PLQYM | Chapter 42

‘Is this really just loyalty that he feels?’

Could it be an older brother’s intuition?

Ronen’s gaze, which had been fixed on Lucian, now shifted toward Count Astro. The Count, too, wore a grim expression as he stared at the tabloid in his hand. His eyes were glued to a small photo that was printed alongside the emperor’s portrait.

Read the complete chapter at Lily on the Valley without random text

The face in the photo was blurred, but the dark hair was unmistakable.

Ronen looked at Lucian, who was lost in thought with a frustrated expression.

Read the complete chapter at Lily on the Valley without random text

‘No way.’

This was a newspaper infamous for its fabricated stories, known to be read more for amusement than for actual news. Readers treated the articles as if they were fiction.

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

It was fortunate, perhaps, that there weren’t many who believed the stories outright. But if what was written in this article were true…

Ronen turned his gaze back to Lucian. A man with black hair, who had given an interview.

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

And Lucian.

Lucian and the man with black hair.

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

Black hair, a rarity in the Imperial Palace.

In the end, he swallowed hard.

For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com

‘No. It can’t be. There’s no way.’

Ronen Astro let out a long sigh. Behind his tightly shut eyelids, the image of his younger brother’s black hair burned vividly.

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

Meanwhile, Lucian Astro, the younger brother in question, was fuming in his room.

“Seriously? You went and did this?”

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Leaning deep into his chair, Lucian glared daggers at the tabloid spread out before him.

“He… did this to me…”

Read the complete chapter at Lily on the Valley without random text

“Idiot,” Lucian spat. A crude remark escaped his lips.

“There’s no way His Majesty would ever entangle himself with a low-life who’d give interviews to trashy gossip rags. How absurd. As if His Majesty, with such high standards, would stoop so low.”

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

If someone even slightly failed to meet His Majesty’s exacting tastes, they wouldn’t even get a second glance, let alone be touched.

Sure, the emperor hated boredom and had little patience for idleness.

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

“But still, this isn’t right. Not even if His Majesty was unbelievably bored. Why would they get involved with someone like this?”

The more Lucian thought about it, the angrier he became.

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

“First, I’ll find whoever gave this interview and make them talk… figure out if there’s any truth to this. Actually, does it even matter if it’s true?”

“So what if it’s all lies? I’ll throw money at it to silence it and sue them for good measure.”

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

Of course, he wasn’t just going to let the money go. He’d make sure to find a weakness to ensure they paid it back tenfold.

If he had been present, this would never have happened. He was confident in that.
Even if some mistakes had been made—people are human, after all—

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

Still. Even so. Keeping things from blowing up into this kind of scandal was the job of an aide, wasn’t it?

A tabloid article of this level? Money should’ve been more than enough to take care of it. So why hadn’t they…?

For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Wait, don’t tell me…”

A chilling thought crossed his mind, making his blood run cold.

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

Was this an excuse to reorganize the aide department entirely?

The emperor’s constant refrain about wanting to replace everyone echoed in his head, sending a shiver down his spine.

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

No, that couldn’t be all. Perhaps, even more than that, there was someone intentionally stirring the pot. Someone who constantly caused trouble.

“Could it be…?”

Read the complete chapter at Lily on the Valley without random text

As the thought dawned on him, Lucian swallowed hard.

No, no way. He wanted to dismiss the thought, but a certain someone’s image kept coming to mind.

Read the complete chapter at Lily on the Valley without random text

The person who belonged to the family most at odds with the emperor.

Lucian instinctively leaned forward, muttering under his breath.

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

“Would they really go that far? It’s probably just me overthinking. Yeah. What’s done is done. I need to deal with it now.”

He tried to reject reality, but once the thought began to spin, it wouldn’t stop.

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

“Ah, seriously.”

Finally, Lucian stood up abruptly, frustration dripping from his voice.

For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“I must be crazy. I should just rest, but here I am, doing this. Why am I even doing this?”

His self-deprecating laughter was tinged with bitterness.

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Despite his words, his movements were decisive. He hurriedly left his room. His destination: the Imperial Palace. He needed to confirm his suspicions as quickly as possible.

***

Read the complete chapter at Lily on the Valley without random text

A scandal had broken out.

A man’s interview claiming he had been seduced and then discarded by the emperor was published in a tabloid infamous even in the capital for its outrageous stories.

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

As a result, the palace was walking on eggshells.

“This is preposterous! How could something like this be allowed to tarnish His Majesty’s reputation?”

For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Franz Clan was storming through the aide’s office, furious.

Though some of the aides wanted to yell back at him, asking if this was really their fault, they couldn’t say it aloud.

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

After all, even though they were all aides, they weren’t on the same level. As the second son of a powerful marquis family, Franz was untouchable for most of them.

Except for one person.

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

Lucian Astro.

Or, well, one other person besides him.

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

“Why are you blaming us, Sir Franz?”

A calm male voice cut through the tense atmosphere, and the aides collectively sighed in relief.

Read the complete chapter at Lily on the Valley without random text

Oh, right. There was someone else.

The ever-oblivious Nils Bowman.

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Nils…”

“Why is this our fault, anyway? Isn’t it clearly your fault, Sir Franz?”

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

“What did you just say?”

Nils Bowman, with a look of genuine confusion, spoke matter-of-factly to Franz, whose face turned red with anger.

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

‘Oh, this is gonna be good.’
‘Nothing beats a front-row seat to a fight.’
‘For once, Nils Bowman isn’t holding back. He’s the only one who would dare, status be damned.’
‘Well, except Lucian Astro, of course.’

While Franz looked ready to explode, Nils remained unfazed.

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Weren’t you the one in charge while Sir Lucian was away? That means this mess is your responsibility. Cleaning it up is your job, too.”

“You little—!”

Read the complete chapter at Lily on the Valley without random text

While the other aides were too scared to even breathe, Nils said everything on his mind. Franz, at his wit’s end, even raised his fist.

“Is this really the time to be arguing? Not a single issue has been resolved, yet you still have the energy to fight?”

Read the complete chapter at Lily on the Valley without random text

“……!”

A familiar voice sliced through the brewing chaos, and the tension in the room lifted.

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Sir Lucian!”
“You’ve returned!”
“Sir Lucian!”

The aides, who had been watching the fight nervously, swarmed toward Lucian.

Read the complete chapter at Lily on the Valley without random text

“Sir Lucian! You’re here!”

“Nils.”

For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Lucian nodded, acknowledging Nils before addressing the room.

“I’ve reviewed the situation. First, don’t respond to the tabloid at all. Starting tomorrow, we’ll begin an internal audit. Once that starts, whoever orchestrated this won’t have the bandwidth to focus on anything else.”

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

“Ah, understood.”

Nils, already prepared, whipped out his notebook to jot down Lucian’s instructions.

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“If we uncover any irregularities in the funds, we’ll find out who’s behind this.”

Lucian’s sharp gaze swept over the aides and landed on Franz, who flinched under his icy stare.

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

“Thank you for your hard work, Sir Franz. From now on, I’ll handle this. Please return to your regular duties.”

Franz clenched his teeth, his glare full of barely contained rage, but Lucian didn’t bat an eye. Instead, he turned and asked,

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

“Is His Majesty inside?”

“Yes, he’s been with Cliff, the head attendant, since this morning,” someone answered.

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Lucian nodded and issued a few final instructions before leaving.

“Everyone, get moving. I’ll discuss this matter directly with His Majesty.”

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Yes, sir.”

“Remember, His Majesty doesn’t have scandals. This is someone’s ploy to tarnish his legacy, and we’ll resolve it.”

Read the complete chapter at Lily on the Valley without random text

Without waiting for a reply, Lucian turned and walked off. Behind him, the aides let out collective sighs of relief.

To reach the Emperor’s Chambers, Lucian had to pass Franz, whose expression grew darker with every step.

For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com

As Lucian brushed past him, Franz muttered through clenched teeth,

“Showing up after the damage is done, acting like you’re some kind of savior…”

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Lucian ignored him.

“Hey, Lucian!”

Read the complete chapter at Lily on the Valley without random text

Franz, unable to contain his anger, grabbed Lucian’s shoulder. The abrupt pull made him stagger slightly, but Lucian quickly steadied himself.

“What have you even done to claim you’re taking over? At least accomplish something first before acting high and mighty.”

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

Lucian’s eyes, calm and sharp, met Franz’s as if acknowledging him for the first time.

“Did you even do anything to stop this mess? If His Majesty entrusted you with this task, it was because he expected results. Yet.”

For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Lucian sneered openly, his gaze raking over Franz.

“You’ve clearly achieved nothing.”

Read the complete chapter at Lily on the Valley without random text

“Wh-what?”

“You do realize that the voices in this office shouldn’t be heard outside, don’t you? Instead of yelling and throwing fits, perhaps you should’ve spent that energy resolving the issue. The Marquis family name is wasted on you.”

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

Lucian brushed off Franz’s hand.

“If you have more to say, save it. Right now, fixing this scandal takes priority.”

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

With that, Lucian nodded curtly and walked away, leaving Franz seething in his wake.

‘Just you wait, Lucian.’

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

Franz clenched his fists, his jaw tight with anger, glaring at the spot where Lucian had disappeared. Amid the now-bustling aide’s office, he alone stood frozen, simmering with frustration.