Chapter 128 - 55: Passing Gates, Slaying Generals

Chapter 128: Chapter 55: Passing Gates, Slaying Generals

"?"

Veronica froze for a moment, then an inexplicable anger surged within her.

’This is utterly outrageous!’

’Does he even know his place?’

’He’s the guest. He’s the one who needs to be "sent back."’

’What right does he have to incite Lilia to leave with him?’

Besides...

Veronica keenly sensed that after this private conversation, the atmosphere between Lilia and this guy had changed.

The distance one would expect from a first meeting was gone. In its place was a... familiarity and closeness, as if they had known each other for a long time.

This annoyed Veronica even more.

’Just as I thought!’

’She knew it. This guy was here to seduce Lilia!’

Filled with indignation, Veronica strode forward before Lilia could answer. "We won’t trouble you with that, Mr. Williams."

"Your Highness Veronica."

Lucian looked at her with some surprise, seemingly not expecting her to have waited outside for so long.

But he quickly recovered. "Shouldn’t you be busy? Although the Demons have been temporarily repelled, Seville’s situation won’t improve just because of this one victory."

"I would have thought that rather than standing here listening to our small talk... you would be more inclined to handle the state affairs that have piled up these past few days. After all, the lives of tens of thousands in this city are at stake."

Veronica: "..."

’Silver-tongued devil!’

She clenched her fists but had to back down for now, because the guy actually had a point!

Unable to vent her anger on the man himself, she could only snort coldly and say with biting sarcasm, "The men Mr. Williams sent have arrived. Rest assured, I will make *good* use of them."

’Just you wait.’

’She was going to work those Knights from Ovis like mules!’

Veronica stormed off.

Lucian, victorious in their little skirmish, led Lilia toward the door.

This was where Veronica worked. Her bedchambers were about two hundred meters behind the office area.

They had only taken a few steps outside.

When two other figures appeared before them.

It was Jennifer and Rebecca.

Ordinarily, Rebecca shouldn’t have been brought along on such a dangerous mission. But this time was different from the reinforcement mission to Sitrind; Lilia wasn’t sure how long it would take for her to return.

Ever since meeting Lilia at the Royal Court, Rebecca had always been by her side.

She had also spent the last few months learning some basic combat skills from an instructor and promised she wouldn’t hold everyone back, which was how she managed to secure a spot on the travel roster.

While Lilia and Veronica were in the office discussing important matters, she and Jennifer obviously couldn’t attend, so they waited outside. But they never expected...

Rebecca’s gaze warily sized up the young man beside Lilia.

The moment she saw his face, the young girl’s heart sank.

’The same golden hair as hers!’

’The same... well, okay, his eye color was different.’

But even so, his striking resemblance to her gave her a sense of being threatened.

"Your Highness!"

The young girl stepped forward, ignoring Jennifer’s attempts to stop her. "The room has been prepared, and the bed is made with the softest cashmere blanket."

She looked at Lilia with pleading eyes, not even sparing a glance for the young man beside her. "Should I take you back to rest now?"

Lucian: "..."

He spoke, a touch exasperated. "Excuse me, miss."

"I’m terribly sorry, but Her Highness and I still have a few things to discuss."

"Could you please wait a little while?"

Rebecca turned to him without a word, but her eyes were filled with disapproval.

Lucian raised an eyebrow and, right in front of her, took Lilia’s wrist.

Rebecca: "!"

Jennifer: "?!"

The star student from the Royal Capital Magic Academy pushed up her glasses. At that moment, she wished she could capture this scene and deliver it to Her Highness Veronica’s desk when she had the chance!

"Don’t worry."

Lucian pulled Lilia away. "I’ll get her back safely."

He left Rebecca and Jennifer behind.

They pushed open the main door and stood under the eaves in the cool breeze.

Lucian still hadn’t let go of Lilia, instead casually surveying their surroundings.

Lilia made no move to pull away. "What are you looking for?"

"To see if there’s a third person waiting to block our path."

Lucian turned to her and said with a smile, "But it looks like there isn’t."

"Relieved?"

Lilia smiled back. "Or a little disappointed?"

"Why would I be disappointed?"

Lucian retorted, "Isn’t it a good thing to have fewer enemies?"

Lilia tilted her head, feigning ignorance. "Enemies?"

Lucian chuckled without explaining. "You just said I was the first partner you’ve ever had."

"That’s right."

Lilia added a condition, "The first partner I’ve had *in Ovis*."

"...Fine."

Lucian was completely out of retorts.

"Are you unhappy?"

Lilia took a step forward.

"No."

Lucian truly wasn’t unhappy.

Working with Lilia was a decision he had made after careful consideration; he wouldn’t be swayed or hesitate because of a small setback.

Besides,

it was just a few pointed remarks from others. If he cared about such things, he never would have gotten to where he was today.

Lucian lowered his gaze.

The sky was dark.

A full moon hung quietly in the sky.

Pale moonlight spilled onto the girl’s delicate face, making her already fair skin seem as lustrous as jade.

He didn’t know why, but Lucian wasn’t surprised that so many people were fond of Lilia.

It’s just...

"I didn’t expect my enemies this time would be two young women."

Lucian took Lilia’s wrist again, leading her toward the living quarters behind them. "How should I deal with them?"

"One is your sister, and the other is your personal maid."

"To stop them from whispering poison in your ear while I’m away, should I perhaps pay a price to bribe them?"

Under the moonlight.

The young man’s eyes were smiling, but his tone was incredibly serious.

As if he were genuinely considering the problem, worried that Lilia might really be influenced by Veronica and the others, which could lead to the collapse of their partnership.

"Hmm..."

Lilia pondered for a moment. "If you bribe them, they’ll probably think you have ulterior motives."

Lucian couldn’t help but laugh. "True. It seems I’ll have to think of another way."

As they spoke,

they arrived at the living quarters.

Lucian stopped and turned to face Lilia.

"Actually..."

"Hm?"

"They’re right to be wary."

A gentle breeze blew past, lifting stray strands of the girl’s hair.

Lucian suppressed the strange impulse that rose within him.

"Strictly speaking, I do have ulterior motives concerning you."

He raised an eyebrow and said in a joking tone, "After all, if this plan succeeds, you’ll have to come with me to Ovis."

"When they find out about that, they’ll surely jump out and object immediately."

Lilia looked up slightly. "It doesn’t matter."

Lucian’s gaze fell, meeting her eyes, which were as dark as the night.

The girl smiled softly. "As long as I choose you with conviction."