Chapter 139 - 66: Who Is He?

Chapter 139: Chapter 66: Who Is He?

Here we go again.

This guy.

Every time he runs into a question he can’t answer, he puts on that nonchalant air and steers the conversation to the "safer" topic of their partnership.

"Generous?"

Lilia propped her chin on her hand. "I don’t think so."

Lucian said, "If I remember correctly, your original condition was that after you helped me ascend to the throne, I would then facilitate an alliance between Light and Ovis."

An "alliance," but in truth, it meant Ovis would bow to Light.

This was something they both understood implicitly.

Otherwise, Lilia wouldn’t have traveled thousands of miles to come here and support a prince who, to outsiders, had no hope of seizing power.

With Lilia by his side, he could certainly take revenge now by any means necessary. But if he did that, he’d never become King, let alone accomplish anything after.

That wouldn’t be in Lilia’s interest.

’Unless...’

’Unless Lilia never cared about an alliance between their kingdoms from the start. It was just a reason she casually threw out when they met, a way to secure a partnership with him.’

’What she really wants is just to help him.’

’But... how is that possible?’

’Why would she go to such lengths for him?’

’That day in Seville... it was supposed to have been our first meeting...’

The thought had barely formed.

Lucian’s train of thought suddenly paused.

’...Our first meeting?’

’Perhaps... not.’

Lilia had said many times that they had met before.

And she knew him so well—his status, his personality, she knew it all like the back of her hand.

It was as if they had lived together for many, many years.

Since his earliest memories, Lucian’s recollection had been clear and continuous. He was certain he had never met Lilia, nor even heard her name.

But the fluttering in his heart when they first met couldn’t be faked.

Even today, sitting at opposite ends of the dining table from her.

The moment he heard her say, "With me here, you can do anything," in that perfectly ordinary tone, his heart still hammered uncontrollably in his chest.

Lover.

’If she were his lover, then all of this would be perfectly normal, wouldn’t it?’

Lucian looked up, meeting the girl’s exceptionally clear eyes.

A smile touched Lilia’s lips. "I never treat my partners poorly."

"Since you’ve chosen to work with me, it’s only natural that I show you my utmost sincerity."

Lucian: "..."

’Of course.’

’The same impossibly casual phrasing.’

’The same... tone, as if she were speaking to her lover.’

’So, who was this person who used to be her lover?’

’Was it him?’

’Or...’

’...Someone else he didn’t know, but who looked just like him?’

"I understand."

Lucian nodded lightly, suppressing the sour feeling in his heart.

He smiled and said in a feigned, lighthearted tone, "Then I must thank you for your generosity, Princess."

...

After resting for a while at Viscount Williams Mansion, Lilia and Lucian set off for the Royal Palace together.

As a visitor from a neighboring kingdom, Lilia was expected to have an audience with the King of Ovis at the earliest opportunity.

But because of Lucian’s situation, Lilia was already somewhat prejudiced against this king.

Lucian hadn’t said it outright, but nearly twenty years had passed since the fire. If the King had any intention of investigating, with his status, position, and power, it would have been impossible not to find the culprit.

His inaction all these years could only mean one thing.

He knew who killed Lucian’s mother, but chose not to pursue the matter.

He allowed the murderer to remain at large, even letting them make a move on Lucian again twenty years later.

Lilia had always felt that her father in this ’round’ was extremely irresponsible.

What kind of good person dumps his newly acknowledged, six-year-old daughter at the Royal Court and ignores her for ten years?

But good or bad, in the end, was all relative.

Compared to a normal parent, the King of Light was undoubtedly the scum of the earth.

But if the comparison was Ovis’s king... then Lilia could only say that her own father was actually a pretty decent guy.

At least he didn’t think she deserved to die just because her mother was a commoner.

Lucian, of course, noticed Lilia’s aversion to the King.

He subconsciously wondered if she disliked the King because of him, but he quickly suppressed the thought.

"If you really don’t want to see him, it’s fine not to."

Lucian led Lilia down the corridor toward the reception hall. "You don’t need to force yourself."

"It’s fine."

Lilia said, "I don’t feel forced at all. Besides... there’s something I must discuss with him."

Lucian’s steps faltered for a moment, but he didn’t ask any more questions.

The reception hall was just ahead.

As the Crown Prince of a nation—and a capable, powerful one who had made many remarkable achievements in the past year—

no matter what the King of Ovis thought privately, he had to receive her with the highest courtesy, at least on the surface.

Inside the reception hall.

Not only was the King present, but Prince Colin was as well.

When Lilia entered, the two even stood up to greet her, but the moment they saw Lucian behind her, the smiles on their faces instantly froze.

"Miss Lilia, please have a seat."

The King gestured with his hand. "Welcome to Ovis. Has Lucian shown you to your residence? If there’s anything you’re not accustomed to, please don’t hesitate to say. As your hosts, we should satisfy your every need."

"Thank you."

The girl’s smile was bright. "I’m very comfortable at the Viscount Mansion, thank you for your concern, Your Majesty."

As soon as she finished speaking.

Both the King’s and Prince Colin’s expressions stiffened.

Prince Colin, being younger after all, couldn’t maintain the King’s stoic composure. "Princess Lilia, did you say... the Viscount Mansion?"

’Didn’t I arrange for her to stay in a vacant residence owned by the Royal Family?’

’How did she end up at a Viscount Mansion?’

’And...’

’Which Viscount Mansion is she talking about?’

’It can’t be Viscount Williams Mansion, can it?!’

Before Lilia had arrived, Colin had been in this very reception hall with the King, discussing what benefits they could offer to win her over.

At the time, they were full of confidence, believing they had offered the greatest sincerity of their lives. Even if this princess had impossibly high standards, she would surely be moved by their terms!

However.

It had been less than a minute since they met, yet Colin felt things were sliding into an unforeseen abyss with the speed of an avalanche...

"Yes."

Lilia answered his question with a smile. "I’m currently staying at Lucian’s place. The accommodations are excellent, and I’m very satisfied."

One sentence.

It was like a heavy hammer, striking both the King and the Prince speechless.

"Well... as long as you’re satisfied, that’s what matters."

The King, living up to his title, immediately changed the subject. "The Viscount Mansion is rather small, after all. If you find it uncomfortable, you can change accommodations at any time."

"Speaking of which..."

He asked curiously, "I wonder, Miss Lilia, did you come here this time simply to experience the culture of Ovis, or... do you have a special purpose in mind?"