Stolen Crown Princess (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 9
Lellia asked again, as if unable to believe it.
“……Are you referring to Her Royal Highness the Crown Princess?”
Her voice, saturated with disappointment, filled the entire reception room. Eustia’s face, watching Lellia, colored with awkwardness, but she quickly composed herself.
“As you well know, my lady, Liu’s reputation is an extremely important matter until his succession to the throne. In that sense, this victory party is an exceptionally significant occasion for Liu.”
“That is precisely why I believe I should be by His Highness’s side, Your Majesty.”
Despite Eustia’s efforts to soothe her, Lellia remained obstinate.
Eustia let out a low sigh. This child had never defied her before—her disappointment must be truly profound.
She couldn’t say she didn’t understand that feeling.
Even after Ibelia’s state marriage, it had always been Lellia who stayed by Liu’s side.
At first, there were certainly those who found this odd, but soon enough everyone accepted the two without a second thought.
After all, it was widely known that they had grown up together like siblings and shared an unusually close bond.
Of course, the young ladies who were close friends with Lellia had played their part well as matchmakers until society fully embraced them.
Eustia had simply watched this unfold with quiet satisfaction. To her, the daughter of House Caroline was nothing more than a thorn in her eye.
Moreover, it was abundantly clear that Liurian wanted Lellia. Why would she stop her only son from desiring the very woman she herself had chosen for him, as if he had looked into his own heart?
On the contrary, she had firmly defended Lellia’s position, standing directly against Gadro, who disapproved of her.
Lellia Net had obtained everything thus far simply by winning the Empress’s favor.
Thus, the sense of loss Lellia must be feeling now was surely beyond words.
It was a pity—but Eustia’s feelings extended only as far as cheap sympathy, nothing more.
What mattered most to Eustia had always been Liurian. Now that Liurian had made this decision, she wished to support her son’s choice, no matter the reason.
“Of course, I too wish it were you who remained by Liu’s side. But the party three days from now is no ordinary gathering, my lady. It is a celebration honoring the full year in which Liurian risked his life in battle. Liu has proudly claimed a victory no one expected.”
“…….”
“Everyone attending the party will undoubtedly focus on Liu. If, in such a situation, Liu appears openly alongside the Crown Princess, those who have viewed his succession unfavorably will surely be puzzled. And that puzzlement might…”
“…….”
“…just be the beginning of turning negative perceptions of Liu into positive ones.”
Eustia lifted the corners of her mouth meaningfully. In truth, there was another reason she supported Liurian’s intentions so thoroughly.
The more she thought about it, the prouder she felt of Liu. How had he come up with such an idea? It was so brilliant she wondered if this truly was the same son she had known all these years.
An improved reputation for Liurian meant the foundation for a new faction supporting him would soon emerge.
And the more supporters he gained, the sooner his ascension to the throne might come.
She might even reach the world she had long dreamed of faster than planned.
Eustia looked at Lellia with clearer eyes than ever before.
“My lady, this is a political matter. Nothing will change simply because Liu attends the party with the Crown Princess. Though this occasion may be unpleasant for you now, in hindsight, it will be nothing more than a small step toward the power you will one day hold.”
The Empress’s lengthy words were more than enough to stir Lellia’s ambition. Yet her stiff expression did not easily soften, as if she still couldn’t entirely shake off her resentment.
Still, the look of partial understanding in her eyes was commendable enough.
Then it was time to offer the carrot.
Eustia, now wearing the mask of a loving mother, gently grasped Lellia’s hand.
“That said, I won’t allow Liu to appear at the victory party with the Crown Princess without taking any measures. After all, your position might become awkward, and unsavory rumors could spread—I cannot simply stand by and watch that happen.”
“Your Majesty…”
“That’s why I have a request for you, my lady.”
Eustia began grandly, then gazed at Lellia with an endlessly warm smile.
“I’m thinking of hosting a tea party before the victory celebration and inviting the other young ladies.”
“…….”
“I would like you to attend as the hostess in my stead.”
It was the beginning of a scheme to break someone’s heart.
Late at night.
Liurian lay motionless on the bed, one arm covering his eyes. Even so, an indescribable aura radiated powerfully from him.
Felix sat cross-legged on a chair by the table, watching Liurian with clear disapproval.
“Hey. You’re not actually asleep in that state, are you?”
“…….”
“I left you alone because I figured you had something on your mind—but do you even realize how many hours you’ve been stuck in that same position?”
“…….”
“Hey! Are you seriously just sleeping like that? Really?”
The oddly grating tone ruthlessly scraped through Liurian’s ears. His brow, hidden beneath his arm, furrowed, and he muttered quietly.
“Just shut that mouth of yours.”
His mind was already in turmoil—because of Ibelia.
Her face, which had so gently shielded a guard yet shown only coldness toward him, lingered as a stubborn afterimage all day long.
Intellectually, he knew her stance was understandable—but emotionally, he couldn’t accept it. No, he refused to.
How could he possibly understand her pure face stepping in front of another man?
Liurian let out a deep sigh.
The sound, barely more than a breath, resembled the fierce growl of a beast—so intimidating it could instantly crush the spirit of anyone nearby.
Yet Felix merely shrugged nonchalantly and gave a faint chuckle.
“Didn’t I clearly warn you? It’d be best not to meet your consort for a while.”
Felix stretched the arm he’d rested on the table and pressed his temple.
He knew his words would ruffle Liurian’s temper, yet he spoke them anyway. Immediately, as if waiting for this, Liurian sprang up from his seat.
Exactly the reaction Felix had anticipated.
“My point exactly—doesn’t that make sense?”
A venomous glare poured from between his fiercely raised eyes. The killing intent that erupted in an instant seemed ready to strangle Felix’s throat right then and there.
Yet Felix didn’t wipe the smile from his lips. Instead, he looked at Liurian with even greater interest.
“Well, it seems you’re the one not listening properly.”
“Why on earth should I listen to someone like you?”
Liurian narrowed his brows hysterically.
Felix raised his eyebrows slightly. It was unexpected. He’d known Liurian wasn’t himself, but this level of emotional agitation was unprecedented.
After all, who was this man? A coldly composed figure who never flinched even as hundreds, thousands fell on the battlefield. A man who showed no fear upon seeing his own long-dormant true form.
And yet he was shaken this deeply—over a woman?
Felix’s lips curled upward, drenched in even greater curiosity.
“Weren’t you the one who first asked me for help?”
“And didn’t you clearly tell me shortly after that you no longer needed my help?”
“My interest had already grown too strong to simply follow your wishes. Besides, I rather like you—that’s part of it too.”
Felix countered Liurian’s words crisply, without yielding an inch.
Liurian’s eyes narrowed further with ferocity. As if accustomed to Felix’s responses, he stubbornly clamped his mouth shut.
He rose fully from the bed, seemingly intent on leaving the room to avoid Felix.
Felix quickly added,
“Ibelia is a far more delicate woman than you think. Your sudden change in attitude will only confuse her. My advice not to see her for now was given in earnest.”
“Shut up. What do you know about Ibelia to talk like that?”
“At least I seem to know more about her than you do.”
“I’ve watched her countless times over!”
“But you failed to notice just how exquisitely sensitive she truly is.”
Liurian pressed his lips tightly shut at Felix’s relentless retort.
It wasn’t that he hadn’t noticed her delicacy—he knew it well. Yet despite that knowledge, all he could do was act coldly.
Liurian stared stubbornly at Felix for a moment, then hurriedly turned away. He no longer wished to exchange another word with him.
“For now, don’t cross paths with her. Give her some time as well.”
Felix’s voice came from behind him, but Liurian didn’t slow his steps toward the bedroom door. Still, he didn’t forget to deliver one final warning.
“Ibelia is my consort. So keep your presumptuous meddling to yourself, Felix.”
His voice was icy cold—but it was the kindest consideration he could show Felix.
Liurian quickened his pace further, not even intending to hear Felix’s reply.
At that moment, Felix’s amused voice mercilessly snapped Liurian’s last thread of patience.
“Oh dear, it seems you’ve made a serious mistake.”
“…….”
“To be precise, Ibelia is the consort of Liurian Petrov—not yours.”
Turns Out He’s Been Secretly in Love with Me
One-line summary: He acts like he doesn’t like her but is actually playing hard to get.
Synopsis:
Xu Muzhou like her. He has liked her for a very long time, and through repeated schemes, he finally closed the distance with her.
But this is still far from enough.
He wants to be the one who stands out among her many suitors, to fight for her attention, and to make her take the initiative to pursue him.
_____
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This chapter is the old chapter I think?