Chapter 142: Chapter 39. The Archduke's Request

The next morning Serge woke up to the first rays of sunlight touching her face. In the back of her mind she still thought it was all just a dream.

For the first time in her life, the girl slept on such a big and soft bed. It was like being on a feather cloud. She stretched sleepily, feeling someone's hand on top of her.

Serge turned around and saw the face of the crown prince before her. He was hugging her in his sleep.

Serge couldn't believe it had really happened. Not even in her wildest dreams did she think she would ever wake up in the arms of the Crown Prince.

The guy looked peaceful and his handsome face was so close. The commoner reached out to touch him.

She just wanted this moment to last forever.

— Your Highness…

They lay like that for some time after which the crown prince began to wake up as well. He tossed and turned for a few minutes, still holding Serg against his body.

Then he finally began to come to his senses after last night's drink.

— Ahm… My head is splitting…

Philip slowly opened his eyes, at first trying to focus on his surroundings. Then (it didn't take long) he turned his gaze to Serge.

When Philip saw her across from him, the whole fairy tale was instantly shattered.

The crown prince's face twisted in horror.

— WHAT THE HELL…?!

The guy immediately threw her off of him and Serge involuntarily collapsed to the floor. Philip himself also instantly sobered up and rose to his feet.

— You…! — Philippe was shaking with rage, — What have you done to me?!

When the girl was so abruptly on the floor — she suddenly began to feel queasy. But Serge did not show it, for this was clearly not the best moment to inquire into her state of health.

— Your Highness! — The commoner tried to justify herself, «I–I didn't do it on purpose…!

— «Not on purpose…?!» — barked Philip,» How dare you touch me?

The crown prince couldn't believe he had actually spent the night with her. Some dirty girl from the street… Ended up in the same bed with him! And worst of all, he couldn't believe he'd mistaken someone like her for Leriana.

It was the most ridiculous thing he could imagine.

Philip looked at his own body in disgust. Now he would have to spend a whole day cleaning himself of all this filth. That commoner dared to dirty him like that!

The boy had never been so enraged before.

— GET OUT! — He shouted like a madman, «I never want to see you again!

Serge trembled and tried to talk him out of it. Nearly on her knees she begged him.

— Your Highness! — Cried the girl — P-Please, give me another chance …!

But the crown prince wasn't even going to listen to her. Instead, he took his sword from the wall, and uncovered it from its sheath — put the end to her throat.

Philip looked down at the commoner with cold fury.

— A last warning,» he whispered, «Get out if you want to live!

***

— Papa…?!

I froze in surprise-when I saw my father on the threshold of the room.

A fat man with blond hair and unexpressive facial features-now he seemed even paler than usual. However, his wet eyes let me know right away.

Without a word, we threw ourselves into each other's arms. I almost cried myself.

It was our first reunion in a long time.

— Daddy!» I couldn't hold back my emotions, and I buried my face against his shoulder, «I missed him so much…!

— Honey…» Dad patted my shoulder, «I'm so glad you're okay.

We stood like that for a few more minutes before closing the door to talk in private. The Archduke wiped his eyes with his handkerchief as he looked at my face.

— I could not sleep a wink for the last few days,» he complained, «I cannot believe that this has happened…

— You… Already know? — I asked.

— Of course I do! — My father let out a sob,» the servants told me that morning. It is terrible… Really terrible!

Henry Ashford was so upset that even his shoulders trembled. I clung to him to comfort him.

— Duke Cassius was a good man…» I sighed heavily. «He didn't deserve this for himself.

Father nodded.

— In the beginning… In the beginning, frankly, I didn't like him, either…» He said guiltily, «I didn't want you to get involved with that family. But then… The more I got to know him, the more I realized that all those rumors were just unfounded speculation.

I looked at him understandingly.

— This year I was even able to accept him as my father-in-law… — the man continued sorrowfully, — I was going to be friends with him after the wedding… But who knew that this would happen!

After the last words, the Archduke could not hold back and sobbed convulsively. I did not expect my father to be so sympathetic to the loss of Duke Cassius. Though they did not know each other that well.

I tried to be as supportive as I could.

— Dad… In the future, everything will surely be all right!

Ashford stopped sobbing for a moment and looked at me.

— It will be… But not here.

— What?» I wondered.

— After what has happened… I cannot allow you to stay in such a dangerous place! — said the Archduke, — I must protect you myself.

I was dumbfounded when he said it so suddenly.

— You mean…?

— I'm going to get you out of the palace as soon as possible! — my father said in all seriousness.

I was silent.

— I have no idea who these subhumans are… But if they were able to attack the Duchy of Cassius, then the Imperial Palace is not far off.

Noticing that I do not say anything, he asked again:

— Lea, is something wrong?

— I–I…» I hesitated. «Do I really have to leave the palace right now? read-on-NovelFire

— What?» the Archduke was surprised. «Isn't that what you wanted?

It really was in the beginning. I didn't want to become crown princess, much less queen. And until recently, if my father offered it to me, I agreed immediately.

But now… When Rachel was in this predicament: I felt it would be wrong to leave her right now.

— Can we… Can we postpone this for a while? — I asked cautiously.

The Archduke stared at me perplexedly.

— Lea…» he began slowly, «We must not delay any longer. We are less than a month away from your wedding… There is no time for reflection.

I knew in my heart that my father was right. The ceremony would really have to be soon. Especially since the original wedding date had not changed at all.

Due to recent events, everyone would have understood: if Rachel had decided to postpone the wedding until after the mourning period was over. But no. Apparently the girl wasn't going to postpone the date. Which meant that, as originally planned, we'd be walking down the aisle in a couple of weeks.

It was all eating me up inside.

— What's the matter? — Lea, don't you want to do it?

— I… I don't know…

Henry Ashford sighed, noticing my hesitation.

— I'm just trying to do what's best for you…» he spoke heavily.

I was silent.

— But I realize that you're an adult now, and you probably don't take your father's word for it anymore…

I got worried when my father looked down at me so sadly.

— Of course not…! — I always listen to what you have to say.

The Archduke sobbed.

— You are my only daughter…» tears welled up in the man's eyes again, «And if anything happens to you… I won't survive it.

At that moment my father clutched at his heart, and I was frightened.

— Dad, are you all right…?

He nodded weakly.

— It's nothing… It's just a little bit of a pain.

Even though my father said it, I was still very worried. After all, in the original, Henry Ashford had just died of a heart attack from worrying about his daughter. I was afraid something similar might happen to him now.

— Lea, you believe me, don't you?

The Archduke took my hands in his. He looked at me with hope in his eyes.

— I… Of course I do! — I answered at once.

After all, he is my father. Was there any reason to doubt him?

— Then listen to me this time.

I sighed.

— Well…

The man nodded.

— But… I can't take you out of here willingly,» he said hesitantly, «So… do something for me. seaʀᴄh thё NôvelFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

— And what is that? — I asked.

— Get me the Emperor's Seal.