Married To The Enemy Kingdom's Illegitimate Prince-Chapter 46 — Is She Trustworthy?

Standing before the magnificent Solar palace, Lucian let out a deep breath before giving a slight nod to the guards standing before the entrance of the courtroom.

The guards announced his arrival, "The Grand Duke of Erion has arrived, Your Majesty!" One of the guards announced.

With a bitter scoff, Lucian entered the courtroom once the large golden doors opened, giving him a view of a place he recognized yet wasn’t familiar with.

His title has changed yet the contempt in the eyes of the Royal family didn’t disappear.

King Valerian was seated at the throne, his legs crossed, his hands placed on the throne’s handles. To his left, Queen Izabella was sitting, wearing the most luxurious dress of Selvarys along with a set of emerald jewelry, suiting the king’s eyes. To the king’s right, crown prince Valen was seated, with a smirk on his beautiful face, a contrast to Lucian, who was not considered as pretty as the star of the kingdom.

"It seems like you remember that we exist. I believe you must have forgotten about us as you are now married," the king chuckled.

His stone seemed teasing his son to the generals present in court; however, Lucian knew that wasn’t the case. The king was initiating that Lucian could have joined forces with his enemy, which could have led to a threat to King Valerian. He knelt on the ground, on the red soft carpet, pressing his right hand against his chest. He didn’t want the king to taunt him about his greeting once again

"I, Grand Duke Erion of Selvarys, greet—"

Lucian’s greeting was interrupted by the queen who rose from her seat, her loud steps falling on stairs as she descended the throne.

"My Queen?" The king spoke, confused by her sudden departure without asking the king’s permission.

"I apologize, Your Majesty. However, I cannot stand being in the same room as this filthy creature," the dark blue-haired middle-aged woman said, his blue eyes glimmering as she glared at Lucian.

Once Izabella stepped out, the door closed behind her. The courtroom’s atmosphere dropped, however, Lucian didn’t seem bothered.

"I, Grand Duke of Erion, Lucian Von..." Lucian paused. He hasn’t bestowed another name, yet. At the reception hall, it felt natural to greet the royal family with his royal surname however it no longer felt right. He was no longer part of this place. "Greet Your Majesty, the king, and Your Royal Highness, Crown Prince Valen," he continued after a brief silence.

"I have called you to discuss what happened at your reception banquet. Surely, you have investigated it thoroughly."

"I have been looking into the matter, Your Majesty."

King Valerian tapped his fingers on the throne’s golden armrest, making some tapping sounds.

"Do you mean to say you haven’t found anything?"

"Yet... I will soon," Lucian gazed on the ground.

"Hah," Valerian scoffed. "Give us some privacy," he commanded.

***

Cynthia has been walking in circles for the past few hours in the mansion’s yard. It was briefly cold outside as it had rained last night yet she didn’t care about it. Her shoes had been stained by mud and dirty water but she remained resolute in waiting for Lucian to return home.

He hadn’t looked for her for a while and it worried her. What if he didn’t return for another few months? What if he had forgotten about her?

Biting her thumbnail, she pondered anxiously about the possibility he might have met ’that woman’.

"What are you doing here?.." A faint voice demanded.

Cynthia’s dark expression soon brightened as soon as she heard that soft yet cold distant voice. It was Lucian.

She rushed to meet him and promptly greeted him.

"Welcome back, Your Highness!"

"I asked... what are you doing here?" His voice turned sharper, causing Cynthia to flinch.

Did me waiting for him anger him? And... he seems strange...

Before she could speak, Lucian walked past her without waiting for a proper reply.

"Lucian?" She faintly called, however he didn’t turn to face her.

With quick steps, Lucian rushed away from the yard, as if chased by demons, although he never ran away from them. The thought of giving a hint of weakness before Cynthia was unacceptable. He needed to keep his image as perfect and strong as possible before her.

"I can’t be the subject of her mockery," he told himself, opening the door of his bedroom.

Fumbling through the first drawer of his night table, he pulled out the piece of magic stone he kept safely. He clenched it against him as if to suppress the burning feeling in his chest but in vain. It didn’t work.

"Do I really have magic powers?.." he muttered.

Then, a soft chuckle escaped him, mocking himself for being a fool who believed an Eldorian’s words.

"But... If I indeed have them, I could overthrow–" Lucian gasped at his thoughts.

What in the world am I thinking?!

"Your Highness," Cynthia knocked twice on the door, her voice hinted at her worried and anxious state although Lucian believed it to be another act of hers.

"Keal. My eyes... do they look alright?" Lucian demanded, glancing towards the dark smoke which was floating behind him.

Keal simply chuckled, without answering.

"Answer," Lucian ordered, clenching the dark smoke although he couldn’t touch it and the dark silhouette simply divided itself into two.

[Why are you angry?! You look alright. But don’t tell me–]

Keal halted once he heard the door creaking open.

[... you plan to open the door for that Eldorian,] the voice ended his sentence although it was already too late.

"Come in," Lucian returned inside his bedroom, ignoring the surprised expression on Cynthia’s face.

She wasn’t expecting him to open the door only after two knocks. Much less let her enter his bedroom. The last time they were together in the same bedroom was two months ago.

"Sit," the dark-haired man ordered.

Cynthia raised an eyebrow, looking at him.

"Fine. Keep standing."

"Your Highness, are you alright? Are you suffering from another fever?" Cynthia gently extended her hand to reach for his forehead but Lucian stepped back.

"I am perfectly alright. You said you could bring me somewhere to cure my Rune, right? Let’s go."

"W-what?" Confused, Cynthia narrowed her eyes.

"I said let’s go. Get ready. We are leaving once I finish washing up."

"Your Highness! You don’t even know where it is."

"It doesn’t matter."

"Your Highness–"

Cynthia halted once she felt Lucian’s taller figure standing merely a few inches away from hers, his face leaning close to her, their nose almost touching.

"You keep talking about being my wife, don’t you, Your Highness? Then, why don’t you start by behaving like one? Do what’s best for your husband. And I know what’s best for me. I also need to make sure you aren’t spouting nonsense only to mess with my head. This is your first and last chance to prove yourself. If what you’re saying is true, and I indeed possess magic, then I will accept your request to manage the mansion."

Clenching her fist, Cynthia looked into Lucian’s eyes. His gaze didn’t waver. He spoke what he thought, and he wasn’t the kind to trick anyone.

"But if it is proven that you are lying, then I will personally make your life in this kingdom hell. I despise liars the most."

The silver-haired young woman’s lips curled into a smile.

"Let’s go, then," she turned her feet and left the hall.

[She agreed easily. Could she be telling the truth?] Keal chuckled.

"We just need to follow her and see how truthful an Eldorian can be."

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