Chapter 217: Chapter 217: Relationship

“You must have heard of Prince Li Ke. After all, Her Majesty the Queen built both the Fifth Research Institute and the S-Class Shelter for him. Back then, it was all seen as a display of Her Majesty’s deep and exclusive love. But what no one knew was that Prince Li Ke was once locked away for three months. And during those three months, he was my father’s research subject.”

Platinum paused for a moment, as if lost in memory. “I met him when I was young. He was a very different kind of male. He didn’t have that innate inferiority complex males are born with. He was powerful, yet gentle. If not for Her Majesty the Queen, he would have become the Empire’s youngest Marshal. My father once told me that if anyone could save the males of the Empire, it would have to be Prince Li Ke. And yet, even a man like that is now in shackles.”

Lu Xiao didn’t interrupt Platinum’s story. Even though his account was a bit disjointed, as if he were just saying whatever came to mind, she didn’t disturb him. At this moment, she too was curious about what had really happened back then.

“During those three months, Prince Li Ke was always cooperative. No matter what was done to him, he never seemed to complain. Even when the experiments were excruciatingly painful, he never once refused. My father asked him why. He could have refused.” Platinum let out a laugh. “He said, ’If a specific cure for Spirit Sea disorder can be developed from me, wouldn’t that be a good thing that benefits all the males in the Empire?’”

“Even at a time like that, he wasn’t thinking of himself, but of others. I suppose my father was won over by that aspect of Prince Li Ke’s character. Every time he finished an experiment on the prince, he would come back and punish himself. He felt that if he didn’t, he would be consumed by shame. Everyone was like a madman, except Her Majesty the Queen, who never changed. While Prince Li Ke was secretly imprisoned, she never stopped taking new lovers. Each and every one of them even bore a resemblance to Prince Li Ke. How ridiculous. The real one wasn’t even dead, and she had already picked out all the stand-ins.”

Lu Xiao had never met Her Majesty the Queen, but she had heard many rumors about her. She could already form a rough picture of what kind of person she was.

’A selfish person. Then and now, always lost in her own melodrama.’

’She never loved Prince Li Ke. She only ever loved herself.’

“You don’t look very surprised. You must have heard a fair bit about our dear Queen, haven’t you?”

Lu Xiao didn’t hide it. She nodded and said, “I’ve heard a few things.”

“Three months is neither long nor short. I still remember the day it ended. Aside from being a little thinner than when he first arrived, Prince Li Ke looked no different from when I first saw him. His back was never bent. As he was leaving, he even patted my head. He said he had a son about my age.”

“But we all knew the truth. Prince Li Ke and the Queen’s son had died young. At that moment, my father realized Prince Li Ke’s condition had probably gotten much worse. He just didn’t say anything, because it would have been useless. He couldn’t change the outcome. So Prince Li Ke left, and my father was summoned by Her Majesty the Queen. The result was obvious. He hadn’t cured Prince Li Ke, nor had he developed a more effective medicine. He had angered Her Majesty the Queen and was sentenced to exile. But he couldn’t accept it, so we fled to the Underground City.”

Hearing this, Lu Xiao had already guessed as much.

“My father established the Black Tower. He never gave up on his research for a single moment. But it was no use. He tried every possible method, and still, there was nothing. It was as if everything pointed to one conclusion: the best way to treat a male’s Spirit Sea disorder was with treatment from a female. But that was too difficult. Even the high and mighty Her Majesty the Queen, who prided herself on her deep love, would rather find stand-ins than make a sacrifice for her so-called ’beloved.’ Who else would be willing? Females are inherently selfish creatures. You, of course, are the exception. You are the most wonderful female I have ever met.”

At this, Platinum smiled again. “I’ll always remember how you looked that day when you offered me your hand. It was beautiful, and very brave.”

“Even without me, you would have been fine. I was just being nosy,” Lu Xiao stated bluntly, making it clear she regretted it.

But Platinum wasn’t annoyed. “There’s no need for that, Lady Lu Xiao. I know very well that even if time were turned back, you would still have stepped forward in that moment. Because you are, at your core, a good person. And people like you always have it the hardest.”

“Is there anything else you have to say?” Lu Xiao didn’t want to listen to his nauseating words anymore. “If you’re going to say it, then hurry up.”

“Alright, as you wish. As I was saying, the best treatment for a male’s Spirit Sea disorder is a female. So, doesn’t that mean if we could just extract the substance from a female’s Spirit Sea, we could create a specific cure? The facts proved this was possible, but unstable. My father was still preoccupied with this even on his deathbed. He always wanted to see it through, so as not to betray Prince Li Ke’s sacrifice. But he failed. So naturally, I had to take up his mantle and finish the work. That’s why it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call it a family legacy.”

“But I don’t think Prince Li Ke ever intended for you to experiment on the lives of females. You’ve long since betrayed your original purpose and deviated from the initial ideal. Prince Li Ke would not have wanted to see this outcome.”

“Is that so? But he can’t see it anyway, can he? You see, in the second month after Prince Li Ke returned from the three months of secret research, his Spirit Sea disorder erupted. He killed many people in the Royal Palace and escaped. Although his remains were never found, the final outcome for an S-Class male in the High Stage is already set. There’s no way he could still be alive. So, such a good person, and that was his end. Does being good pay off? No. So, Lady Lu Xiao, why don’t you stop being a good person? Isn’t it better to be with me?”

Looking at the crazed Platinum and listening to his words, she began to understand the source of his madness.

They say that pitiful people always have a detestable side.

And though Platinum was pitiful, it was impossible to feel any sympathy for him.

“What about C Luo? What is your relationship with him?”

Hearing this question so suddenly, the smile on Platinum’s face froze. Then, the corners of his lips curled up. “It seems you care about him a great deal. Even now, you’re asking about his relationship with me. You like him more than me, don’t you?”

“If you don’t want to say, then forget it!” Lu Xiao made a move to leave, not wanting to listen to any more of his nonsense.

“He’s my brother.” Platinum grabbed her arm and said quickly, “My father adopted him, so I guess you could call him my brother.”

Lu Xiao raised her hand and broke free from Platinum’s grasp. She nodded. “I see.”

That explained it. No wonder there was no trust between C Luo and Platinum, yet they were still willing to work together.

Because they both shared the same father.

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