The Abandoned Prince’s Ghost Bride - Chapter 40

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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 40

Meanwhile, Lucian chattered endlessly to Dio, who was pushing him on the swing.
“That ghost is so incredible—she does the laundry in one go with magic and gets the hearth fire going instantly. That’s not all either. Those snacks she made today? The ghost made them. So what do you say now? You believe me, right?”
“Ugh! That ghost! Ghosts! I’m sick of hearing about it!”
Dio, exasperated, pushed with all his strength, sending the swing high into the air.
But Lucian showed no fear—he simply jumped clean from the swing and landed gracefully.
“That was fun. Do it again!”
“Fine, if you’d just shut that mouth of yours, I’ll do it.”
“No way! You still don’t believe me, Dio.”
Dio’s face grew bitter and his shoulders sagged. He’d been glad to escape the tedious prayers, but now Lucian’s endless ghost talk awaited him instead.
Cornering someone who didn’t believe him and rambling on about ghosts endlessly—it was driving him mad.
“Hmm… what else should I tell you about? Oh, you want to know what else that ghost can do…?”
“Stop! That’s enough!”
Dio held up his palm in violent refusal, and Lucian’s lips pouted out.
Soon Dio sighed and raised the white flag.
“Fine, I believe you. Please, just stop there.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. Ghosts exist in this world, and that ghost is working as your servant at your house. That’s it, right?”
“Yes! Exactly! Not a servant, but… anyway! You finally believe me!”
Lucian was delighted that his sincerity had gotten through, but Dio knew that if he didn’t do this, he’d suffer all day, so he was simply humoring him.
“Now that you believe me, do you want to come to my house today?”
“Huh?”
But then the conversation took a strange turn.
“Ria said I absolutely shouldn’t bring you unless I could convince you. But now you believe everything I said, right?”
“I… suppose so?”
“So let’s go to my house today! Ria will be happy to see you.”
What. So all this ghost talk was just to get him to visit the house?
“Man, you should’ve just said that from the start.”
“What?”
“Look, what do I expect from you.”
He should have caught on that first day when Lucian mentioned the ghost.
After that, Lucian had stopped talking about inviting him over and just went on about the ghost endlessly, making him forget about it.
But Lucian’s house, though…
“…That actually does sound interesting.”
“You’ll come to my house, right?”
Dio thought it over, then glanced sideways at Lucian. The boy was staring at him with eyes so bright they were almost burdensome.
“Only if I get permission from my mother.”
“Then obviously! Of course you have to get permission. Oh! Finally, I’m inviting someone! This is the first time I’ve ever invited anyone to my house!”
“Ahem, is that so…?”
“Yeah, because you’re my best friend, Dio. I wanted to introduce you to Ria. Don’t you think she’ll like you too?”
Lucian declared his determination, saying he’d help Dio get his parents’ permission.
‘This should be interesting. I’ve been dying to know where he lives.’
From what Lucian had told him about his house, it had a small training ground and garden, along with a piano—things you wouldn’t find in an ordinary household.
Even if his parents weren’t home right now, he was clearly nobility, so Dio couldn’t quite imagine how spacious and grand the mansion must be.
‘But… there’s not actually a real ghost there, is there?’
Dio, who’d been thinking for a moment, let out a smirk.
‘There’s no such thing as ghosts in the world.’
Dio still didn’t believe Lucian’s words and was simply excited at the prospect of visiting his house.
There were four hours left before Dio would arrive at Lucian’s house.

* * *

[This should be enough to handle any unexpected attack.]
Ria looked around with satisfaction, hands planted firmly on her hips.
From morning until now, Ria and Kaizar had set up magical barriers everywhere—in Lucian’s room, along the path leading to it, and even at the basement door.
It was reassuring to have Kaizar, but truly, if by some chance, somehow, any variable arose that brought Lucian harm, it would be catastrophic.
“At this level, this could even block my breath once.”
Ting!
Kaizar clicked his tongue upon seeing the multiple overlapping magical barriers Ria had layered on Lucian’s room.
[Heh, no matter how skilled these humans are, they’re still just humans. There’s no way anyone bold enough to break through these barriers and invade the room exists.]
“Still, you never know. These are the people who’ve been abducting people here for over two hundred years. They might have passed down some technique among themselves.”
[Don’t be so stern about it—go check the basement door again.]
“Yes, yes.”
Kaizar murmured and headed toward the basement. Just then, he perked up his ears and turned his head toward the front door.
“Looks like Lucian’s here.”
[He’s earlier than yesterday?]
Ria and Kaizar stopped what they were doing and went to greet Lucian.
Wow, how huge is this house?
But they stopped before opening the door, exchanging confused looks.
[Whose voice is that? It’s not James…]
“Don’t tell me… that brat actually did it…!”
As Ria and Kaizar’s faces went pale, Lucian flung the door wide open.
“I’m home!”
Ria and Kaizar, standing right in front of the door, couldn’t hide their shock.
Their eyes, trembling as if an earthquake were happening, shifted to Lucian’s side.
A boy with closely cropped hair and pleasantly tanned skin stood there, his sharp eyes written all over with “I’m a troublemaker.”
[Surely not… or? Lucian?]
“Let me introduce you! My best friend, Dio!”
Good heavens. The worst possible scenario had unfolded.
Lucian had actually succeeded in convincing Dio.
Unlike the two frozen figures, Lucian was grinning widely, sending them a look that begged for praise.
“Hello… I’m Dio.”
Dio bowed to Kaizar.
Only then did Ria snap back to herself and jabbed Kaizar, who looked utterly dazed, in the ribs.
“Ah, ah-hem! Yes, hello…”
“Dio, this is my close friend Kaizar. You’ve seen him once before, right?”
“Sort of, but… you did get permission, didn’t you? He looks shocked.”
Dio whispered only to Lucian, but standing in front of him were a sharp-eared dragon and a ghost.
“Of course. I said it was fine to bring him.”
“…I said it was fine to bring him anytime. After convincing him first.”
“Huh? That wasn’t saying I should convince him first…?”
Now Lucian’s eyes trembled as if an earthquake had struck, and he looked at Ria. Ria covered her face with her hand.
[You should have mentioned it at least a day in advance. You scared the life out of me.]
“Sorry…”
[Fine, forget it. You’ve already brought him here—what am I going to do? I guess we’ll have to feed him dinner at least.]
“Uh… he said he’d stay the night.”
Looking more carefully, Dio was holding a small bag, and seeing how clothes were sticking out of it, it didn’t seem to be a lie.
[Sigh. Fine. Whether he eats and leaves or stays the night—do as you please.]
“Ria, Ria…! Are you mad at me?”
Lucian scurried after Ria as she turned to leave. Ria glanced back in alarm.
[What are you doing! Dio’s going to think it’s strange!]
“It’s okay. Dio said he believes the ghost exists.”
[What?]
Looking behind Lucian with a baffled face, Dio’s eyes were wandering aimlessly.
Was that really the expression of someone who believed in ghosts…?
Ria glanced at Lucian.
Hehe.
He was just a child who understood nothing of the world.
Perhaps she’d expected too much of Lucian. She should have explained things directly instead of speaking in roundabout ways so he’d actually understand.
But the more she thought about it, the more it seemed like he was deliberately interpreting things however suited him best.
Surely that couldn’t be it, could it?
[…You started this mess, so you’re responsible for looking after Dio yourself.]
“Of course! Does this mean you’re allowing him to stay the night?”
Permission and all that aside—he’d already brought the child, so how could she turn him out?
Ria barely held back the words tumbling to the edge of her lips and waved her hand dismissively.
Lucian bounced excitedly, grabbed Dio’s hand, and declared he’d show him around the mansion.
Dio was pulled along by Lucian’s hand. His complexion visibly grew paler by the moment.
After the two disappeared, Kaizar approached Ria.
“He definitely doesn’t believe in ghosts, does he?”
[Can’t you tell at a glance? From what I saw, Lucian pestered him until he just responded vaguely. I just hope he doesn’t say anything strange to the townspeople.]
“Should we erase his memory?”
[…Let’s observe a bit longer.]
“That’s unusual—you’re not saying it’s impossible.”
[I don’t want to either, but there are always exceptions to every rule.]
If Dio is truly as trustworthy as Lucian claims, they’ll simply leave him be. But if they spot even the slightest hint of something amiss, they’ll have to take measures.
Even if those measures mean erasing his memories.
[Actually, this works out well.]
“How so?”
[Since Dio’s here, Lucian won’t notice if we do something strange.]
“You mean to divert his attention.”
[We were planning to handle things without Lucian knowing anyway. Might as well use this chance.]

* * *

“This is the library. It’s where we read books and study. I spend about half the day here. When I’m sitting at this desk, Ria…”
“Lucian.”
“Yeah?”
Lucian, who’d been talking excitedly, turned at the sound of his name. Dio was trembling, pale as death.
“You, you… what was that just now?”
“What?”
“What do you mean what?! You just talked to empty air! And why did the name Ria come up when there’s no one there?!”
“I told you. There’s a ghost.”
It was real?
A whistling sound, as all color drained from Dio’s face.
“And I’m telling you now… that ghost is actually Ria.”
“…What?”
“I didn’t tell you because I thought you’d be too shocked. But please don’t think it’s strange! Ria is way prettier than you’d expect, really smart, and a great cook. She’s a ghost bride, but honestly, she’s way better than an ordinary person.”
Hehe.
Lucian laughed shyly and scratched his cheek, but Dio had no energy to respond to his words.
No, it was too absurd to believe. But judging from Lucian’s attitude, it wasn’t an act—it was real.
Knowing that the snacks Lucian had brought him all this time were made by a ghost’s hands made his stomach churn.
Lucian, unaware of Dio’s thoughts, simply grinned and continued to show him around the estate.
“Oh, Ria!”
Then Lucian suddenly began calling out to Ria in the empty air.
Dio grew visibly anxious and hid his body behind Lucian. Trembling, he looked around, but no matter how hard he looked, he couldn’t see anything.
“Where should Dio sleep? Well, he’ll sleep in my room, of course. The other room is Kaizar’s anyway.”
“No, it’s not uncomfortable. The bed is really spacious.”
“His clothes? I brought some, don’t worry.”
“Oh, right. That’s true. I should check real quick. Dio.”
Lucian turned around as he spoke.
“I’ll be right back. Stay here.”
“What? Wait, just a moment—let me come with you…!”
“I’ll be back soon.”
Lucian let go of Dio’s hand, which had been clinging to him, and hurried into the room.
Suddenly left alone in the hallway… or rather, alone with a ghost, Dio’s knees trembled with fear.
Was the ghost still here in this place? Or had it followed Lucian?
Since he couldn’t see anything at all, the tension was unbearable, and dread began creeping up on him.
Thunk.
Then a slate and chalk that had been sitting in a corner of the hallway lifted into the air and moved toward him.
“Aah, ahhh! Stay back…!”
The approaching slate halted and slowly retreated. At that consideration—that strange feeling of being cared for—Dio cautiously opened his eyes, which he’d squeezed shut.
Words appeared on the slate.
-You got quite a fright, didn’t you? I’m sorry.
“…Yes?”
-I never expected Lucian to actually bring you.
What? The ghost can write?
-I know it’s hard to believe, but I had no intention of scaring you. You’re an important friend to Lucian, after all.
-For just today, please play with Lucian and have fun with him.
-This is the first time he’s ever invited someone to the house, and he was so excited about it.
“…Really?”
His fear gradually receded. Somehow, the ghost before him didn’t seem so frightening. If anything, she seemed kind, and that felt strange.
-Thank you for understanding. Lucian has his quirks, but he’s a good child. I’ll ask you to continue being his friend from now on.
“No, it’s not like that. I’m happy to be friends with Lucian. So… Ria?”
The slate nodded up and down. Dio let out a small groan and then murmured softly.
“…I really enjoyed the snacks you made for me. Thank you, always.”
-Don’t mention it. I’ll make you something even more delicious next time.
Had the handwriting become softer? Dio was no longer afraid of the ghost.

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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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