Demon Prince's Forsaken Bride-Chapter 69: From The Capital (1)

At this moment, the sound of urgent knocks on the door echoed in the room.

Azrael retracted his hand just in time as Lareina turned towards the door. And she failed to see the veins that had slithered across his tightened fist in a deathly hue.

’’My Lady...’’

’’Come in,’’ Hearing Astra’s voice, she spoke.

’’My Lady, Your Highness,’’ Astra’s voice was urgent, "Someone from the capital is here and they are carrying the Lord’s orders.’’

Just as Azrael stood, Astra continued in a softer voice, ’’The person has requested both of you to be present.’’

Azrael paused, ’’Who is it?"

...

"Brother, it was impolite of me but I am merely acting on father’s orders.’’

Lareina was surprised that the person who had been dispatched to this place was none other than the gentle dispositioned third-prince.

When she looked at him, she realized that Azrael’s quiet stare was also contemplative. He probably had not expected a prince to be sent to keep an eye on them under the disguise of attending work affairs. In any case, it should have been some court officials.

The silence in the room probably stifled the third prince who was not accustomed to such situations too.

Lareina spotted that while the man was feigning composure, a layer of sweat had covered his face. It had been the same with everyone else. They mocked and scorned Azrael under the influence of the demon lord but when time came, they were too afraid to look him in the eyes.

However, Lareina had never seen the third prince or the fourth prince being disrespectful to Azrael. The latter was young and could be said to be scared of his elder brother who was a fierce general in rumors and an aloof prince in person. As for this person...

The third prince barely messed with anyone. Half of the time, he was sickly and pale as if he could die any moment. Other half of the time, he had to sit in palace banquets or other such events. And then he would go back to being cooped up in his room to recover. But he was not the one to be involved in other people’s troubles.

’’What are you doing here?" Azrael questioned the man who immediately seemed awkward.

Cain scratched the back of his neck, a little embarrassed, ’’Even I thought of the same question throughout the journey.’’

Azrael waved his hand and his subordinates left the room, closing the door on their way out.

’’Brother, you know me. It is difficult for me to walk around the palace unassisted so coming here was like a punch to male dignity... Ah, sister-in-law, don’t mind these crude talks. I just can’t help it.’’

’’Third prince,’’ Lareina addressed the man for the first time as she lowered her head.

’’Drop the formalities,’’ the man quickly helped her up as he spoke, ’’The entire path was filled with hurdles left and right, brother and sister-in-law. The fact that you can still see me standing here in front of your eyes is already a matter of miracle.’’

’’Why? What happened on the way?" Lareina could not help but question.

Azrael pressed his hand on the man’s shoulder as he examined him from head to toe, ’’Were you attacked by beasts or did you encounter bandits?"

"Oh, the road was bad...’’ the third prince sighed.

"_"

’’If any of the things that you mentioned happened, you’d be seeing your brother’s corpse now. I encountered bumpy roads and excessive weather outside. My body still burns and everytime I walk, I feel like I am on the edge of a cliff. At any misstep, I might fall to my death,’’ The third prince slumped back into a chair like a wilted flower.

"_" This third prince was like a flower.

’’Nonsense,’’ Azrael slapped the side of the man’s shoulder.

’’Be it nonsense, I am dying at this point already. What is father thinking? We have such a huge army and even after our forces are depleted after the war, the army still stands but for all these petty matters that should have been resolved by our dear elder brother, he ends up assigning these responsibilities to us princes!" The third prince sounded like he was on the verge of losing all his princely aura with his whines.

And seeing this behaviour of his in front of Azrael, Lareina fell into thoughts.

’’Ghost city and a bunch of ghosts. He could have sent some of his treasured officials along with a bunch of capable exorcists. Those geezers sit there eating resources while our capable second prince here holds up half the realm in his palm...’’ The third prince continued.

"Such treacherous words. Are you not afraid of death?’’ Azrael looked at the man coldly but Lareina realized that his tone was not as indifferent as usual.

The way he looked at the third prince reflected a hint of concern like that of an elder brother. And she had never noticed it before in the palace where all the four princes acted like complete strangers with each other while everyone ganged up in humiliating Azrael most of the time.

But for the first time, she realized that behind the pretenses, Azrael and Cain seemed like they had a close brotherly relation.

’’I am afraid. I am afraid,’’ The third prince cowered a little before he pushed himself to his feet, ’’But I am thankful that because of this mission, I finally get to talk to you normally.’’

This statement from the man affirmed Lareina’s thoughts further.

Azrael tapped the man’s shoulder once before he moved his hand slightly.

Just as the third prince was about to sit, the wooden chair disappeared from behind him. He almost landed on the ground if not for Azrael’s hand stabilizing the man.

The chair appeared behind Lareina.

’’You must be tired, standing there like that. Take a seat,’’ Words spoken in conviction, he turned to the other person in the room who was gaping at him in disbelief, ’’What are the orders?"

At this question, the jovial face of the third prince turned a little grey, ’’Father...’’