The Devil Does Not Need to Be Defeated

Chapter 407: “So, It’s Already Been Plucked?”

“Phew…”

Lia, entering Lucy’s bedroom, seemed to sense Edel’s departure and breathed a sigh of relief.

But then, a bitter expression appeared on her face.

“I should have guessed. With so many nobles and royalty gathered in the capital this time, and the city so lively, how could the Lucica family not come?”

This time, because Lucy, the gifted modern Hero and the Kingdom’s treasure, was choosing a husband, nobles and even royalty from almost every country in the human world had come.

Including influential figures from other races, they wouldn’t miss this grand event.

The reason was simple: this was their chance to gain the protection of a future Hero and a great opportunity to form a marriage alliance with the Hero’s Kingdom. Moreover, Lucy was known as the most beautiful woman in the human world. Almost no one would pass up this opportunity.

Even though many knew that their chances of successfully becoming the Kingdom’s treasure’s husband were extremely slim, as slim as a beautiful celebrity suddenly falling for a beggar, they still didn’t want to miss this grand event.

Because people always had a glimmer of hope.

What if they succeeded?

What if they and the princess hit it off?

What if she liked their type?

This must be what many people were thinking, right?

Moreover, for this husband selection, the capital would be filled with influential figures from all over the world, including many high-ranking nobles and royalty. Even if they failed in the end, being able to befriend and connect with some of these influential figures could bring many benefits to their families, making the trip worthwhile. Every family and every country would definitely choose to come.

Therefore, it wasn’t surprising that the Lucica family, to which Edel belonged, would come here.

They might even intend to use this opportunity to finalize the matter that Lia had been delaying.

No, that should be their main purpose for coming here, right?

Thinking of this, a gloomy look flashed across Lia’s eyes.

Recalling the strange glint in Edel’s eyes when he mentioned Lucy’s husband selection, Lia felt a sense of disgust.

Edel was the person Lia hated the most in her life, bar none.

The look of astonishment, greed, evil, and desire in his eyes when he first saw her was still vivid in Lia’s memory.

And that wasn’t the main issue.

The main issue was that after that, he had been persistently pursuing her, but after seeing Lucy, he showed that same look again, and after being infatuated and stunned for a long time, he actually abandoned her and frantically pursued Lucy. Only after being ruthlessly rejected by Lucy did he shamelessly return to pursue Lia again. His disgusting behavior made Lia lose her appetite for three days.

Moreover, his reputation was extremely tarnished.

It was said that his private life was very chaotic, and he often bullied men and women in his territory, forcing himself on many women he took a fancy to, ruining countless families.

It was said that he had married several wives and concubines, but they were all subjected to his violence in private and died one after another.

It was said that he had even made advances on the wives and daughters of visiting nobles, and after being discovered, shifted all the blame onto them.

It was also said that because of his reckless behavior, many nobles in the Lucica territory had protested and reported him to the Lucica family, the lords of the territory, causing chaos and unrest.

He wasn’t just a spoiled son of a noble family, but a true bully, a scum.

And this scum was currently the only surviving male heir of the Lucica family, as his two older brothers had died in accidents. Therefore, his father doted on him immensely. Otherwise, with his actions, he would have been executed countless times.

And this Lucica family was a true Duke family, responsible for guarding the southern part of the Kingdom, in contrast to the Stalim family, who guarded the north.

Of course, compared to the Stalim family, the Lucica family wasn’t as powerful.

Because the Kingdom’s southern border was adjacent to a small country, which, unlike the Ragna Empire, didn’t dare to openly covet the Kingdom’s territory. Instead, they continuously expressed goodwill towards the Kingdom, seeking its protection.

Thanks to this, the nobles and even the royalty of that small country often “gifted” the Lucica family. The Lucica family, rather than guarding the border, was more like profiting from it. Therefore, their power couldn’t compare to the Stalim family, who truly guarded the border and fought for the Kingdom.

However, even so, they were still a Duke family.

As a Duke family, they were among the highest-ranking nobles in the Kingdom, surpassed only by other Duke families and a few powerful Marquis families.

For example, the two knight guards Edel brought with him today were both above level seventy and were probably the captains of the knight order under the Lucica family.

Sending knight captains to protect his son, and two at that, showed how much the head of the Lucica family doted on Edel, and also the “peace” within the Lucica territory. Otherwise, how could knight captains, as valuable combat power, be free to act as bodyguards for a young master?

But this wasn’t the worst part.

The worst part was that Lia was engaged to Edel.

Yes.

Lia’s fiancé was Edel of the Lucica family.

This wasn’t an engagement arranged by Ancil for Lia, but a childhood engagement arranged by the previous king, Lia’s grandfather, and Ancil’s father, when he was still on the throne.

Since it was a childhood engagement, the previous king didn’t know that Edel would turn out like this. And after Ancil ascended the throne, the old king passed away. The Lucica family then used the excuse that “this was a marriage arranged by the deceased His Majesty, and we should respect his final wishes” to refuse to cancel the engagement.

This reason, it had to be said, was quite effective.

At least, in this medieval-style other world, among influential nobles, it was indeed very effective.

Ancil also found it troublesome.

If there was a reason, then it would be fine, but unilaterally canceling a marriage arranged by the previous king for no reason would definitely cause criticism.

Helplessly, Ancil could only help Lia delay the marriage as much as possible, hoping to find a solution later.

Therefore, Lia had been avoiding Edel, but he kept pestering her, causing Lia constant headaches and annoyance.

As she thought about this, the bitterness on Lia’s face turned into self-mockery.

“I was saying I would definitely help my sister find happiness, but I can’t even guarantee my own happiness.”

At this moment, Lia revealed her vulnerability.

Of course, Lia wouldn’t allow herself to be weak for too long.

“I am the first princess of the Kingdom of Mitra, Lucy’s older sister. Even if I’m not as outstanding as Lucy, I’m still a legitimate descendant of the Hero.”

Lia repeated these words in her heart almost every day to remind herself.

Whether she would become queen and inherit the throne in the future, or what the future held, she couldn’t disgrace the royal family, her father, or Lucy.

“Alright!”

Lia cheered herself up, regaining her usual playful demeanor, and walked towards Lucy’s room with a mischievous smile.

Along the way, Lia naturally encountered many noble young masters lingering in the palace, trying to curry favor with Lucy.

Lia politely declined their requests to introduce them to Lucy and brushed off those who hoped she would put in a good word for them. Then, welcomed by the female knights of the Holy Sword Knights, she entered the inner palace and arrived at Lucy’s door.

Then, Lia opened the door without any hesitation.

“Lucy, I’m… here…”

As Lia entered the room and was about to greet Lucy cheerfully, the scene before her made her eyes widen, and she froze on the spot.

“S-Sister Lia…!?”

Lucy’s voice rang out, filled with panic.

“Holy shit!”

Shien couldn’t help but curse.

The room instantly fell deathly silent.

Lia felt her vision darken, an urge to faint washing over her.

She had seen it.

She saw Chang Wei beating Lai Fu! (A reference to a famous scene in a Chinese movie, often used to describe catching someone in the act of adultery.)

After recovering, Lia closed the door almost instantly with a loud bang, startling the female knights guarding outside.

“Princess Lucy? Princess Lia?”

“What’s wrong?”

“Did something happen?”

The female knights gathered at the door, exchanging glances and asking.

“N-nothing! Don’t worry! Guard the door! Don’t let anyone in!”

Lia’s voice came from inside, stiff and slightly panicked, yet also undeniably stern, making the female knights quickly lower their heads and return to their posts.

Lia leaned against the door, slowly turning around, looking at Shien, who had gotten dressed at some point and was looking out the window, seemingly oblivious to everything, then at Lucy, who was hiding under the covers, only her head peeking out, seemingly getting dressed, her face flushed with embarrassment. Lia’s face darkened.

“You two…!?”

Lia gritted her teeth, feeling enraged, as if the sky had fallen, her heart turning cold.

At this moment, Lia only had one thought.

“So, our family’s best cabbage has already been plucked?”

(╯°□°）╯︵ ┻━┻!!!

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