After all, the First Prince’s birthday was coming up soon. As the Empire’s distinguished eldest royal son, he had naturally arranged a banquet and invited all the influential figures from the Empire and neighboring countries. Lucas would have to attend as well.
Having finally finished an entire day’s schedule, Luo Ran was about to head home when someone from the Luobing Kingdom stopped him at the company entrance.
A young woman dressed like a maid stepped in front of him and said with a beaming smile, “Our Princess Lilia would like to invite you to dinner.”
“Her Highness Lilia…?” Luo Ran found this rather strange. The last time Lucas had made Lilia cry, it had been because of him. Surely Lilia must hate him by now?
“Yes.”
“She invited me, not General Lucas?”
“That’s right! We hope you’ll accept her invitation. The dinner is right now, at the embassy.” The maid smiled. “The Princess can’t conveniently leave the embassy, and the view from the top floor is lovely. There’s even a glass greenhouse, so she’s invited the chefs over to prepare the meal!”
“……”
Was this a trap?
“The Princess sincerely hopes you’ll come!” the maid added with a smile. “She’s even prepared a gift for you.”
Luo Ran sighed and followed the maid onto the aircraft.
A trap was a trap. It wasn’t as if the other party could actually do anything to him. At worst, Lilia might want revenge and humiliate him with a few insults. He wasn’t afraid of that and could handle it.
Still, the invitation had come so suddenly that it was undeniably suspicious. Just to be safe, before leaving, Luo Ran sent a message to the head of the security team, informing him of his destination and asking him to contact Luo Ran again later.
When he arrived at the embassy’s top floor, he saw Lilia sitting nearby, wearing makeup that was quite different from her usual style. She looked at Luo Ran with a cheerful smile.
Luo Ran stepped forward and asked, “May I ask what this is about, Your Highness?”
“Sit down. Let’s eat.” Lilia pointed to the chair opposite her, looking rather self-important. “I, the Princess, have summoned you to dine with me.”
Luo Ran sat down, wondering whether she was planning to play the sympathy card and ask him to create more opportunities for her and Lucas, or perhaps put in a good word for her.
“I received the chocolates from the Secretary’s Office. I accept your apology.” Lilia folded her arms. “I’ve decided not to hold what happened before against you.”
Luo Ran smiled and nodded.
Lilia was momentarily stunned by his smile.
She remembered that Luo Ran had treated her with the same gentle kindness when they first met, advising her not to provoke the General.
It seemed he was another poor soul bullied by that fierce General.
The second time they met, he had offered her a tissue to comfort her. Even when she had insulted him by calling him a watchdog, he hadn’t gotten angry.
Afterward, he had even sent her chocolates to soothe her feelings.
Lilia recalled something her mother had once told her.
A woman should marry someone of lower status than herself. That way, her husband would be wary of her position and treat her with care and respect.
Someone like Lucas, a favored child of heaven, would naturally be arrogant and domineering, refusing to take her seriously.
“I’ve made up my mind. You’re not bad either.” Lilia rested her chin on her hand. “What’s so great about a political marriage with the General? He’s so fierce. Wouldn’t you be a better choice?”
Luo Ran: “……”
????????
Luo Ran thought he must have misheard her.
Lilia lifted her chin proudly. “I permit you to give me a chance. We can get to know each other better little by little.”
“…………”
After a pause, Luo Ran said, “Your Highness, we’re not suitable for each other. You’re a princess.”
“Precisely because I’m a princess, you can’t disobey me! I like you now. I’ve taken a fancy to you.” Lilia glanced at Luo Ran. “You’re the Empire’s secretary, so your status isn’t low either. Luobing would accept a political marriage between us.”
He had refined, handsome features and elegant, composed manners. He spoke gently and politely.
And he was so good-looking, too. His silver hair was like a galaxy.
How wonderful! He was much better than that Lucas fellow.
The more Lilia looked at Luo Ran, the more satisfied she became.
Luo Ran found the situation… almost amusing.
Before coming here, he had even been worrying about his own safety. What on earth was going on? Why were the people of Luobing all so strange?
At that moment, Luo Ran thought of a disparaging generalization he had once seen on the forum.
— People from Luobing probably have brains that have been frozen by ice for so long that they don’t work properly anymore!
Luo Ran shook his head and said solemnly, “Your Highness, precisely because I’m the Empire’s secretary, I cannot casually enter into a political marriage with you. I carry too many of the Empire’s secrets.”
“Huh?” Lilia frowned, unable to understand.
Luo Ran explained, “Throughout the Empire’s history, the clerical staff serving high-ranking officials have generally been ordinary people with simple backgrounds. That’s because people like us won’t carry the Empire’s secrets away and use them against the Empire. We have no power of our own. We can only rely on our superiors and the Empire for protection.”
Lilia understood only part of what he was saying.
“So, while I’m not someone of particularly distinguished status, I have access to all the Empire’s military affairs. Your Highness, as a princess of a foreign country, do you think a political marriage with me is even possible?”
“Th-then…” Lilia frowned. This really was a problem.
She thought for a long time before suddenly clapping her hands and smiling. “We can elope! How romantic!”
Luo Ran: “……”
Lilia beamed as she began making plans. “I’ve seen it in television dramas. Elope stories are so romantic and exciting! Besides, Luobing will protect us!”
Luo Ran reminded her, “Luobing is a defeated opponent of General Lucas.”
“But he… he doesn’t like you! He certainly wouldn’t send troops to take you back for your sake!” Lilia retorted. “Don’t let him deceive you! He treats you terribly, shouting at you and scolding you. And when he made me apologize before, wasn’t that just to save his own pride?”
Luo Ran was utterly helpless.
There was simply no reasoning with her.
“Your Highness, please abandon this absurd idea. Marriage is not something to be treated so frivolously.” Luo Ran stood up. “I’ll pretend today’s conversation never happened. I hope you won’t bring it up again in the future. Otherwise, it could cause a great deal of trouble and misunderstanding between our two countries.”
With that, Luo Ran left.
Just then, the head of the security team called him.