The Queen and the Lion - Chapter 41

Even though an unfortunate incident had befallen the prince, a visitor from Florea, it was strictly a matter between the Heiban people. There was no need for Lysian to visit him personally.

Dandelion watched Lysian carefully. But she seemed determined. Dandelion asked cautiously, “…Is this your direct order, Your Highness?”

“Yes. After all, he is injured.”

Dandelion wanted to suggest that she postpone the visit, but Lysian was firm. Having finished her preparations, she commanded with regal authority, “Tell Prince Kaplan that I will be visiting him.”

Dandelion bowed and accepted the order. After Dandelion stepped forward to carry out Lysian’s command, Lysian stepped out, her gait both graceful and leisurely. Unlike the bright and cheerful morning, the current Lysian exuded the majesty of a sovereign.

With each step, the click of her heels echoed through the corridor. Her walk was steady and unwavering, much like her conviction

Kaplan struggled to sit up from his bed at Lysian’s sudden visit. The skirmish between him and Aslan had been brief, but the beating he’d taken was brutal. Every inch of his body ached, his face was swollen, and it was difficult to even open his eyes. Each time he swallowed, a mouthful of blood came up.

How dare he hit a royal envoy? Kaplan thought, resentment and pain warring within him. He didn’t even consider his own actions.

As painful as it was, if this suffering could destabilize Aslan’s position, he would endure it. He didn’t know why Lysian was suddenly visiting him, but it was a good opportunity to expose Aslan’s true nature and drive a wedge between him and the queen.

However, Lysian’s words were far from what Kaplan had expected.

“Let’s just pretend this never happened,” she said.

Kaplan’s voice rose involuntarily.

Despite his threatening tone, Lysian’s expression remained calm and unyielding. Kaplan’s face contorted, whether it was due to the unpleasant situation or the pain in his cheek, he couldn’t say.

As the second prince of Heiban and with a strained relationship with his elder brother, Kaplan had been hoping to become the consort of Florea. That way, no one would ever dare underestimate him

But Aslan had ruined his plans.

However, as if completely disregarding Kaplan’s thoughts, Lysian blinked slowly, her expression as impassive as a doll’s.

“I believe this is the best outcome for you, Kaplan, or rather, for the Kingdom of Heiban.”

“This is a diplomatic matter, Your Highness. If Aslan were a citizen of our country, we could simply handle this according to our laws. But as a potential consort, he is a person of Florea. He must pay a heavy price for this.”

It was something I never imagined before coming to Florea,” Kaplan thought to himself, feeling utterly exasperated. Determined to prevent Aslan from becoming the consort of Florea, he was not hesitant to seize any opportunity to undermine him.

“I don’t mind. A little extra compensation would suffice,” he said.

But Lysian responded indifferently. Her unwavering voice indicated her boredom with this entire argument. She was not easily swayed by such threats. Though only eighteen, she had been trained as a queen since birth. Lysian coldly surveyed Kaplan and said, “But you should think carefully, Kaplan. If you intend to treat Aslan as merely a Florean, then peace between Florea and Heiban will be out of the question. He is, after all, simply a Florean, isn’t he?”

A glint of determination, even a willingness to wage war, shone in Lysian’s violet eyes. While it was not befitting of a monarch to casually mention war, it was better than lowering the nation’s dignity by being swayed by the words of a prince from a weaker kingdom.