Paranoid Alpha Chapter 42: The banquet

Chapter 42: The banquet

Translated by Addis of Exiled Rebels Scanlations

Editor: CaiCai

The crisp voice of a girl sounded, and two out of the three people present were stunned. Lyss never expected that Lin Lang would call him “brother’ right from the start, but he couldn’t correct her, after all… with Lu Xingye’s current appearance, it seemed even more inappropriate for Lin Lang to call him “uncle.’ Lu Xingye remained silent, looking at Lin Lang, the curve of his lips still present but the smile in his eyes gradually fading.

“Very good,” he thought with intense jealousy and a bottomless desire, “your daughter even calls me “brother’.”

Only the Prime Minister failed to notice anything wrong. She smiled, intending to say something, but as she looked up, she noticed Lyss and Lu Xingye both silent in their places. The Prime Minister also paused momentarily but couldn’t inquire under the camera’s gaze. All she could do was maintain a composed smile and say, “Miss Lin Lang is even more adorable than the rumors suggest.”

Lin Lang, seeing both the people in front and beside her fall silent, momentarily thought she had said something wrong. Upon hearing the words, she quickly smiled and said, “Thank you, Auntie.”

Lu Xingye stood up smoothly. Lyss, with Lin Lang, stood by his side. After the major media finished taking pictures, Shaya turned around and made a gesture of invitation and half-jokingly said, “It’s just us four left.”

Lyss subtly withdrew his attention, leading Lin Lang inside. Lin Lang gently tugged on his sleeve. “Dad, the cake…”

Lyss hesitated for a moment, about to say something, when a familiar voice interrupted from the side. “Where’s the cake for the two of them?”

With obvious goodwill in his clear voice, Lin Lang cautiously glanced at Lyss. Seeing no sign from him to stop, she turned to the Sixth Prince and said, “It’s in the lounge just now… It’s a matcha cake.”

After a moment’s pause, Lu Xingye nodded. “Alright, I’ll have someone bring it to you later.”

Lin Lang wasn’t a timid girl, but today, she felt a bit afraid of this person for some reason. Biting her lower lip, she squeezed Lyss’s hand and, mustering courage, thanked him, “Thank you, brother.”

Lu Xingye’s steps abruptly paused, then after a moment, he resumed walking normally. “You’re welcome.”

As they spoke, the four of them entered the palace. The lights were dazzling, the decorations luxurious. As they entered, the once lively banquet suddenly quieted down, all eyes turning towards them.

As the main guests of the banquet, Lu Xingye should have gone directly forward. As the Prime Minister’s urging gaze also fell on him, he abruptly turned and asked, “Miss Lin Lang, do you really like matcha cake?”

Lin Lang was puzzled for a moment. “No, it’s… “

“I like it,” Lyss abruptly interrupted their conversation. “That cake was a gift from my daughter.”

Shaya looked at Lyss with some surprise. In her understanding, this usually cold and excessively beautiful Triss chief never engaged in such conversations at such events. But what surprised him more was the protagonist of today—the Sixth Prince beside her.

Even as the Prime Minister, Shaya wasn’t fully aware of where this Sixth Prince had come from, but it didn’t mean she knew nothing about him. On the contrary, she was quite familiar with everything the Prince had done since his return, especially the actions of someone who seemed far older than his apparent age.

Compared to the former Crown Prince, this person was a more chilling presence, a thorough political creature, a wolf hidden under sheepskin.

He was handsome but seldom smiled. Every time he did, it was either for the sake of the situation or because someone foolishly crossed his path, but the ultimate result was never without consequences.

Because Shaya did have some understanding of him, she was astonished by his behavior today.

“Is that so?” Lu Xingye chuckled lightly, his smile identical to those in the past, without a trace of change in his eyes. “I never thought Mr. Silverfang would actually like matcha.”

Lyss glanced at him. “As long as it’s related to tea, I like it.”

After speaking, without looking at the person’s reaction, Lyss lowered his gaze to Lin Lang. “It’s just a piece of cake; no need to trouble His Highness, alright?”

Lyss spoke to Lin Lang like this at home most of the time. It didn’t sound too different, but the little girl keenly sensed something amiss. However, she was too young to analyze exactly what was happening at that moment. She could only nod obediently and was about to agree when the Sixth Prince beside her spoke again, “It’s just a piece of cake; how can that be considered a trouble, especially when it’s Mr. Silverfang’s favorite?”

Lyss’s hand trembled slightly. Lu Xingye’s voice was calm; he couldn’t detect anything unusual. Eventually, Lyss nodded, “Thank you, then.”

In reality, Lu Xingye’s heart was already in turmoil. He had never seen Lyss speak so gently to anyone. Lu Xingye bore a smile on the surface, but inside, it felt like he was soaking in poison. He was filled with jealousy like never before.

Shaya, by his side, glanced at the time, unable to wait any longer. She could only speak with a hint of urgency, “Your Highness.”

Lu Xingye glanced at Lyss. “You’re welcome, Mr. Silverfang.”

With that, he turned and walked toward the center of the banquet. He still had his role to perform with his good uncle later.

Seeing him finally leave, Lyss couldn’t help but let out a sigh of relief. Yet, within him arose a sense of reluctance and discomfort. He didn’t seem to remember me at all. Leading his daughter toward a dessert tower, the former Lu Xingye wouldn’t have been like this. If he remembered me, his gaze wouldn’t be so indifferent, and his tone wouldn’t be this unfamiliar.

A system that could accurately calculate planetary orbits also had things it couldn’t predict, like human emotions.

What Lyss didn’t know was that while a wolf cub or a young dog’s emotions were passionate, a wolf king’s emotions weren’t. Especially when it was a wounded wolf, they were adept at concealing themselves and striking precisely.

The banquet began. The previous king of the Mannstadt Empire had died suddenly and the Crown Prince had also unexpectedly passed away. The current Queen was the late king’s aunt, much too old to attend such events and had left before the introduction of the main guest.

As expected, the host for the banquet was none other than Weylman, the only count in the empire and also the uncle of the Sixth Prince.

Lyss stood with Lin Lang at the dessert table, watching his daughter constantly indulge in sweets. His attention was partly on Weylman’s speech. “Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to…”

The content was official and dry. In his words, Lu Xingye became a pitiful soul born in the midst of war. Due to enemies and certain evildoers’ collusion, the prince was forced into exile for eighteen years and only returned to the empire today.

Upon hearing this, Lyss lowered his gaze to his daughter. “Be careful of cavities.”

Lin Lang loved sweets very much, and most of the time, Lyss indulged her. But when it came to matters of health, he wasn’t as accommodating.

Fortunately, the little girl was obedient. Upon hearing his words, she nodded meekly. “This is the last one.”

Lyss nodded. “Good.”

Everyone’s attention was focused on the person under the lights, except for Lyss, who didn’t turn around. He wasn’t sure if he didn’t want to turn back or if he didn’t dare. Perhaps it was the latter; he didn’t want to see Lu Xingye’s gaze, so foreign and distant. It made him want to avoid it.

So, Lyss quietly watched his daughter and they discussed matters that didn’t fit with this banquet.

The count’s speech eventually ended, and the room erupted in enthusiastic applause.

Lyss closed his eyes and shifted his attention, opening his portable terminal. At the top of the information panel was a message from the apprentice secretary Lillia had found. Lyss casually clicked on it. The alpha had no sense of propriety and messaged, “I heard from Ms. Lillia that you’ve already arrived in the Empire. When I was studying there before, I felt that everything, from dietary habits to customs, was different from Triss. I hope it’s not too presumptuous to ask if you’re adjusting well there?”

Regarding this young alpha, Lyss had only one impression: reckless and absent-minded at work. In short, he didn’t hold any malice toward the person, but there wasn’t much fondness either.

Unfortunately, as the central figure of the entire banquet walked through the crowd with a slightly collapsed matcha cake, he happened to overhear this sentence. He paused, lifting his gaze to see a little dazzling doll-like figure leaning against Lyss, tilting her head to look at the terminal alongside her father.

The father with an excessively beautiful appearance was rubbing her ear with one hand while holding the terminal with the other. “No, thank you for your concern,” he said, the gratitude seemingly usual and distant, but this phrase shouldn’t have come from Lyss’s mouth. He never used to discuss these matters with outsiders, Lu Xingye thought as he clenched his fist,.

Just as Lyss was about to put away the terminal, a familiar voice sounded behind him, “Mr. Silverfang, here’s your cake.” Lyss abruptly turned around, immediately seeing the familiar figure behind him. For some reason, the images from his memory seemed to coincide with the present scene.

Lyss couldn’t help but remember the scenes from home, where whenever he worked in his study, there was always a little dog who would cheerfully push open the door and place tea or supper on his desk. “I worked hard on this for you, just take a bite, Chief,” he’d say. At these moments, Lyss always silently accepted the delicacy handed to him, taking a bite, just like he was doing now.

The terminal floated to the side, catching Lu Xingye’s uncertain gaze towards the still-open chat interface. He then turned to Lyss, “Are you chatting with your alpha?”

It was an excessively direct question, bordering even on offensive. Lyss paused upon hearing it, swallowing the cake and shaking his head. “No, an apprentice secretary.”

With that, he turned off the terminal. Instead of soothing Lu Xingye’s heart, this statement ignited a fiercer flame within him. He vividly remembered that the first job Lyss had arranged for him was also as a secretary. The emotions within him brewed like a toppled vinegar jar, his smile on the surface growing brighter, but devoid of any trace of amusement in his eyes.

Lyss turned back and silently continued eating the cake, maintaining a quiet demeanor without any intention to speak.

“What about your alpha?” It sounded like genuine curiosity, as if asking bygone familiarities. “He’s dead,” Lyss softly responded, almost like a sigh. “My alpha is dead.”

Upon hearing this, Lin Lang widened her eyes in disbelief, turning to Lyss, “Mom?” She even forgot to call him “Dad” in her astonishment, calling out the most intimate title.

“So that’s it,” Lu Xingye displayed a perfectly fitting expression of surprise. “Your alpha is truly heartless to leave behind such a beautiful omega like you and such a lovely daughter.”

He seemed genuinely oblivious, yet instinctively drawn to Lyss, just like when they first met. Lyss remained silent, taking another bite of cake. For the first time in his life, he felt lucky that his face could still somewhat serve its purpose.

“Yes,” after a while, Lyss raised his gaze. “He is indeed heartless.”

Lu Xingye remained unfazed, still wearing that poised expression. Lyss suddenly lost the inclination to probe; he was never the kind to be good at deception.

“There’s something I haven’t asked,” Lyss calmly looked at Lu Xingye. “What’s the name of Your Highness?”

“Me?” Lu Xingye raised an eyebrow. “My surname follows my mother’s, Lu Xingye. My mother is Serican.”

Upon hearing the word “Serican,” Lin Lang subconsciously looked towards him.

“I see.” Lyss unconsciously rubbed his daughter’s hair, almost messing up her curls. But Lin Lang didn’t mind at all. She wasn’t a girl who cared much about appearances. Today’s special dress-up was solely for Lyss, but none of that mattered now.

Sensing Lyss’s unusual mood, she instinctively spoke up, “Dad… Are you okay? Are you unhappy?”

But before she could finish the sentence, a voice suddenly came from behind the three of them, “Your Highness, something requires your attention over here.”

Lu Xingye seemed oblivious to Lyss’s strangeness. He politely apologized before turning away. Lyss nodded, understandingly.

The grand and splendid banquet continued, yet throughout it Lyss remained absent-minded.

Seeing him like this, Lin Lang couldn’t help but frown, “Mommy… What’s wrong with you? And Dad… Didn’t you say I’d get to see him when I grew up? Why did you say…?”

The little girl seemed uncomfortable, unable to say that word, as if saying it would make Dad disappear.

Lyss regained his focus and looked at his daughter. “I’ll tell you after the banquet ends, okay?”

Though she wanted to continue, Lin Lang obediently wiped her eyes, nodded, and said, “Okay.”

The first day of the banquet gradually neared its end. Many people who wanted to chat with Lyss were coldly refused. “Sorry, I’m not feeling well today.” Eventually, even those remaining sensed the hint and fell silent.

The banquet lasted quite a while, and by the time it was ending, Lin Lang was already yawning from exhaustion. But despite this, as soon as the banquet ended, she rubbed her eyes and persisted, “Mommy…”

Lyss skillfully lifted her up, and the little girl nestled her face into his neck, “Mommy…”

Lyss gently patted her back, soothingly saying, “Sleep, baby.”

He didn’t know how to address his daughter’s inquiries. Should he tell her that the person was her father? And then inform her that he not only doesn’t remember me, but also doesn’t recognize you? Saying it out loud would be too cruel for a five-year-old.

Thankfully, Lin Lang fell asleep in his arms after a while. Lyss sighed with relief. At least, for the moment, he managed to divert her attention.

What he didn’t know was that as he skillfully carried his daughter away, Lu Xingye stood above, his eyes obscured, watching him intently.

Back in their room, Lin Lang woke up as soon as she was placed down. Rubbing her eyes, she asked, “Mommy, did Daddy really pass away?”

The five-year-old girl didn’t quite grasp the concept of death. Lyss couldn’t lie, so he remained silent for three seconds before saying, “Do you want him to be alive?”

“Yes,” Lin Lang nodded without hesitation. “So Mommy can be a bit happier.”

Lyss was momentarily stunned, not expecting such words from his daughter.

“But what if he’s alive, but doesn’t remember me and has no feelings for me?” Lyss regretted asking that question afterward. Lin Lang was only five; he shouldn’t burden her with his worries.

Lin Lang didn’t quite understand Lyss’s meaning, furrowing her small brow. But she decisively said, “Then I don’t want him. I’ll always be with Mommy!”

Lyss’s eyes softened at her resolve. “Thank you, my dear. But that’s your dad. Shouldn’t you want him?”

This might have been the third most significant challenge for some kids, akin to “who do you like more, Mom or Dad?” But for Lin Lang, it wasn’t that difficult. She hesitated for three seconds, then with a mix of reluctance and determination, said, “I don’t want him.”

Lyss chuckled at her expression, raising his hand to rub her ear, “I’ve noted it down. I’ll tell your dad that his daughter doesn’t want him.”

Lin Lang widened her eyes after a moment, “I didn’t say that!”

Lyss intentionally said, “Wasn’t that what you just said?”

The white puppy’s ears drooped suddenly, and Lin Lang, feeling guilty and regretful, said, “It’s because of Mommy…”

“Okay, I was teasing you,” Lyss rubbed her head, coaxing, “I won’t tell him. Sleep now, baby.”

Afterward, Lyss chatted with Lin Lang for a while. At first, the little girl didn’t want to sleep, so Lyss had no choice but to read her a few stories, finally managing to lull her to sleep.

Finally, with his daughter asleep, Lyss sat in the living room and breathed a barely audible sigh of relief. Sometimes, this child was just as difficult to soothe as her other dad.

Thinking about this, Lyss, who had planned to work, suddenly stopped. His thoughts involuntarily drifted elsewhere.

After an unknown amount of time had passed, Lyss sighed and pulled back his thoughts. Since work wasn’t possible, he decided to rest.

With this thought in mind, Lyss put down the documents in his hands, changed clothes in his bedroom, and entered the bathroom.

The Empire’s people were extravagant, especially the royal family. The bathroom seemed almost gilded, filled with various high-tech gadgets. Lyss couldn’t help but furrow his brow, spending quite some time just to take a shower.

Perhaps too much energy was spent on showering, as Lyss didn’t notice some subtle movements outside.

Unaccustomed to drying himself, he casually wiped himself twice before walking out. With his damp tail trailing behind, Lyss touched it and realized no one would be there to dry it for him anymore.

Thinking this, he picked up a towel to dry his tail when suddenly a force pressed against him from behind.

Lyss’s eyes widened abruptly, about to react, but then someone wrapped their arms around his waist and pinned him on the bed.

“–!”

The moment he recognized the person on top of him, all strength left Lyss. His usually aloof golden eyes stared unblinkingly at the person on top of him, seemingly unable to believe this person would appear here.

“What, don’t recognize me?” Lu Xingye looked at him with darkened eyes, filled with a kind of dark fire and madness that Lyss had never seen before.

“You…” Lyss raised his hand to touch his face, but Lu Xingye mistook it as resistance and abruptly grabbed his wrist, pressing it against the bedhead.

The tip of his tail was held down by Lu Xingye’s tail, and the wolf-dog with bared fangs approached his neck, his breath spraying onto Lyss’s untouched glands after five years. Lyss trembled suddenly.

“Brother,” Lu Xingye chuckled lightly, lowering his head to lick the glands. Satisfied with feeling the person beneath him shiver, he suppressed his anger and spoke, his tone filled with danger and aggression, “Who did you have that little brat with?”

Author’s note:

The big scene is coming (80%)