Free Web NovelChapter 158: Chapter 158: The Prince’s Unwanted Bride
The room fell silent.
Xing Luoguang’s expression stiffened. His throat felt dry.
"If we fall for someone like that," Xing Luoye continued, his voice low and trembling with anger, "what about the promise we made to him? I will never allow it."
He shook his head firmly.
Xing Luoguang’s heart sank.
He knew his brother had always been cold toward females. But when he was near Yue Yue... something deep inside him stirred.
It was not just liking.
It was not just curiosity.
It felt... instinctive.
Like a pull he could not resist.
Like she was meant to stand beside him.
Like she was his mate.
The words almost slipped out of his mouth.
But when he saw Xing Luoye’s hard expression, his tongue felt tied. He could not say it.
He swallowed the truth.
"You’re right," Xing Luoguang said quietly. "We promised Father that we would never fall for the tricks of females from the empires."
Xing Luoye’s expression softened a little when he saw the sadness on Xing Luoguang’s face.
He stepped forward and suddenly pulled Xing Luoguang into a hug.
"Brother," he said in a gentler voice, "why are you so troubled? Females are always like that. Don’t think about them."
He patted Xing Luoguang’s shoulder.
"You have me, and I have you. That’s enough. We don’t need anyone else."
Xing Luoguang’s body stiffened in the embrace.
"But..."
The word got stuck in his throat.
Before Xing Luoguang could say anything more, Xing Luoye lifted a hand and stopped him.
"Let’s forget all that," he said calmly. "Once our mission is complete, we will let her leave. Just treat her as a guest and don’t think too much about her."
He paused, then his tone softened.
"After all, we are finally back in our home country. We rarely get the chance to come here. Let’s enjoy it before we have to leave again."
Xing Luoguang looked at him quietly, then nodded.
This place... was different.
It was the only place where the two brothers could truly relax.
Here, they did not have to hide their identities.
They did not have to stay alert every second, worrying about attacks or betrayal.
This place was their sanctuary.
It was also the last thing their father had left behind. It was the last hope of their race, and it was their sole responsibility to keep their race hidden and protected.
With that thought, the air between them became calmer.
Xing Luoye turned and walked out of the chamber. When he returned, he was already wearing a robe similar to the one he had worn when he first met Yue Yue. But this one was lighter and simpler, more suitable for walking outside.
"I’m going for a stroll," he said. "I miss the people here. At least I should greet them."
He looked at Xing Luoguang. "Do you want to come?"
Xing Luoguang shook his head. "No. I have a training session."
Xing Luoye nodded. "Then go practice. I’ll be back soon."
With that, he left.
The city was lively and warm.
As soon as Xing Luoye stepped onto the main street, people began to notice him.
"Prince!"
"The prince is back!"
"Welcome back, Your Highness!"
Many of them rushed forward, smiling warmly. Some brought fruits, some brought small gifts, and some simply bowed with respect.
Xing Luoye’s cold expression softened slightly.
"What did you bring this time, Prince?" someone asked with a grin.
Before he could answer, a small child suddenly pushed through the crowd.
"Prince!" the child shouted excitedly. "I heard you brought a princess home! Are you going to marry her?"
Luoye’s face immediately turned strange. It rapidly changed color from green to pink, then red.
He froze, not knowing how to answer.
Princess...
Yue Yue... fɾeewebnoveℓ.co๓
Just the thought of her standing beside him like that made something stir quietly inside his chest.
But the next moment, he swallowed the feeling.
"Who is talking nonsense?" he grumbled. "She is not a princess. She’s just a guest. We are only taking care of her."
The crowd burst into laughter.
"Our prince is not young anymore," an old woman teased. "If the late prince saw this, he would be so happy in the heavens, knowing his son finally found a wife."
More people joined in the teasing.
"Yes, yes! A wife for the young prince!"
"We must prepare a celebration soon!"
Xing Luoye’s face grew even redder.
"No!" he said quickly. "Stop talking nonsense. I don’t need any female in my life."
But the more he denied it, the more the people laughed.
Still, their laughter was warm, not mocking. It was filled with affection.
They truly cared for him.
Meanwhile, high above the city, Yue Yue was sitting alone on a wide balcony.
The railing was carved from pale stone, and beyond it stretched the entire city... rooftops, lanterns, and winding streets full of life.
She could not see clearly what was happening below.
But the system could.
A faint light appeared before her eyes, showing her a moving image of the street.
She saw Xing Luoye surrounded by people.
He was being called "Prince" again and again.
Then she heard the system’s voice.
[The entire city believes the young prince has brought home a wife.]
Yue Yue’s face flushed.
"A wife? Why is everyone in this city so obsessed with the prince’s wife?" she muttered.
The caretaker had also assumed that she was their love interest.
"These brothers have been alone for too long," the system replied, "and they are naturally worried about their next heir. If they bring any female home, people will naturally think she is their bride."
Yue Yue blinked.
She had not expected that at all.
She turned her gaze back to the city.
The streets were lively. The air looked warm and peaceful, because it had a touch of ancient human civilization and was not entirely futuristic like the interstellar world.
She felt like this city was the most ancient one and was trying to protect its heritage as much as possible.
For some reason, her heart felt restless.
She wanted to go down there.
She wanted to walk those streets herself.
It felt like... if she missed this chance, she might never see this place again.
"System," she whispered, "can I go out?"
The system remained silent. No reply came.
Yue looked at the vast city once more, her eyes filled with quiet longing.
