TAPGB - Chapter 88

TAPGB - Chapter 88

 The Abandoned Prince's Ghost Bride Episode 88

"Brother! Are you really going to accept that woman?"

"Is there any reason not to?"

'You say she's a witch! That witch who kills people mercilessly and bathes in blood every day!"

The two brothers who faced Arya had different opinions.

The older brother was on the side of accepting Arya as a colleague, while the younger was on the side against it.

After all, there are only two brothers who are called colleagues.

They whispered at a distance from Arya, but everyone could hear because the forest was so quiet.

"Furthermore, it is said that witches are stronger than wizards and that their power is evil. Just by looking at her, it looks like she could captivate people, so how do you attract her as a colleague?"

"It's too much to listen to. I do this and that in front of people."

Arya, who was just watching due to the younger brother Odel's strong opposition, came forward.

"I don't know where it came from after hearing such a rumor, but to tell you the truth, she has never killed anyone. Also, why bathe in blood rather than water? I'm not a crazy bastard."

Odell, who was speechless, pursed his lips.

"It is acknowledged that witches are stronger than wizards. This is a trait of our species. However, the evil ones are the warlocks, she is different. There are no people as pure as her."

"Well, how are you going to prove that? If she is approaching with malicious intent......!"

"Then who did you see me kill?x

"That....."

"The more I think about it, the angrier I get. Hey, what do you know about me?!"

When Arya approached and grabbed Odel by the collar, Odell was startled.

However, when Odell blushed for a moment, Arta looked shocked.

"Is this why you said I was bewitching someone or something?"

Odell, who had hit the nail on the head, kept his mouth shut.

"Now stop."

The older brother, Leon, who was just watching, intervened between the two. Arya obediently backed away.

"I'm sorry if my younger brother offended you. He's a very wary child, so please understand."

"...You two are brothers, right?'

"We're twins."

"Twins are rare again. But how can brothers be so different if you were born on the same day at the same time? One of you is very scared."

"Ugh! Wouldn't it be like you? A girl reveals that she is a witch and she insists that she join in too!"

"It's not all random. I've been watching you guys for the past few days. When I looked closely, it seemed similar to the direction I was pursuing. So I asked to join in too. Since there are only two of you in the first place, isn't even one companion precious? Besides, I'm a witch."

Aria used magic to float Leon's clothes, which had fallen nearby, into the sky.

The two brothers, who were seeing magic in action for the first time, opened their eyes wide.

"I think this level of ability would be more than helpful. Rather, I wonder if you should beg me to be your colleague.' 

Odell was unable to refute anything because the words were full of correctness. Meanwhile, Leon was already fascinated by Arya's abilities.

"Let's say hello formally. My name is Leon. This is my twin brother Odell."

"Brother!"

"Odell, there's nothing wrong with what Arya said. Right now we are in desperate need of just one ally. Would you be reluctant to have such a talented person on our side?"

"Still, I don't know what kind of person she is...."

*If you do it that way, you won't be able to collect anyone. Follow me this time.'

Leon resolutely ignored Odell's opinion and began talking with Arya.

Odell watched the two people, biting his lips. Arya, who made eye contact with Odell, stuck out her tongue without Leon knowing.

Odell felt the veins standing on his forehead.

The first meeting between the three did not go very smoothly.

***

I slowly opened my eyes, feeling a bright light beyond my closed eyes.

In front of me was the canopy of the bed I had become accustomed to over the past few days.

I had a dream. I don't remember everything about what the dream was about, but I vaguely remember the last part.

"..... Lucian?"

I called the man I saw in my dream. Because he looked so much like Lucian, his name popped out without me realizing it.

"Did you call me?"

Then the real Lucian appeared.

I looked to the side with eyes still half-asleep. Lucian's wet face caught her eye.

His white hair was still wet with moisture, and I slowly lowered my gaze along the dripping water, his bulging chest and abs were clearly visible through the barely-there gown.

'Wow, his body....'

I thought Lucian's body was pretty good when he was just an adult, but now he was almost like a statue.

"Leah?"

When I couldn't take my eyes off Lucian's perfect body, I came to my senses when I heard Lucian's voice.

I cleared my throat in embarrassment.

"Hmm! What are you doing without clothes on?"

"What do you think? It's not even a day or two that you get to see my body. You've seen it a lot since I was young."

'Well, back then, his body wasn't the same as it is now!' 

I cried to myself, but there was no way Lucian could know my inner thoughts.

Lucian was fine, but I felt like I was overreacting and made a fuss.

"Before, you said something about me coming into the room without knocking and made a fuss about looking at your body without permission. Now I'm a complete nerd... ."

Lucian, who was turning his back to me, quivered when he felt my glance at his body while giggling with the blanket up to the tip of my nose.

In fact, I wouldn't even know that he had come dressed like this on purpose.

Lucian calmed the corner of his mouth that was twitching arbitrarily and spoke casually.

"I have to wash up to get ready for work. I just came to have breakfast with you."

When I couldn't refute anything and kept my mouth shut, Lucian almost burst into laughter for a moment.

"Get up now. You're going to wash your face and come back."

Lucian lifted me up from my lying down position. I, who had forced my upper body up, made a sullen expression, and then Lucian's still-wet head caught my eye.

This is not much different from before.

I sighed lightly and grabbed Lucian's arm. Lucian was confused,  ut when his eyes met, he grinned.

I made a shocked expression. 

"Turn around."

“Ah.”

Wasn't this what it was? 

When Lucian sat back down, a little embarrassed, I gently dried his hair with the towel hanging around his neck.

This was so unexpected that Lucian froze without realizing it.

"I told you over and over again to dry your hair and go out. Why it's like this even when you grow up?"

"..."

"From now on, dry your hair properly. Because you might catch a cold. Lucian, are you listening to me?"

Lucian was especially quiet, so I glanced ahead. Then I smiled faintly.

"This is surprising again."

Since coming here, Lucian has been showing off his affection by subtly touching me.

I, who still felt unfamiliar with Lucian, felt a little uncomfortable every time he approached me, but I guess this time he wasn't aiming for something.

Because Lucian's earlobes and neck were bright red.

Somehow, this time, I felt like I had beaten him to the punch.

While I was humming, Lucian could not control his heated face and lowered his head.

'It's a shame....But I feel good.'

At this moment, it felt like he was back in the old days when he had no worries.

Lucian also smiled at some point and felt Leah's touch to his heart's content.

A soft breeze blew in through the open window.

***

"Here."

I followed Lucian's guidance and entered the room where Leopold was.

As soon as I stepped inside, the cool temperature hit me. It was a dark atmosphere unique to the hospital room.

Lucian defeated the knights stationed inside and allowed me to see Leopold freely.

".... Leopold has grown a lot too. Even twins are said to be slightly different as they grow up, but you are always the same."

"Yes? I'm not sure."

"It was a little pale, but...... I'm sure when he regains his strength, he will become a handsome young man like you."

Lucian smiled slightly at my words of encouragement.

"I hope so."

"Anyway, what is this atmosphere in the room? Are you ventilating it regularly?"

I scolded Lucian, opened the curtains that had been drooped to block out light, and opened all the windows to provide ventilation. 

"In situations like this, how important is the environment. Even if you can't do it, ventilate at least once a day."

"I'll keep that in mind."

I opened the last window and looked back. Lucian sat on the bed and couldn't take his eyes off Leopold.

His eyes were depressed and sunken. Lucian noticed my gaze and smiled late, but I didn't like it. 

"Whenever I had a hard time, I always came here and talked to my brother."

Lucian is tired from having a useless fight with the nobles today. Ruber and Serena's expectations and interests are too much.

He wants to quit everything and go to Leah.

He uttered words that he could not confide in anyone. And once again, he was able to understand the hidden meaning of Leopold's habit of saying that he was fortunate to have a brother.

"The Emperor is in a good position. Everything you wear, sleep, eat, etc. is the best in the Empire, but on the other hand, you have to always be wary of people, have to fight wits with nobles who seek power, and are bound to the imperial family for the rest of your life."

The emotions Lucian felt most while acting as Leopold's double were loneliness and longing.

If he didn't have James, Dio, Harry, and Age by his side, he wouldn't be where he is today. He must have escaped midway.

"My brother has been in this kind of situation since he was young, so I think he needed someone to share his feelings with and talk to comfortably,"

Lucian stroked Leopold's hair. For a moment he seemed small and weak. Like a candle that will blow away when you blow it out.

I walked up to Lucian and placed my hand on his shoulder. 

"Was it very difficult?"

"I'd be lying if I said it wasn't difficult."

Lucian placed his forehead against my stomach and closed his eyes.

"But I can endure this much for my brother."

I know very well what kind of person Leopold is to Lucian. Wasn't he the family that made him aware of family affection for the first time and acknowledged his existence?

"And now it's okay because I have Leah."

"Me?"

"I told you that yesterday. Only with you can I be complete. Just having Leah by her side gives me strength."

Somehow, I feel like I can understand what he means.

'It was difficult for me too when Lucian wasn't around.'

Five years of waiting for him without any promise. Even though all I was doing was cleaning up the empty mansion and waiting for Lucian, I was exhausted.

However, it was not until I met Lucian that I regained my will to live. It was as if I had encountered sweet rain in a drought.

Was Lucian like that too?

'No, if I added it, it would have been more, not less.'

Because when he just became an adult, he was forced to separate from me and carry all this burden alone.

"I'm sure Leopold will recognize your hard work."

Lucian's eyes widened for a moment, then he smiled and buried his face in my arms so that I could not see his face.

Yes, Lucian wanted to receive this small consolation.

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