TAPGB - Chapter 36
The Abandoned Prince's Ghost Bride
"The cycle is getting shorter?"
[Uh, I lost my mind twice a little while ago. After becoming conscious of it, I feel really dirty.]
The feeling of losing one's self like other ghosts was even more scary because the process was so natural.
"I'm still worried about what you said two years ago. Does Lucian know?"
[No, I probably forgot. Two years is not a very long time, but for a child, it is too much time to forget.]
Caesar shook his head, saying he understood.
"Do you know when you completely lose consciousness?"
[I can't be sure because the date changes every time, but there is a high possibility that something will happen on the day of the full moon.]
At my words, Caesar checked outside. Before we knew it, the sunset had set, night had come, and the moon was beginning to appear.
The moon was close to being completely circular.
"The full moon is just around the corner."
[I think it will take about 3-4 days.]
"We don't have much time left, so we need to get ready. You said that your consciousness was completely lost and you had no idea what was going on?"
[Huh. I feel like I only find consciousness when the sun rises in the morning. Nothing much has happened so far... Still, just in case, please find out what happens when I disappear.]
"Don't worry. If anything happens, I will protect Lucian."
[... After a while, you look a bit like an adult.]
"Heng, do you know that now?"
Caesar was immediately flattered by the compliment and opened his heart wide.
When we had roughly finished the conversation, Lucian came down after finishing his return.
"Hungry! Let's eat quickly!"
Lucian's wide smile made me and Caesar head to the kitchen with him. Lucian and Caesar cleaned up the dinner that I had ambitiously prepared.
As it was his first reunion with Caesar in a year, Lucian shared stories that I had not been able to share even through a crystal ball.
Although Caesar felt like an adult, he still got along well with Lucian, perhaps because they had similar mental ages.
"So what were those guys chasing after you?"
[Huh? Who is chasing you?]
As I tilted my head, Caesar chuckled and pointed at Lucian.
"When I ran into him in the village a little while ago, he was being chased by girls."
"I'm not being chased... They just kept following me and ostracizing me."
"That's it."
[This is my first time hearing this. Isn't something going on?]
"I don't have any work to do... Well, they keep tagging me and telling me I’m cool.”
Phew-!
Caesar spat out the water he was drinking. I also looked at Lucian with a dumbfounded expression.
Before long, I and Caesar burst into laughter.
"Hahahaha! What is it, Lucian, you are so popular!"
[Ha ha ha ha ha! Was it something like that? What else can I say?]
"Ooh, don't laugh! I'm serious! Already, they keep following me around, so me and Dio have no place to train."
"Wow, you must be quite popular enough to follow you two around. Don't miss out and take care of yourself. Do you know anything? Maybe your partner is among them?"
"Say something that makes sense. Why am I dating another girl when I have Leah?"
"Huh?"
Caesar, who was momentarily dumbfounded when he saw Lucian's sullen expression, looked at me and Lucian alternately.
He opened his mouth and tapped Lucian on the shoulder, putting back what he wanted to say.
"Okay, okay. It's not time for you to open your eyes yet."
"... I don't know what it is, but I feel bad."
[Lucian, I'm glad you're thinking of me, but if you see a girl you like in the future, please let me know. Got it?]
Oh, what a cute kid. Although he had grown up a lot since two years ago, I was very grateful that he still considered himself my bride.
Right now he seems to have a firm grasp on the idea of a soul wedding or a bride and groom, but one day he will realize that he doesn't have to be tied down to a fake wedding.
At that time, will you bring a girl back just because you have a lover?
No, I might leave the mansion to live with that girl.
"Leah."
[Huh?]
Just as Lucian was imagining picking up a cute girl, he called me. For some reason his voice was low. As expected, Lucian was making an expression of displeasure.
"I said no because I definitely had Leah. Leah is my bride. I am Leah's husband."
[.... Uh?]
"So what makes you think I'd bring another girl?"
I and Caesar felt embarrassed by Lucian's straight-faced attitude.
[... Sorry. That wasn't my intention.]
Lucian's brows straightened slightly. He snorted and soon returned to his usual self.
"Don't do that next time. Otherwise, I'll be really angry."
[Okay, I get it.]
I was a bit dazed. Has Lucian ever said anything to him with a straight face?
No, we rarely quarreled before that. Even if we argued, it was like Lucian was the only one who was upset, and had to calm him down.
"Hey, you. Has it grown a lot? You even talk back to Leah."
Caesar was also surprised and said that he was now an adult and put his arm around Lucian's shoulder.
Lucian glared at Caesar for a moment and then looked back at me. The corners of his eyes lowered as gently as usual.
"Leah, are you angry?"
[Huh? No, I'm not angry. Why am I angry? You said the right thing.]
"...... Leah sometimes treated me like a child who didn't know anything, so I ended up saying harsh words without realizing it. Sorry. You know that I like Leah the most, right?"
[Well, of course, you know. I also like Lucian the best.]
Lucian's cheeks flushed at my words. If he had a tail, it would probably be wagging.
Lucian, who had been rolling around in my arms for a while, glanced at me.
"Leah, can I ask you a favor?"
[What?]
"I want to invite Dio to my house."
My face reflexively stiffened at those words. Seeing my expression, Lucian hurriedly continued speaking.
"I know it won't work. However, I would like to introduce you to Dio. I don't want to hide it from my only friend."
[...]
"How could it not work? Huh?"
"... Lucian, I know you're close with that friend, but you shouldn't let anyone into this mansion easily."
Instead of me, Caesar stopped Lucian.
"Why not?"
"Multiple interests are intertwined. First of all, how are you going to explain to Dio that you live here alone? If you ask where your family is, can you say you are an abandoned Prince?"
"... Dio will believe me."
"It's not a problem that can be solved by believing. In the first place, humans thought you were suspicious when you said that she was only 10 years old and was staying alone in this big mansion. Besides, I heard you always talk about Leah. Leah is a ghost. She is invisible to other people."
“Ah.”
Lucian seems to have forgotten that fact because he is so familiar with me.
"Dio That guy may be trustworthy right now, but once he finds out the truth, he may become distant. Would you be happy if he got farther away? Maybe he'll spread your secret to the village."
"Di-Dio is not that kind of guy!"
"How can you be sure of that?"
"Well, Dio is my one and only friend... Because he listens to anything I say...!"
"It was all manageable. Lucian, humans have a fear of what they don't know. No matter how much you believe in Dio, will Dio obediently believe you? Living alone with a ghost in this huge mansion?"
[Caesar, leave it at that. Lucian would have understood too.]
It's not that he said anything wrong. but it was too much for Lucian right now.
As expected, Lucian was shaking and unable to fully accept Caesar's words.
"What does Caesar know? Dio is different! Dio is my friend, so he wilI believe me!”
Lucian stomped up the stairs.
Bang-!
And seeing the door closed, he seemed quite angry.
Caesar did not understand why Lucian was angry, asking if he had said something wrong.
"No, if you tell me, you will only lose money, so why do you want to tell me?"
[Lucian must also have his own difficulties.]
"What are the difficulties? That guy doesn't know much about humans."
Caesar's sarcastic face was dark.
"Tsk, he's a human but doesn't look like a human."
[I spent more time with ghosts and dragons than with humans.]
"What did you spend at the imperial court before coming here? You wouldn't have stayed alone there either."
[I was trapped in a cold palace. He's a kid who came here and barely expanded his world. And Lucian is not the kind of person who suddenly brings up something like this.]
Lucian also knows that his story does not resonate with others and that he should not talk about it carelessly. Nevertheless, wanting to invite Dio probably means that he thought about it for a long time.
[I'll talk to Lucian. You wait here.]
"Okay, you try to speak reasonably well. But keep in mind. No matter how trustworthy a person is, humans can stab him in the back at any time."
[I'll keep this in mind.]
I left Caesar behind and went up to the second floor.
Standing in front of Lucian's room, I listened for a moment and then knocked.
Knock
[Lucian, it's me. Can I come in?]
"... Except Caesar."
[Then I'll go in.]
I went straight through the door. Lucian was sitting on the bed, pulling the blanket up to his face and wrapping it around his face. Judging by his protruding lips and bulging eyes, he must have been quite angry.
"Are you trying to say no to me too?"
[If I say no, will you listen?]
"...What's the point of asking back with a question?"
Lucian pouted his lips and grunted, then glanced at me.
"Does Leah think I'm strange too? I just want to invite Dio to my house."
[To be honest, I wish you didn't invite him..]
Lucian frowned and avoided my gaze. I calmly expressed my thoughts.
[It's not just because I don't trust Dio. That's because I prefer not to share your secret with others. Although Caesar spoke harshly, he is not wrong.]
"That's what you mean. After all, Leah can't trust Dio, right?"
[I have never met him in person, so I don't know what kind of person he is. Of course, I know that he is an invaluable friend to Lucian.]
"Dio is a truly trustworthy friend. If I have a problem, he takes my side unconditionally and helps me even when I'm in trouble. "I don't want to keep secrets from my friends."
It's tougher than I thought. If you just listen to what Lucian said, it's clear that Dio is a guy you can trust. I don't know if that will work when he comes to this house.
"And more than anything, I want to introduce my friend to Leah."
[Huh?]
"I want to meet the two people I like."
Seeing that he wasn't shaking, it wasn't a lie. I thought for a while and finally opened my mouth.
[Good. Bring Dio.]
"Ah! Really?"
[Instead, there is a condition.]
"What?"
[Just before bringing Dio in, you're secretly spilling the beans about your situation. At that time, if Dio doesn't believe you or thinks what you said is a lie, don't bring him. Still, if he believes what you say, bring him with you.]
"The thing about secretly spilling... You're telling me not to tell you everything?"
[Okay. What we're worried about is that Dio can't accept your situation and talks about it carelessly to others. So, when I'm sure that Dio won't be too surprised if he comes to my house, then I'll bring him. Got it?]
"Huh! Okay! Thanks, Leah! Leah is the best!"
Lucian, whose eyes suddenly became bright, hugged me tightly. I let out a laugh.
[It's not even confirmed yet.]
"But I just need to try my best. That's enough! I will try to convince io somehow. So, can I go down to the village every day starting tomorrow?"
[Everyday? Hmm...]
In the meantime, Lucian went down to the village only about once a week. Since my consciousness is constantly losing, I think it would be better if Lucian were to go down to the village so that there would be less suspicion.
[Okay, then. Do whatever you want.]
"Wow! Leah is the best!"
Lucian jumped on the bed and circled around me. I smiled and calmed him down.
It won't go as Lucian thinks anyway.
Because humans have a fear of the unknown.
Since you are still a child, you wilI know why you are so opposed to it if you experience it for yourself rather than trying to persuade it with logic.
At that time, I didn't even know. That children are beings that go beyond common sense.
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