TAPGB - Chapter 148
The Abandoned Prince's Ghost Bride
“Isn’t it difficult to persuade a nobleman?”
"Not really? It's annoying, but is it even difficult? It’s something we all have to go through anyway.”
Lucian spoke somewhat seriously to ease the burden, but Leopold countered casually.
Rather, it was a reaction so light that it made him feel embarrassed to be worried.
When Lucian made a puzzled expression, Leopold chuckled.
“It’s because it’s really okay. What can I do with all these things? No matter what, I will make you the Grand Duke.”
At today's meeting, Leopold officially announced Lucian's existence and declared that he would be given the title of Grand Duke. So there was a backlash among the nobles.
“The only thing they will promote is the old-fashioned hereditary succession. But that hereditary succession was created by the first Emperor, right?”
Moreover, no one can deny the fact that Lucian is a member of the royal family.
First of all, he has distinct imperial characteristics, and he looks so similar to Leopold that even nobles are fooled.
“You are a royal family member, so who would oppose this proposal? If you object, just deal with it and that’s it.”
Leopold said with a grin. But his words had power and force.
He was no longer the disheveled Leopold of the past.
‘No, he actually looks a bit like Leon...’
As if Leah wasn't alone in her thoughts, a heavy silence fell in the conference room.
Leopold, who received an anxious look, blinked his eyes and then burst into laughter.
"Oh sorry. I developed a bad habit.”
“...Habit?"
“I told you. When I was taken over by Leon, I saw and felt everything that guy was doing. In fact, just as he saw my memories, I also saw his memories.”
Among those memories, some were so terrible that Leopold didn't want to recall them, but they weren't all bad.
“But he was the Emperor for 300 years, right? Unfortunately, there was something worth learning about his charisma in leading people and his handling of things.”
One of Leon's specialties was changing people's perceptions through propaganda and fabrication.
A representative example is when he turns his colleague Arya into a witch.
“He’s the bastard of the world, but shouldn’t we at least utilize it in this way?”
Leopold's expression couldn't be brighter as he said that and smiled.
Leah's stomach became cold without her knowing. She feels like Leopold has somehow lost his innocence.
‘Maybe it’s weirder that I didn’t lose it.’
In the first place, Leopold was oppressed and exploited by the corrupt Leon for a long time. It was surprising that Leopold's soul did not deteriorate during that period.
Rather, if Leopold's clumsiness disappears on this occasion, it will be of greater help to him in ruling the empire in the future.
“So Lucian, don’t worry too much. This brother will take care of everything.”
“...I don’t have to worry about it.”
“Ha! Another nonsense! I'm not okay, so stay quiet. If you say something like that one more time, you’ll get scolded.”
He put his hands on his hips and gave a warning, but he wasn't scared at all. Still, Lucian smiled because he could clearly see how much he cared for his younger brother.
“If you haven’t eaten lunch yet, let’s eat together. I’m hungry.”
Leopold took the lead, leading the men. After following him for a while, Lucian remembered something and asked him.
“Oh, come to think of it, what did you talk about with Duke Sevans?”
Leopold, who was walking ahead, stopped. After being silent for a moment, he smiled and turned his head.
"Just... We talked about this and that.”
"Yes?"
Lucian studied Leopold's face for a moment.
In fact, it always bothered him that he didn't tell Leopold about Lilith.
Thanks to Lilith's cooperation, he was able to quickly recognize Leon's identity, but it did not change the fact that she betrayed Leopold.
He has been uneasy ever since he hid the truth, not knowing it was Leon. Just when he thought he should be honest this time, Leopold stopped walking again.
“Oh, I had to do something for a moment, but I forgot. I'm sorry, but would you like to go first? I’ll follow you soon.”
"Yes."
Harry and Dio followed Leopold. Lucian sighed as he watched the three leave.
“Leah, I guess it’s right to tell my brother about Lilith, right?”
“If you don’t want to fool Leopold anymore.”
"Also. We should at least talk while eating...”
“No.”
Age interrupted mid-speech. Age's gaze, which was stuck in the back of Leopold's head, turned to Lucian.
“Don’t interfere in someone else’s love life.”
"But...”
“More than anything, doesn’t your brother also have an eye for people? If she’s a weird girl, he’ll probably skip it on his own.”
“Yeah, man. Leopold will take care of it. He said, let's go get something to eat quickly. My stomach will stick to my back skin.”
Caesar even joined in and pushed Leah and Lucian's back.
Age saw the three people walking ahead and belatedly followed behind.
There was a separate reason why the two dragons took the trouble to change the topic. Leopold's words were heard, albeit very softly, in their ears.
***
“...Are you not going to tell Lucian?”
Harry, who thought he was somewhat separated from Lucian and his group, spoke to Leopold.
Leopold paused and made a bitter expression.
“Then what should I say? Should I let him know that Lilith likes Lucian and not me? I don’t think Lucian will be very pleased.”
Leopold already knew what Lucian was worried about.
The way he found out was because when Leon took over his body, he saw the contract between Leon and Lilith from beginning to end.
The conversation he had with the Duke of Sevans in the conference room a little while ago was none other than the breakup of the engagement
‘...Are you really planning to break off the engagement?’
‘I know I can’t do this to the Duke and Lilith. but... Please understand my situation as I cannot marry a woman who has feelings for my brother.’
‘Your Majesty, it is an undeniable fact that my daughter had wrong feelings in the past. But not now. She wondered how... when my daughter knew that His Majesty was injured this time...’
'Duke.'
The Duke had no choice but to stop what he was saying.
Because Leopold’s face was distorted as if he was crying.
In the end, the Duke was unable to make any excuses and had no choice but to turn around.
Leopold automatically thought of Lilith and relaxed his clenched fist.
“More than anything, if I tell Lucian with my own mouth that I know... I think I’ll blame Lucian.”
To be honest, his love for Lilith still hasn't stopped. But he will fold.
Because he clearly saw through Leon’s memories what would happen if the conflicting love was ignored and forced to continue.
He has to fold it, even if he doesn't fold it.
The two friends understood what Leopold was feeling, so they patted him on the back without saying a word.
***
Contrary to Lucian's concerns, Leopold's plan went ahead without a hitch.
From what Lucian heard from James, it is said that Leopold ignored the opposing opinions of nobles and pushed ahead without hesitation.
“It looks like the Grand Duke title award ceremony will be held soon.”
"Already?"
“Not already. This is something His Majesty has been preparing from the moment he woke up. Please note that we will be busy with the award ceremony for the time being.”
“Ha, please leave me alone. I thought I was finally out of the imperial palace.”
Lucian had now left the imperial palace and had come to the haunted mansion.
When he was in the imperial palace, he had to listen to the chatter of the servants, feel many eyes pouring in from somewhere, and see people he didn't want to face, so he escaped to the mansion.
“Still, it’s a lot more comfortable than when I was in the imperial palace.”
Refreshments prepared by Leah were served.
“More than anything, it’s nice not having to deal with my parents anymore.”
She put a cookie in Lucian's mouth. Lucian, who lived alone while eating cookies that perfectly suited his taste, nodded, remembering his parents.
“That’s right.”
Before leaving the imperial palace, he remembered his family saying goodbye.
He said he was leaving the imperial palace, and Leopold, Ruber, and Serena gathered together to say a sad farewell. It's not like we're going far away, and they can meet at any time.
‘If you need anything, let me know. I'll support you in anything. I am currently preparing the compensation that will be given to you as agreed upon previously, so I look forward to it.’
‘You’ve had a hard time. Still, since I can climb the mountain, I can go see you often, right? You also come down to see me sometimes.’
Ruber and Leopold said goodbye to Lucian in a somewhat calm and simple manner, but Serena was different.
She must have already shed tears once, and her eyes were red and she could not easily open her mouth.
‘...Sorry.'
Lucian's eyes widened at the unexpected apology. The weight of words was different from the apologies that had been thrown to avoid the situation.
‘I couldn’t be a strong and trustworthy mother to you, but I won’t change from now on. The mother is always here, so come visit me anytime.’
Even as she said those words, Serena's voice was trembling. It was as if she was afraid that her apology would not be accepted.
To be honest, Lucian wasn't particularly impressed by his mother's appearance like that.
However, it seemed as if the sadness of the past had been resolved, just a little.
‘I will visit you sometime.’
Serena shed tears of joy as Lucian left with Leah and Caesar while saying that.
Lucian, who was in a bad mood because of the past that was recalled for no reason, leaned his head on Leah's shoulder to restore her peace.
Then suddenly, Lucian looked blankly at James across from him.
“Can’t we just ask someone else to do this now?”
James was holding up the documents he had prepared for the Grand Duke title ceremony, but he paused and looked at Lucian.
“You sound like it’s strange that I’m here.”
“But that’s true, there’s no benefit to being by my side. My brother also lost many of his own people while eliminating the remnants of Leon. Wouldn’t it be nice to have James by his side?”
Just like Dio and Harry, James was fully qualified to be by Leopold's side.
Above all, wasn't he the one who assisted Lucian by his side to ensure that he had everything he lacked as Emperor?
Perhaps if James helps, Leopold will gladly give him the title of Emperor Chamberlain.
James was silent for a moment, then smiled and took off the glasses he was wearing.
“The first time I saw you was 15 years ago now.”
James spoke comfortably, just like Lucian did before he became Emperor.
“At that time, I was worried about whether the young child would be able to survive this difficult world.”
At James's words, Leah also remembered young Lucian and looked at him with a happy smile.
“Of course, it’s true that I was greedy when you said you needed my help to act as a substitute for His Majesty.”
What person would not be greedy when he/she has been promoted to a position that cannot be surpassed? However, he did not accept Lucian's offer simply for that reason.
“I do not serve the imperial family. I serve Lucian Odelion.”
Maybe it was fate that had been decided from the moment James first met young Lucian.
“More than anything, when you become a Grand Duke, there are so many things you have to take care of, so you’ll need a capable butler, right? Are you really okay with me leaving the imperial palace like this?”
"Uh...”
Lucian was somewhat taken aback by the unexpected answer. But when Leah saw his expression, she burst into laughter.
"Ha ha ha! Look how embarrassed you are. James, I’m quite happy with what you said.”
“I know even if you don’t say it. It’s already been 5 years since I served Lucian.”
Lucian's cheeks blushed at the sound of the two people laughing. But he wasn't in a very bad mood, so he laughed along with him without realizing it.
“His Majesty has decided to grant you a large mansion. You don’t plan on living there anyway, do you?”
"That's right. It’s too much of a burden for me.”
“I will take care of it for you. Come anytime you want to relax with Leah. No, I must work hard to make that place your new home.”
James stood up and sorted out his papers.
“I have a lot of things to do, so I’ll have to go. If you don't accept me, I'll lose my job overnight, so you shouldn't say things like you don't need a grand public position or that you won't get a mansion. The life or death of my rabbit-like wife and children depends on your decision.”
“Oh, I understand, I understand. I won’t do that again.”
James chuckled as Lucian covered his ears, asking if he was nagging all the way here.
“Leah, please persuade him well.”
"Don't worry. I will tell him well.”
“I feel safe because Leah is here. Ah, now I should call you Madame Grand Duchess instead of Lady Leah. I really want to go now.”
James bowed politely and left the mansion.
However, the two people who heard the bombshell statement at the end froze as they looked at each other.
"...Lady Grand Duchess?”
There was silence between the two for a moment.
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