The Abandoned Prince’s Ghost Bride - Chapter 27

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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 Forsaken Prince’s Spirit Bride — Episode 27

Lucian ran his fingers through his hair, now turned a rich brown.
“How did this happen? Did you cast magic on me again?”
“No, I enchanted that necklace. I can’t use magic every time we go to the village — it’s tedious. So wear the necklace whenever you need to fool people’s eyes. What do you think? Brilliant idea, right? Go on, sing my praises!”
Ria stared at Lucian while Kaizar stood beaming, chest thrust out, awaiting adoration.
[…The idea is good, but doesn’t the necklace itself draw attention?]
Kaizar flinched, his eyes blinking rapidly.
The altered hair made him look unremarkable, but the necklace undid that entirely.
Or rather, the necklace was so large that anyone wearing it would stand out.
“Just hide it under your clothes. Perfect, right?”
[From now on, always keep the necklace tucked inside your clothes. Never take it out in front of people, understand?]
“Not even Dio and James?”
[Hmm… At least not James.]
James had once laid hands on money — he was dangerous. As for Dio, Ria didn’t know much about him yet.
[Still, don’t show it to anyone. That necklace alone could buy an entire house. Some greedy person might take it, so you need to be careful. We can’t have your precious gift from Kaizar stolen.]
“Absolutely not! It’s a gift from my brother!”
Lucian clutched the necklace and approached Kaizar, embracing him tightly.
“Thank you, brother. I’ll treasure it.”
“Ahem, ahem… you really like it?”
“I love it! I’ve never owned anything this glittering in my whole life.”
“It seems all creatures love jewels. It’s one of my favorite necklaces, so wear it well.”
Had he been in dragon form, Kaizar’s tail would have lashed about in all directions.
Ria let out a soft laugh and produced her own gift.
“What’s this…?”
Both Lucian and Kaizar blinked, staring blankly at what Ria had brought.
[I wasn’t sure what to give since my options are limited… I hope you like it.]
What Ria had prepared was a portrait.
A portrait of Lucian. The figure in the painting wore the clothes he’d had on when he first arrived, his face graced with a subtle smile.
“Did you paint this, Ria?”
[Of course, what else?]
“Ria, you’re better at painting than I thought. Paint me too sometime.”
Kaizar’s request to be painted showed just how skilled Ria’s brushwork was.
Yet seeing the enigmatic expression on Lucian’s face made her uneasy.
[…Why? Don’t you like my gift?]
“Oh, no! I love your gift, really! It’s just… I was wondering why you painted me in these particular clothes.”
[Ah. I painted you in that outfit because I wanted that memory to become something good for you.]
No matter how much he claimed to love it here now, the day he arrived had been his worst — abandoned by his family.
She had deliberately painted him in formal court dress, hoping to transform that memory into something precious.
[And it’s what you wore on the day we were married. Look how handsome you are.]
True, he’d been gaunt and disheveled then, a shadow of his current self, but such a small touch of the brush could fix that.
She glanced at Lucian sideways, wondering if the answer had been enough. A faint smile appeared at the corners of his mouth.
“That’s right. The day I first met you. I do like it.”
[I’ll paint you every year. That way, someday you can show others how you’ve grown.]
“I love that. But it’s a shame you’re not in it…”
Lucian traced the empty space beside his portrait.
“It’s our wedding day, but only my image is there. Could you add yourself beside me?”
[…Me? But I don’t even know what I look like.]
“I can show you roughly how to draw yourself. A bride’s absence from her groom’s portrait doesn’t make sense.”
“That’s true. Isn’t this from your Spirit Marriage Ceremony or whatever? Don’t you look lonely standing there by yourself?”
[Hmm…]
If they put it that way, she couldn’t refuse entirely, but how was she supposed to paint what she’d never seen?
[I’ll try. But don’t get your hopes up.]
“You’re good at everything, so I’m sure you’ll paint it beautifully.”
[Aren’t you overestimating me?]
“I’m not. I never lie to you.”
His pouting lips were so endearing that Ria couldn’t help but smile.
After the gift exchange, the three continued their conversation. Lucian finished telling his stories from the village, and Kaizar took over from there.
After talking for a while, the sky had grown dark. Yet the table remained bright thanks to Kaizar’s magic.
[Should we clean up and head inside?]
As Ria and Kaizar began to rise, Lucian suddenly remembered something.
“Wait! On my birthday, the sky always sparkles. It should be sparkling about now…”
Whoosh-Boom! Bang-Bang!
Before Lucian finished speaking, fireworks erupted with brilliant colors painting the sky.
“That’s it! That’s the one!”
As Lucian bounced with joy, Ria and Kaizar exchanged a knowing glance before leading him up onto the Estate’s roof.
The initial shock passed quickly; then Lucian’s mouth fell open at the sight of the vibrant, cascading fireworks.
“Last year I watched alone, but having you and Kaizar here this year makes it so much better.”
Ria and Kaizar smiled silently. Lucian linked his arms through theirs, his face shining with unfiltered happiness.
“This is truly the best birthday ever!”
Those fireworks had been prepared for Lucian’s twin, the Crown Prince.
Born on the same day at the same hour, equally blessed by heaven, yet one lived in the light surrounded by everyone’s love while the other lived in darkness, breathing like the dead. The unfairness of it was cruel.
That such a pure, innocent being — one who finds joy in a single cake and a small gift — should never know hurt from another soul again, Ria desperately wished.
[No matter what it takes, I will protect you, Lucian.]
Ria’s whisper was swallowed by the noise of the fireworks, scattered to the wind. But that didn’t matter. This vow was hers alone to keep.

* * *

At that same moment, in the Emerald Hall of the Imperial Palace, the Crown Prince’s birthday celebration was in full swing.
Leopold sat in Ruber’s arms, laughing brightly as he watched the fireworks. He saw them every year, yet they felt new each time.
“Oh! I need to make a wish!”
‘Please let me have a little brother or sister. A younger sister or brother — either is fine. I want a sibling so badly.’
All his friends had at least one brother or sister, and he hated being an only child.
He’d heard that siblings fight often, but watching them stay close like best friends made him always envious.
Ever since he’d started wishing for a sibling, he’d compiled a mental list of everything he wanted to do with one.
As he mentally recited this list while making his wish, Ruber chuckled softly and stroked Leopold’s head.
“If your wish is too long, heaven won’t be able to grant it.”
“Oh! Then something else!”
As Leopold grunted, making another wish, Ruber and Serena caught each other’s eyes and smiled.
Their son was too adorable, groaning away over a single wish.
When the fireworks display ended after more than ten minutes, Leopold let out a wistful sigh.
“But I didn’t finish all my wishes…”
“Just wish for the most important thing. Did you do that?”
“Yes! It should reach the heavens.”
“Then tell me what you wished for?”
“I can’t! If you tell someone your wish, it stops working!”
“What? My clever one.”
“Oh! Grandfather!”
Before Ruber could scold him, Leopold slipped from his arms and rushed toward the approaching former Emperor.
“Grandfather!”
Julius Odelion, the former Emperor who had been conversing with the priests, smiled warmly at the sight of Leopold.
“You’ll trip if you run like that.”
“Are you feeling well? I heard you weren’t in good health today.”
“Still, it’s our grandson’s birthday — I couldn’t miss it. Tell me, did you make a birthday wish?”
“Yes, I did!”
“What did you wish for? Would you tell your grandfather?”
“Um… they say you shouldn’t tell…”
“One person is fine. And who am I? Perhaps I can make that wish come true?”
Leopold glanced around uncertainly, then covered his mouth with both hands and stood on his toes. Julius bent down accordingly, and Leopold whispered into his ear.
“I wished for a little brother or sister.”
“You want a sibling, do you?”
“Yes. Everyone else has one, but I don’t. If I had a sibling, I know I’d be really good to them.”
Leopold noticed his parents approaching from behind and hastily added, “This is a secret from Father and Mother.”
“Of course, my lips are sealed. Now then, I haven’t given you my gift yet, have I?”
Julius stood and gestured to a nearby attendant, who approached carrying something large wrapped in cloth.
“I thought it was about time you learned to hunt, so I found you a fine eagle.”
As the cloth was removed, a lustrous eagle emerged.
Leopold’s eyes widened in wonder as he stared at the bird, its plumage gleaming.
Screech! Screech!
“It’s truly magnificent…!”
“Just turned one year old. Already trained in the basics, so with proper bonding, it’ll make an excellent hunting companion.”
“Thank you so much, Grandfather! I’ll raise it with care!”
Leopold hurried toward the eagle’s cage. While he was captivated by the bird, Ruber and Serena approached Julius.
“We heard you weren’t well, but are you truly all right?”
“Age brings constant minor ailments. Still, I thought I should show my face on the grandson’s birthday.”
Julius stepped closer to Ruber.
“Leopold mentioned he wants a sibling.”
“…”
“It’s been some time since we named him Crown Prince. Another child wouldn’t be unreasonable. Or perhaps not a son — might a daughter be born?”
“…I never thought to hear talk of imperial heirs from you, Father.”
Ruber’s face cracked as he struggled to suppress his rage. Julius merely laughed mockingly at this.
“Surely you’re not suggesting my rise to the throne was my fault?”
“…”
“Didn’t you yourself covet that seat enough to kill the brother you once held dear?”
Julius spoke of Ruber’s brother — his own child — as though discussing a stranger’s affair.
Ruber’s fists clenched, his frame trembling.
“There’s no point darkening such an auspicious day. Let’s drop the subject. Cough, cough, cough!”
Julius broke into violent coughing, yet Ruber merely regarded his father with cold eyes.
Unmoved by his son’s frigid demeanor, Julius seemed to accept the tension as natural.
“I’ve had quite enough fresh air. I’ll take my leave.”
Julius’s attendants helped him rise and departed. Leopold clung to his grandfather’s robe at the last moment, reluctant to let go, but only released it when Ruber stopped him.
“Grandfather must not be feeling well — there are two priests attending him.”
“…Yes, it appears so.”
“I should visit tomorrow with strengthening foods. What’s good for recovering one’s vitality?”
Unaware of Ruber’s hardened expression, Leopold continued speaking of Julius.
His grandson’s concern was touching, but the situation was delicate now. Serena sensed this and led Leopold away.
Left alone, Ruber watched as the chief attendant approached.
“How long have those priests been at Father’s side?”
“About three months now, sir.”
“Three months… What’s the likelihood they’ll discover anything about that child?”
“…There should be little concern regarding the Prince. Those priests who visited the Estate that day have all been dealt with, and the visit was reported as an exorcism of malevolent spirits, so no rumors should spread.”
“Under no circumstances must Father learn of this. Should he discover it, that child won’t survive.”
“Then I shall verify the matter once more.”
The chief attendant withdrew, and Ruber folded his arms.
Julius Odelion. His own father, yet one without affection, or rather, one incapable of giving it — a cold and heartless man.
Now he played the benevolent former Emperor before watchful eyes, but Ruber, who had observed him closely since childhood, knew his true nature well.

Thus Ruber neither loved Julius nor regarded him as family.
He merely concealed his fangs and claws, feigning the gentleness of a lamb, waiting for the chance and justification to end him.
His refusal to give Leopold a sibling stemmed from this same resolve. Should Leopold have a brother, he would surely walk the same path Ruber had.
‘To fully seat Leopold on the Imperial Throne, eliminating Lucian would be logical… but.’
He refused to become the same monster he most despised.
Should Julius learn that Leopold and Lucian were twins, he would not hesitate for a moment to kill them both.
For some reason, Julius harbored an extreme aversion to twins.
Ruber had once heard that twin brothers had been born before his own time. But the moment Julius learned they were twins, he killed both newborns on the spot.
Julius was so pitiless, even to his own flesh and blood.
Lucian’s existence could never be revealed to such a man.

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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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