Married To The Enemy Kingdom's Illegitimate Prince-Chapter 98 — Breakfast With Her

"Ah, my. Did you wake up, Your Highness?" an unfamiliar voice said.

Lucian shifted his gaze towards the person. It was a maid who smiled at him brightly.

She bowed to him respectfully, keeping the corner of her lips curled.

"Good morning," she greeted.

The young man tilted his head to the side, confused by her behavior. Was she smiling at him? He didn’t realize it yesterday because he was so preoccupied about matters related to Cynthia that he failed to notice that everyone had been looking at him as if he were not their enemy. It was a complete opposite reaction to the one he was expecting when he decided to come to Eldoria. Even when he visited the country for his wedding, the people were not as kind and heartwarming as they were now.

How can they be so nice to me when my own country’s people hate me?

Lucian chuckled, a bitter feeling stinging him.

Maybe they don’t know about my position in Selvarys yet. If they knew that even the king, my own father couldn’t care less if I were to die, I’m certain their attitude towards me will change.

Just then, an image of Cynthia’s back flashed through his mind. She was also walking away, her eyes filled with contempt. A painful knot ignited in his chest, as if a massive rock had been dropped squarely upon him, constricting his heart and making it difficult to breathe. The thought of Cynthia viewing him with the same contempt as everyone else was unbearable.

"Would you like to shower now and have breakfast downstairs? Or should I bring you breakfast in the room?"

Hearing the maid’s voice, Lucian snapped out of his clouded thoughts. The dark expression that began to form on his face started to fade. frёewebnoѵel.ƈo๓

"Where is Her Highness?" He asked in a hoarse voice because he was just woken up. He did not see her in the room as he expected. He could barely remember ever sleeping in the same bedroom apart from their first night, where they were attacked by some assassins. Ever since, he decided to not sleep in the same room as her life might be in danger because of his enemies who were after his life. But it didn’t seem to have worked as she was attacked regardless last night.

"But who would want to kill her? She is the king’s sister! And there is no fight for the throne between them... She is also married..." Lucian pondered, unable to find an answer to the questions rising in his mind.

"I believe she went outside to the garden to have her breakfast," the maid grinned.

"Then, I’d like to have my breakfast with her," Lucian said, stepping out of the bed.

"Oh..." the maid fidgeted her hands, as if nervous for a moment before speaking. "I am unsure if Her Highness would like that..."

"Is that so?"

"Yes. She said she wouldn’t like to be disturbed."

"She never mentioned anything about who could disturb her and who could not. And I doubt you have the right to decide what she would like and she wouldn’t," Lucian glanced at the woman with a sharp gaze.

"I-I understand. I will arrange that..." she lowered her head, surrendering to his orders. She could be punished if she overstepped her boundaries.

I just wanted to listen to what Her Highness said... I hope she won’t kill me for disobeying her...

***

Lucian strolled through the paved path, following the servant holding his breakfast plate, who guided him to where Cynthia was.

As he watched the scenery, he was reminded of the first time he had walked through the garden. Back then, it was filled with vibrant flowers and green grass whereas now, every plant was dead due to the cold weather.

"There she is!" the maid exclaimed, turning her face to Lucian. "Then, I will have my leave," she bowed, handing over the plate to the man before her. She promptly turned her heels, rushing back to the palace as if she were chased by a wild beast.

Lucian did not pay attention to what the servant said and simply held the plate in his hands. His gaze was stuck on Cynthia’s back as he recalled the first time he had seen her. Now, she seemed no different than the princess he had seen a few months ago in this garden even though the surroundings had changed.

He stepped closer, his eyes locked on her. She stood there, as if looking at something but he couldn’t guess what it was.

Right now, she looked the same as when she could space out during their occasional meals together. It seemed there was constantly something going on in her mind but he couldn’t figure out what it was, leaving him feeling intrigued.

"Are you done with breakfast?" He asked, placing the plate on the table, hoping to catch her attention as she didn’t seem to have noticed his presence although he stood closely behind her.

Cynthia turned around, her face nearly touching his chest.

"Not yet," she replied, seeming to be unbothered by how close they were.

Although Lucian was the one who wanted to surprise her by getting close to her, he couldn’t bear being so near her. He stepped back, his head lowered slightly as he said in a low voice.

"Let’s eat together."

Cynthia raised an eyebrow, baffled by his words.

"Eat together?" She repeated, a lingering hint of sarcasm carried in her voice. Even in her past life, the time she was madly in love with him, never in her wildest dreams did she imagine Lucian suggesting having a meal together.

Lucian nodded. Even if he couldn’t read her, he knew what she might be thinking now. It was the first time he had suggested eating together because she is the one who would always arrange their meals together.

"Sit down," he pulled the chair for her, unsure if she would sit as she hadn’t agreed to his suggestion yet.

Despite being surprised by his gentle gestures, Cynthia sat down without questioning any of it.

Asking him is useless. He will only change the subject or his answers will be too vague. I need to figure it out on my own.

She pondered, playing the fork in his hands.

"Why are you not eating?"

Snapping out of her thoughts, Cynthia forced a smile at the man sitting in front of her.

"I’m wondering how the wedding will go," she replied. "Would you like some desert? I have requested some sweets but it seems I am too full," she pushed the plate containing a small piece of cake with a strawberry on top.

"I..." Lucian paused. He did not like sweets. However, refusing her didn’t seem right. Not now when she has already been acting strangely.

"I hope you enjoy it. I am done so I go and get dress so that we can head to the temple. You should do so as well once you are done with your breakfast," she stood from the chair abruptly and rushed away.

Lucian did not get the chance to speak. Her figure had already disappeared inside the palace walls. The pace in which she walked away seemed as if she was running away from him. But why? She was the one who wanted to end the problems between them but now that he was also trying to understand her, she seemed unwilling to corporate.

Letting out a soft sigh, he sipped on the glass of water, pondering about how to turn her to behave as she always did. She was undoubtedly acting as if nothing had happened, and was what bothered him the most. How could she act as if nothing happened? How could she act as if she had never told him she ’loved’ him, even as a lie, without explaining herself to him.

Maybe I’m the one who is reading too much into her. It isn’t the first time she lied to me.

Lucian snorted, a strange sensation swelling inside him. Perhaps it was because he had heard those words after so long that his curiosity—and perhaps a part of his emotional side—was triggered.

He slowly stood from his seat and headed back to the palace. Now was not the time to be indulged in all those thoughts. He needed to prepare himself or else Cynthia might get another reason to get upset with him.

When he stepped inside his room, he saw a few women standing in a row as if they had been waiting for him, their head lowered to a bow.

"What is going on?..." He demanded, feeling slightly uncomfortable.

"We are here to help you get dressed, Your Highness," one of the maids replied, slowly lifting her gaze.

"I don’t need any assistance. You might leave," he sighed.

Even when he was in Selvarys, he did not like having anyone watch him get dressed.

"But Her Highness asked us to..."

"Then you might go ahead and tell her that you did as you were told. However, it is my decision wether I take your help or not."

The maids glanced at each other hesitantly, their fear evident as they fidgeted their trembling hands. But Lucian chose to turn a blind eye to their reactions.

"You are dismissed."

Hearing his order, the maids quickly bowed before exiting the hall.

"This couple of husband and wife were equally stubborn!"

"Shh! He might hear you!"

"I doubt he is as evil as—"

"Keep quiet!"

The whispers faded and Lucian stood there, looking at the mirror in front of him. He should have known their was no such thing as genuine kindness in this cruel world.

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