The Abandoned Prince’s Ghost Bride - Chapter 92

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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 92

“I raised him from the beginning, after all.”
Was it the right thing to do, morally speaking? Even if I didn’t raise him from infancy, I’ve watched every stage of his growth since childhood.
“Besides, I’m not even sure if Lucian appeals to me as the opposite sex.”
To be honest, it would be a lie to say I’ve never felt a flutter or been swayed.
Lucian as he is now—anyone would find him magnificent.
But whether it’s because I know I shouldn’t harbor romantic feelings for a child I raised with my own hands, or because he genuinely doesn’t stir me that way, whenever I try to think seriously about him, I feel a wave of resistance.
The more I think about Lucian, the more tangled my thoughts become.
The only difference from the past is that I’m alive now, and yet unlike when I was a ghost, I find myself unable to push Lucian away—which strikes me as ridiculous.
“I’m insane, truly.”
“Who’s insane?”
Lia, who had been cursing herself, froze entirely at the sudden appearance of Kaiser before her eyes.
Kaiser’s face hung upside down. He looked as though he’d climbed onto the roof above and was gazing down from there.
Munch-munch—
Watching Kaiser chew continuously, Lia’s eyes narrowed to slits.
“How long have you been there?”
“From the start. What were you muttering about so much by yourself?”
“You… don’t you know what privacy is?”
“Why would that matter between us?”
“It matters to me!”
Kaiser pouted sullenly, then lifted his head and descended lightly onto the terrace where Lia stood.
“Why are you taking out your frustration on me just because you can’t find an answer?”
“I’m not taking anything out on anyone—!”
“Am I wrong? Lucian confessed the other day and you’ve been in turmoil ever since.”
Lia stared blankly at Kaiser, who had cut her off. He stood with his arms folded, snorting derisively.
“Lu—Lucian told you?!”
“I happened to hear it. Don’t underestimate Dragon Hearing.”
He’d been on his way to her room after hearing that Lia had collapsed. That’s when he happened to overhear Lucian’s confession.
“I always thought the brat had rotten instincts, but his follow-through is impressive. I never expected the little one to actually confess to you.”
“…So you knew Lucian had feelings for me?”
“Of course. Anyone with eyes can tell from the way that boy looks at you.”
Lia’s words caught in her throat, and she licked her lips.
“What, you didn’t know?”
“No… I just thought it was a passing crush, that’s all.”
“A crush? Please. Every time he looks at you, his eyes burn with passion. How is that a crush?”
“Wha—?”
“Right now, whenever I cling to you, he shoots me such a scorching glare it could singe my face.”
Is that so? Yet Kaiser never seemed bothered when he attached himself to her like that. If anything, he became a pest out of spite—
“Of course, I keep clinging to him because his reaction is so entertaining!”
Watching Kaiser giggle, Lia gave him a knowing look.
“Ugh, please don’t joke around. I’m being serious.”
Lia slouched dejectedly into a chair, frowning. Kaiser blinked, then settled into the seat across from her.
“What’s the problem?”
“What’s the problem? Would you really be so delighted if Lucian confessed to you?”
“I’d be thrilled.”
“How could you be thrilled about it!”
Unable to help herself, Lia burst out at his flippant response. But Kaiser continued as though baffled by her outburst.
“Listen, think about it. How old is Lucian now? Twenty-three?”
“…That’s right.”
“He’s tall, well-built from the training we put him through since childhood, and now he’s emperor—he has more wealth and power than anyone in the Empire. And then there’s this.”
Kaiser covered his face with his hand. Lia reflexively scowled.
“What’s with that expression? Did I lie? Maybe not quite on my level, but Lucian’s handsome. Ever heard of ‘young and rich’?”
“I know that, but what I’m saying is—”
“What. That you raised him?”
“…”
Caught on that point, Lia fell silent. Seeing this, Kaiser clicked his tongue.
“You fool. You’ve got decades of life ahead of you, and you’re hesitating because you raised him for just ten years?”
“It’s not something you can dismiss so easily.”
“Unless you truly don’t see Lucian as the opposite sex at all, the fact that you’re worrying like this means you’re already wavering, doesn’t it?”
“…Ugh, Kaiser, you’re annoying. Why do you have to be right at times like this?”
Kaiser laughed.
“Fine, you’re right. I am wavering when it comes to Lucian right now.”
“The little one would spin in circles on the spot from joy if he heard that.”
“But I don’t know if I should be allowed to feel this way. It fills me with guilt.”
“What guilt? Did you threaten Lucian and tell him to love you? Did you cast some spell to make him fall in love? Everything he does comes from his own heart—what guilt could you possibly bear?”
“Still, I wonder if things would have turned out differently if I’d drawn firmer boundaries and given him less room.”
“For instance?”
“For example… he might have fallen in love with someone else.”
Kaiser continued to stare at Lia with his arms folded.
Did she even realize what expression she wore right now?
She’d spoken the words aloud herself—wondering what if Lucian had another woman—yet her brows had furrowed subtly, as if the thought displeased her.
In Kaiser’s eyes, she clearly harbored romantic attraction toward Lucian.
More importantly, every hypothetical she was spinning was pointless.
Lucian had already fallen for her, and no other woman could catch his eye—so why imagine things that would never happen?
Especially when she’d clearly resent it if they did.
“Tsk tsk. And here you were angry when we said you had a fiancée.”
“What did you say?”
“Nothing.”
Despite the sharp remark, Lia only glared at Kaiser. She’d certainly felt a pang when she learned he had a fiancée.
The seesaw that had tilted toward rejection had begun to tip the other way.
“Argh! What am I supposed to do?!”
Lia wailed, pulling at her hair, and Kaiser clicked his tongue.
“Let me ask you something. Has Lucian always liked you, even back then?”
“…Since when?”
“As far as I know, since he was fifteen… or maybe fourteen.”
The timing he guessed matched the moment Lia had first truly faced Lucian’s sincerity.
“That’s almost ten years now. Isn’t that pathetic? Most people would give up by then.”
“…I don’t know.”
Lia pressed her head to the table, muttering.
“Turning a blind eye won’t solve this. Think it through properly. Set aside the fact that you raised him—focus only on what you think of Lucian as a woman.”
As Kaiser patted her head, Lia gave a small nod.
…I have to see His Majesty today, no matter what.
Perk—
Just then, Kaiser’s ears perked up. He tilted his head toward an unfamiliar voice he’d never heard before, and soon realized that the speaker had come seeking Lucian.
As the conversation that followed drifted to his ears, Kaiser broke into a meaningful smile.
Then he shot Lia a sinister glance.
‘You wanted him to fall in love with someone else normally? Let’s see if you sing the same tune after watching it with your own two eyes.’
Kaiser’s eyes flashed silently as he stifled a laugh within himself.

Lucian had barely glanced at the documents before scowling and lifting his head.
For the past two days, he’d been exhibiting odd behavior—giggling to himself, clutching his head, or stifling internal screams.
Just a moment before, he’d been humming contentedly, but upon hearing James’s report, his expression immediately darkened.
James swallowed hard and opened his mouth again.
“The Countess Sebans has requested an audience with Your Majesty.”
“Good grief, always something with her…”
Had he been alone, he surely would have cursed aloud.
As Lucian rubbed his brow, Harry stepped forward.
“Your Majesty, it is hardly unusual for a fiancée to visit her betrothed. Pray, set aside your displeasure.”
“Indeed, Your Majesty. Your birthday approaches—she likely wishes to discuss the matter with you.”
With Dio backing him up as well, Lucian released a sigh.
“Does that woman really seem like she came for that reason, James?”
“…The Countess appeared somewhat upset, Your Majesty.”
“You see? She must have heard something from the Duke and couldn’t wait to confront me about it.”
“However, Your Majesty, you should explain this matter to the Countess directly. It is indeed necessary.”
Lucian started to object, but seeing the three men’s anxious faces, he closed his mouth firmly.
“…You’re not wrong.”
The three men’s faces brightened.
Lucian tended to become more emotional when it involved his fiancée.
Even if she was a fake fiancée, maintaining proper etiquette until Leopold awakened would be ideal.
‘In public, at least, I act the part well enough that there’s nothing to complain about.’
Since matters had come to this, was it so bad to maintain a cordial relationship?
Harry could not fathom why Lucian harbored such hatred—not mere dislike, but outright hatred—for Sebans.
He supposed he should be grateful that Lucian was now acquiescing quietly.
“No matter that she’s my fiancée, showing up without notice is hardly polite.”
…No, apparently he’s still fuming.
Harry had long since given up trying to reason with Lucian, no matter how much he lectured him.
But unlike Harry, James performed his duties as chamberlain faithfully.
“Your Majesty, why not simply meet her now and dispatch her quickly? What if you happen to run into Lady Lia?”
Lucian, who had been dawdling, suddenly came alert at James’s words.
“Absolutely not. Where is the Countess right now?”
“In the Reception Room, Your Majesty.”
“Take me there at once.”
When it came to Lia, he was utterly helpless.
Harry silently clicked his tongue in acknowledgment of James’s astute judgment.
As Lucian moved to follow James, something seemed to occur to him, and he turned back.
“Dio.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Stay near Lia.”
“Why Lia?”
Dio, bewildered, dropped the honorific mid-question.
“It’s unlikely, but if by any chance the Countess or the Empress Dowager should encounter Lia, I need you to ensure she keeps her distance.”
“…Me?”
“You’re the only one I trust with this, friend!”
“Ah! Y-Your Majesty—!”
Before Dio could protest, Lucian had already slipped out of the office.
Harry went to Dio’s side and placed a hand on his shoulder. Dio was trembling.
“I’m doomed…”
Although Dio now held quite a prestigious position as the emperor’s personal guard captain thanks to Lucian, he still struggled with dealing with nobles.
Especially noble ladies.
Harry offered a silent prayer for the hapless Dio.
“Tsk tsk. You’ve got your work cut out for you.”

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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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