Chapter 145 - 72: Let Fists Do the Talking

Chapter 145: Chapter 72: Let Fists Do the Talking

For Diana, a child was not a blessing, but a shackle.

If she had been alone, she could have left the Royal Palace without a second thought, and not even the King could have stopped her.

But she couldn’t take Lucian with her.

A life of wandering was wonderful and free, but it was no place for a newborn.

Besides, by then Diana had lost all hope in the King, so she decided to stay in the Royal Palace, even if it meant fading into obscurity.

"My mother knew a great many things. My childhood should have been a very happy one."

Lucian continued.

"Should have been?" Lilia asked, curious.

"This is all from stories I heard later. I was too young then. Now, no matter how hard I try to remember, I can only recall a few fragmented images."

Lucian said, "I only remember that Mother could never sit still. In the mornings, she would be in the courtyard practicing her Magic and swordsmanship, and in the afternoons, she would study needlework with the maids."

"Because she didn’t know how to play political games or curry favor, Mother’s standing in the Royal Palace was low. Despite holding the title of Princess Consort, her living conditions were worse than some of the powerful managers."

"But she didn’t care. With her skills, she could have lived well anywhere."

"When I was little, she would tell me stories before bed. Not fabricated tales from storybooks, but accounts of what she had seen and heard during her travels over the years."

"When I grew a little older and tested as having exceptionally high Magic Talent, she said she would teach me Magic..."

Lucian’s voice grew quieter. "But she didn’t live to see me grow up."

Lilia shifted, moving a little closer to him.

"I’m fine." Lucian hesitated for a moment, then placed his hand on the side of her waist.

The girl’s waist was slender, yet firm. Her skin was slightly cooler than his, like touching a handful of smooth moonlight.

Lucian’s fingers tightened unconsciously, his grip on her becoming firmer.

"So that’s the story of my childhood. Pretty boring, wasn’t it?"

Lilia shook her head.

They were so close she had to tilt her head back to see his face clearly. "About tonight, that list Colin mentioned... do you think he was lying or hiding something?"

"He definitely was."

Lucian’s tone was certain. "But he was probably just hiding things."

It would have been too difficult to fabricate lies under those circumstances, and they would have been easily exposed.

Lucian was certain Colin wasn’t smart enough for that.

’Even though he didn’t name all the conspirators, if we just follow the leads, one thing will lead to another. It’ll be easy to root out everyone who participated or helped cover it up.’

’I will make them pay.’

Lilia nodded. "If you need my help, just say the word. After all..."

Her voice trailed off, leaving the sentence unfinished.

Looking into her exceptionally bright eyes, Lucian smiled. "I understand. We’re partners, after all."

Lilia looked displeased.

"And fiancés."

Only when Lucian added that did the tension in the girl’s features finally relax.

"About what happened tonight," Lilia said, "once word gets out that Colin was attacked, will it be difficult to explain things to the King?"

"You’re only starting to worry about that now?" Lucian laughed. "I thought you would have considered the consequences before making such a shocking move."

He was teasing, but he subconsciously pulled Lilia a little tighter.

It was a protective gesture.

Lucian had already given this question careful thought. "Colin Reinhardt’s interests are not the same as the King’s."

"He may be the King’s favored candidate for Crown Prince, but that doesn’t mean he’s more important than us Princes."

"So, the only people we truly offended tonight are Colin and the Nobles backing him. Everyone else is a potential ally we can win over."

"I’ve already sent Wolf to make contact. They shouldn’t be opposed to an ally who shares a deep-seated hatred for Colin."

Lilia nodded gently.

"Feeling better now?" Lucian looked at her. "Or do you have something else in mind?"

Lilia did, in fact, have something else in mind.

"I was going to say... if it’s hard to explain, then don’t explain it at all."

Lucian froze. "...Don’t explain it?"

"Mhm."

The girl’s expression was serious. "Just let our fists do the talking."

Lucian stared at her for a moment. "You mean..."

"Veronica and Jennifer are currently stationed in Salden with their troops."

Lilia continued, "We’ve arranged to communicate via Magic. The moment they receive my signal, they will lead their forces in a direct assault on Yalabege."

At these words, Lucian fell completely silent.

’Salden, Yalabege.’

He was very familiar with both names.

The former belonged to Light, the latter to Ovis. The two small border towns were adjacent, with no mountains or rivers to separate them. All one had to do was cross a purely symbolic boundary marker to step from one nation into the other.

’Lilia’s meaning was obvious.’

’If he needed her to, she could immediately send a signal to Veronica in Salden, and Veronica would declare war on Ovis.’

’The two nations were in a honeymoon period. He was sure that neither the King of Ovis nor the Lord of Yalabege would ever expect Light to suddenly attack them.’

’Caught completely off guard... Ovis could be completely overrun.’

Lucian had thought that after the events of tonight, he had gained a solid understanding of just how direct Lilia could be.

But that was before he heard what she just said.

’He was only now realizing... a general who had commanded armies for years really did think on a fundamentally different level from an ordinary Noble.’

After several seconds of silence, Lucian suddenly laughed. "You would start another war for me?"

"What do you mean, ’another’?"

’Light was clearly the one getting beaten up last time.’

But Lilia didn’t deny his statement.

She said seriously, "I told you, with me by your side, you can do anything you want."

This was her guarantee to him.

Lucian’s Adam’s apple bobbed.

For a moment, he was at a loss for words.

’This gift was too great, so great he could hardly bear the weight of it.’

’He, who had always fought alone, had just received the first—and greatest—piece of support on his path to revenge.’

He lowered his gaze, then raised it again.

He chuckled softly. "And the current King of Light, and all your brothers and sisters, they would agree to this?"

"Of course they’ll agree." Lilia raised an eyebrow. "I’m the one who calls the shots in Light now."

’Besides, Veronica has long been dissatisfied with the outcome of the last war. She believes the only reason Lilia beat her was because Lilia had more experience fighting Demons.’

’She’s champing at the bit for another battle to prove herself.’

’That’s why, after receiving Lilia’s orders, she had almost immediately shoved Adrian aside and left Hillflan with her troops that very night.’

Lucian let out a soft sigh.

"I understand."

He lowered his head, gently resting his forehead against Lilia’s. "...Thank you."