Chapter 21
Chapter 21
Luciana let go of his hand, then gently rubbed Donovan’s cheek and asked, “Did you take care of finding that embroiderer and sending the message to the trade caravan?”
“Already done. But it’s gonna take a while to get a reply. Still, even if no reply comes, whatever you want will definitely get delivered.” Donovan leaned in and nuzzled her hand a little, clearly trying to please her.
That little move reminded Luciana of the tabby cat.
“Go do your thing. I need to check on the kitten.” Luciana patted his cheek–soft and chubby, smooth and squishy, very satisfying to touch.
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Luciana had always stayed in contact with various caravans, buying rare spices, gemstones, fine emeralds, glass, coral, and so on from them.
Some rare herbs and minerals, only found in specific regions, were also bought from the traders. Luciana would then process them into products and sell them through her own shop.
A few months after Bryant returned, a certain embroidery pattern would start trending across Elarion City. The thread used for that style was dyed with a special kind of mineral and shimmered in rainbow colors under sunlight.
Luciana was already giving the order to get the materials ready in advance.
Two hours later, Samuel walked Drake out of the princess’s estate. And Edmund kept looking back with every step.
Edmund thought, ‘Lucíana probably recognized me, yet she said nothing when I arrived and didn’t show up when I left. What exactly was she
playing at?‘
“You shouldn’t be looking around inside the princess’s estate,” Samuel warned calmly.
Samuel found something was off. The people here seemed to know Edmund, and he clearly knew the estate well too. That probing attitude earlier wasn’t just him being paranoid.
Edmund let out a cold snort and looked at him with scorn. ‘He’s only been here for a few days and already acting like he owns the place.
‘Lecturing me like he’s some kind of master of the house? I’ve lived the estate for years and never acted that arrogant.’
Drake gave a loud cough and shot him a warning look. He muttered, ‘This servant is hopeless. Bringing him here is already a risk, and now he’s acting like some clueless village man–embarrassing.
After they left, Samuel asked the maids about Edmund and quickly pieced together what had happened.
Turned out, Edmund had lived in the estate before but had shown no gratitude.
Samuel could tell–Edmund regretted it. He wanted back in. ‘Not a chance,‘ he thought.
The next day, Drake came back again with Edmund. This time, Samuel dressed even more sharply.
“Looks like Mr. Newberry really knows how to dress yourself,” Edmund said with a mocking smile.
‘A grown man, not doing anything proper, just happy to stay here as a pretty face. All that effort just to make Luciana happy.!‘ Edmund was disgusted.
Samuel smiled back. “I don’t know anything about that. Princess Luciana has someone prepare the clothes. I just wear whatever I’m told.”
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Chapter 21
Edmund caught the hint of pride in his tone. Luciana used to do the same for him in the past. A wave of memories came back, souring his mood.
Edmund wanted to see Luciana, talk to her for just a moment. But now he was just Drake’s servant–he had no right to ask for her.
Using a stomachache as an excuse, Edmund left the room and slipped into the back garden. He remembered Luciana liked handling things there.
Sure enough, Luciana was there.
“Princess Luciana!” Edmund hurried over. “Why are you keeping Samuel around? He came out of nowhere and clearly had bad intentions. Who knows if his injuries were even real? Maybe he faked the whole thing just to get into the estate.”
‘Survived a bandit attack, made it all the way to Elarion City, and just happened to run into Luciana and ask for help? Way too convenient, Edmund thought.
Luciana was holding the kitten in her arms, speaking lazily. “And what does that have to do with you?”
The estate was massive. Taking in one Samuel, or ten, or twenty–didn’t matter at all.
“You’re keeping him just to get back at me, aren’t you?” Edmund asked seriously. He wasn’t joking.
Luciana stared at him, wide–eyed in disbelief. ‘Was he hearing himself?‘
“And who do you think you are?” Luciana stood up and circled around him. “Have you looked at yourself lately? I kept Samuel because he’s good–looking, makes desserts, and actually listens.”
Luciana continued, “I kept you back then because of your father. It had nothing to do with you. Whether it’s your looks, your personality, or
your manners–none of it ever appealed to me.”
If it hadn’t been for the Faulkner family, Luciana would never have kept him.
Luciana muttered, ‘Does he seriously think I like him? Want to keep him as some kind of boy toy? There’s nothing likable about him. I am not
blind.‘
“Now that Lord Faulkner seems to have found work, don’t forget the silver coins you owe me.” Luciana rolled her eyes, clearly done with the
conversation.
Edmund was furious at the harsh slap of her words. “You’re really chasing me down for that little bit of money?”
Edmund thought, ‘In my previous life, I spent so much and Luciana never said a word. Now she was chasing after a few silver coins?
‘Too bad I really don’t have any right now. I can barely support myself. Where am I supposed to find thousands of silver coins?‘
Luciana blinked her wide eyes, looking innocent. “I don’t need the money. But you owe me, so I’m taking it.
“I could throw those coins away, hand it to a maid, buy useless junk for the house, or get Samuel a few new outfits. The only thing I won’t do
is give it to you.”
‘How can she be so heartless?‘ Edmund was stunned into silence.
“If you were so worried about money, maybe don’t give me such expensive stuff in the first place? If you hadn’t put all those good things in front of me, how would I have ended up in debt?” Edmund snapped, turning things around on her.
Luciana let out a dry laugh. “I gave them to you. I never forced you to take them, did I? You knew they were good stuff, huh? So… did I ever
treat you badly?”
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Edmund muttered bitterly, “Not yet.”
This was just the beginning. They still had years ahead. Edmund knew what was coming–he’d lived through it once already.
Luciana sighed. “So you’re saying I’ll mistreat you in the future? You’re living in Lilyshade Hall, eating well, sleeping in comfort… I seriously
don’t see how I could possibly treat you badly.”
“Lord Faulkner really does think ahead,” a sarcastic voice came from behind.
Samuel had been watching Edmund the whole time. When he noticed Edmund had been gone too long, he immediately got suspicious,
asked around, and followed him here.
Luciana smiled. “Lord Faulkner thinks I’ll mistreat him someday. Samuel, you heard him. Better be careful–I might bully you next.”
Edmund’s face went pale with rage. He couldn’t stand the sight of Samuel.
Samuel quickly walked to Luciana’s side and said firmly, “People like that aren’t worth your time. You saved my life, Princess Luciana. Even if you wanted me as your servant, I’d still owe you everything.”
Luciana had only been putting on a show, and Samuel had played along… maybe a little too well. He looked dead serious, like he was ready
to swear an oath or something.
Faced with his sincerity, Luciana was a little awkward, her gaze shifted. Samuel thought the debt of saving his life was everything. But honestly, she only saved him because she thought he was cute.
Samuel stood there, sincere and honest. Luciana just gave him a faint glance before quickly looking away. And Samuel sighed. Samuel felt wronged. Samuel wondered if he hadn’t done enough.
Edmund was fuming. ‘I come here out of good intentions, to warn Luciana, and now I am the villain?‘
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