TAPGB - Chapter 57

TAPGB - Chapter 57

The Abandoned Prince's Ghost Bride

As I was idly looking at the stars in the night sky, I felt something. Lucian was coming from the forest in the distance.

[Did you see off Dio well?]

"Yes, I only saw him off at the entrance to the forest."

[Je can just sleep. It's not like there's no room, and he usually just sleeps well.]

"Dio also said, 'Shall we go to sleep? But I said I didn't like it."

[Why?]

".... Just. I somehow want to be alone tonight."

Lucian sat down next to me and looked up at the night sky like I did. His face was depressed and lonely.

I thought he had successfully gotten rid of Leopold, but that wasn't the case. Well, we still had time together, but it would be difficult for things to get better in just a few days.

[Do you regret telling Leopold the truth?]

When asked vaguely, Lucian spoke somewhat calmly.

"I don't know. But it must have happened sometime."

[It would be nice if Leopold came back.]

"He wouldn't come."

[Still, if he comes, is there anything you want to say to Leopold?]

Lucian pursed his lips. He seemed to be thinking too much and couldn't come up with an answer.

[Lucian, there's nothing to think about complicatedly. For now, let's put aside all other interests and think about just the two of you. What do you think of Leopold?]

"Leopold... He has no sense, his head is like a flower garden, and he is an octopus who does not realize that he is the Crown Prince."

'You like Leopold, right? Isn't that all swear words?'

"But... I want to continue to be together."

[Do you regret getting angry?]

.... Huh. He thought he would feel relieved if he confessed it, but it was quite the opposite. 

"I would just hide it."

Lucian rested his head weakly on my shoulder.

"What if I never see Leopold again?"

I don't know what consolation to give. I can't be optimistic and say things will be okay. As Lucian said, unless Leopold really comes here again, their relationship will be severed.

If Leopold were to come, there would be at least some room for improvement.

Rustling.

I raised my head at the sudden sound. Even though there wasn't a single breeze blowing, I could hear the sound of the bushes in the distance.

Gradually, the sound became closer. And it was an all-too-familiar show of fame.

[Lucian, are you confident that you will apologize honestly when you meet Leopold?]

"..Huh?"

[Then, tell me honestly this time.] 

"Leopold is not here...."

I squeezed Lucian's cheek and pointed toward the bushes. Leopold stood in a mess among the bushes, breathing heavily. 

Lucian's eyes widened and he jumped up from his seat.

"Leopold...."

"Lucian!"

Leopold took the lead first and shouted. There was a moment of silence, and then he knelt down. It is impossible for the Crown Prince of an empire to kneel.

I and Lucian were greatly embarrassed. Just as Lucian was about to approach him, Leopold opened his mouth.

"Sorry!" 

Lucian paused.

"I'm sorry I didn't recognize you!"

"..."

"I'm sorry for only saying things that make you feel comfortable when I don't know anything! I'm sorry for talking about Father and Mother without notice! I'm sorry for sounding like a doppelgänger!"

In addition, Leopold apologized, saying he was sorry for everything he had done.

"I'm sorry for not knowing how you lived...."

Before we knew it, Leopold was in tears. He was shaking like an aspen and could hardly lift his face. 

When I glanced at Lucian, he had an unknown expression on his face.

Soon Lucian moved. He went in front of Leopold and got down on one knee to be at eye level with Leopold.

"How much do you know?"

"All. The fact that you are my twin brother, the fact that you grew up as a non-existent person in the imperial palace, the fact that you were kicked out here... Everything... I know."

"Who did you tell?"

Leopold shook his head.

"No one knows but Harry... If I tell others, they will hurt you."

"To the Emperor and Empress..."

"... These are the people who hid you. If I tell them, what might happen to you."

Unlike himself, whom he had only heard about, Leopold had probably received all kinds of love, but it was a bit strange for him to throw away his parents all at once.

"Are you here to apologize?"

".... Yeah, I think I'll regret it for the rest of my life if I don't do it."

Leopold may not be tactful, but he has always been confident. But now the person in front of him seemed infinitely small.

[Lucian!]

Lucian suddenly raised his head at the sound of my voice.

[He decided to be honest. Now is your chance.]

If I go overboard this time, I will regret it sorely. Lucian must have felt it too and swallowed his saliva.

"Me too...... Sorry."

Leopold froze and slowly raised his head.

"...... I was angry because, unlike me, you seemed to have grown up Ioved. So I think I took out my anger without realizing it. Sorry."

"Why...." 

Why are you apologizing? 

Leopold's expression seemed to say so.

"Hmm.... I don't know what you think, but I haven't lived that unluckily. Of course, when I was in the imperial palace, I had no one to lean on, but that changed after I came here."

Starting with meeting Leah, Lucian developed new relationships with Caesar, Dio, and James.

Every moment he spent with them was a happy day. So it's not a lie. 

"You... You don't resent me?"

"...... It was like that at first. But, it's okay now."

"Why...?"

"Because you don't know me because you don't know."

'No, Lucian. You should be mad at me.' 

Because while Lucian was being ignored and forgotten by people, Leopold had all to himself what Lucian could enjoy. So Lucian....

"More than anything... I enjoyed the time I spent with you. I always thought about it. How does it feel to have a brother? Thanks to you, I learned what a brother is."

Leopold could no longer overcome the emotions welling up inside him. When he sobbed again, tears flowing helplessly, Lucian was embarrassed.

"No, Lucian. Get angry... I can't breathe because of the guilt over the fact that our parents abandoned us. Don't forgive us! We gave you a wound that can never be washed away..."

Leopold pulled Lucian towards him. Lucian slowly hugged him. He kept hearing the words sorry in his ears.

It was not simply an act of asking for forgiveness, but a sincerity that came from deep within.

"I'm really fine..."

At that moment, Leopold caressed Lucian's cheek, and their eyes melt. A familiar golden eye filled his eyes as if he were looking into a mirror. Then tears formed in the corners of Lucian's eyes.

"What...."

Once the tears started, they continued to pour unintentionally. His head was cool, but his body did not follow suit. Lucian doesn't want to cry, but he ends up crying.

"Huh, huh......."

"I'm sorry, Lucian. I'm sorry I found out so late."

"Hmm.. Why, why have you come now....."

"Sorry sorry. I did everything wrong."

"Okay, I wanted to see my brother and mom before I came here..."

"Yeah, it's all my fault. My younger brother was right in front of me and I didn't know it."

No, it's not Leopold's fault. He must have been a child like himself, so how could he know?

However, one by one, Lucian brought out the resentment toward his family that had been buried in his heart. Every time that happened, Leopold dismissed it all as his fault and apologized to Lucian.

Everyone who watched was moved to tears, so I could only watch the two brothers cry in silence. 

The two shed tears for a long time and spoke honestly about each other, which they had not been able to say before. When they had calmed down, Leopold held Lucian's shoulder and looked at him seriously.

"Lucian, I will become Emperor. I will become Emperor and proudly present you to the world."

".... What?"

"Father and mother have done terrible things. No, the myth about twins was wrong in the first place. Many children have died because of this terrible rumor that has no basis. I'm not going to let this go on any longer."

The child who was just following the path of becoming an Emperor has a new goal.

"3 years. Just wait 3 years. I will become Emperor as soon as I come of age."

"That's not what you want to be."

"No. It's entirely possible because I don't have any competitors anyway. If we build up a little more support and take charge of Father's duties from now on, I can ascend to the throne a little faster... Ah! I'm not ignoring you. Since you are a Prince, you have the right to succeed to the throne....!"

"It's okay, I am not interested in the throne."

"You're not interested... ?"

"It wasn't my place to begin with. And I don't have to. People who follow tradition might rebel if they find out that you and I are twins. I will live here even when I grow up.  If I get the chance later, I want to travel the world."

At that moment, Lucian made eye contact with me, who was nearby.

When he was young, he always said he wanted to travel the world, but I never thought he still wanted to.

"I like this life now. Above all, now you know who I am."

There was no longer any regret on Lucian's brightly smiling face. Leopold, who was staring at it blankly, frowned.

"No, I will let the entire empire know that you are my twin brother."

"Is there really a need to go the hard way?"

"How dare you! This is absolutely necessary! My younger brother is alive and well, so I can't treat him like he doesn't exist."

Leopold, who had been showing his determination with a huff, soon calmed his excitement and began to hesitate.

".... Can I come to visit you like now in the future?"

It was quite funny to see that every time he came to Lucian so recklessly, he finally noticed him. Lucian burst into laughter without realizing it.

"If I tell you not to come, won't you come?"

"Yes, if you don't like it, I don't go anywhere...."

"It's okay. What does it matter now?"

"Can I really come?"

"Okay. Instead, from now on, stop talking about doppelgangers, Emperors, etc. It hurts every time I hear it."

Leopold shook his head vigorously, saying he would never say anything. He laughed again, tears streaming down his face.

"Is it really necessary for someone who wants to become Emperor to shed so many tears?" 

"Hey, this is a physiological phenomenon, so there's nothing we can do about it!"

"Yes, yes. I guess so."

"You. You know I'm your older brother, right? From now on, call me brother."

"No."It gives me goosebumps. It's creepy!"

 "Is that what you want to say to your brother?"

"We've been like friends, but do you think I'll call you my brother overnight?!"

Piyuuung-boom-! Bang boom!

The two people, who had been bickering for a while, noticed a colorful fireworks display decorating the sky along with the sound of firecrackers. Leopold was the first to open his mouth after looking at it blankly for a moment.

"Happy birthday, little brother."

"Happy birthday to you too."

The two finally seemed like real brothers. I realized that this was the family Lucian had dreamed of having. 

'Your wish has come true, Lucian.' 

I left the two people behind and entered the mansion first. I didn't want to break the current mood.

***

I was standing in the clean kitchen without a speck of dust.

[.... It's quieter today.]

What is it that makes me feel once or twice?  

I should be happy that Lucian feels the affection of his family.

[Oh, I see.] 

Lucian was sad to find his real family.

[Haha, I hoped that Lucian would become closer to his family.]

It's contradictory and selfish. I'm glad that Lucian didn't find out about my feelings like this.

"Leah!"

As I was lowering my head and controlling my emotions, Lucian came into the kitchen. Lucian gasped, probably looking for me, and was greatly relieved.

"I thought you disappeared again." 

[.... Why do I disappear? I left the place for you two to have a good time. What about Leopold?]

"He went back to the imperial palace."

[He returned earlier than expected. I thought the two of you would be together all day today.]

Maybe it was because I was overcome with ugly jealousy a little while ago, but I couldn't face Lucian properly. 

[Do you want to drink something? I can prepare a late-night snack.]

I couldn't finish speaking. I said because Lucian hugged me from behind.

"Leah."

[Huh?]

"Meeting you is the luckiest thing in my life. Thank you for being my bride, Leah."

My soul trembled at his sudden confession. Beyond joy, I was overflowing with joy.

[That's not what you say to a ghost. You are a living human being.]

But I can't just accept it happily. Today's incident made me realize that there needs to be a living human being by his side.

"No, it doesn't matter whether you are a ghost or a human. Leah, I'm glad it's you."

At the words that followed, I stopped trying to shake off Lucian.

"I know, I still look like a kid. But, ever since I was young, I have always been sincere."

Lucian stepped away from me and looked at my face. When I lifted my head slightly, I could clearly see Lucian's face.

I suddenly realized. 

When did Lucian grow up this much?

There's still some breast meat left, but it's different from when it looked like a chick. Now it was clear that he was turning into a man.

As I was blankly looking at Lucian's face, his face gradually came closer. Soon Lucian's lips touched my cheek.

[Uh? What....?]

Sometimes I kissed Lucian's forehead, but he never kissed me. Even though I can't feel anything, my cheek feels strange.

"One day, I will really make Leah my bride. Please wait until then."

My whole body froze at the confession that could not be taken lightly. Lucian hugged me again.

I could see that everything from his earlobes to his neck was red. It's not something to dismiss as a one-time feeling. For the first time, his words touched me.

From a young age until now, he has always been sincere.

'I...What on earth have I done?'

I got scared. A person who has fallen for a ghost. What nonsense is this? 

I am a ghost who died 300 years ago. He is a being who can never live with humans.

I suddenly felt like I had been plunged headlong from a dream into reality. I now realize that my wish to continue being with Lucian was just a dream that should not come true.

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