Chapter 23
Chapter 23
Michael had every intention to diss Henry, but his face fell right then.
Seeing that, Henry raised a brow, his voice having an edge of contempt as he asked, “I guess she doesn’t. Wouldn’t that be what ordinary citizens call marriage fraud?”
“Insolence!”
Michael snapped, glaring fixedly at Henry. “Don’t think a few accomplishments and the emperor’s favor allows you to insult me! You don’t get to meddle in my business!”
“There’s no reason to lash out, Your Highness.” Henry simply smirked, the disdain in his gaze trampling all over the prince’s dignity just then.
Michael did not regain his earlier gentle demeanor or composure either.
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In fact, his handsome face appeared distorted, and his tone quiet and sinister. “So what if I’m deceiving Lilian? You could do the same too–though that depends whether she cares respond.”
Even as Henry’s dark gaze turned murderous and his smile stiffened, Michael snorted smugly. “One way or the other, I’m marrying Lilian Lestrade… Oh, my apologies–it’s Lilian Kerr now. So stay away from her, or people will talk.”
And with that, he turned to leave, leaving Henry alone in the imperial garden, the coldness around him almost wilting the flowers around him.
Meanwhile, Lilian remained silent in the carriage returning to the marquis‘ residence.
The marquise stared at her, remembering how Lilian used to be three years ago.
She was a chatterbox, never able to stay silent and constantly yapping in the carriage. Whenever they were visiting the palace, the marquise had to keep her in line, fearing that her daughter might misspeak.
But now, it was as if Lilian’s mouth was sewn shut, and she would not speak for no reason–in fact, it was now the marquise’s job to find an appropriate topic of conversation.
Fortunately, that was not really difficult today.
“What do you think about Prince Michael?” the marquise asked with a nervous look. nonetheless.
After all, while Lilian left with the prince, she returned alone and with a sour look on her face. As they were in Consort Darling’s company, the marquise could not pry just then either, but she could now.
Be that as it may, Lilian never answered that question, instead looking the marquise straight
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in the eyes as she thought of something else. “Could you be honest with me, my lady? Why would Consort Darling choose me?”
She had asked the prince the same question, but she did not find his answer believable.
Panic showed on the marquise’s face right then, and she stammered, “W–What are you talking about, silly? It’s natural because you’re a good girl. Moreover, the consort is a close friend of mine and has known you since you’re a child.
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“She knows how kind you are and likes you so very much–there’s no denying that you’re the right choice.”
However, Lilian found the marquise‘ response even less bellevable than the prince’s, and she did not miss the panic that showed on the woman’s face.
That told Lilian that the prince wanted to marry her for another reason, but she simply averted her eyes and stayed silent.
After all, even if she tried to press the marquise, the marquise would still not be honest with her.
Nonetheless, her silence left the marquise panicking further, and she promptly said, “I know what you’re thinking, Lily–that the prince is a very important man, and you don’t deserve him because you’re no longer the daughter of the marquis, yes?
“But see, even if he is noble in status, he’s a prince who shirked his imperial duties. And you’re our daughter even if you’re not a Lestrade–you’ll always have the full support of the marquis’ household.”
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