The Abandoned Prince’s Ghost Bride - Chapter 148

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

The Forsaken Prince’s Phantom Bride — Episode 148

“Persuading the aristocrats isn’t proving difficult, is it?”
“Not really? It’s irritating, sure, but difficult? It’s something I have to deal with anyway.”
Lucian had spoken with deliberate seriousness, trying to lighten Leopold’s burden, but Leopold deflected easily.
His response was so light that Lucian felt almost embarrassed for having worried.
When Lucian’s expression turned bewildered, Leopold let out a small laugh.
“Honestly, I’m fine. What can those fools do to me? Either way, I’m putting you in the Grand Duke’s seat.”
In today’s conference, Leopold had officially announced Lucian’s existence and declared that he would grant him the position of Grand Duke. That was why the aristocrats had begun to resist.
“All they can muster is some tired talk about hereditary succession. But even that system was created by the first Emperor, wasn’t it?”
Moreover, the fact that Lucian possessed legitimate Imperial bloodline was something no one could deny.
For one, he bore unmistakable Imperial features, and the aristocrats had been deceived so thoroughly that he looked identical to Leopold.
“You’re of legitimate Imperial descent. Who would dare oppose this proposal? And if they do, I’ll deal with them.”
Leopold spoke with a subtle smile, but his words carried weight and force.
He was no longer the bumbling Leopold of the past.
‘Rather, he resembles Leon a little…’
It seemed Lia wasn’t the only one thinking this; a heavy silence settled over the conference hall.
Leopold blinked at the anxious gazes directed at him before bursting into laughter.
“Ah, I’m sorry. A bad habit slipped out.”
“…A habit?”
“I told you—when Leon took over my body, I saw and felt everything he did. Just as he saw my memories, I saw his exactly the same way.”
Among those memories were some so terrible he’d rather not recall, but they weren’t all bad.
“After all, he was Emperor for 300 years. As much as it galls me, his charisma in managing people and his methods are worth learning from.”
One of Leon’s specialties was changing people’s perceptions through manipulation and falsification.
A prime example was how he’d turned his companion Aria into a witch.
“Even though he’s despicable, shouldn’t I put his techniques to use?”
Leopold’s expression as he said this was radiant.
Lia felt a chill run down her spine without meaning to. As if Leopold had lost his innocence.
‘Perhaps it’s stranger that he didn’t lose it.’
Leopold had been suppressed and exploited by the corrupted Leon for a long time. That his spirit remained uncorrupted during that period was remarkable in itself.
In fact, if Leopold’s naiveté disappeared now, it would only aid him more in governing the Empire going forward.
“So don’t worry too much, Lucian. Your older brother will handle everything.”
“…I told you I don’t need you to worry about it.”
“Tch! More nonsense! I’m not fine with it, so stay quiet. Say something like that even once more and you’ll be punished.”
He placed his hand on his waist in a mock threat, though it carried no menace whatsoever. Still, Lucian could clearly see how much Leopold cared for his younger brother, and he smiled.
“If you haven’t eaten lunch yet, let’s eat together. I’m getting hungry.”
Leopold led the way, with the others following behind. But soon Lucian, remembering something, called out to him.
“Oh, speaking of which—what did you discuss with the Duke of Sevans?”
Leopold, who had been walking ahead, stopped short. After a moment of silence, he turned with a smile.
“Nothing much. Just… various things.”
“Is that so?”
Lucian studied Leopold’s face for a moment.
In fact, the fact that he hadn’t told Leopold about Lirlis had been weighing on his mind all along.
Though Lirlis’s cooperation had allowed him to discover Leon’s identity quickly, the fact that she’d betrayed Leopold remained unchanged.
He’d been uneasy about it since the time he’d hidden the truth without knowing it was Leon. Now, just as he resolved to tell Leopold honestly, Leopold stopped again.
“Ah, I just remembered something I need to do. I’m sorry, but could you go ahead? I’ll catch up shortly.”
“Understood.”
Harry and Dio followed Leopold away. Lucian watched the three depart before sighing.
“Lia, I really should tell Leopold about Lirlis, shouldn’t I?”
“If you don’t want to keep deceiving Leopold any longer.”
“Right. I should probably mention it during lunch…”
“Hold on.”
Age cut in mid-sentence. The dragon’s gaze, which had been fixed on the back of Leopold’s head, shifted to Lucian.
“Don’t meddle carelessly in other people’s romantic affairs.”
“But…”
“Besides, your brother has eyes to judge character, doesn’t he? If the woman is strange, he’ll filter her out on his own.”
“Right. Leopold will handle it. Let’s just go eat. My stomach’s about to touch my backbone.”
Kaiser joined in as well, ushering Lia and Lucian forward.
After watching the three walk ahead, Age reluctantly followed after them.
The two dragons had a reason for their deliberate change of subject. Their ears, however faintly, had caught Leopold’s words.

.
.

“…You’re not planning to tell Lucian about this?”
Once Harry thought they’d put sufficient distance between themselves and Lucian’s group, he spoke to Leopold.
Leopold hesitated and his expression turned bitter.
“What am I supposed to say then? That Lirlis likes Lucian, not me? I don’t think Lucian would welcome that news.”
Leopold already knew what Lucian had been worried about.
He’d learned of it the same way—when Leon had possessed his body, Leopold had witnessed the entire contract between Leon and Lirlis from beginning to end.
The conversation with the Duke of Sevans in the conference hall just now had been about engagement dissolution.

‘…Are you truly resolved to dissolve the engagement?’
‘I know it’s shameful to the Duke and Lirlis. But… surely you understand my position. I cannot marry a woman whose heart lies with my brother.’
‘Your Majesty, it is certainly an undeniable fact that your daughter harbored misguided feelings in the past. But that is no longer the case. When she learned that you had been wounded, she was so…’
‘Duke.’
The Duke had no choice but to stop speaking.
Leopold’s face had contorted as if he might weep.
In the end, the Duke had turned back without offering any further excuse.

Leopold, thinking involuntarily of Lirlis, unclenched his fist.
“Besides, if I told Lucian openly that I knew about it… I think I’d come to resent him.”
Truthfully, he hadn’t yet let go of his love for Lirlis. But he would.
He’d seen clearly through Leon’s memories what happens when mismatched love is ignored and lovers are forced together.
Even if he couldn’t let go, he would have to.
The two friends, understanding Leopold’s heart, silently patted his back.

* * *

Contrary to Lucian’s concerns, Leopold’s plan proceeded without obstruction.
According to what James had heard, Leopold silenced the opinions of the aristocrats who opposed him and pushed forward without hesitation.
“It appears the Grand Duke investiture ceremony will be held soon.”
“Already?”
“Already? This has been in preparation since the moment Your Majesty awoke. You’ll be busy with the ceremony for some time, so please keep that in mind.”
“Sigh… please just leave me alone. I’d only just thought I’d escaped the Imperial Palace.”
Lucian was now at the Ghost Mansion, having left the Imperial Palace.
Being in the Palace meant having to overhear servants whispering, feeling countless gazes from every direction, and encountering people he didn’t wish to see—so he’d fled to the mansion.
“Still, it’s far more comfortable than being at the Palace.”
Lia brought out refreshments she’d prepared.
“Above all, I’m grateful not to have to deal with your parents anymore.”
She placed a cookie into Lucian’s mouth, one perfectly suited to his taste. As he chewed, Lucian nodded, thinking of his parents.
“That’s true enough.”
He recalled the farewells he’d exchanged before leaving the Palace.
When he’d said he was leaving, Leopold and Ruber and Serena had gathered and offered tearful goodbyes, as though he were traveling to a distant land—even though they could see each other anytime.

‘If you need anything, just say so. I’ll support you in any way I can. And don’t forget—I’m preparing your promised reward now, so look forward to it.’
‘You’ve worked hard all this time. Still, once you climb the mountain you’ll be fine, so I can come visit sometimes, can’t I? And you’ll come down to see me now and then.’
Ruber and Leopold had offered their farewells matter-of-factly and without fuss, but Serena was different.
Her eyes were already reddened from having shed tears, and she couldn’t speak easily.
‘…I’m sorry.’
At this unexpected apology, Lucian’s eyes widened slightly. This apology carried a different weight than the ones he’d deflected before.
‘I failed to be a dependable and trustworthy mother to you, but I promise things will change now. I will always be here, so come to me whenever you wish.’
Even as she spoke, Serena’s voice trembled, as though she feared he wouldn’t accept her apology.
Lucian, to be honest, felt little stirring in his heart at the sight of his mother.
But a small part of his old sorrow seemed to ease.
‘I will visit you from time to time.’
With those words, Lucian departed alongside Lia and Kaiser, while Serena shed tears of joy in their wake.

Lucian, unexpectedly reminded of the past, felt his mood become unsettled. So he rested his head against Lia’s shoulder and found peace.
Then, suddenly, he glanced at James across from him.
“Shouldn’t you be able to have someone else handle this sort of thing now?”
James, who had been leafing through documents prepared for the Grand Duke investiture, paused and looked at Lucian.
“Forgive me, but your tone suggests you find my presence here strange.”
“It’s just that there’s nothing in it for you to stay by my side. Your brother has already lost many people dealing with Leon’s remnants. Wouldn’t it be better for James to be at Leopold’s side?”
James, like Dio and Harry, was more than worthy of standing beside Leopold.
Above all, wasn’t it James who had served by his side when he’d been Emperor, ensuring he lacked for nothing?
If James offered his help, Leopold would gladly grant him the position of Imperial Chamberlain.
James was silent for a moment, then let out a soft laugh and removed his glasses.
“The first time I saw you was fifteen years ago.”
James spoke comfortably now, dropping formality as he had when Lucian had still been Emperor.
“Back then, I worried endlessly whether that small boy could navigate such a harsh world.”
At James’s words, Lia gazed at Lucian with a warm smile, recalling that young version of him.
“Of course, when you said you needed my help to serve as the Emperor’s substitute, I won’t deny the ambition was there.”
What man wouldn’t feel ambition at such an extraordinary elevation in status? But it wasn’t solely that reason that had made him accept Lucian’s proposal.
“I’m not serving the Imperial Family. I’m serving Lucian Odel.”
Perhaps it had been fate from the moment he first met the young Lucian.
“Besides, when you become Grand Duke, there will be countless things requiring attention—and a capable butler is indispensable, isn’t he? Are you truly fine with me going off to the Palace like this?”
“I… well…”
At this unexpected answer, Lucian felt somewhat flustered. But seeing his expression, Lia burst into laughter.
“Haha! Look at you getting all flustered. James, your words must have really pleased him.”
“I need not say it. After all, I’ve been serving Lucian for five years now.”
At the laughter of the two, Lucian’s cheeks reddened. Yet the feeling wasn’t unpleasant, and he found himself laughing along.
“His Majesty has decided to grant you a large mansion. You weren’t planning to live there anyway, were you?”
“That’s right. It would be too heavy a burden for me.”
“I’ll manage it in your stead. Come whenever you wish to rest comfortably with Lady Lia. No—I’ll do my best to make that place your new home.”
James gathered his documents and rose from his seat.
“I must take my leave now—there’s much to attend to. But don’t you dare refuse me or say you don’t need a Grand Duke’s title or a mansion, because my poor rabbit of a wife and our children’s lives depend on your decision. Understand?”
“Goodness, all right, all right. I won’t say such things again.”
As Lucian covered his ears at the nagging after coming this far, James chuckled softly.
“Lady Lia, please persuade him well.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll talk him into it.”
“With you by his side, I’m assured. Ah, from now on I suppose I should call you not Lady Lia but the Grand Duchess. Well then, I really must be going.”
James bowed respectfully and departed the mansion.
But having heard his parting bombshell, the two were left frozen, staring at each other.
“…Grand Duchess?”
A brief silence fell between them.

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