CHAPTER 50: LUCIEN, ARE YOU READY?

Selvia and Mira left the room, giving Lathel space to rest.

"Mira!" As soon as they stepped outside, Selvia called out.

Mira flinched, a hint of anxiety rising within her. "Princess Consort, y-you called me? I..."

Seeing Mira’s expression, Selvia felt a trace of amusement, but also a sense of warmth.

Suddenly, she reached out and took Mira’s hand, startling her. Mira’s eyes widened in surprise as she looked at Selvia. "Princess Consort, you... you..."

Selvia gently caressed Mira’s soft hand and spoke tenderly, "Mira, how long have you been by the Prince’s side?"

Mira pressed her lips together, lowered her head, thought for a moment, and replied, "About four years now."

Selvia nodded lightly, smiling as she said, "Not too long, but not short either. You must already know his habits and personality quite well, don’t you?"

Mira didn’t answer, only gave a slight nod, while her worry deepened, sweat pooling in her palms.

Sensing Mira’s growing anxiety, Selvia softly patted the back of her hand and spoke in an incredibly warm voice, "Don’t worry, I just have a favor to ask of you."

Upon hearing that, Mira hurriedly said, "Princess Consort, please... don’t say it like that. I... I am His Highness’s servant, and also yours. As long as you give the word, I... I will surely carry it out."

"No." Selvia shook her head. "You misunderstood me. Mira... you like the Prince, don’t you?"

"Ah!" Mira gasped, instinctively trying to pull her hand back, but Selvia held it firmly.

Panicking, she immediately knelt down. "Forgive me, Princess Consort, I... I swear... it’s only my one-sided feelings."

"I would never cross the line. I will keep my distance from the Prince, I... I will..."

Mira spoke while crying, her voice growing harder and harder to understand, but her sincere feelings for Lathel could still be clearly felt.

Her tears flowed like twin streams, falling endlessly.

Selvia then sat down in front of her and gently said, "You’re so silly. I’m not angry. On the contrary, I’m happy about it."

"Huh?!" Mira thought she misheard, her eyes widened, filled with confusion as she looked at Selvia.

Selvia smiled, a smile as gentle as the first light of dawn.

"Mira, I’m not an Awakened One. I have no great power, and not much time left to live. That’s why... I can’t be of much help to Lathel."

"But you’re different. You are Awakened. Lathel needs your help. And besides, you love him. That’s why... I believe you’re very suited to become his wife."

"Ah! I... I..." Mira was so shocked that she could barely form words. Her mind went blank, and Selvia’s words kept echoing through her head.

"I’m suited to be the Prince’s wife? I... truly suited... to be his wife."

Boom!

Mira’s face instantly turned bright red, as if it were about to catch fire. Even her hands and neck began flushing with the same crimson hue.

"I... I..." Mira stammered continuously, unable to respond. Her mouth seemed frozen in place from the overwhelming shock.

"I’m not forcing you," Selvia said with a soft smile. "Just think about it, I..."

"No! I..." Mira bit her lip, took a deep breath, then looked toward Selvia, feeling as if she were looking at an angel.

Pure, holy, and possessing an almost unbelievable level of compassion.

Mira exhaled, a silent resolve forming within her, and a trace of determination flashed in her eyes.

"Princess Consort, I... I am truly grateful for your kindness and compassion. But... even though I’ve become an Awakened One, I know I’m not worthy of being the Prince’s wife."

"This..." Hearing that, Selvia’s face showed a hint of concern, fearing that Mira was merely turning her down out of politeness.

"Princess Consort," Mira continued, "I just want to continue serving the Prince as his maid. I want to stay by his side forever, to serve him and always see his smile."

Selvia opened her mouth, finding it hard to believe Mira’s decision. She stammered, "Mira... that would be unfair to you. You must understand that you are—"

"I know, but I accept it." Mira held Selvia’s hand tightly and smiled. "If the Prince hadn’t protected me when the Church attacked, I would’ve died."

"I became an Awakened One because of the Prince, and so, my life now belongs to him alone."

Hearing that, Selvia smiled, gently caressing Mira’s face and wiping away her tears. "Having a maid like you is a blessing—for both me and Lathel."

"Don’t worry, I won’t let you be treated unfairly. And besides, you don’t have to call me Princess Consort."

"I’m a few years older than you. If you don’t mind... you can call me Sister Selvia."

"Ah! That wouldn’t be right, I’m just..." Mira quickly tried to object.

But Selvia cut her off, "Don’t worry, it’s perfectly fine. After all, you’ll become one of Lathel’s women someday. Calling me that is only natural."

Upon hearing the words "one of Lathel’s women," Mira’s head immediately overheated, as if an atomic bomb was about to go off inside her.

Selvia covered her mouth and giggled. "Hahaha... You really are adorable."

At that moment, Selvia leaned in and whispered something into Mira’s ear.

The more Mira listened, the more shocked she became. She quickly used both hands to cover her face, now burning with embarrassment, her eyes wide in disbelief.

After finishing her whisper, Selvia smiled and asked, "Do you understand now?"

Mira bit her lip, glanced toward the door to Lathel’s room, then gave a small nod. "I... I understand. But... the Prince, will he... will he really accept this?"

"Of course," Selvia said with a gentle smile. "He is a kind man. Once it happens, he would never abandon you."

"I... I’m afraid the Prince will be angry, I..." Mira stammered.

"Don’t worry." Selvia gently stroked Mira’s head like a loving mother and said softly, "With me here, he will definitely accept you."

Upon hearing that, Mira’s face lit up with joy, as if she wanted to shout out loud—but luckily, she managed to hold it in.

"Uhm! Then I’ll find a chance to..."

"Tonight!" Selvia smiled. "Tonight, I’ll create that opportunity for you."

"Ah! So soon? I..." Mira lowered her head in a fluster, then bit her lip and... nodded.

Seeing this, Selvia smiled with satisfaction, a pleased expression crossing her face. Deep down, she thought: Lathel, I will do my best not to become useless.

...

Inside the room, Lathel waved his hand, and a vacuum barrier instantly appeared, enclosing the entire space.

He was still as cautious as ever.

At that moment, a shadow stepped through the window and into the room. The figure silently closed the window behind them and walked over to Lathel’s bed.

The figure immediately knelt on one knee and respectfully said, "Master!"

Lathel glanced at the one kneeling—it was Aris, one of the two knights he had summoned using the Knight Summoning Card.

She had been assigned to the academy to spread the news that Lathel had been wounded in an assassination attempt by Church followers, and then to remain in this place and wait for his arrival.

Lathel still wore his usual warm smile, but now that smile was no longer gentle—it radiated an eerie, bone-chilling malice.

"You’ve done well, even the information about Professor Lyra," Lathel said softly.

That’s right. Everything had been part of his plan. He chose the most difficult path because he had learned that Professor Lyra was nearby.

Lathel knew full well that the Church wouldn’t sit still, so he gambled that they would make a move against him.

In the end, he succeeded—staging a play and luring Lyra in to witness the final outcome.

But what if the Church hadn’t tried to assassinate him?

Did that even matter?

If the Church hadn’t attacked, Lathel was still fully capable of fabricating an alternate script.

The result would not have changed.

Fortunately, the Church did strike, and the Dark Mist was undeniable evidence with which to condemn them.

And naturally, Lyra completely believed in the performance she witnessed—and in the deductions she had made.

"Thank you, Master!" Aris bowed her head and said, "But... I’m afraid Professor Lyra may not fully believe in the act."

Lathel smirked and replied softly, "Aris, do you know that... the more intelligent a person is, the more confident they are in their own deductions?"

"Explaining too much would only arouse Lyra’s suspicion. But if she witnesses everything herself and draws her own conclusions, then she will believe them wholeheartedly."

"In fact, her belief in those conclusions she formed on her own will be so firm... that no one will be able to shake it."

Upon hearing that, Aris’s face lit up with awe and reverence toward Lathel. "Master, you truly are like a god. It is an honor to be your most loyal servant."

Lathel glanced at Aris, then waved his hand. A beam of light immediately flowed into her head.

Startled, Aris quickly bowed. "Thank you for your gift, Master."

Lathel nodded and said, "That’s the absorption technique Lunar Petal. Use it, and in two days, take part in the aptitude assessment. After that, follow my instructions."

Aris listened silently to the plan Lathel laid out, then respectfully bowed her head. "I understand. Thank you, Master. I swear I will not let you down."

With that, she slipped away from the room like a shadow.

Lathel leaned back against the bed, his gaze turning sharper. "Evelyn, you’re holding on to a bit of the Dark Mist, aren’t you?"

At that moment, a feminine and arrogant voice echoed in his mind. "That’s right. Are you planning to absorb it? I suggest you abandon that idea."

"Hahaha..." Lathel let out a scornful laugh, his face now radiating pure wickedness and madness. "No! Keep it. I’ve already found a way to use it."

"A very interesting way... Lucien, are you ready? I’m truly looking forward to seeing you again."