Chapter 23 Chapter 23 "It's fine. They won't be mad. They'll understand Juliette and think it was just a momentary slip-up." Luciana knew exactly what Dorian and her parents were thinking. They'd been fooled for so long, and how could they admit their mistake so suddenly? The next day, a servant of the Queen came to summon her to the palace. The Queen had heard about the recent conflict between the siblings and guessed that Dorian had upset her, thus hoping to persuade Luciana not to take it to heart At the same time, she planned to remind Dorian to stop running around so much and avoid angering the King No one else could control Dorian, but he'd usually listen to Luciana. In the past, without the Queen even asking, Luciana would've taken responsibility and reassured her. But this time was different. Every time the Queen mentioned Dorian, Luciana just smiled without a word-no scolding, no complaints-but her attitude was distant, As a result, the Queen swallowed back a lot of her prepared advice. "Luciana, Dorian is still young. He might not understand your efforts. There's no need to hold it against him," the Queen said, taking her hand and patting it gently. Luciana withdrew her hand. "It's 's fine. I'll just stop bothering him from now on. "Don't say that. Well, go fetch him right now. I want to talk to him. The Queen gave the nanny a look. The nanny left for Dorian. Then, she explained the situation and urged Dorian to apologize properly to Luciana along the way. Dorian couldn't help but sneer. Of course, Luciana couldn't be as cool as she'd acted yesterday. She loved controlling me-there was no way she'd actually let go. Just one night, and she'd already run to the palace to complain. If this was how it was gonna be, why bother with that tough act yesterday?" Dorian didn't say whether he'd apologize or not, just followed the nanny silently to Celestine Hall The e moment the Queen saw him, she feigned anger. "What were you doing yeste terplay?" "I went to see my sister. It's been a while. I missed her, Dorian replied flatly, not even glancing at Luciana. The Queen blinked, baffled. If they're this blunt about it, then they can't have any real bad blood between them. Seeing her misunderstanding, Dorian frowned and clarified, "Mother, I meant my other sister." It suddenly hit him-Juliette kinda deserved pity here. The second anyone brought up his sister, it was always Luciana that popped into their heads. "Mom, you're way too biased." Dorian glanced to the side, clearly displeased. The Queen was a bit stunned by this accusation. She was biased-but wasn't she favoring Juliette? Luciana was always the bigger person, never making a fuss over things. Everyone knew she was sensibile, not like Juliette, who acted out all the time. So, letting Luciana take the fall? That was just second nature to everyone around here now. You used to be closest to Luciana" 1/2 P P Chapter 23 Dorian denied it. "Mom, if you say things like that, my sister might misunderstand. You can't just favor one and forget about the other Luciana was sitting right there, but the way he spoke made it sound like she was an outsider. Not only was Luciana invisible to his eyes-she got zero space in his heart either. Instead, he was over here fighting Juliette's battles like it was his damn job. The Empress was baffled. Juliette? That kid who couldn't care less about him? What is this-some kinda sudden conscience attack?" "Mom, if there's nothing else, I'll take my leave first." Luciana didn't want to hear any more. Ө In "Cougar and Cub" by CrushReel, a touching tale unfolds where the protagonist juggles her career and motherhood with grace. Upon receiving a promotion, envy lurks among her friends, leading to a deceitful scheme against her. Amidst this turmoil, a man inadvertently eavesdrops on their nefarious plan. As events unravel, the heroine emerges as a savior for the man entangled in unexpected trouble. This romance novel intricately weaves themes of ambition, loyalty, and betrayal into its modern setting. The protagonist's unwavering dedication to both her professional life and her child showcases her resilience in the face of adversity. Set against the backdrop of a grand mansion, the story delves deep into hidden emotions and intricate relationships, making it a captivating read for fans of sweet romance. What sets "Cougar and Cub" apart is its ability to blend contemporary elements with timeless romantic tropes. The author masterfully crafts a narrative that resonates with readers seeking a modern love story intertwined with moments of vulnerability and strength. Available to read at CrushReel, this ongoing saga promises an immersive experience that transcends traditional romance narratives.