The Abandoned Prince’s Ghost Bride - Chapter 55

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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 Crown Prince’s Ghost Bride – Episode 55

“His birthday’s the day after tomorrow, and yet he carries on like this…”
“His condition has been strange for days now, hasn’t it?”
“Did something happen? You know—he went out every day for a while, then suddenly stopped altogether.”
“Something must have occurred while he was away.”
Two days remained until Leopold’s birthday.
While everyone else bustled about cheerfully preparing for the celebration, the man of the hour had barricaded himself in the Library, refusing to emerge.
The prince who once radiated warmth and brought joy to all around him had transformed into someone else in mere days.
His eyes had grown sharp and watchful; sudden bursts of anger had become frequent.
No matter how the servants tried to keep quiet, rumors spread like wildfire among the household staff.
“Is the Crown Prince still not leaving the Library today?”
Serena, who felt Leopold’s change more acutely than anyone, asked her lady’s maid with worried eyes.
“Yes, Your Majesty. He sent out all the librarians days ago and has not emerged since.”
“How are the preparations for the Birth Celebration Ceremony coming along?”
“We’re proceeding according to his orders from before, but since he withdrew from all arrangements eight days ago, we’ve been adjusting everything as best we can to suit his tastes. Oh, and he suddenly declared he won’t be holding a Masquerade Ball.”
Leopold didn’t oversee all party preparations himself, but the structure and broad outlines had to reflect his preferences, so he should have been involved until the celebration itself.
Yet for some reason, his beloved son had grown strange eight days ago.
“This won’t do. I must intervene personally.”
Until now she had watched his condition in silence, but this could no longer be overlooked.
His Birth Celebration Ceremony was set for the day after tomorrow.
While it was fundamentally to celebrate his birthday, it was also an opportunity to inform the Empire at large of his achievements from his studies abroad and that he remained well.
He could not appear before the nobility in such a state.
Serena made her way to the Library, guided by a lady’s maid. Before the Library doors stood displaced librarians, guard knights, and attendants in disarray.
All of them paced uncertainly before the firmly shut entrance.
“Your Majesty the Empress! We greet you!”
Those who spotted Serena quickly bowed to her.
“Is the Crown Prince alone in there?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. He has not emerged all day—skipping both breakfast and lunch.”
“This is truly unusual.”
Serena grasped the Library door.
Click—
But the door was firmly locked from within, as though barring anyone from entry by sheer force of will.
“Open it.”
The attendants and knights exchanged glances before one of them retrieved a key. The door, which seemed it would never open, swung inward.
“I shall enter alone. Let no one follow.”
“We obey your command.”
Serena stepped into the Library by herself.
“Leopold, your mother has come. Answer me, please.”
Serena looked about. Yet strangely, she sensed no one. An inexplicable unease wrapped around her body.
She quickened her pace, searching for Leopold. It was not long before she reached the deepest part of the Library—the Records Archive door at the very end stood wide open.
“Why is this open…?”
The Records Archive was a place of utmost importance, housing the Imperial Family’s historical records from the first emperor to the present day.
Its security was stringent; none but an extremely select few were permitted entry.
Of course, as Crown Prince, Leopold had full authority to enter, but why was he here of all places?
Leopold sat amid a chaotic scatter of books, his eyes bloodshot and hollow, muttering something incomprehensible.
“It was real. How could a person…”
“Leopold!”
At the Empress’s cry, Leopold ceased his muttering and lifted his head. Faced with her haggard son, Serena felt her heart clench.
“What on earth are you doing? Have you forgotten your Birth Celebration Ceremony is the day after tomorrow? For heaven’s sake, look at your skin—it’s wasted away. What have you been doing that you’ve come to this state?”
Smack—!
As Serena reached out to caress Leopold’s cheek, he reflexively knocked her hand away.
Serena gasped and clutched at her reddened hand.
“Leopold…?”
“Haa… haa… haa…”
Leopold stared at Serena.
With bitterness burning in his eyes.
Having never received such treatment from her son, she was bewildered.
“Why would you…”
“Don’t come any closer!”
Serena retreated. Whether she was hurt or not, the man before Leopold burned with unbearable hatred for her.
How could a person—no, how could a mother—cast aside her own child so coldly?
Over these eight days, Leopold had gathered enough information to be certain: Lucian was his abandoned brother.
There was no record of Lucian whatsoever. Only a blank space of about a month after his own birth—nothing else.
That silence meant something had been deliberately concealed, intentionally left unrecorded.
Furthermore, examining the Imperial records from seven years ago, he found evidence that several servants’ records had been altered during that same period. None of them had any special designation listed.
If they had sent Lucian to the Mansion and erased the memories of those who had seen him, it all made sense.
Historically, the Imperial Family had executed every pair of twins born within their ranks—elder and younger alike.
Compared to that precedent, the fact that he and Lucian still lived might be the work of providence, or perhaps his father’s careful arrangement.
He could well understand that his father had acted wisely given the circumstances.
‘Yet it is still too terrible.’
Had he not grown close to Lucian, he might have been grateful that his brother remained alive at all, even if abandoned.
But now that he knew the full truth, he could not bring himself to say such a thing.
“Leopold, what is this about? Tell your mother.”
At Serena’s sweet coaxing, Leopold scratched at his arms. The more he felt his mother’s love, the more Lucian—who had never known love—haunted his thoughts.
He could not let her discover that he had uncovered everything. Not her, not anyone. If word spread, Lucian might be in danger.
Even as he knew he must act ignorant, he wanted desperately to demand answers from his parents.
“How could you… how could you do this?”
“Leopold…?”
“How could you do this… How could you do this? How could you do this! How could you! Why! Why did you do this! Whyyyy!”
As Leopold wept and thrashed, Serena was overwhelmed with confusion. She did not understand why he was so angry, yet she could not shake the feeling that she had wronged him.
“Your mother has done wrong. I don’t know what, but I have failed you. Forgive me.”
His mother’s apology only suffocated him further. Would she have responded the same way had Lucian raged at her with such passion?
“What in the name of heaven is the meaning of this!”
A thunderous rebuke sounded. The Emperor, Ruber, entered with a bewildered expression, his eyes fixed on Leopold in anger.
He had come to check on Leopold’s condition as Serena had, and witnessed his son’s rage directed at her.
The Archives lay in disorder; tears and venom stained his son’s face.
Leopold’s condition was grave, as reported, yet raising his voice to his mother was beneath him.
Ruber approached Leopold and struck his cheek.
Smack—!
“Your Majesty…!”
“What disgrace is this! How dare you raise your voice to your mother!”
Leopold’s head bowed, his face turned from the blow, yet his eyes—visible through his disheveled white hair—still burned with resentment toward his father.
As Ruber moved to strike again, Serena rushed to stop him. Only then did he lower his hand with a sigh.
“Two days until your birthday. Must the family quarrel on a day of such joy?”
“Ha… ha… a joyful day…”
Leopold’s hollow laugh drained all light from his eyes.
“Do not worry. I will ensure you need not be concerned. Is it not enough that I prove I remain well before the people?”
“…”
“Forgive me, but I no longer have the strength to face you both. I shall withdraw.”
“Leopold!”
“Please… do not make me any more wretched than I already am.”
Serena staggered as she beheld her son—balanced on the precipice of despair—and Ruber clenched his teeth hard.
To Leopold now, even his parents’ worried eyes and the servants’ anxious gazes seemed nothing but performance and pretense.
He stood cast into hell.
‘Did Lucian feel this way all along?’
‘Was he so angered because I boasted so thoughtlessly?’
If only he could turn back time.
Leopold stumbled into his chamber and, upon seeing who was inside, lifted his head.
“…Your Highness.”
It was Harry. The moment he saw him, Leopold felt the dam within him shatter.
Seeing Leopold’s tears stream down, Harry rushed to him.
“Harry, what do I do? What am I supposed to do…?”
Harry, understanding nothing, could only comfort him in silence.

* * *

“You’re really not going down to the village? There are so many delicious things there.”
“No thanks. I’m not in the mood.”
Dio eyed Lucian with concern. He had arrived at the Mansion early to celebrate his birthday, yet Lucian remained in a persistent gloom.
Dio had suspected something had happened to him for the past ten days, and knew it had to do with some falling out with Leopold.
‘If someone who came by so regularly suddenly stops showing up, the reason’s obvious enough.’
Moreover, Harry had sought him out just yesterday and asked about Lucian’s condition.
‘Right, he’s been listless, got it. I’ll keep it secret that I found Lucian. Your Highness? You’re having your birthday celebration tomorrow—you’re busy with the party preparations.’
Though he’d spoken smoothly, the way he’d fidgeted betrayed his lie.
Since Harry and Leopold couldn’t miss the Birth Celebration Ceremony today, Dio had at least wanted to celebrate Lucian himself, but the man in question was in no state for it.
“Alright then. Let’s stay here and enjoy ourselves.”
“No, you should go. You wanted to see the festival.”
“I’m not the type to run off and have fun while the birthday boy mopes about. The festival will be on tomorrow too—it’s fine. When a friend is down, shouldn’t you stick by him?”
“Down? I’m not…”
Dio let out a soft laugh at the slight upturn of Lucian’s lips.
[You two, come eat lunch. I showed off my skills today.]
Lia, who had been watching from a distance, approached them as the mood grew warmer.
She held out a slate tablet to Dio, who understood at once.
When she led them not to the kitchen but to the Prepared Dining Room, both their eyes widened.
“Wow! A feast!”
“So that’s why you weren’t around this morning… you were preparing all this?”
Moved by Lucian’s expression, Lia placed a hand on his shoulder and spoke.
[I can’t do much, so I thought at least I should do this, don’t you think?]
“Don’t say that. Lia’s done so much for me. Still… thank you. I’m happy.”
[I made everything you love. I prepared a carrot cake that’s not too sweet for dessert. How does that sound?]
“Everything you make tastes delicious, Lia.”
As his expression softened, Lia cupped his face and pressed a brief kiss to his forehead.
Lucian froze momentarily and covered his forehead with his hand.
“Lia…?”
[Happy birthday, Lucian. I’m so glad you came to me.]
Lucian’s face flushed crimson. He buried his embarrassment behind his hand, and Lia smiled softly.
Dio, watching this late, cocked his head.
“Why is your face like that? You’re as red as a tomato.”
“B-Be quiet! Just eat.”
“Hmm? Why are you suddenly angry and making a fuss?”
At their usual playful banter, Lia’s smile widened.
And so Lia and Dio sang a birthday song for Lucian, and the three of them shared a meal—a birthday celebrated as it should be.
As they finished eating, something flew in through an open window. The three of them blinked as they looked at it.

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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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