The Abandoned Prince’s Ghost Bride - Chapter 167

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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 Abandoned Prince’s Ghost Bride
Special Side Story Episode 1

“Leave the flowers over there, and make sure the floor is completely dry—no slipping! And don’t put that there, didn’t I tell you?!”
At one man’s command, many servants moved about with great haste.
Tilan Territory, situated in the west of the Odrian Empire.
The Tilan Territory, renowned for its fertile lands, spared no effort in preparing for the arrival of a new master who had left the seat vacant for several years.
In particular, James, who had come from the Imperial Palace and become the head steward of the Ducal Palace a year ago, had ordered the entire castle scrubbed spotless a month prior, and had cleared away all the old furnishings in favor of fashionable items from the capital, transforming the aging fortress into something refined.
The servants, who had grown accustomed to a leisurely existence in the masterless castle, had suffered miserably for nearly a month.
“There must be not the slightest deficiency in our service to His Highness!”
James raised his voice as he soothed the anxious servants.
“Head Steward! A gentleman believed to be the Duke has just crossed the East Gate with three companions!”
Just then, a knight came rushing from behind with urgent news.
At that, James—notorious throughout the Ducal Palace for his exacting standards—broke into a radiant smile.
“Assemble all the servants at once! Our master has returned!”
James gazed out the window, watching the bustling activity below.
“How good it will be to see your face again, Lucian.”
He wondered how much the young prince had grown in the years they’d been apart.

* * *

“Well, the territory is quite substantial, isn’t it?”
“Tilan is famous for its wheat and apples, after all.”
A man and woman, both wearing deep black hoods, surveyed their surroundings.
They were strolling through the heart of Tilan Territory, where a sprawling market had formed, teeming with territorial residents and tourists alike.
Behind the two leading figures walked two more hooded persons.
They moved somewhat more slowly than the first pair, with the larger of the two supporting the smaller one as they walked.
“I can walk on my own, you know.”
“You can’t. I’m worried about you. Should I call for a carriage if it becomes too much?”
Seeing the tender concern in the golden eyes briefly visible within the hood, the woman chuckled softly.
Then, from somewhere, a scent wafted through the air.
“That smells delicious…”
At the woman’s murmur, the man beside her’s eyes lit up.
“W-wait, something delicious? You think it’ll be good?”
Ignoring the man’s enthusiasm, the woman sniffed the air, trying to trace the source of the fragrance.
They arrived at a small Apple Pie stand.
The aroma of freshly baked pie drifted warmly through the area, whether from a makeshift oven or otherwise.
“I want to eat some of that Apple Pie.”
“Of course! Just wait a moment!”
The man quickly approached the stand and ordered multiple pies.
“Really, one would have been enough…”
She laughed helplessly as she watched him return with several boxes of Apple Pie.
Still, the way she was already salivating suggested she might devour them all by herself.
The woman pulled out a slice of Apple Pie and took a bite.
Seeing her chew silently, the man watched anxiously and asked carefully.
“…How is it? All right? You’re not feeling nauseous or anything?”
“…No, this is incredibly delicious. I think I can eat all of it.”
Relief washed over the man’s face. He pressed a hand to his chest, then seated her on a nearby bench while he went to find something to drink.
Whether the man returned or not, the woman was completely absorbed in her Apple Pie.
“You disappeared so suddenly—what are you doing here?”
“Oh my, eating bread right now?”
Just then, a shadow fell over her. Looking up, she saw the two hooded figures who had been walking ahead.
Their eyes widened noticeably when they saw the Apple Pie in her hands.
“Yeah, this I can actually eat. Want to try some? It’s really delicious.”
“Hmm, it is good. No wonder this place is said to be the holy land of wheat and apples. …Ouch!”
When the man with faintly visible red hair beneath his hood took a bite, his companion gave him a sharp smack on the back.
“Why’d you hit me?!”
“Are you really trying to steal food from a pregnant woman?! I’m sorry, Lia. This one still has no sense.”
“No, it’s fine, Beatrice. Lucian bought so much, there’s plenty here. You try some too.”
“Well… then just a bite…”
“You were going to eat some anyway, so why are you making such a fuss about me…? Ouch! All right, all right!”
“Lia! I got Apple Juice!”
The man who had stepped away returned at that moment, carrying numerous bottles of Apple Juice.
Watching her bickering companions, the seated woman burst into laughter.
At the same moment, the hood perched precariously on her head fell back.
Lustrous hair black as midnight framed a pair of eyes with a slight upward tilt, within which purple irises gleamed like amethysts.
A beauty striking enough to make anyone turn their head.
Her name was Lia.
Three hundred years prior, she had lived as a ghost through the schemes of the first Emperor, but after being discovered in a mansion and aided by the abandoned Prince Lucian and his friend, the Dragon Kaiser, she had become human once more.
Together with her husband Lucian and her friend Kaiser, she had traveled the world, where they met the Black Dragon Beatrice and journeyed together for another year.
And now, having concluded their travels, they had arrived at Tilan Territory, the domain granted to Lucian.
As the Empire’s sole remaining Duke, he had duties to fulfill.
And whether by divine jest or fate, just as they were preparing to depart for Tilan Territory, she began showing signs of pregnancy.
The morning sickness started the moment she realized she was with child—so severe that she could scarcely stomach anything save fruit.
Unable to eat, Lucian had fared little better, and all those traveling with them had been at a loss watching Lia suffer so greatly.
Yet here, arriving at Tilan Territory, she had already demolished two boxes of Apple Pie.
It seemed a fair wind was blowing from the very first day in the territory.
“Ugh… I think I ate too much…”
As she tried to stand to head toward the Ducal Palace, Lia clutched her stomach and groaned.
In an instant, her companions’ faces went pale, and Kaiser, taking hold of them all, used Teleportation.
They arrived in the garden of the Ducal Palace.
The servants, who had been waiting to welcome Lucian and the Duke’s party, blinked in astonishment at the sudden appearance of the group.
“Physician! Fetch the Physician at once!”
Lucian and Kaiser, supporting the groaning Lia between them, shouted with desperation, their voices strained.
“Good heavens! Your Highness Lucian! Lady Lia!”
James was the first to regain his composure.
He had meticulously planned a welcoming ceremony for Lucian from Plan A through Plan E, yet found himself unable to execute any of them, forced instead to usher everyone inside.
From the very first day of the master’s arrival, the Ducal Palace was in constant uproar.

* * *

“It appears to be a simple case of overindulgence. A good rest should remedy the matter—please take the entire day to recover.”
“And the child inside…?”
“Perfectly healthy. You need not worry.”
At the Physician’s words, Lia exhaled in relief.
She felt a bit embarrassed that, having eaten so little for so long, she had lost her self-control.
Once the Physician had departed, Lia sighed and turned with a sheepish smile.
“Whew, I came so suddenly I haven’t properly greeted you. How have you been, James?”
But James was gazing at her with tears brimming in his eyes.
“A child of His Highness and Lady Lia… I have no regrets remaining in this world!”
As he wept and dabbed at his eyes with a handkerchief, Lucian beside him wore an expression of bewilderment.
“Why are you talking about dying? You have four children and a family to support. You’re staying at my side as my attendant.”
“Of course! Naturally! Who else but James could serve you both so faithfully?!”
James had managed to stop his tears, but the moment he caught sight of Lia’s swollen belly, he burst into sobs anew.
“What happened to this man to make him so sentimental?”
“Well, they do say sensitivity deepens with age, don’t they, Kaiser? Everyone becomes like that when they’re older.”
James, having known Lucian since childhood, was more overjoyed than anyone at the prospect of the young prince’s offspring.
“And the person beside you is…?”
“My bonded companion, the Black Dragon Beatrice.”
At Kaiser’s words, Beatrice raised one eyebrow.
“Is it all right for you to just tell humans I’m a Dragon?”
“This one’s fine. He knows I’m a Dragon, and he knows all about these two’s circumstances.”
“Hmm…”
Despite knowing her true nature, James’s composed demeanor intrigued Beatrice.
“If you are bonded companions, shall I prepare the same room for you both?”
“I’d appreciate that.”
“Certainly. I shall prepare the guest chambers. First, madam, shall we show you to the Duchess’s quarters? Everything has been prepared for your comfort.”
“Wait—the Duchess’s quarters? You mean the Duke has a separate chamber?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Lucian’s face darkened with displeasure.
“That won’t do. Combine them into one. Lia and I will share a room.”
All the protocols of the Imperial Family and nobility that James had stored away suddenly swept through his mind—and he promptly dismissed them entirely, breaking into a bright smile.
“Very well. Shall I show madam to the Duke’s quarters?”
“Yes.”
“Really now, you could just use the existing rooms as they are—you’re only making more work for James.”
“No. Separate rooms are absolutely out of the question.”
Despite Lia’s reproach, Lucian refused to yield an inch.
And so, to help everyone recover from their long journey, James gave Kaiser and Beatrice a separate cottage, and led Lucian and Lia to the Duke’s quarters.
At the sight of rooms far grander and more lavish than even those of the Imperial Palace, Lia’s expression turned to bewilderment.

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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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