, and Dio stood up with a look of disgust in his eyes.
"Why does it seem like it's increased more than last time?"
"It will be difficult to spar here from now on."
"Do I have to find a new location again? I'm just asking the guys here to use it."
The place Dio and Lucian were using was a small training hall used by the security forces. The other day, while they were having a sword sparring session in a small vacant lot, more and more kids started coming in, and eventually, the girls started fighting over Dio and Lucian, so they had to move it here.
But now it seems difficult to train here.
Dio knew that the biggest reason why the number of girls expressing interest in him increased was because of the guy next to him. Even a cursory glance at Lucian shows that he is different from ordinary kids.
With consistent training, his body has become stronger than his peers, his height has grown significantly compared to when they first met, and his face is so handsome that even adults whisper about it.
He doesn't think he's an ugly person, but when Dio is next to Lucian, he feels like he's becoming ordinary.
"Seeing how much you have grown in just two years, you are quite amazing. When I first met you, you were shorter than me."
"Huh? What are you talking about?"
"Nothing. Oh my, it's hot! Is there anything cool?"
"Hot? I have a drink that Leah gave me. Would you like me to give it to you?"
"It's perfect!"
Dio's eyes sparkled. He couldn't hide his excitement and drank the juice Lucian had given him.
"Nice! Delicious! Of course, anything Leah makes is delicious."
"I'll bring more later."
Whenever Lucian went down to the village, he would pack plenty of food for him to share with Dio.
"This is also Leah's own work. Leah has developed a new recipe this time."
As Lucian continued talking about her, bringing out cookies and beef jerky in addition to drinks, Dio, who was watching, spoke.
"If I look at you, you really like Leah."
"Huh?"
"Even though it's an arranged marriage, you still like her that much? Every time we meet, you say Leah, Leah, so I'm curious too."
"Did I do that?"
As Lucian blushed and said he was embarrassed, Dio chewed on Leah's beef jerky.
"Well, that's enough. What can I expect from a guy who doesn't even invite me to his house?"
"I said I had a reason for that..."
"Okay, what is the reason I can't even talk to my only friend?"
In fact, Dio was upset. Because Lucian never invited him to his house. He just refuses every time just because Leah doesn't like it.
A year ago, Dio had a big fight with him because he wouldn't invite him to his house.
They could have almost broken off relations forever, but Lucian reached out first, and they reconciled again and became close friends. Dio promised himself he would never do something like that again, but Dio couldn't overcome the feeling of regret that came up every now and then.
Dio also realized that his words were harsh and apologized to Lucian.
"I'm sorry, I was just upset. Tell Leah it's delicious."
"...Huh."
Dio felt uneasy when he saw Lucian smiling lonelyly. So Dio pretended nothing was wrong and played pranks on Lucian as usual.
The season when the sun is scorching hot. Two years have passed since the day Lucian stayed at the haunted mansion, and he has already turned 10 years old. As the evening sun began to set, Lucian returned to the mansion. But on the way back, someone followed him.
When Lucian glanced back, he saw girls who wanted to become friends with him. He didn't know if they had something to say or if they were trying to find out about his house, but Lucian couldn't let them follow him any longer.
"Hmm."
Lucian stopped on the spot. Then the girls who were awkwardly following behind were very embarrassed. Lucian took advantage of that gap and fell into the alley on the left.
Oh! He ran away!
The girls followed Lucian straight into the alleyway he entered. Not long after they disappeared into the alley, the walls rippled and Lucian appeared.
"Hurry up during this gap....".
"I'm sure Lia told you not to use magic?"
Lucian, who was trying to run away before the girls arrived, was startled by the sudden appearance of someone and took a step back. After a moment of sharpening his senses, Lucian smiled broadly as he looked at the person in front of him.
"Caesar!"
Caesar patted Lucian on the shoulder with a charming smile,
"How are you, kid?"
"Of course, I had a good time! If you were going to come, you shouldn't have contacted me! I didn't even know that!"
"Surprise, surprise."
Caesar chuckled for a moment and then smiled again when he saw that the girls who had been following Lucian had completely disappeared.
"Let's go now. It will get dark in a little while."
"Yeah, good! Is Caesar taking me there?"
"Please hold on to my arms carefully as you may get motion sickness."
Lucian hurriedly clung to Caesar's arm at the words that seemed to come from the captain. When Caesar snapped his fingers, the two figures disappeared in an instant.
***
Crack-tap-tap
I, who was in the middle of preparing dinner, kept cutting. But I kept feeling dazed. I was so dazed that I couldn't even realize that I was dazed, and my hands, which had been busy moving, suddenly stopped.
For a long time, I looked down at the knife I had just finished chopping onions with.
Bleep-
Then, I suddenly came to my senses when I heard the sound of a kettle ringing in my ear. Seeing the frying pan that was starting to burn and the pot that was about to overflow with water, I quickly cleaned them up.
I noticed a kitchen that was messy than usual.
[Ha... There was a big problem.]
The cycle of losing my mind is getting shorter. Just a week ago, I think it happened once every 3-4 days, but now I was losing consciousness almost once a day.
Not good. This is a sign that the cycle of losing consciousness will soon return. When I lose my mind, I don't feel like myself. The feeling of floating around like another ghost was more terrifying than I could imagine.
If this continues and I don't recognize Lucian in front of him later. As my thoughts continued, I became dazed again and stood there with my thoughts stopped.
"I have come! Leah! Caesar is here!"
I lifted my head up at the familiar voice coming from the front door. And then I realized. I lost my mind again a little while ago.
"Leah? Where is Leah?"
"Hey! This body has come and you don't even come out to greet me!"
At the sound of loud voices coming from the front door, I finally came to my senses and smiled as if nothing had happened. Caesar and Lucian welcomed me.
[Welcome, Caesar. It's been a while.]
"Because it's been a year. How have you been?"
[It's always the same for me. So you are... I feel like you've become a bit mature?]
"Mhahaha! There are 3 years left! I have all the conditions to be an adult! Now I just have to wait three more years."
[If you're an adult, shouldn't you change your way of speaking now?]
"What's wrong with the way I talk?"
[Like a child.]
Caesar seemed to be greatly shocked and froze on the spot. I and Lucian giggled at his reaction. Caesar puffed out his cheeks when he realized I was making fun of him.
"How dare you make fun of this body! I can't forgive you!"
[I happened to cook your favorite beef rib today?]
"Ugh... huh? Beef rib?"
When I mentioned his favorite food, Caesar's eyes lit up. I chuckled at the simple reaction.
[After all, you're a child.]
"Kiyaaaak! You cancel that statement right now!"
I ignored Caesar's babbling words and approached Lucian. Lucian happened to take off the diamond necklace he was wearing. His hair turned brilliant white, and his ordinary brown eyes turned into golden eyes. When our eyes met, the golden eyes gently curved.
"Leah, the snack I packed you today was delicious. Dio will come to you again next time."
Okay? I thought it was going to be a hot day, so I added ice on purpose, but it seems to have been okay?]
"Yes, I ate it after sparring. That's why I liked it more."
[I'll do it again next time you go. Quickly wash your hands, change your clothes, and come back. Diner will be done soon in the evening]
"Excuse me... Leah."
Lucian, who was nodding his head, rarely hesitated. Looking at his puzzled eyes, Lucian pursed his lips.
"Can we talk later?"
[Then, of course.]
Lucian's face brightened immediately.
"I'll quickly change my clothes and come back!"
Lucian hurried up the stairs and entered his room. When his pretense of popularity disappeared, I looked back at Ca esar with my smile gone.
[Caesar, I have something to say.]
As my mood sank, Caesar also put on a somewhat serious expression.
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