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Chapter 5
Lucien seemed taken aback when Seraphine suddenly woke up. His body stiffened for a moment before he straightened up. “The royal physicus said the sword that pierced your heart is poisoned and needs to be sucked out.”
Seraphine was momentarily speechless.
Did he really need to tell her that the sword was poisoned? Wasn’t it obvious? If it had been poisoned, she would have already been dead.
Moreover, just moments ago, he had…kissed her.
Lucien himself didn’t know what had come over him.
Upon hearing that she had been struck by the sword, he had intended to stay by her side, but Vivienne, terrified and crying, had kept him busy. He had to calm her down first. It was only when the royal physicus had reported that the sword had been removed and Vivienne had been lulled to sleep that he rushed to Seraphine’s side.
When he opened the door, he found Seraphine lying in bed, her face pale, as though she could slip away at any moment.
Lucien’s heart clenched. He was about to
ve
toward
when he saw her shoulder’s garment slip off, revealing her bare skin.
He should have covered her up, but for some inexplicable reason, he pulled the fabric further away before kissing her.
“Vivienne didn’t mean to push you in front of the sword,” Lucien said, averting his gaze, his voice rough. “She was just scared.”
Seraphine lowered her eyes and remained silent.
She had long since realized that, to Lucien, whatever Vivienne did always had a
reason, even if it was swrong.
“I never blamed Lady Sinclair,” Seraphine murmured. “I have always been loyal to my lord. Lady Sinclair is your beloved. If I were to die for her, it would be my duty.”
Lucien’s face darkened, and he suddenly covered her lips with his hand. “Stop talking nonsense about dying. You’re staying by my side for the rest of your life.”
Seraphine said nothing, her tearful eyes gazing at him like the moon.
She was about to speak when the tip of her tongue accidentally brushed against his palm.
Lucien’s palm burned. He quickly pulled his hand back. “Get some rest and heal.”
Without another word, he turned and left, as though escaping in a hurry.
Seraphine spent the next two days recovering, and soon it was Vivienne’s birthday.
Lucien threw her an extravagant party, inviting almost every noble in the capital.
Everyone marveled at how Prince Valmont pampered Lady Sinclair. It seemed certain that their future marriage would be full of harmony and bliss.
At the banquet, Lucien attended to Vivienne constantly–draping a cloak over her shoulders, serving her food, and giving her a gift that was a rare treasure in all the land.
Seraphine stood off to the side, silently observing everything.
“Vivienne, do you have any birthday wishes?” Lucien asked softly. “Anything you desire, I can get for you.”
Vivienne smiled shyly. “Lucien, you have already treated me so well. There’s nothing I want. But…”
She paused, glancing at Seraphine. “Recently, I’ve been thinking of arranging a marriage.”
Lucien raised an eyebrow. “Oh? Whose marriage?”
Vivienne turned to Seraphine. “My Great Uncle has taken a liking to Sera and wants to make her his concubine,”
Before Seraphine could react, an elderly man in his fifties walked over, smiling broadly. “Prince Valmont, I beg your pardon for my shameless intrusion, but I wish to ask for this girl I hope you can grant me this request.”
Seraphine’s heart sank slightly.
This old lord had a notorious reputation in the capital, having caused the deaths of many of his previous concubines.
Lucien’s expression darkened, but he quickly masked his emotions. “That won’t do.”
Vivienne’s eyes welled up with tears immediately. “Great Uncle is old and has watched me grow up. I just want to help fulfill his wish…” Chapter 5
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She choked up, her voice trembling. “It’s just a simple concubine. Lucien, Surely you wouldn’t deny him a mere guardsman?”
Seeing Vivienne crying, Lucien frowned deeply and finally spoke coldly. “…Fine.”
Great–Uncle was overjoyed. “Thank you, Prince Valmont!” he exclaimed, grabbing Seraphine’s hand eagerly. “I shall take my leave now.”
Everyone present knew exactly what he intended to do, and they quietly laughed.
“Wait.” Lucien suddenly spoke, handing Great–Uncle a glass of wine. “Drink this before you leave.”
Great–Uncle chuckled and downed it in one go before dragging Seraphine away.
Numb, she let herself be pulled into a secluded chamber.
“My lovely little thing,” the old lord crooned, already clawing at her clothes. “Let me show you true pleasure—”
Seraphine barely registered his words, still reeling from Lucien’s cold dismissal.
But when she tensed to resist, the old lord sneered. “Struggle, and I’ll have Prince Valmont toss you into the army brothels.”
Seraphine’s body went limp. She shut her eyes-
Then the old lord choked.
A gout of black blood spewed from his lips before he collapsed, rigid, onto the floor.
Seraphine stared.
Her fingers flew to his neck.
No pulse.
The wine had been poisoned.
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