The Abandoned Prince’s Ghost Bride - Chapter 24

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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 — Episode 24

Amidst the bustle of servants moving hurriedly, there was one place where a child’s bright laughter could be heard, quiet though it was.
A child with hair as white as snow touched the Butterfly Necktie fastened around his neck and turned to look back.
“My goodness! How does it look? Do I wear it well?”
“Of course, there’s nothing our Crown Prince doesn’t suit.”
A pale face, hair as white as snow, and eyes that gleamed brighter than gold itself.
His face was identical to Lucian’s, yet he carried himself with far more confidence, was more lively, and stood half a head taller than his brother.
His name was Leopold Odelion, the Crown Prince of the Oderian Empire.
He was so excited about his birthday tomorrow that he couldn’t contain his elation.
Leopold’s mother, Serena Odelion, the most precious lady of the Oderian Empire, watched him with a warm smile.
As the woman who received the Emperor’s sole affection, she was a beauty so stunning that it was hard to believe she had an eight-year-old child.
“You look splendid, my son.”
“Father!”
Just then, the door opened and Emperor Ruber Odelion appeared. He possessed the same golden eyes and white hair as Leopold. One might have thought: this is what Leopold would look like when grown.
As Leopold ran toward him, Ruber caught him up at once, kissing his cheek. Leopold burst into bright laughter.
“Are you looking forward to your Birthday Celebration tomorrow?”
“Of course! A birthday comes only once a year!”
“If there’s anything you’d like, just say the word. I’ve prepared many surprise gifts this time, but truly, nothing compares to the gift you yourself desire.”
“Well, then… I want a little brother!”
Ruber’s hand trembled slightly. Leopold, noticing nothing amiss, grinned brightly.
“I want a little brother! Just the other day, Harry was boasting so much that his sister was born!”
Ruber’s expression hardened, but when Leopold looked up at him with bright, eager eyes, he forced a smile and set the boy down.
“Then your father will have to work at it.”
“Why would you have to work at making a brother, Father?”
“These things are complicated, my boy. Now, go and finish trying on your accessories.”
“Oh, that’s right. While I’m putting on my shoes and accessories, you can’t come in!”
Leopold scurried over to the attendants. Ruber, who had been smiling warmly, stiffened the moment Leopold was out of sight.
“…Who spoke to Leo about a little brother?”
“Your Majesty need not concern himself. It appears merely that some of his playmates have younger siblings.”
“He didn’t mention… that boy?”
“No, Your Majesty.”
Seeing Serena’s dark expression, Ruber set aside his suspicions. He soon softened and stroked her cheek.
“Of late, more people have glimpsed that child, and it troubles me. I hope I haven’t frightened you unduly.”
“…No. It is indeed a matter for Your Majesty’s concern.”
A worry took hold: had someone let slip to Leopold the story of Lucian?
For so long they had kept him hidden from sight, but three months ago he was exposed to many eyes.
Of course, to prepare for any unforeseen crisis, they had crafted a story: “We were forced to disguise an orphan as a member of the royal family and offered him as a sacrifice.”
Moreover, even after the exposure, every person who had cared for Lucian before and all those who served him at the time were erased from the world without a whisper.
But when sending him to the Ghost Mansion, there had been some commotion, so it was quite possible someone had witnessed it.
“Dain, do we continue to send supplies to the Ghost Mansion?”
Steward Dain flinched and bowed his head.
“A servant named James sends supplies once a month.”
“Can he be trusted?”
“Yes. He is taciturn and fears nothing about the Ghost Mansion. To this day, he has not spoken to anyone of that person or the Ghost Mansion. I shall continue to watch him.”
“Hmm… that’s good then. It is easier to have one person in charge than to constantly replace them. Still, report to me at once if he shows any suspicious behavior.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“No one must know of that child. Especially not Leopold.”
The Empress and Dain bowed their heads.
Ruber clasped his hands behind his back and gazed at Leopold in the distance, selecting accessories, with a meaningful gaze.
He furrowed his brow in deep thought, and when his eyes met Leopold’s, the boy broke into a wide smile. Ruber responded with a faint smile and waved his hand.
Then, suddenly, his hand trembled.
His second son, whom he had met for the first time four years ago, came to mind.
Those golden eyes, full of fear yet curiosity. Though identical in appearance, the two brothers had such different presences that one could tell them apart clearly.
The last time he saw the child was when Lucian climbed into the carriage bound for the Ghost Mansion.
Being born as a twin, he thought he had been merciful enough simply to spare the boy’s life rather than kill him. Yet blood will tell.
‘…He won’t leave my mind.’
That is why he had not seen the child since then. When Empress Serena heard that twins had been born, she did not so much as look at the boy born second, Lucian.
To look would be to grow fond of him, without doubt.
Her choice had been wise. Even now, merely mentioning Lucian, she had not worn an expression as though she would weep.
Ruber quietly wrapped his arms around Serena’s shoulders.
He did what he could, he rationalized to himself, and worked to erase Lucian from his mind.

* * *

The day of Lucian’s birthday mission.
Lia and Kaizar acted as planned, behaving as always, and gave Lucian an errand.
“This time I’m going alone, right?”
[That’s right. You’ve memorized the route, haven’t you?]
“Yes!”
“I won’t follow you, so don’t go after any strange people, and don’t fall for it even if they offer you food. If they try to drag you off, kick them where it counts!”
Part of Lia wanted to say that was quite a lesson to impart, but her concern was the same, so she held her tongue.
Kaizar used magic to change Lucian’s appearance just as before.
As Kaizar fit a hat snugly on Lucian’s head, he fell silent for a moment, then jabbed Lia in the ribs with his elbow.
“…See? Worth the money, wasn’t it?”
[For once, I’ll concede the point.]
Lucian wore the new clothes they had bought last time. The saying was true: fine clothes make the man. He looked so adorable and noble that one would believe him to be a young aristocrat.
[Shouldn’t you be following him even now?]
Kaizar glared at Lia, telling her to make sense.
[Even so, I’m uneasy letting him go like this. Lucian is so pretty.]
“Sigh, Lucian. What are we to do with your bride fussing over you like this? You’ll end up trapped and suffocating, you know.”
[Quiet.]
Kaizar swatted Lia’s hand away from Lucian and led the boy toward the front gate. Lia watched him go with a sharp glare, helplessly waving farewell.
“Here, these are the things you need to buy. I’ve packed a Dimensional Pouch, so put everything in there. Once you’re done, keep it in the inner pocket.”
“Okay. Someone might steal it, so I’ll be really careful.”
Lucian snorted, muttering that Kaizar wasn’t his parent.
[Lucian, you don’t have to buy every single thing on the list. If you get tired or scared in the middle, come back anytime, understand?]
“Understood. Well then, I’ll be off!”
Lucian spoke confidently and stepped briskly beyond the fence. Lia watched his retreating figure for a long while. Kaizar, standing beside her, clicked his tongue.
“So tender. Look, eight years old isn’t really that young. He’ll manage just fine on his own. Don’t you know we have mountains of work to do today?”
[…Who doesn’t know that? I’m just worried, that’s all.]
Kaizar told her to get inside already and headed into the mansion first. Lia still lingered, anxious for Lucian. By now, the boy had become a distant speck.
Lia! Get in here now!
[That lizard brat. So impatient.]
Lia grumbled under her breath and reluctantly headed toward the mansion.

* * *

When Lucian arrived at the Town, he swallowed hard. He had boasted to Lia and Kaizar, but truth be told, he was nervous.
Before, with Kaizar there, his heart had been at ease. But now…
Come, come! Fresh apples just picked this morning!
Such opportunity doesn’t come every day! Buy now and get half off!
This is an item in shortage! If you miss this chance, I can’t promise when you’ll find it again!
Seeing the merchants hawking their wares, the people bustling about, and the crowd filling the square, he felt his breath catch.
But Lucian steeled himself and checked the errand list Kaizar had given him.
“Sugar and almond, seasonal fruit, a mortar and pestle… a mortar and pestle?”
He didn’t know what a mortar and pestle was, but decided to buy what he recognized first. He browsed here and there through the market, buying items from the list when he spotted them, and asking people for directions when he couldn’t find something.
“Um, excuse me…”
Lucian approached a spice stall in a small voice. The drowsy shopkeeper suddenly jolted awake at the sight of Lucian and lazily opened his eyes again.
“Yawn. What brings you here, little one?”
“I’ve come to buy sugar.”
“…Sugar? Running an errand for your mother?”
“Huh? Y-yes…”
Sugar was among the more expensive spices; ordinary commoners couldn’t afford even to consider buying it. Yet this boy came to buy sugar as an errand?
“You didn’t confuse honey with sugar, did you?”
“It says sugar right here.”
“Hmm… all right. How much do you need?”
“Oh, that wasn’t written down.”
Lucian pondered for a moment, then held up his hands to show roughly a double handful. The shopkeeper eyeballed the amount and wrapped the sugar in a sack.
As the owner checked the scales, he snuck a glance at Lucian before calling out a price.
“Two Gold.”
“Two Gold? Just a moment.”
He’d marked it up by fifty Silver—and the boy was handing it over without complaint? The shopkeeper gloated inwardly at his luck.
The moment Lucian was about to produce two Gold, someone blocked his hand.
“There’s no excuse for cheating a child when there are adults around, sir.”
“Ch-cheat! Who are you!”
“Huh? Dio?”
The person who had come to Lucian’s aid was none other than Dio, the son of the weapon shop owner. He didn’t spare Lucian a glance, merely snorting.
“Clearly not worth two Gold. This should be one Gold thirty Silver, right?”
“Thirty Silver! One Gold fifty… ugh.”
The owner, without thinking, had stated the cost price. He slapped his own mouth shut. But Dio, having heard it all, glared at him.
“There, see! You were cheating!”
“You, you brat…! What does a kid know…!”
“Everybody! Look here, please! This grown man is cheating an innocent child!”
Dio didn’t back down from the adult’s intimidation; instead, he raised his voice even louder to draw attention. Passersby stopped to see what the fuss was about.
“Everybody here! This man is…!”
“All right, all right! Just keep it down!”
“Sir, I’m a local here. If you want to keep doing business, you’d better stop cheating people.”
“…You brat… fine, fine! Do as you like!”
“You heard? Not two Gold…”
Dio pulled out one Gold thirty Silver from Lucian’s purse and placed it on the counter.
“That’s not right! It’s one Gold fifty Silver! You need to pay another twenty Silver!”
“If you overcharged by fifty Silver, naturally that much should come off, don’t you think? Suit yourself. Have a wonderful day…!”
“Fine, fine! Take it and get out of here!”
The owner finally threw up his hands and pushed the two of them away from the stall.
It all happened so fast that Lucian blinked in bewilderment. Dio stuck his tongue out at the sputtering shopkeeper and handed Lucian the sugar sack.
“Here.”
“…Thank you.”
“In the market, you always have to haggle. People usually ask for more than the cost price. You’ve never done an errand before, have you?”
“No…”
“I thought so. …Are you a noble?”
Dio studied Lucian, looking him up and down, noting how much nobler he appeared than before.
Lucian recalled Lia’s words that he must never reveal his identity, and shook his head firmly.
“…I’m not.”
Lucian stared at Dio, who scratched at the ground awkwardly with his foot. The intensity of his gaze made Dio’s eyes dart about, and he scratched his head.
“…I’m leaving.”
Dio departed, leaving Lucian behind. And to himself, he muttered.
‘Tch, why did I help him?’
He had spotted Lucian by chance on his way back from running his father’s errand. The boy’s face was so striking that he’d recognized him at once.
He hadn’t helped him expecting anything in return, but at least he’d thought they’d become friendlier. Instead, the boy had nothing to say.
“Sigh, what was I hoping for…”
“Why are you sighing?”
“Ahhhhh!”
Hearing the voice from right beside him, Dio shrieked. Lucian flinched and stepped back.

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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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