That evening, Lucas appeared at the restaurant once again.

The restaurant had been chosen by Luo Ran. It was a revolving restaurant with excellent food and floor-to-ceiling windows offering a panoramic view of the city.

Lilia was once again dressed in an extravagant gown, wearing her finest jewelry.

“General!” Seeing the tall man approach, Lilia looked delighted and bashful, though there was also a hint of fear and apprehension in her expression. She bowed carefully. “I’ve been waiting for you, General!”

Lucas swept his cloak aside and sat down, raising an eyebrow. “I’ve been looking for an opportunity to see you, too.”

Lilia’s face lit up.

Then Lucas continued, “We still haven’t settled the score from last time. We’re going to deal with that before dinner tonight.”

“What…?” Lilia stared at him in bewilderment.

Standing behind Lilia, Luo Ran was taking the menu from a waiter. Hearing this, he frowned in confusion as well.

Wait… What score did Lucas have to settle with Lilia?

Lucas leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms. “At the hotel banquet last time, I heard you insulting my secretary. You said several rather unpleasant things about him, didn’t you?”

“I… I…” Lilia thought for a moment before finally remembering.

Right. She had called Luo Ran a dog relying on its master’s power, saying he was nothing more than a watchdog.

Lilia’s eyes widened in disbelief.

No way!

Lucas still remembered that? And he was actually holding a grudge over it?

“General…” Luo Ran was equally surprised. He opened his mouth, but for once, his usually rational and clever mind seemed to short-circuit. He had no idea what to say.

Lucas’s tone remained even as he addressed the princess. “You still haven’t apologized to my secretary.”

“I… I didn’t mean it!” Lilia was on the verge of tears. She absolutely refused to apologize to a mere watchdog! She was a princess, for heaven’s sake!

“Apologize.”

………………

Lucas’s voice was cold and emotionless.

Luo Ran stood to one side, watching in a daze. Lilia glanced at him, then at Lucas, her face full of indignation.

Lucas remained unmoved, making it clear through his unyielding attitude that there would be no compromise on this matter.

After a moment, Lilia twisted the hem of her dress in her hands. Pouting, she gritted her teeth and muttered, “I’m sorry, Secretary Luo.”

Unable to fathom Lucas’s intentions, Luo Ran simply lowered his head and said nothing.

Lucas raised an eyebrow. “You’re a princess, aren’t you? Have you ever fought in a war?”

“…Huh?” Lilia paused before answering, “O-Of course not!”

“Then have you ever handled official government documents?”

“No… I mean, I don’t need to! My older brothers and sisters…”

Lucas cut her off. “Do you know what kind of life the people of Luobing are living?”

“I…” Lilia froze. Huh?

Why was she supposed to know that?

Before she could respond, Lucas sneered. “Then you’re nothing but a useless waste. The royal family pays for your food and clothes, and you think that makes you superior?”

“…”

It was the first time anyone had ever spoken to her like this. Lilia’s eyes reddened with anger, and she raised her voice. “Th-Then what about Zhou Mingkai from your Empire? Isn’t he also… isn’t he also—”

“Does he throw his weight around and bully people the way you do?” Lucas interrupted, his tone dripping with disdain.

“…”

Lilia was left speechless. To make matters worse, the man she admired—the very person she was supposed to marry for the sake of a political alliance—had just humiliated her in such a manner. She trembled with rage, feeling even more mortified.

Her eyes turned red, and her voice caught in her throat as she sobbed, “Y-You’re bullying me! You’re bullying a female Omega!”

Luo Ran thought to himself that dinner was clearly no longer happening.

Lucas really was something else. He had managed to turn a dinner with a prince into an interrogation, and now he had made a princess cry over a meal.

When Lucas saw Lilia start sniffling and crying, he rolled his eyes, stood up, and left.

Luo Ran stepped forward and handed Lilia a tissue from the table. “I’m very sorry. Please don’t take it to heart.”

Luo Ran never let personal feelings interfere with his work. Even now, he maintained his usual professional, distant, yet gentle demeanor.

Lilia looked up at him. The silver-haired man had delicate features, and even his voice was gentle.

She froze for a moment before taking the tissue and continuing to sniffle.

Luo Ran went on, “Please don’t let this upset you too much, Your Highness. Otherwise, things might become awkward the next time you meet.”

Lilia had originally planned to return home and raise hell, lodge furious complaints with Luobing and its embassy, and post an indignant exposé on the forums. But hearing Luo Ran’s words, she paused.

Oh, right.

If she did all that, she would completely burn her bridges with Lucas. And given his personality, there would truly be no chance of a marriage alliance in the future…

Lilia angrily wiped away her tears and pouted. “Y-You can get lost!”

Only after confirming that Lilia had no intention of causing trouble did Luo Ran stride away to catch up with Lucas.

Lucas waited by the aircraft for a while before Luo Ran finally came out.

Lucas raised an eyebrow. “What took you so long?”

Luo Ran shook his head.

“Go on, then.” Lucas’s voice was cold. “Say it. Whatever you want to say, just say it.”

Lucas knew Luo Ran had gone to comfort Lilia. He figured that Luo Ran would now advise him to rein in his temper, consider the bigger picture, and all that usual nonsense.

Luo Ran replied, “There is something I’d like to say.”

Lucas raised an eyebrow.

Lowering his eyes, Luo Ran smiled faintly. “Tonight… thank you, General.”

…?

Lucas looked at Luo Ran in surprise.

Luo Ran turned his head slightly and spoke softly. “Maintaining the Empire’s and the General’s public image is one thing, but the fact that you stood up for me is another. Thank you.”

“Mm.” Lucas rubbed his nose, suddenly unsure what to do with his hands and feet. He turned stiffly and climbed into the aircraft. “Good. At least you know!”

Luo Ran watched him with a beaming smile before hopping aboard as well.

After that little “dinner gathering,” the forums became even livelier that night.

—The General had dinner with the princess!

Post 1: Ahhhh! Who does General Lucas actually like?! Does our Secretary Luo still have a chance? Does he, does he, does he?!

Post 2: Sis above, don’t panic! I don’t think they’re anywhere near discussing marriage yet. He was just having dinner with someone from Luobing. He’s met both of them, but he hasn’t said he likes either one, right?