Chapter Five: The Appearance of the Original Book's Male Lead
1201 Words
"Mother's words are indeed wise." Diana, the princess consort, was also a woman of ice-cold intelligence. Upon seeing the situation, she immediately understood the Queen Mother's probing intent and unhesitatingly echoed, "Miss Lucy is not only beautiful but also talented. I, your humble servant, will gladly bestow this precious ancient steel piano upon her."
A subtle curve appeared at the corner of her mouth, perfectly concealing the genuine sorrow and pain. Diana felt the second time in her life, as if her heart was being twisted like a knife. The first time was the day before entering the palace, during their parting...
"I dare not!" Lucy remembered the steel piano from the book, a token of affection Charles had painstakingly obtained and gifted to Diana. It accompanied her through numerous difficult and lonely nights. If Lucy took it away, she would surely earn Diana's resentment. Moreover, why would she want a gift meant for Charles's ex-girlfriend? Returning it would be troublesome and headache-inducing.
Despite Diana's attempts to decline, she noticed Lucy's firm refusal. The Queen Mother's suspicions seemed to dissipate, reigniting a glimmer of hope. She silently prayed that Lucy could keep the piano.
"Since the princess consort is willing to part with it, then take it. As a gift for your upcoming wedding," a strong and resonant male voice came from behind. All eyes turned to see a celestial-like man approaching. Dressed in black robes with a jade belt around his waist and holding an ivory folding fan, he exuded a graceful charm. It was none other than Prince Charles.
Diana raised her eyes and met his picturesque gaze. His eyes, however, revealed only calmness and detachment. In that moment, her heart seemed to stop, and her entire body felt weak, as if drained of blood. She gazed fixedly at the two standing side by side, a perfect match that pierced her eyes like sharp knives, causing her to involuntarily moisten her eyes, nearly shedding tears.
"Since the princess consort is willing to part with it, you may accept it. This piano shall serve as a congratulatory gift for your marriage. May you and your husband live in harmony, like the harmonious melody of the piano and se."
Unable to look anymore, Diana forced a smile and spoke words contrary to her true feelings, urging the end of this play.
"Thank you, Your Highness, for your grace," Lucy humbly remarked as she bowed and returned the ancient steel piano.
The Queen Mother, observing Diana's expression, sensed that if she had any personal feelings for Prince Charles, the defeat would be hard to accept.
The banquet dispersed, and Prince Charles volunteered to escort Lucy out of the palace, a request readily approved by the Empress Dowager.
"Meeting again, young lady," Prince Charles's eyes overflowed with tenderness. His lip color was like warm jade, and his lips curved slightly, displaying a faint smile as comfortable and pleasant as March sunlight.
"Greetings, Your Highness," Lucy saluted without humility or arrogance. "I am truly surprised that Your Highness has earnestly sought this marriage. Your servant is truly honored."
"Since I have promised to marry you, I will naturally not break my word," Prince Charles's gaze was intense, and his lilac-colored eyes concealed clarity and charm.
Despite his handsome appearance akin to sculpture, Lucy, a fan of Charles, found it difficult to Lucyster any favorable feelings, especially with the steel piano reminding her incessantly: This is a big scumbag who preys on ignorant young girls!
She was nauseated by Prince Charles's feigned affection — what was he pretending for? He's truly giving nausea a bad name!
"A mere Malfoy family, there's no need to mention it repeatedly," Prince Charles's eyebrows slightly furrowed, and he pursed his lips, seeming rather displeased. "Your sister, if she is so willing to marry that Francis, I will spare her. After our grand wedding, I will request the emperor to arrange a marriage for them."
Lucy, sensing his displeasure, quickly raised her head. Using his beloved face, she tried to soothe his anger while looking at him with a shy expression, as if gazing at her beloved.
"Your Highness's kindness to the Lucy family is truly moving. We... are grateful." Lucy, the innocent maiden, used her delicate fingers to lightly touch Prince Charles's sleeve, moving them smoothly across the silky fabric. She playfully caught his fingertips, secretly holding onto them.
A suspicious blush appeared on Prince Charles's face.
Lucy felt like she had been deceived by the author. Wasn't the male lead a big scumbag in the romance department? How could he blush just by holding hands through their clothes? Could he be a pure-hearted scumbag?
"Your Highness, are you running a fever? Your Highness, could this be... the first time you've held hands with a lady?" The suspicious blush on Prince Charles's face deepened, and then he hurriedly let go of her hand, turning away... and leaving?
Lucy stared at his retreating figure in astonishment. It was over; the male lead's character had collapsed!
As the wedding approached, Lucy reminisced about the time she had spent in this new world, feeling as if fourteen years had passed in the blink of an eye.
Honestly, she had been living in fear these years. After all, the female characters in the original plot, especially the female lead and the supporting female characters, were all mighty and influential. Not to mention the formidable "villains" in the story who excelled in beauty, power, and cunning schemes.
The male lead, Prince Charles, was heartless and ruthless, a scumbag with a rating of ten stars. Even the fourth prince, upon learning about the number of "figurines" in his collection, felt inferior.
What could Lucy do? She was desperate!
In order to avoid any mishaps before the grand finale, one-year-old Lucy spent her days with a worried expression, diligently studying the rules of survival. However, she couldn't come up with a foolproof plan, no matter how hard she tried. So, she sighed, shed a few tears, occasionally furrowed her brow, shook her head, looked out the window with a troubled expression, and silently lamented the difficulties of her life.
These strange behaviors quickly caught the attention of the maidservants responsible for her care. One day, they gathered around one-year-old Lucy's bed, chattering and discussing:
"I think our young miss is a bit strange, always sighing," one maid said.
"But I can't pinpoint what's strange about her!" another maid agreed.
"It's not a matter of whether she's strange or not. She truly is abnormal, in a very rare way. In any case, something's not right," a third maid said.
"Quiet down, you're bothering my eyes," Lucy, annoyed, was about to use her crying to interrupt them.
"Sorry, sorry!"
"I'm just contemplating," Lucy explained casually.
"Oh, I see. You're afraid of sudden silence in the air?" Lucy was internally screaming, "I can talk! I'm Lucy! The lazy fish has turned over!" Inner laughter.jpg
The maidservants identified the source of the sound and, looking at Lucy, their eyes widened, faces turning pale
. It was as if they had seen a ghost. They scrambled to escape, shouting:
"Madam! Master! The young miss can speak! The young miss can speak!"
- Writer
