Chapter 86

Chapter 59: Oily Edward

“You have no idea how shocked and delighted I was when I heard you had returned. I was conflicted, wanting to rush over to see you immediately but also afraid that you might expose our secret to Uncle… Because of this, I couldn’t sleep well for several days. So, how do you plan to make it up to me?”

“…”

I frowned, watching as Edward slowly approached and squatted in front of me. The warmth in his eyes sent a chill down my spine, and goosebumps rose on my skin.

“Oh, sorry, you can’t speak now, right?… You don’t need to look at me like that. It’s your own fault, too naive and too easy to trust others. But it’s fine, I like you just the way you are, and I believe I can protect you. When I ascend to the throne, I will marry you as my queen. Then, you will be mine alone, Edward’s woman, free to do as you please.”

???

My eyes widened like saucers.

What did he say? What did he just say?!

He wants to marry me? As his queen??

To dream like Auntie Li!

I felt both shocked and repulsed, looking at his self-satisfied, greasy face. The nausea rose, almost breaking my composure. I wanted to jump up and kick his head off.

Then, Edward reached out his hand… towards my face?!

You dare?!

I instinctively raised my little hand, ready to slap him across the face.

Seeing this reaction, Edward first looked stunned, then his expression changed dramatically. He was so scared that he fell to the ground, kicking his legs uncontrollably. His exaggerated reaction surprised me.

“Lanman!!” Edward shouted, forgetting to use formal language, “She… she can still move! Is this anesthetic powder fake?!”

Pfft—oh? Oops, I forgot, I’m still under the effect of the anesthetic powder.

I looked at my raised hand… what should I do now?

Act like nothing happened.

But before the gold-masked man could respond, Varall laughed so hard he nearly bent over: “Hahaha! What’s wrong, our crown prince? The esteemed first in line to the imperial throne, ha, ha, what’s going on with you! Did your future queen’s actions throw your back out?”

“Varall! You dare mock me!”

“No, no, I’m not mocking you, absolutely not… pfft, hahaha!”

The gold-masked man couldn’t watch anymore and intervened.

“Varall.”

“I’m sorry, Mr. Lanman. I just… I just couldn’t hold it in… hahaha, cough, cough.”

Edward stood up, patting the dust off his bottom, realizing his previous actions were inappropriate. He angrily shouted, “Mr. Lanman, what’s going on here?”

The gold-masked man didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he walked a few steps closer to Edward, staring at me who had put my hand down and lay quietly on the ground.

Except for my rolling eyes, completely still.

He watched for a while, probably finding no clues, then turned and said, “Crown Prince, the anesthetic powder cannot be faked. No matter how powerful this girl is, as long as she is human, she cannot do anything after inhaling a large amount of anesthetic powder. You don’t need to worry. However… to avoid any complications, please refrain from further provoking her.”

The last sentence carried a warning.

The face. Next, the tone of the golden mask showed some impatience.

“The Scallijer’s keen nose could find us at any moment, and Lafayette could break through the city guards’ encirclement at any time. We don’t have much time left.”

When these words were spoken, I became anxious immediately.

What did this mean? Had they sent the city guards to surround Lafayette? Had the fight already started? When and where?

Why hadn’t anyone received any news? Was Lafayette alright?

If the situation was critical… no, I must see him as soon as possible; I couldn’t afford to waste any more time.

But this person in charge of leading the way… I looked at Edward again.

His face was gloomy, likely still troubled by what had just happened, and he clearly wasn’t in a good mood. However, he knew that the golden mask was right and couldn’t vent his frustration on anyone. After noticing my gaze, he lowered his head and met my eyes for a moment.

A sneer appeared at the corner of his mouth.

“Come on, I’ll take you to see your older brother.”

I felt a surge of joy in my heart. The performance had not been in vain after all.

Upon hearing Edward’s words, the golden mask waved at Varall.

“Throw her into the carriage.”

Although Varall despised Edward, he respected the golden mask deeply. He nodded and walked forward, then bent down, seemingly wanting to lift me up by the waist.

I frowned, very resistant to such overly intimate contact, and began to think about how to avoid it. But then Edward suddenly spoke.

“Don’t touch what shouldn’t be touched. She’s mine.”

Hmm… well done?

Although the words were still disgusting.

Hearing this, Varall paused, turning his gaze toward Edward, as if he wanted to mock him again. But the golden mask clearly didn’t want to waste any more time on such meaningless matters, waving his hand again.

“Do as he says.”

“…Alright, Your Highness, the Crown Prince.”

Varall shrugged, speaking with a very casual tone, showing no respect at all. However, he still called another masked person over.

One lifted my feet, the other grabbed my arm, and they carried me up, heading towards the unicorn carriage parked at the door.

“Haha, this girl isn’t heavy at all. Look at her soft little body… tsk tsk, riding on her must be fun.”

… I restrained the urge to spit in his face.

“Varall! I’ve told you! She’s mine! Do you understand?”

“Y-yes, Your Highness, the future empress, I understand.”

He placed me on the long seat of the carriage and lay me down. Then Edward and the golden mask also came up, sitting opposite me.

The carriage space was quite large, feeling like it could accommodate two more people. Varall did not leave, intending to sit down by my feet when Edward spoke.

“Varall, go ahead and drive the carriage.”

“…What did you say?”

His tone was somewhat incredulous.

Seeing the dispute about to start again, the golden mask spoke.

“Varall, go. We don’t have time. Someone needs to lead the way. Or do you want to run like the others?”

Varall fell silent for a while.

“…Ha, that’s true.”

The face hidden behind the mask was unreadable.

He left the carriage, walking alone to the driver’s seat and grabbing the reins.

“Go!”

The unicorn carriage started moving.

I lay quietly on the seat, my dark eyes darting around, watching the houses slowly recede outside. I pondered where they were taking me.

It shouldn’t be too far…

Edward noticed my gaze and casually pulled down the curtain.

Then he gave me an oily smile: “Pipi, don’t be afraid. I promise I won’t hurt you.”