Jeannie replied, “Princess of Latymer came by earlier and gave some advice, but she left again. She’s still mad at you.”
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That answer made Dorian freeze. He thought, ‘Luciana has already said she won’t get involved anymore, so why am I still hoping she’ll help? I didn’t even greet her just now‘
“What about Juliette?” Dorian asked cautiously.
When it came to Juliette, Dorian wasn’t nearly as calm as he was when talking about Luciana. Deep down, he already knew the answer, but he couldn’t help holding onto a bit of hope.
“Princess of Camoy didn’t come. She didn’t say anything. Just returned the god statue,” Jeannie answered honestly.
Dorian didn’t know how to feel. He couldn’t tell if he was disappointed or not.
After he was made crown prince, Juliette once told him that every time Trenton punished him, she always wanted to help.
But she couldn’t do anything. All she could do was stand in the back and watch Luciana take care of things.
Back then, Dorian had been deeply moved. But now, he just thought, ‘What exactly touched me? Juliette wanted to help but ended up doing
nothing?‘
“Maybe Princess of Camoy didn’t come because she’s afraid of the King. Prince Dorian, you shouldn’t overthink it,” Jeannie added.
Dorian quickly nodded. “Yeah, Father can be scared when he gets mad. I got it. Juliette still wants to speak up for me–maybe just not right
away.”
Dorian thought, ‘Juliette can’t possibly be avoiding this to protect herself. She probably just hasn’t thought of a good plan yet.
‘After all, Luciana isn’t going to help me anymore. No one knows how long I’ll be locked up.
‘There is time. Juliette can take her time figuring it out.’
Juliette had always cared about Dorian–she said so herself. When she figured out a plan, she’d come save him.
Even if she didn’t come now, at least she wouldn’t get dragged into it.
“Oh right, I’m just grounded. They can still bring me food, right?” Dorian asked, looking hopeful.
Jeannie hesitated. “Of course. If there’s anything you want to eat, I’ll go tell the kitchen right away.”
“No, no need.” Dorian waved his hand.
As long as food could be brought in, Juliette would send it. Dorian didn’t need anyone else.
Luciana hadn’t left the palace yet. She had brought the cat inside to show Caleb.
At this time of day, the princes were all in class. Luciana didn’t want to interrupt, so she waited outside for a while.
Luciana waited until class ended. When the teacher walked out, Luciana spoke to him for a moment.
Luciana asked about the class, and Jeremy thought she was asking about Dorian. He was just about to say that Dorian didn’t show up when
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Luciana added, “I’m asking about Prince Caleb.”
“Prince Caleb?” Jeremy didn’t quite catch on.
Luciana caught a glimpse of Caleb walking out and waved him over.
Caleb was confused for a second, but once he saw the cat in her arms, his face lit up. Then he ran over excitedly.
“Take it and go play with it.” Luciana handed him the cat, then turned to ask Jeremy. “Has he been behaving?”
Jeremy gave an honest report about Caleb’s performance, which was all positive.
Luciana nodded with a smile. “Thank you, Mr. Lanchester.”
That was all she needed to know. After asking, Luciana turned to leave.
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Jeremy hesitated, thinking about stopping her–he was curious why she hadn’t asked about Dorian, especially when Dorian wasn’t doing well lately.
But before he could say anything, Luciana had already walked away, heading off to spend time with Caleb.
When Francesca found out Luciana hadn’t left the palace, she still held out hope that Luciana would eventually step in for Dorian.
Francesca waited over an hour, but no word came that Luciana had done anything to help.
Left with no choice, Francesca finally sent someone out of the palace to summon Juliette.
Luciana had a point–Dorian had two older sisters. If Luciana refused to help, then Juliette was the next best option.
If someone could take the blame for the god statue and explain that Dorian never meant to steal it, Trenton’s anger might calm down.
Not long after, the servant came back nervously and said Juliette was sick and couldn’t enter the palace.
“Sick?” Francesca grew suspicious but didn’t say much. She turned and ordered someone else to go find Luciana.
Juliette was sick, which meant Luciana was the only one left who could help Dorian. Surely she wouldn’t refuse again,‘ Francesca thought.
But Luciana had already left the palace.
If Luciana had stepped in, Juliette wouldn’t have gotten ‘sick.‘ And once things were resolved, she’d have to show her face again.
But since Luciana did nothing, Juliette had to come up with something–better to hide if she could.
Dorian had only been grounded for a day, not long enough to truly lose his mind, but he already couldn’t stand the sight of those books he used to force himself to read.
They were boring and dull. Dorian was clinging to the hope that Juliette would send him something.
In his previous life, Dorian never realized how much Juliette cared. He missed all the things she did for him.
Dorian didn’t know what it felt like to be cared for. This time, suffering a little might actually bring them closer.
Dorian skipped lunch. Then he skipped dinner. That night, someone quietly brought in food.
“Prince Dorian, please don’t starve yourself. The kitchen made this just for you–come try it,” the servant urged..
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Chapter 24
Dorian eagerly took the food and laid it out on the table. The dishes were so light they looked like they’d been plucked straight from a
garden.
“What is this?” Dorian couldn’t help complaining. ‘I haven’t eaten all day just for this? When will Juliette finally learn what I like?‘
Dorian forced himself to take a few bites, debating whether to ask for something else. But then he’d be wasting Juliette’s effort.
‘No–I can’t let her down. It isn’t her fault if she doesn’t know what I like,‘ Dorian thought.
While he was eating, Dorian heard the servant say that Luciana had visited the palace and spent a long time with Caleb.
“Her little brother’s grounded, and she’s off relaxing?” Dorian muttered angrily as he glared at the food in his plate.
The truth was, Luciana was even more relaxed than he thought.
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