Married To The Enemy Kingdom's Illegitimate Prince
Chapter 41 — Are You Finally Leaving?

Chapter 41: 41 — Are You Finally Leaving?

Elene hurried down the dim hallway, her footsteps barely audible against the thick carpet. She held her dress slightly up to avoid tripping as she quickened her pace.

Her heart raced as she approached Lucian’s study, her mind replaying the brief conversation she’d had with Cynthia. There were urgent matters to discuss, and she was determined to address them to the grand duke before the grand duchess had the chance.

When she reached the door to his study, her hurried steps came to an abrupt halt.

She raised her hand, hesitated briefly, and then knocked softly.

"Your Highness, I beg your pardon, but I need to discuss some important matters with you," she called out quietly.

Silence was her only response.

She waited, wondering if he would acknowledge her presence at all.

Lucian had been spending most of his time in the study lately, avoiding the bedchamber ever since the grand duchess had left.

Elene’s lips curled into a small smile.

"He must truly loathe her," she mused, a spark of satisfaction kindling in her chest.

As she waited, she heard a faint, muffled voice from beyond the wooden door.

Unable to resist her curiosity, she leaned in closer, her ear brushing against the door.

A faint, strained sound reached her—it wasn’t words, but something else, something unsettling.

Her hand twisted the doorknob before she could stop herself, and the door creaked open.

Lucian stood by the desk, his body hunched over, gripping the edge as if it were the only thing keeping him upright. His breathing was ragged, each inhale sharp and shallow. His skin was slick with sweat, and there was a wildness in his eyes that Elene had never seen before. His meticulously combed hair was now a dishevelled mess, damp with sweat.

"Your Highness?" she whispered, stepping closer.

Before she could move any further, another figure appeared at the doorway—Cynthia, her gaze sharp as her eyes widened at Lucian’s condition.

"What are you doing here?" Lucian’s voice, though hoarse, cut through the room with a note of anger.

He straightened with visible effort, pushing himself away from the desk, his eyes hardening as they settled on Cynthia.

Cynthia’s calm demeanour did not waver, though there was a flicker of something in her expression—something Elene couldn’t quite a place.

"I came to speak with you," Cynthia replied, her voice steady, though Lucian’s jaw tightened at the sound of her voice.

Her presence seemed to irritate him further, and he was in no mood to talk, fearing that anything he said might provoke her and lead to another confrontation—one that would not only cause trouble for them but also both kingdoms.

"Get out," he growled, his breathing still uneven.

Elene swallowed hard. She had never seen Lucian in such a pained state. Even when he was ill, he remained calm and rarely complained, never raising his voice.

With a slight bow, Elene stepped back, the tension in the room thickening like a noose tightening around her neck.

Cynthia remained where she stood, unflinching under Lucian’s furious gaze.

"I said, get out!" Lucian shouted, slumping on the chair, as if unable to stand anymore.

Cynthia turned as if to leave but only closed the door behind her and stepped closer to Lucian.

"Tell me what’s wrong?" she asked, gently touching his shoulder with trembling hands.

She had never seen Lucian so shaken before. He had always been composed as if nothing could break him.

Though she wished to see him in distress, witnessing him in such a state made her feel hollow and empty.

"Why should I tell you?" Lucian scoffed, brushing Cynthia’s hands away with irritation.

Taking a deep breath, Cynthia gently lifted Lucian’s face to meet her gaze, as he usually avoided looking at her. He preferred to keep his eyes on the ground.

"You don’t look well," Cynthia said, examining his sweaty face. The frown on his face distracted her momentarily, making her wonder if she had overstepped by touching him.

Taking a deep breath she said, "I’ll get the physician."

Once she withdrew her hands, she stepped away from Lucian. She didn’t want to further agitate him. He needed rest, and the other matters could wait.

As she was headed toward the door, a strong grip wrapped around her wrist, stopping her from moving. The grip was strong enough to break a person’s wrist. Cynthia turned around, facing Lucian who looked up at her, seated on his chair, fear in his eyes.

Lucian desperately clung to Cynthia’s hand despite hating that he needed to touch her.

However, the fear of being seen in his weakened state terrorized him. Although the queen wasn’t present, it surely didn’t mean she didn’t implant any spies among his servants who could notify her of his state. It wouldn’t be hard to hire a magician to kill him in this state.

"Don’t," he said, his voice not above a faint whisper.

"Alright, I won’t go call the physician," Cynthia, who tried to stop the groaning sound threatening to escape her, nodded, gently removing Lucian’s grip around her wrist which had gradually loosened.

"At least let’s go to your bedroom, alright?"

Lucian shook his head.

Crossing the hallway in this state would be a nightmare no different than showcasing everyone his state and it would make no difference than calling the physician.

Cynthia briefly understood his worries. Although he was doted on by the king, perhaps the queen didn’t feel the same. She also knew what it felt like to be surrounded by swords around your neck, anyone ready to take your life.

Perhaps that was what connected them— the feeling they both shared— the fear of being seen in a miserable state and being taken advantage of due to it or even worse, losing their life.

However, in their past life, Cynthia wasn’t careful enough and often fell to schemes. Yet oddly enough, she survived for thirty years.

"Lay down on the couch," she gently pulled him by the hand and led him towards the couch.

The dark-haired man unwillingly listened to her. From the days he had observed her, she possessed the art of having her way no matter what. Resisting could lead to further exhaustion and making her leave would be harder.

After lying down, Lucian looked up at her, brushing the sweat from his forehead.

"You can leave now."

"You sure are—" Cynthia halted. She nearly started behaving in her usual facade before Lucian.

"I mean to say that... would you know why you are feeling this way?" She gently demanded.

Surprised by her serious tone, and not seeing her usual mocking tone or fake smile, Lucian shook his head. It felt as if he were possessed and he ended up answering her question although he wouldn’t do so usually.

I must truly be sick...

"Alright. Let me examine you," Cynthia gently knelt on the ground, checking Lucian’s pulse. "A little faint..." she murmured, brushing her head against his forehead, verifying if he had a fever. Then, she nodded.

"It seems you have a fever and perhaps weakness as well," she announced to him.

"Strange," she whispered.

I’ve never seen Lucian being sick... ah, but have I even met him enough, if not at parties?

Scoffing to her foolish remark, Cynthia stood up.

"Are you finally leaving?" Lucian asked, but his voice was slowly fading as if he were falling asleep.

He tried to keep his eyes open, however, in vain. Everything slowly drifted to black.

***

As if hit by a rock, Lucian’s head pained. However, he felt lighter than before. He slowly opened his eyes, finding himself lying on a soft pillow.

Strange... I don’t remember the couch being so soft...

Slowly regaining consciousness, his mind drifted to what happened before he passed out. Faint memories of Cynthia’s presence in his study room rushed into his mind.

He pursed his lips, angered. He didn’t want to show his vulnerable side to her.

Surely, she was laughing although she kept such a serious face. She didn’t even try to force a smile this time, huh?

He scoffed, slowly rising and sitting on the couch. He looked around, and found a small bowl of water with a few towels beside them, two of them still wet as if they had been used not too long ago.

Once his gaze turned to his left side, his eyes widened, finding the silver-haired young woman sitting on the couch, her eyelids closed. She seemed to be falling asleep.

"What is she doing here?.." Lucian whispered.

Once the realization that he had been lying on her lap hit him, his eyes widened. A turmoil of feeling and confusion overwhelmed him.

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