Married To The Enemy Kingdom's Illegitimate Prince-Chapter 82 — Breaking Promises

After taking a quick shower, Lucian stepped out of the bathroom, wearing a white robe loosely wrapped around him, barely covering his body. Water still dripped down his skin, glistening in the sunlight filtering through the window, highlighting the damp strands of his dark hair.

He grabbed a towel and began drying his hair, still slick with water.

Suddenly, he heard loud footsteps approaching his room.

The door swung open without warning, and Lucian turned to face the intruder. Though palace servants often entered his chambers unannounced when he lived there, such interruptions had ceased since his move to Erion. His eyes narrowed in displeasure, assuming it was a servant.

"Your Highness," Cynthia began, slightly out of breath. "Princess Arisia has arrived at the estate, and I wasn’t informed..." Her gaze drifted to him, unbothered by his half-wrapped, muscular frame, though in the past, she might have teased him about it.

"I wasn’t aware either," Lucian replied curtly, adjusting his robe to cover more of his skin.

For a brief moment, silence settled between them, the tension in the air palpable. Lucian finally broke it, his tone sharp but measured.

"I understand that you might be shameless, but other people here have some decorum. So I suggest you leave for now. We can continue this conversation later."

Cynthia said nothing, her expression unreadable as she turned to leave.

Just as she reached the door, Lucian added, his voice unexpectedly softer, "And join us for breakfast with Her Highness. It would... please her."

Cynthia’s lips curved into a knowing smile. Without a word, she exited the room, her mood lifted by his unexpected remark, a far cry from the frown she had entered with.

So now I need to please my sister in law for my husband to appreciate me? Nothing too difficult!

***

Seated at the dining table, Arisia glanced at the couple sitting at opposite ends of the large table. From Lucian’s expression, his displeasure toward her was obvious, though he tried to mask it with a forced smile.

On the other hand, the grand duchess, Cynthia, wore a bright, unwavering smile, her demeanor calm and collected.

Perhaps she isn’t displeased with brother... or is she just exceptionally good at hiding it? No one can act this well, right? Arisia wondered, taking a cautious bite of her food.

The silence lingered uncomfortably until Cynthia finally spoke, her tone gentle but formal. "What brings you here, Arisia? We weren’t notified of your arrival, so it was... unexpected."

"I wanted to surprise you both," Arisia responded with a small smile. "Though it seems I forgot that the world doesn’t revolve around me. You two surely have your own lives and responsibilities to manage. I—"

"Enough," Lucian interrupted with a sigh, his voice softening. "It may have been unexpected, but you are troubling no one. And if anyone feels troubled," he continued, his gaze shifting pointedly toward Cynthia, "then they should deal with it, because no one should look down on the princess of Selvarys."

Cynthia caught his gaze, her smile faltering slightly as a soft scoff escaped her lips.

"He’s talking about me, isn’t he?" She thought, feeling his accusation directed to her. "Does he really think I’m trying to make her uncomfortable on purpose?"

She took a slow sip of her tea, her eyes meeting his. "Perhaps I should reread that book on etiquette," she mused, almost amused by the thought.

"How long do you plan to stay here?" Lucian glanced at Arisia, softening his tone.

"I am not sure... maybe until I’m bored or His Majesty sends his knights. Although I trust the crown prince to come up with a good idea to hide my whereabouts for a while," Arisia chuckled, her eyes shining brightly as if she had come up with a great plan.

"Alright... enjoy your stay," Lucian placed his fork on his emptied place, wiping his mouth with the white cloth placed to his left. He didn’t know how to react towards Princess Arisia, his ’sister’ whom he hadn’t met for over a decade. The way she behaved hadn’t changed despite the years, causing the memories of his past to flash through his mind. Along with good times with her, the horrors of his past surfaced, making him unable to keep control over himself despite how much he tried. Additionally, the arguement he had with Cynthia last night didn’t help his mood better.

"Your Highness, if you are done, how about we talk?" Cynthia curled her lips, looking at Lucian. "As for you," she glanced at Arisia. "How about I ask my maid to give you a visit to the mansion? I’m sure you’ll love it!"

Just as Arisia was about to speak, Lucian abruptly rose from his chair, glaring at Cynthia as if she had said something horrible.

"You are not going outside, Your Highness," Lucian looked down at Arisia, frowning at her.

The blue-haired young woman pursed her lips and nodded unwillingly. She knew better than him that it wasn’t a good idea however, for a moment she was tempted.

"I will head back to my room," Arisia smiled softly before exiting the dining hall.

Once the princess’s figure slowly faded away into the hallway, Lucian stepped closer to Cynthia, who remained seated in her chair.

"How can you even suggest that? It’s dangerous for her!" Lucian scowled, his voice low but sharp.

"There are no demons around here for now. I don’t understand why you’re so worried. She’s not a little girl," Cynthia scoffed, her tone dismissive.

She wasn’t upset at Princess Arisia; rather, she wanted to show her the beauty of Erion before it was ruined by the monsters... and before she herself passed. However, Lucian’s constant needling only fueled her anger. As much as she tried to keep her composure, he always managed to push her to the edge.

"You don’t know anything!" Lucian retorted, his frustration rising.

"Really? Then why don’t you tell me, Your Highness? Because I honestly don’t know anything," Cynthia slammed her palm on the table. The utensils clattered against the plates with a loud, jarring sound.

"What is wrong with you?!" Lucian shouted, baffled by her sudden outburst. She had always been so composed, so controlled—it was almost unnatural. Now, seeing this raw anger made him question everything.

[That’s her real self. I told you not to trust her! She’s a damned Eldorian.] Keal’s voice echoed in his mind, his tone smug as he clicked his tongue.

Lucian ignored the voice, something he never would have done a few months ago. Instead, he tried to make sense of Cynthia’s anger.

Had he done something to upset her?

[Lucian, what are you thinking about? Why do you even care that she’s mad?!]

Once again, Lucian silenced the voice, his attention fixed on Cynthia as she stood there, breathing heavily, her eyes burning with unspoken fury.

She inhaled sharply, her gaze locking onto his.

"You make promises to me and then break them. You say you’ll give me a chance to be your wife, but you don’t even bother telling me the most basic things about yourself. How... How old are you even this year, Your Highness?"

Her jaw clenched, her voice trembling between gritted teeth as she struggled to hold back the tide of emotions that had been building inside her for years. The anger she had buried deep within was now slipping beyond her control.

Before Lucian could respond, Cynthia turned sharply and walked out of the hall. She couldn’t let him see her in such a messy way. It would only make things harder for her.

"She... doesn’t know my age?" Lucian muttered to himself, stunned by the realization. "But I don’t know hers either." He sighed, the weight of their estranged relationship sinking in. Despite being ’husband and wife,’ even if only in name, they were little more than strangers.

"And what promise was she talking about?" he murmured, wracking his brain but coming up empty. He couldn’t recall making any promise to her.

As Lucian was about to exit the dining hall, Cynthia paced towards him.

"Did you forget something here?" He raised an eyebrow, confused.

"No," she fidgeted her hands. Her voice had turned softer compared to the sharp voice she used with him earlier.

"Then?" Lucian crossed his arms, waiting for her answer.

"I apologize for my behavior earlier. I shouldn’t have yelled at you like that. Please don’t take it to heart. I’m just... I need some rest. I haven’t been feeling well," Cynthia said, bowing quickly before hurrying out of the hall.

As she made her way down the corridor, she thought back to her earlier outburst. She had halted after storming out of the dining hall, realizing the mess she was starting to create. She couldn’t afford to anger him now! He didn’t trust her completely, and acting like that would only deepen his hatred—toward her and all Eldorians.

She had worked hard to convince him to spend time with her, and the arguments they’d been having were driving an even bigger wedge between them. One of them needed to put their pride aside, and Cynthia didn’t mind apologizing if it meant she could pursue her greater goals—her revenge and the downfall of this kingdom.

As she walked toward her bedchambers, a faint smile curled on her lips as she recalled the shapeshifters she had encountered. She needed to meet that man— their leader— again.

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