PLQYM | Chapter 54

The rising heat made 0e2efe81b9 him bite his lip 21b7012876 without realizing it.1d75586bbce17431

It wasn’t the first time dc604fb74d he’d bitten his lips like 31605564b0 this; they were already bruised fe040ea2a5 and bleeding in several places. He couldn’t stay here e3814d216f any longer.5fc3a14f6cf72866

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

The moment the thought f74c0c3e46 crossed his mind, the 7e3ea037d5 color drained further from 91172c6ac3 his face, as if 7d47816f68 he were shocked by 0b1fa6dc74 his own decision.85b913e44b0fdc33

“Idiot.”d86e4f6f491be946

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Lucian let out a 764d07bd5f bitter laugh, staring blankly 4fe2f7fa05 at his reflection.65378086cf2a0215

He looked unfamiliar—not 37b09c2b16 just because he d8b1c95387 was gaunt, but 25c2ff2390 because his expressionless f6b5a4891e face seemed disturbingly 21567034b7 pale, like all 80437e158d vitality had drained a12d43080c from his eyes.8f705c28d073c4b5

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

He tried lifting the corners 0775b11649 of his lips into a 4876d34f74 smile. The crooked grin c187a1dd3d he forced looked 2151b181d4 unnatural, awkwardly stretching a3c1befbc9 into a line.486acba4dc337526

It didn’t feel 4666d70984 like his own 990c47abe8 face—it was as 644a606fbe if he were 95dc31e94e mimicking someone else’s 9e257694ea expression.7eeca4909805ae50

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Still dissatisfied, he tried c7ffa654a3 softening his gaze this 6286e76462 time, curving his eyes 0fab01b914 deliberately to craft a 850881fb13 more convincing smile. The result was slightly better e969cb9dc7 than before.994f2ce3ebbb1963

Yes, this should be enough. At least enough to 98d3c6ee32 fool him, for now.1f1805c4052d8fc3

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Strengthening the forced smile 97b603ae5c on his lips, Lucian 181155a77b turned around.40c8fdcc0fc92550

There wasn’t much time left.3f2752c22c6a373d

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

If he wanted to carry 85b0b605ae out his plan, he needed b20bd801c5 to finish everything before the f5c35b8764 princess left. That meant he had to 6056836d1c move quickly.4fb12c23c81d55f2

Lucian moved silently, 0ad17b81c1 opening the door f95544b167 without a sound.f9233ea18369bc7b

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Bang!056b28c7f975c0df

The door closed with a fdba77c88a hollow echo, leaving a lingering 243b144c42 emptiness in the air, much a1a1ce3f0f like his own heart.4fb768a6e23fa410

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Lucian Astro.”222e913ece9d08ac

As expected, the High Chancellor ad03f9487e Fristhe was already busy with fa9f5387aa temple duties in the early a5451f4889 hours of the morning.b50b437fc95eb963

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“What brings you here at this hour?”01befe19f1f101ca

“How have you been?”74ab5160dfcd7e97

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Oh, I’ve been fine, but…”735e9e2fcb6d73d4

Fristhe shot a 01610be877 glance at the 6397c45ad7 priest who had 0655d457fd escorted Lucian, and c0191d0fee the priest promptly afda4660dc bowed and left da67db8084 the room.f2f874424a4678af

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Come, come, sit here.”8542bcb536a54fed

Fristhe grabbed Lucian’s hand and 279d37d794 pulled him to sit down.0d0215317a4bd8f5

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Seeing Lucian’s unusually 929b495cc0 pale complexion and 3cab29f632 the absurdly early 4841c2310e hour of his ba04ddd986 visit, Fristhe couldn’t df5278aeb4 help but feel 6700fb07e9 uneasy.b58d62850f47d943

More than that, though, 92b4d37db0 he recalled the day 9f3fa8a0da he had been summoned 468be26e4c to treat him. It was hard to e543a67812 believe Lucian was even 735adb9ab0 up and about now.67e320640faf1b7f

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

When Fristhe had first 5840136d0f been told to treat 84f8d55f6d someone after the Emperor’s 230d350c9f intimate encounter, he’d been 5d265c0aa9 more than shocked—he was c63656518b furious.42fbeeda31e027ce

If not for Cliff, 9d565decd5 the head attendant, personally e15e06139f coming to get him, 87e30e5ad1 he would have refused 91564a6193 outright.1c9f5e955fe2ce09

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Even then, a sense of 929cf8b773 foreboding had lingered. Cliff, normally composed, had 13a16a2292 looked deeply troubled, and dd66015338 that was rare.18fd103e5b967976

When Fristhe arrived at the b50186ee48 Emperor’s chambers and saw who b9f7ddff2c the patient was, his worst 862a39664d fears were confirmed.9a9f47cefafa67ee

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

He had never treated anyone 98b00fbe45 after an imperial affair before, a6c318d2bc but seeing Lucian’s battered body ecff052de8 lying on the bed, covered a7e06c7163 in marks, he couldn’t suppress 8359d06c91 a groan.bc8d1eb1974f4d4f

It was a 5fa7e9c2b8 relief to see 5a43c291b9 Lucian now, sitting d96740389e here with a 78a90cfa7f relatively normal face.4b09a6545358999c

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“What is it, aide? Are you feeling alright? That bastard didn’t do 6090a1d942 something else to you, 09b39c39eb did he?”ddd427a1ebd737a3

As soon as Lucian 46c1251709 sat down, Fristhe bombarded a0e566badb him with rapid-fire questions, f807d820cb wasting no time in 7b0c99f591 addressing his concerns.4afe6cefc860a538

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Lucian couldn’t help but cc7a072baf chuckle at the blunt d4a479b14d barrage.03a57f8b524fb7d2

He had expected 476998d452 Fristhe to probe b0216d0180 cautiously, perhaps hesitantly.89e23be286b6890c

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Instead, the High Chancellor’s straightforwardness 40403b84b7 oddly put him at ease.6fa7f371c3967317

“I’m fine. Thanks to your treatment, 05ca39372d I recovered quickly.”8c93c84ec82eac9d

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Fristhe didn’t seem 6e0713cb7f entirely convinced by 86c24587da Lucian’s pale face, 85291e3029 but Lucian only 9c7cff3406 offered a soft, a1b83d333f reassuring smile.49c76f14378fef9d

It was as if c379a692c7 his icy blue eyes 037036db99 were silently pleading: Don’t 9938f58ac3 ask too much. Please.1637c85e05a5cec8

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

‘Hah, you and him are both the same,’ Fristhe thought, exasperated by Lucian’s stoic demeanor.3455b264a19059de

Lucian, however, could clearly see d96c3923cc the High Chancellor’s genuine concern 5a780b9f21 for him.9f85afbf69c9f4ab

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

That concern made Lucian feel d6254e6ed0 all the more reluctant to fd510f521a make his request.6aff24de19176be2

But he had no choice.62a2c48284ff5b2e

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

If he didn’t a7e8a72f85 seek their help, a2d9036b8f there was no ee11a5a275 way to escape 733788616e Heraith’s watchful eyes d4cf3195ef and reach.7fc741b63efd9ac8

Only two people d257e19258 in the entire 6a9d22b254 empire had the 4950eeb36c power, influence, and fa5e7a7c95 audacity to defy 44e865017c the Emperor: Fristhe, 825f53f63c the High Chancellor, 2aaab6a6ae and Chauver, the e35da2d32f Master of the 351d7fed31 Magic Tower.f19b990863d916e8

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“High Chancellor.”886c4a605c287868

Lucian met Fristhe’s anxious gaze, 530349d85b his voice quiet yet resolute.ac706c54d16c0d4c

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“You once said that if I ever needed help, I could come to you and Master Chauver.”859ec13eeff753e5

“…I did say that.”b2e860120f32ffc8

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“I need your help now.”0c4131ccfa9f0e77

“My help?”69ab616e3e7fa830

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Yes.”231dfd3da9aaee94

Lucian’s calm tone cbc17a7dd3 only heightened Fristhe’s 4934313548 unease. Something about this felt far 8ebe73fd5c from ordinary.c6a9c3f6954a5d3d

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

As if to confirm b803919b2b Fristhe’s suspicions, Lucian continued 9aa00c56b5 in a composed, detached eb25019de9 voice:309ceb460131bb1f

“I intend to resign.”be9f372eb1de6fc5

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“What?”f68cee0322ec0af9

“More precisely, I intend to run away from His Majesty.”05977d03ab6a8617

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

He said it as casually 73da7defba as one might comment on ae1d585dac the weather, but his icy a39450f4a0 blue eyes were cold, filled 47970cac53 with unwavering determination.a98d9067234ab97d

As expected, Fristhe was dumbfounded. His jaw dropped as 500419d2cf he stared at Lucian d152fa43f4 in shock.bbb90602a565560a

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Resign? No, forget that—run away from 8eddc5abcd the Emperor? Why?!”073a00da23f73620

“Surely, you’re not suggesting that I should stay by his side after what happened to me?”1165965437863888

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Lucian’s slow smile carried an 3e3c339d22 icy edge, sending a chill c762d23748 down Fristhe’s spine.08ace8d4696703f9

“Well, no, but still…”0ff25e31ba7c0ca3

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Fristhe shifted uncomfortably, eb6217f379 his unease evident 9546dda9d4 as he fidgeted 321e9fbf5b in his seat. Lucian couldn’t help but f994968d6e smile faintly at the b127b358b7 sight.b72c8998981a28c7

Ah, how much easier it d5dcbcc288 would be if Heraith were c8e622d147 as openly expressive as Fristhe.321ec5567a70ad9f

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Feigning nonchalance, Lucian plastered 2c40ee124f a broader smile on 7fcdb198d5 his face.9be7b6588ed93970

“It’s time to step down.”2d401630d2167a38

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“You haven’t even been in the position for three years! That’s hardly long enough. And yet…”b9e2af38fbdf5693

“Considering I’ve endured this long at his side, I think I’ve done pretty well.”34af4d8762f5db74

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Lucian’s pale face b70964f762 twisted into a 9b9225917a faint grin as cada7da9d0 he offered what 0984da0941 sounded like a eda056e310 joke, but his 39eab1ce7a words only deepened 8f28623ca4 Fristhe’s concern.048bf3173e7a966c

“Well, but still… Do you realize how much better the Emperor functions as a person thanks to you? He’s managing his duties properly 815f622809 because of you!”0c237c021b07a45f

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“…Ha.”3069aea8b71d72c8

A bitter laugh escaped 00a781007f Lucian’s lips as memories 61cb667297 of his time under 3517a3787f Heraith surfaced.6de7c8f6c9cba979

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

At first, he had worked c8e86fc3b6 himself to exhaustion, desperate to 67ee775684 avoid his scorn. Later, he pushed himself even 5ba96153d3 harder, not wanting anyone to 803cb0496e say the Emperor had faltered 6b830a1dfe because of him.e0a1432b63718cba

But now, none 1c29b2ac7b of that mattered 90faf318c2 anymore.a66eef266b2affc8

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“I came to you because I believe you and Master Chauver can help. Was I wrong?”c4a921745a3f81bc

“No, no, that’s not it. But…”94ad872a1de87529

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“I had intended to speak to you both together, but it seems Master Chauver isn’t awake at this hour.”f049aa053a757ecc

“Old people don’t need much sleep. That geezer’s probably 4a1c16c6c4 up by now. Wait a moment.”a333f33a32b97cc6

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Fristhe stood abruptly 6b1aeb8647 and rummaged through 93dc5be3f8 his desk. Lucian watched him silently.47474c74e0c38843

He hadn’t expected them de69aa3e72 to be so willing ec959d1470 to help him. Their immediate, earnest responses brought 3fc141c0ad a faint smile to his dde6f42de3 lips.9526553d57b9f134

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

If only I 1489d09c97 could feel this 53ec9da32c sense of urgency dc38f7a76d for myself, Lucian 3e775b7712 thought absently.9ce56efb6eaa0af4

Eventually, Fristhe found what c69896050e he was looking for 0bdf2458bf and approached Lucian with c97a5b3983 a bright expression.b98dfd57987adfa3

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Let’s talk to that old coot together, Lucian. Two heads are better than 4faa8242b0 one, after all.”c9b95c9e9684a862

He placed a large 0218b8f16d crystal orb on the c2f5a54ef3 table and gave Lucian 1c690bee6c a playful wink.7e99e11e8aae7d43

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Alright, let’s summon the lazy geezer.”fa8c1f9fac97ad0f

With a mischievous grin, 4895c7cf82 Fristhe tapped the orb, 6ed0ca7316 as if preparing to 12497c0d54 put on a magical c67334ff2b show.98f69aafd25c7ce1

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Lucian visited Princess 7809a7d222 Eloine before tea 686e0e363e time, while the f24bde7636 sun was still 1e37ae29f3 high.05dc80f1517b5451

The princess had just 531021c13f returned from a luncheon 5892c03b70 with nobles, part of 4e127cbcba her efforts to wrap 3ab9045fbe up her stay in e6d3692028 the empire before heading 945cd19951 back to her kingdom.da0eedb731c6b6b5

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

When informed of Lucian’s ac04847596 request for an audience, 9ebf0a94b0 Eloine seemed to ponder ab21e750b3 for a moment before 15fada0aca agreeing to let him 7313f0b338 in.c0565e9ed74a0c0e

However, when they eeae68d3ef finally faced each f0cd38be1b other, she simply dcff25829c sipped her tea f6dc5c65ee in silence, saying 74c1c80fb7 nothing.734e4ed747508373

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Lucian waited patiently, his d746f37a1f expression calm, until she 57f8934458 was ready to speak.751361d7d87ded53

After some time, 07a9aefc76 Eloine finally broke 9099fefad1 the silence, her ceca4b4881 tone casual.a30eb3a72a3f57b6

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“You have a favor to ask of me?”3afce812487d4c77

“Yes, Your Highness.”c3080d670a44c7ba

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“You seem to ask for favors quite often.”f68b873d9bd01f2f

Leaning leisurely against her 5d20c51370 chair, Eloine gracefully reached 6d78be3268 for a tea biscuit 3567608d7b with her pale hand.d343262ea230af06

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“What exactly do you plan to offer in return for all these favors?”b6b1ac4b82e2bc86

“Whatever price is necessary, I’ll pay it.”71c97dcd67943ed4

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Hmm.”fb9eb23fc5a01dd7

Eloine narrowed her eyes, studying 41e698af99 him.54e3a59df912441e

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

His composed demeanor 2a5c6caab1 hadn’t changed since d25baee79b the last time 077ec28710 she saw him, f18a912fe8 but…b06f23f832b88989

He looks thinner. It’s not just from 66c405b7a4 the injuries, is it?9fcf5694dbe863d7

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com