TAPGB - Chapter 53

TAPGB - Chapter 53

The Abandoned Prince's Ghost Bride

When Lilith looked at him with a look in her eyes that asked,

 'Why are you saying that?", 

Leopold realized the current situation.

"Well, I mean, Your Highness hasn't had time lately because he's been showing us around the empire. I apologize for unintentionally causing harm to the Princess."

"... Hmm, I see."

Fortunately, Lilith no longer looked at Leopold strangely.

"Then, can you give me the rest of your time today?"

Lilith suddenly wrapped her arms around Lucian's arm. Leopold's mouth hardened. Harry took the initiative before Leopold made a mistake.

"Well, of course then. Princess, do whatever you want. We have prepared royal box seats. Would you like to share?"

"Then, please do me a favor."

Lilith gently grabbed Lucian's arm. There was silent pressure to escort them. Because there were many eyes around, he had no choice but to escort Lilith.

Harry followed next to Lucian so that his identity would not be discovered.

Dio, who fell back a little, looked at Leopold next to him.

"She's your fiancee, right?"

Leopold, who had always smiled and said it was okay, erased his expression and looked straight for the first time, and it was scarier than Lucian getting angry.

"Lu, Lucian is really good at acting! So your fiancee must have been fooled too."

"..."

"Come on, don't be like this, let's go quickly."

Dio followed his friends belatedly, dragging Leopold by his arm. Leopold's feelings became complicated when he saw Lilith speaking kindly to Lucian.

Clearly, Lucian was only imitating him at his urging, but why was his stomach twisted like this?

He rather hoped that Lilith would realize that Lucian was a fake. Then Lucian might be dragged into the crime of insulting the royal family.

Even though Lucian had his own face, he couldn't shake the feeling that Lilith was flirting with another man.

Lilith took the front seat next to Lucian, and the other three took their seats in the back seat.

Harry approached Leopold, sweating.

"Fortunately, Lucian is treating her well. Lilith didn't seem to have any doubts either."

"...Okay."

Because the place was dark, Harry didn't realize that Leopold's face had hardened. Soon the performance started and everyone's eyes turned to the stage.

But Leopold's eyes were fixed on the back of Lilith's head.

***

'Oh, I'm dying.'

Even though the performance was approaching its climax, nothing caught Lucian's eyes.

From the moment he enter this place, the woman next to him holds his hand or occasionally talks to him, making him feel tense every time.

"They say that actor is a rising star in the performing arts industry these days. I was looking for someone to sponsor, and I think that person would be good. What do you think, Your Highness?"

Same situation as now. Lucian swallowed a sigh that threatened to burst out and looked at the actor Lilith pointed to. It was a man with a very handsome mask.

"I think you have already made your decision, so you're asking me?"

"I'm curious about your opinion."

The face is smiling, but the eyes a researching for something. Rather than being suspicious of his identity, she seems to be looking into what kind of answer he will give.

Lucian thought that he would be on good terms with Leopold because he was always making fun of him, but it seems that wasn't the case.

'She's a woman that even her fiancé doesn't recognize in the first place.'

Lucian opened his mouth because he had to answer first.

"If it were me, I would support that woman."

Lucian pointed to a woman who appeared as an extra. There were a lot of actors around her, so she didn't stand out that much.

"Are you talking about that scarlet-haired actor?"

As Lucian nodded, Lilith gave him a puzzled look. That's strange. 

'Is this the Leopold I know?'

To be honest, she didn't ask this question expecting an answer. Usually, when she asked this question, out of 100 men, 100 would either praise her for her outstanding insight or ask her if she was interested in sponsoring artists, tending to see her as an intelligent woman.

No one objected or listened seriously. So she thought Leopold would be the same...

"May I ask why?"

"She doesn't have that many lines, but her diction and delivery are better than others. And the voice stood out, especially during the part where everyone was singing together. In contrast, that man... He's not that bad, but he's not that great either. He must be popular because he has a beautiful face."

When she listened to Lucian's words and focused on the woman, her voice was definitely heard more clearly than other people's, and her presence was revealed little by little.

 ".... That's amazing. You recognized her right away among all those people."

"It's something anyone can understand if they just focus a little." 

She liked the blunt tone of voice because it did not seem condescending.

"I should take your advice and approach that woman. I hope she becomes a person who will achieve great success according to Your Highness's vision."

"Don't expect too much. I just took a picture."

Show humility. She wondered if this was really the Leopold she knew. It was much better than men who went out of their way to impress her and showed off all kinds of bravado.

"Do you have any dinner plans?"

Lucian looked at Lilith's question. Rather than the excited eyes, the indifference and lack of any emotion touched her heart.

"Is it okay to go to the imperial palace in the evening and have a meal with Your Majesty the Emperor and Empress?"

Lucian's hand twitched when the Emperor and Empress were mentioned.

"Of course, it's not polite to not make an appointment in advance, but Your Majesty once said that we could eat together at any time. Please give me the honor of joining you for dinner today. Thank you, Your Highness."

"...... As you please."

Lilith blushed and smiled brightly, but Lucian's eyes when he looked at her were even colder.

From the moment the Emperor and Empress were mentioned, the blood in his whole body started to drain and his stomach started to ache. He didn't want to play like this anymore.

Lucian suddenly got up from his seat.

"Let's go out for a moment."

Lilith didn't think it was a big deal and turned her gaze straight ahead. Lucian tapped Leopold on the shoulder as he went outside.

When Ilhe made eye contact with him, he tilted his head outward. He went out into the hallway, and soon Leopold followed.

"Let's stop now. You've had all the fun."

The two went straight to the bathroom and changed their clothes, avoiding people's eyes.

As Lucian was roughly putting on the wig and hat that Leopold had been wearing, he heard a small voice from behind.

"...... Did you like it?"

"What?"

When Lucian looked back at the meaningful question, Leopold's face hardened.

"What did you talk about with Lilith?"

"Who is Lilith... Oh, Princess?"

Leopold clenched his fists in response.

"Lilith is my fiancee."

"I know."

"Lilith is quite a beauty, but it would be difficult to fall in love with her. I don't want to lose a friend like this."

"What kind of bullshit are you talking about now?"

Oops. Was the bullshit serious?

Lucian hurriedly covered his mouth at the curse that came out without him knowing, but Leopold's eyes looking at him were even more serious.

He heard he was particularly quiet. He guessed it was because of his fiancee.

"You don't have to worry. Because there is no reason to fall in love, and I will never fall in love with her. More than anything, I'm married."

"What?!"

"You don't have to worry because my bride is a thousand to ten thousand times prettier, kinder, and more capable than the Princess." 

Before he knew it, Leopold's jealousy had disappeared and he was left with confusion. There is no need to tell him that Leah is Lucian's bride. Because it's annoying.

Seeing Leopold still in a daze with his lips pursed, Lucian corrected his crooked tie. Only then did Leopold close his mouth. 

".....Then you're not really in love with Lilith?"

"She wasn't my type to begin with."

The corners of Leopold's mouth slowly turned up. Lucian chuckled when he saw that he had returned to his usual self.

"I'll tell you what the Princess said a little while ago."

To avoid any confusion, Lucian told him about what he had shared with the Princess.

"Oh, and... She asked if she could have dinner with His Majesty the Emperor and the Empress this evening."

"Lilith said that?"

Leopold was startled and said,

'She has never done that before........' 

He muttered.

"I almost got into big trouble. Thank you for telling me."

".... Wouldn't you get scolded if you go without telling me?"

"That's usually the case. Still, it will probably be okay because Father and Mother take care of Lilith. And my parents aren't that strict. On the contrary, they're kind."

When Lucian saw Leopold bragging about his parents, he was overcome by an indescribable emotion.

"You said you wanted a younger sibling, right?"

"Huh? Yes?"

"Have you ever talked to His Majesty? You want to have a younger sibling."

"Why didn't I do it? I've said it every year since I was 8 years old. But they only say that they're trying, and it's a lack of inspiration."

That meant that his parent never told Leopold that he had a twin brother. Lucian clenched his fists and unconsciously bit his molars.

"Ah! If you get a chance later, come to the imperial palace! I'll invite you. Of course, they'll be surprised when you see us, so I'll tell you a little bit in advance. My parents will be amazed too."

"No, don't do it."

Leopold paused, determined without even a second of hesitation. Seeing his embarrassed expression, Lucian relaxed his stiff body.

"Harry told me before. Because I look so much like you, there could be some kind of danger. Maybe my life is in danger."

"wlWhat? That's not allowed!"

"Therefore. Don't tell anyone. Especially to His Majesty the Emperor."

"... Sigh. Okay. I can't put you in danger."

Leopold checked the time and said that it was late and that we should go back quickly. Lucian followed him ahead.

Suddenly, the smile disappeared from his face and a shadow appeared.

***

"I'm here."

[You're late.]

I put down the book she was r leading and approached Lucian.

[Your clothes are different in the morning? Where did you get it?]

"... Leopold bought it for me. I played noble today."

[What is that again?]

"We're just spending money extravagantly."

Lucian said he was tired and headed to his room, patting his sore shoulder. Feeling strangely different from usual, I looked at him in silence.

[What happened?]

Lucian's attitude and expression were particularly calm. As expected, Lucian paused and pursed his lips. I quickly approached him.

[Why are you crying? Did someone say something mean?] 

"... Leopold talked about his parents today."

I paused without realizing it. Despair and sadness coexisted in Lucian's eyes.

"I thought about it just in case... It really seemed like my parents had planned to hide me."

[...Lucian.]

"I gave up on my parents a long time ago and have never even thought about them, so I don't know why I feel this way. I feel so frustrated every time Leopold talks about his parents."

When I listened to Leopold's story, I could see how much the Emperor and Empress loved him, and how much he had grown up receiving love from others.

It was miserable to see Lucian's abandoned situation so clearly.

"Am I a bad person? Is that why I feel this way about Leopold?"

[That can't be possible.]

Lucian, who had buried his face in his hands, raised his head at the firm words.

It was different from the time before when he was angry at evil. Now he has become infinitely smaller, like a candle that will go out when it is blown out.

[It's natural to feel that way. If you are distressed, you can express it. Screaming inside won't solve anything.]

"But Leopold doesn't know anything. I don't want to get angry at someone who doesn't understand."

[Our Lucian, you have grown a lot. You know how to say things like that.]

"Don't treat me like a kid."

Nevertheless, Lucian obediently hugged me. The child who used to be close to my chest was now burying his head in my neck.

[What do you want to do in the future?]

"Well. Even though I want to bring out all the emotions I have inside and get angry, I don't want to break the peace, so I think I can just hold it in alone."

[So, what are you most afraid of?]

Lucian hugged my waist even more.

"Leopold is disappointed in me." 

To be exact, this is his reaction when it was revealed that he was his twin brother. Even if he sang about wanting a younger sibling, it wouldn't be a twin sibling.

[Leopold has become a valuable person?] 

Lucian's hands trembled.

"..I...?"

[Yes, at first you only thought about kicking out Leopold. If it were you back then, you wouldn't have minded being hurt by Leopold.]

It's definitely not wrong. Before he knew it, he had become a big part of his daily life.

[Things like today will continue to happen in the future. Leopold doesn't know anything, so he might hurt you knowingly or unknowingly. When that happens, remember it three times and call me when you can't decide.]

"You're not telling me to speak this time?"

[You don't want to be hurt by Leopold or give it to him. Then you shouldn't go out aggressively. Everyone has the right timing.]

"... After all, do I have to endure it alone?"

[No, Lucian. I'm with you.]

Lucian's eyes twinkled. I caressed the corners of his eyes.

[I said that I'm on your side. I will always be by your side whenever something happy or difficult happens to you. I will share your pain. So tell me what you can't tell anyone.]

Lucian, who was blankly looking at my face, smiled lightly and hugged me with all his strength.

Even if I had mana all over my body, it would have felt like he was hugging the air as a ghost, but Lucian never thought about getting away from me.

But for a moment, Lucian looked down at me from a higher eye level than me.

".... Leah, when did you get so small?"

[It's not that I got smaller, it's that you got bigger. I guess you didn't feel it because I haven't been hugged like this in almost two years.]

Lucian's face turned red when I said it was nice to hug him after a long time. I glanced at him, wondering if he was embarrassed.

[I'm glad you've been acting silly for the first time in a while. Now that your head is all grown up, I'm just pushing it out.]

"Hmm! I'm not a kid anymore.."

[You still have three years left to become an adult?]

Lucian pouted his lips and burst into laughter. It was nice to see and I smiled as well.

"Thank you, Leah. Thanks to you, I feel at ease. I will do as you say." 

[Yes, but keep this in mind. If you can't hold back, don't bother keeping it inside. If you hold back too much, it will only lead to greater anger.]

"Yes, I'll keep that in mind."

Lucian is smart, so he will take care of himself. The only thing that matters going forward is Leopold's attitude.

I prayed and prayed that things would go smoothly for these two poor brothers.

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