The Abandoned Prince’s Ghost Bride - Chapter 117

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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The Ghost Bride of the Abandoned Prince — Chapter 117

“Lirlis.”
“I must see Her Majesty tomorrow at once… yes?”
“Do you want to become Empress? Or do you want to be Lucian’s woman?”
“Why would you ask such a…”
“Enough. Answer me once. What is it that you truly want?”
At her father’s earnest tone, Lirlis suppressed her reluctance and considered the question carefully.
“I want both.”
Seeing the greed gleam in her eyes, Duke Sevans furrowed his brow.
“The world does not turn as you wish. Choose one or the other.”
“Why are you like this? I can’t give up either one. Becoming Lucian’s woman is the same as becoming Empress! They’re the same thing…!”
“I heard that His Majesty Leopold awakened just before we left the Imperial Palace.”
Lirlis’s heart sank with a heavy thud. She covered her trembling mouth with her hand.
Was she moved by Leopold’s awakening? Or frightened of his reaction when he learned she loved his younger brother? Or was it fear that she would not obtain everything she wanted?
Duke Sevans could not fathom his daughter’s true feelings.
“Once His Majesty recovers, Lucian will step aside and His Majesty will return to his rightful place. That was the original agreement.”
“……”
“I ask you once more. Do you want to become Empress? Or do you want to be Lucian’s woman?”
Lirlis remained rigid, unable to speak a word. Seeing his daughter rendered silent, Duke Sevans sighed and rose from his seat.
“As your father, as a man, and as a duke, I counsel you one final time. If you wish to become Empress, abandon that foolish heart.”
Lirlis looked up at her father with trembling eyes.
“If His Majesty Leopold learns of your affection, he will never take you as Empress. There is no man alive who would welcome a fiancée who whispers her love to his younger brother while he lies unconscious.”
Lirlis’s mouth fell open. Yet still, no words came.
“If you truly wish to become Empress, I will support you with all my heart and means. I will defend your place even against the King himself. But if you lack the resolve to abandon your greed this time and go running about alone, I can no longer help you.”
“Ah……”
Only a sigh escaped Lirlis’s lips.
Sensing she needed time to think, Duke Sevans left the room.
Upon opening the door, he found maids and the Duchess lingering outside.
“Is Lirlis all right?”
“She will be. Go in and tidy her room. And make a woman of her. We cannot have her languishing like this indefinitely.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
After instructing the maids, Duke Sevans departed from Lirlis’s chamber without haste.

* * *

“Your Majesty! Please, calm yourself!”
“Ha… ha… ha…!”
James and Harry rushed after Lucian in a frenzy, but Lucian did not slow his sprint, breathing roughly.

‘Your Majesty! His Majesty Leopold has awakened!’

Harry had brought astonishing news. So Lucian hurried toward Leopold’s chamber.
In the distance, Leopold’s door—usually sealed shut—stood open. Within it, the sound of weeping drifted out.
For a moment Lucian’s heart sank, fearing something was wrong.
“Brother!”
Lucian called out urgently to Leopold and rushed inside.
His eyes slowly widened.
Leopold had truly awakened.
He was no longer lying helplessly in bed, but sitting upright, leaning against the headboard.
Long white hair cascading past his shoulders, a lean frame marked by wasted muscle, hollow cheeks.
Though not quite his former self, the way he smiled brightly was Leopold through and through.
Lucian’s eyes began to glisten with tears, but then he spotted Ruber and Serena already weeping at Leopold’s bedside, so he quickly wiped his eyes.
“Wahhhhh! Our son! Our beloved son! I thought you would never wake!”
“Are you truly well now? Will you at least recognize your father?”
Serena pressed Leopold’s hand to her tear-stained cheek, while Ruber, tears streaming, gently caressed his son’s wasted cheeks.
Leopold answered with a weak smile.
“Of course I do, my distinguished mother and father.”
“Leopold…!”
“Do not weep. It pains my heart.”
Seeing Serena weeping as though she might faint, Leopold gently wiped away her tears.
Ruber, fearing that if they continued like this both Serena and he would collapse, gently drew her back.
“Ahem! So, Lucian has come as well.”
“…Yes.”
Lucian’s gaze never left Leopold, acknowledging the other two not at all.
Leopold too held Lucian’s gaze.
As a subtle atmosphere settled between them, Ruber suddenly stiffened.
‘Leopold knows nothing.’
For five years, only Leopold’s time had stood still. He would not know he had twin brothers. Ruber found himself at a loss as to how Leopold would receive this revelation.
“Leopold, this child is—”
“Goodness, he looks awfully like me, doesn’t he?”
At Leopold’s innocent remark, Ruber flinched, and Lucian clenched his fist.
“…I shall explain. Father, please take Mother out.”
“No, I should be the one to—”
“Both of you are too unsettled to speak clearly right now. You know as well as I do, having seen these five years pass, that I harbor no enmity toward my brother.”
Yes, yes. This was the man who kept swearing he’d stop with such nonsense.
Ruber looked between Lucian and Leopold, then nodded.
“No. I must stay near him. I cannot leave like this.”
“Serena, if you remain, you will collapse before we even leave. Let us compose ourselves and step out.”
Though Serena resisted leaving Leopold’s side, Ruber soothed her and gently drew her away.
“Your Majesty! I have brought the Imperial Physician!”
Just then Dio appeared, bringing the Imperial Physician with him.
Since the Imperial Physician and others were still present, Lucian approached Leopold as though meeting him for the first time.
“Let us have you examined first.”
“…Of course.”
Leopold smiled faintly. The Imperial Physician hastily examined him, while Lucian watched from a distance.
Harry approached Lucian’s side.
“Surely… Leopold hasn’t forgotten what passed between you?”
Lucian flinched.
“…”
And he made no denial. From the moment Leopold treated him like a stranger, an ominous suspicion had begun creeping in.
He had assumed Leopold was acting—that few others knew of his collapse—but what if, against all odds, Leopold had truly lost all memory of their shared history?
‘Then what am I supposed to do…?’
“Your Majesty has been asleep for a long period and shows signs of malnutrition and dehydration, but aside from that, your health is sound. With consistent nourishing meals and physical rehabilitation, you should be able to resume your daily life quite soon.”
The Imperial Physician finished his examination. At the hopeful news, Lucian smiled softly.
Since the Imperial Physician already knew of Leopold’s condition, Lucian simply swore him to further silence before dismissing him.
James and Dio, quick on the uptake, ushered out the other guards and servants.
Only after James closed the door did Lucian approach Leopold’s side.
Leopold looked up at Lucian with innocent golden eyes.
“Brother…”
Lucian felt his throat tighten, his lips trembling.
“Do you… know who I am?”
And he waited for Leopold’s answer.
His palms grew moist, his mouth dry, his legs shaking.
“…Ha.”line>
At last Leopold’s lips parted. Seeing Lucian’s tension, he smiled.

“Did you think I wouldn’t recognize my one and only brother?”
Lucian’s eyes widened.
Leopold had lost no memory at all.
In an instant, the tension drained away, and relief flooded through him. Tears streamed down Lucian’s cheeks.
Leopold reached toward Lucian in alarm.
“Why are you crying? Don’t cry, please don’t cry!”
“…Brother.”
Though Leopold urged him not to, the tears only flowed faster. Leopold grew flustered.
He sought help from those around him, only to find them in a similar state.
“…Why are you all crying too?”
“Sniff-sniff-whimper!”
“Sob! Would you expect me not to weep?!”
Harry and Dio wept just as openly as Lucian, while only James stood grinning, patting their backs.
“Was I truly unconscious for that long?”
“…Five years.”
“What?! F-five years?! Oh no!”
As Leopold reeled, Harry and Dio embraced him as well.
Suddenly surrounded by three men, Leopold blinked. Then, with a cheerful laugh, he dried the tears of his weeping friends and younger brother.
“No wonder you all seem so grown up. My brother has become quite impressive. And here you are… does this mean our parents have finally accepted you as family?”
As Leopold’s eyes filled with hopeful light, Lucian shook his head, his own eyes red.
“…I was acting as your substitute. Your collapse is unknown to all but a few.”
“…What?”
“I’ll tell you everything that has happened these five years.”
Lucian resolved to lay bare everything that had transpired over the past five years so Leopold would suffer no further confusion.

* * *

‘So you three mere boys think you can topple the Lord’s Fortress?’
‘Mere…’
Four days after entering the cave, Karserin had recovered rapidly thanks to his exceptional regeneration.
He had by then transformed into a red-haired man using Polymorph, and he regarded the three before him.
Over these four days together, he had come to understand what they were traveling for.
Of course, Karserin had scoffed at Leon’s audacious ambitions.
Unlike Odel, who was discouraged by his blunt reaction, Leon’s spirits did not flag.
‘They say even a long journey begins with a single step, do they not? We are simply taking that first step now. Just you wait. One day we shall surely overturn this filthy world!’
How could he speak with such baseless confidence when he possessed nothing and no special power?
Yet Leon’s eyes shone brilliantly.
‘Very well. Do as you wish. But the lord in these parts is my prey. Interfere with my meal, and I will not spare even you.’
‘…Are you thinking of Revenge, then?’
When Odel asked carefully, Karserin’s smile turned bitter.
‘A mere human carved wounds all across my body. Why would I sit idle?’
‘More than mere wounds—injuries that nearly cost you your life.’
‘Where does a witch get off butting in!’
Karserin’s voice rose sharply, but Aria openly ignored him, scratching her ear.
Seeing Karserin trembling with fury, Odel stepped between them.
‘Please, calm down. Aria, you shouldn’t speak to Karserin like that either.’
‘Did I say anything wrong? I’m right, aren’t I? That lizard just has needless pride.’
‘That witch, I swear—!’
‘No, please! Both of you, please stop…!’
As they began to quarrel in earnest, Odel desperately tried to mediate. Meanwhile, Leon stroked his chin thoughtfully.
‘What if we were to join hands, Karserin?’
‘Huh?’
Karserin turned to Leon, still holding Odel.
‘After all, our goals are not the same, are they? You seek Revenge, and we seek Revolution.’
‘…So now you’re asking me to shake hands with humans?’
‘Call it a Temporary Alliance, then. Once this matter is settled, you are free to leave. We simply wish to end the Lord’s tyranny as soon as possible.’
Karserin regarded Leon silently.
Even twins could differ so greatly.
The Odel hanging from his waist was meek and gentle, but Leon was enterprising and ambitious. That twins could be so different astounded him, and yet…
‘Your fearlessness is identical, at least.’
‘Pardon?’
‘Tell me the details of your plan.’
At his affirmative words, Leon’s face brightened. He then began to outline how they might bring down the Lord.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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