The Mad Princess and the Dying Prince novel Chapter 81

Aurelia's face darkened at the mention of becoming the Second Prince's future bride.

House Beaumont considered the betrothal an absolute certainty, but in truth, the Second Prince refused to make it public. He always claimed the timing wasn't right. She was already seventeen—well past the usual age for a highborn lady to marry—yet she was still forced to wait for his elusive 'right time.' Though he was willing to help whenever she sought him out, that wasn't what she truly desired. She wanted to stand proudly in the light as his recognized betrothed.

Hearing Selena's careless words felt like a dagger twisting in her heart.

"Aurelia, why aren't you saying anything?" Selena nudged her, impatient with the silence.

Zella quickly reached out to steady Aurelia. "Selena, how could you push her? Aurelia is gentle and kind. She would never actually fight with Lucia. Lucia suffered in the provinces for ten years. Now that she's back, we should just let her have her way."

"Get the hell out of my way!" Selena glared fiercely at her half-sister. "Who asked you to play peacemaker? If you want to grovel, do it yourself. Why should Aurelia and I yield to her?"

After all, Zella was born of a lesser mistress. It was natural for her to be a timid coward, but Selena and Aurelia were trueborn daughters of the main bloodline. There had never been a place for Lucia in this manor. Who told her to come back anyway?

Zella gritted her teeth secretly but kept a timid expression on her face. "Father and Mother brought her back... Do you think they need her to do something for them?" she suggested, prompting Selena.

They needed to get to the bottom of this. Zella refused to believe their parents would suddenly miss a daughter they had abandoned in the countryside for years.

Selena frowned, the words taking root in her mind. "Aurelia, do you know why father brought that wretched girl back?"

Aurelia shook her head. "I am not entirely sure."

In truth, when she first learned that Lady Beaumont was sending men to retrieve Lucia, she had vehemently opposed it. But her mother had claimed Lord Beaumont's decision was final. That was why Aurelia had secretly taken matters into her own hands to ensure Lucia never made it back alive. Now, it seemed her father truly had a hidden motive.

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