Chapter 26
Chapter 26
This kind of thing didn’t even need Dorian to make special arrangements. All it took was slipping some silver coins to the servant at
Silverwing Lodge.
Normally, when others picked on Jacob, Dorian didn’t need to step
him a little food or something to drink.
in
But when Jacob looked like he couldn’t hold on anymore, he’d still get
Dorian agreed to help and set things up for him, then didn’t bother him again.
Lately, Jacob had still been getting bullied a lot, but thanks to that servant, he could at least get a little news from outside now and then.
That was how he found out when Juliette would be entering the palace.
After waiting so many days, all Jacob heard about was Luciana coming in. Juliette never showed up.
Finally, today she did. Jacob was terrified he’d miss his chance, so he seized the moment and suddenly rushed forward.
Jacob was done living like this. Even in his previous life, things had never been this bad.
Back then, it was just rumors and a few harsh words–definitely nothing like this, not being able to eat or stay warm, getting beaten up for no
reason.
Jacob thought he could tough it out, but now he realized he
couldn’t.
The only thing that kept him going this long was the hope Juliette
gave
him. Juliette had promised to save him.
Last time, their timing was off. This time, Jacob was willing to wait for her.
Jacob looked up in surprise, eyes locked on Juliette. From his gaze, Luciana could see just how excited he was. His eyes were burning–it was clear he had been waiting for this moment for a long time.
Luciana subtly stepped aside, leaving space for them to talk. She was never the kind to cut off someone’s path.
Whether it was Edmund or Jacob, if they had the skills to survive on their own, then good for them.
By the time Juliette realized what was happening, Luciana had already walked away–but she hadn’t left. She was still nearby, waiting.
‘What’s this about?‘ Juliette wondered.
Juliette looked Jacob up and down and asked, “Do I know you? This is the second time you’ve gotten in my way.”
Hearing this, Jacob got even more excited. He thought, ‘Juliette actually remembered me–she knows this is the second time.‘
“Last time I was sorry to startle you. I came this time just to apologize. I’ve been waiting here almost every day, just to see you,” Jacob said, trying to sound calm but stumbling over his words.
It was almost too much for him to get to see the younger Juliette again and get another chance to be around her.
Just to restart everything, Jacob had even given up being the king. He was willing to go back to being a prince.
Either way, the ending wouldn’t change. Jacob would eventually return home. But this time, he was going to bring Juliette with him.
A political marriage was one thing, but Jacob swore that Juliette and Luciana would be treated completely differently in Velmora Empire.
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Chapter 26
That was all for later, though. Right now, Jacob needed Juliette’s help.
Hearing his apology, Juliette had to bite her tongue not to curse. She murmured, ‘First time startled me, and this time he scared me again – just to say sorry?‘
“I got it. You want to apologize. I heard you. You can leave now,” Juliette said as she kept walking forward.
“Princess Juliette!” Jacob got up quickly and hobbled after her, trying to make sure she saw how miserable he looked.
In the previous life, Luciana had seen him just like this–pitiful and beat up. She’d immediately changed her expression and summoned the
servants of Silverwing Lodge to question them.
Now Jacob was repeating the same act. Juliette saw it too, and sure enough, her expression shifted. She snapped, “You’re blocking my way again?”
Juliette was already in a bad mood. If someone else blocked her, she might let it go. But this guy–a hostage prince from Velmora Empire- had stopped her twice now. That was beyond disrespectful.
Luciana stood to the side, watching the show. Jacob was so focused on Juliette he didn’t even glance her way. Fine by her–less annoying
“Princess Juliette, I had no choice but to stop you. Please, help me. I swear I’ll repay you with everything I have,” Jacob pleaded, nearly swearing his life away.
Juliette looked at Luciana, then turned back to Jacob, confused. ‘What’s going on lately? First Edmund, then Dorian, now Jacob–why are they all asking me for favors?
‘Do I really seem that easy to deal with? Luciana’s standing right there.
Everyone in the palace knows who loves meddling the most. Don’t they check before showing up to beg me?‘
Juliette lowered her voice and told her maid to go invite Luciana over so she could push this whole thing onto her instead.
The maid walked over, and Luciana waved her hand. “I’ll wait here for a bit. Tell your princess I’m not in a rush. Dorian’s not going anywhere. We can go to watch him whenever.”
As soon as she said that, Donovan appeared out of nowhere with a chair.
Then Luciana sat down and leisurely watched the drama unfold.
Juliette was furious. ‘We’re both princesses–why am I the one getting tangled up with these messes?‘
“Prince Hutton, you say you’ll repay me. With what?” Juliette looked him up and down with a sneer. “I don’t owe you anything. Our nations are at war. Duskwyn Empire suffered heavy losses. I’m not helping you.”
The excitement in Jacob’s eyes faded away; replaced by disbelief.
Juliette hadn’t helped him last time either, and how her words were even harsher. She wouldn’t help and saw no reason to.
Jacob grumbled, “Princess…”
Juliette pointed toward Luciana. “If anyone can help you, it’s her. Go beg her.”
Whether it was for the bigger picture or just pity, with Luciana’s personality, she would definitely help him.
Juliette knew her well enough to just spell it out for Jacob–he was asking the wrong person.
11:34 Sun, 10 Aug
Chapter 26
Jacob only glanced over for a second before turning back to Juliette, clearly panicked. “Princess Juliette, I’m a prince of Velmora Empire 1’11 go back eventually. For the sake of peace between our countries, won’t you help me?”
That was something Juliette herself had told him in the past–that he might one day return home. She had even come to talk to him about it.
Jacob thought, Juliette has seen this coming and has already wanted to save me.
‘And Luciana must have realized the same thing. That’s why she is so nice now.
I left the opportunity for Juliette on purpose this time. So why is she looking at me like that?‘
Luciana just smiled, saying nothing. ‘So Juliette had just been stringing him along?‘
“Peace between our nations has nothing to do with a hostage prince like you. Even if you go back, so what?” Juliette shot back coldly.
Juliette hadn’t wanted to say anything so cruel, but Jacob had blocked her path twice now. If she didn’t make herself clear, there would probably be a third time.
“Let me give you some advice, Prince Hutton. If you want to survive, stop scheming and behave yourself. If you stay in line, at least you’ll get something to eat,” Juliette said sharply. “Now move!”
Jacob instinctively stepped aside. Juliette walked up to Luciana and glanced at Donovan. “Your servant sure is thoughtful.”
Luciana smiled. “Not just thoughtful. Loyal, too–that’s the most important thing.”
Juliette gave a faint smile and said nothing. But when Luciana stood up, Juliette’s eyes drifted back to Donovan, staring at him with no attempt to hide it.
Juliette could tell Donovan really cared about Luciana. She thought, ‘He’s so loyal. And I couldn’t help looking at him.
‘That obvious glance I gave–Donovan definitely won’t miss it.‘
“Prince Hutton is still staring at you. What did you say to him? He can’t even look away,” Luciana asked playfully, though she already knew
the answer.
