[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-exiled-duke-s-lottery-system":3,"chapter-the-exiled-duke-s-lottery-system-the-exiled-duke-s-lottery-system-chapter-135":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","The Exiled Duke's Lottery system",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1366843,1809,"Chapter 135 - 128: Meeting the princess","the-exiled-duke-s-lottery-system-chapter-135",135,"\u003Cp>The next morning, Lucien once again climbed the endless stairs of the Tower of Stars.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike his previous visits, however, his thoughts weren’t occupied by demons, ancient invasions, or the Supreme Mage Council.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead, they were occupied by a princess.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Which was somehow more troublesome.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Royal Guardian’s words from yesterday echoed in his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Come back tomorrow.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I think it is time you met Elena properly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old mage had looked entirely too amused while saying it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That alone was enough to make Lucien cautious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>People did not survive centuries by finding amusement in ordinary situations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eventually he reached the summit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The familiar wooden door stood before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a brief knock, he entered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Guardian sat exactly where he always seemed to sit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A cup of tea rested in his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several books lay scattered across the table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nothing unusual At first glance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Lucien noticed he wasn’t alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A young woman sat near one of the enormous windows overlooking the capital.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sunlight streamed through the glass behind her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several documents rested on the table before her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike most nobles, she wasn’t pretending to read them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was actually reading and occasionally making notes,occasionally crossing out sections and occasionally muttering under her breath.( Too much occasionally things the author says)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Guardian looked up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A smile appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Here you are.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young woman also raised her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her eyes immediately settled upon Lucien.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment she saw him, something changed a brief flicker of surprise followed bycuriosity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then something else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something Lucien couldn’t quite identify.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Guardian gestured between them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lucien.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then toward the young woman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Princess Elena.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The princess continued studying him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For several seconds neither spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eventually Elena broke the silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You really are different.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien blinked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That wasn’t quite the greeting he expected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Guardian immediately became interested in his tea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Which meant he was listening to everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elena stood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slowly walking around the table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still studying and observing him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sensation was oddly familiar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like being inspected by an intelligence officer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally Lucien spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Different from what?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For some reason, that answer seemed to surprise her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The princess tilted her head slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then a small smile appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Interesting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Very interesting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Guardian looked suspiciously entertained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elena eventually sat back down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Nothing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien doubted that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The princess gestured toward an empty chair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sit.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For several moments he considered refusing purely on principle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then decided that would be childish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He sat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Guardian immediately pushed a cup of tea toward him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Apparently the old mage believed every important conversation required tea.(Author agrees)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The conversation began simply enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First questions about Elarion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then about production.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Followed by industry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet unlike most nobles, Elena’s questions were specific.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Painfully specific.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What limits steel production the most?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Transportation.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien answered immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The princess nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As though confirming something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then another question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Could factory output double within five years?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Possibly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Without expanding the workforce?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Again she nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Making another note.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien began noticing a pattern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She wasn’t asking questions because she lacked information.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was asking because she wanted to verify information she already possessed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That realization made him considerably more interested.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The conversation continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rail systems,Agricultural reforms,Military logistics,Supply chains.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The topics shifted naturally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hours passed surprisingly quickly and lucien found himself actually enjoying answering her questions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Elena casually said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You hate court politics less than before.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The statement immediately caught his attention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien frowned slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Before?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The princess looked up from her notes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A brief pause followed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then she seemed to realize something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Guardian suddenly found the ceiling fascinating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Very suspicious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elena’s gaze returned to Lucien.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For several moments she simply observed him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You don’t remember.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t a question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien felt an uncomfortable sensation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because technically she was right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not in the way she believed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But right nonetheless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The princess continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We met several times.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The answer explained everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Immediately also the familiarity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The way she kept comparing him to some invisible standard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The comments about being different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She knew the original Lucien.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile he possessed absolutely none of those memories.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The situation suddenly became much clearer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I see.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elena leaned back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For several moments she appeared thoughtful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then she laughed softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reaction surprised him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The princess shook her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Nothing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her smile widened slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I was just wondering if you’d forgotten.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Guardian finally spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"To be fair, most of those meetings were terribly boring.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elena pointed at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That is not helping.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old mage ignored her completely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien remained silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This explained several things.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it also raised new questions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The princess seemed to notice his expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The old you hated meetings.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The statement came casually.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As though discussing the weather.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You also hated reports.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Guardian nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"True.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elena continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You once spent an entire diplomatic banquet trying to escape.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien stared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The princess smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You succeeded at last \"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Guardian laughed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He climbed out a window and then fell,cried for two hours afterwards.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien slowly drank his tea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was absolutely no response he could give to that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elena looked entirely too amused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"See?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She pointed at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The old Lucien would have argued by now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The room became quiet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then she added:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’ve changed.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time there was no humor in her voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien met her gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"People change.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The princess studied him for several moments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then nodded slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her eyes narrowed slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But not usually this much.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The statement lingered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately the Guardian interrupted before the conversation became dangerous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Speaking of changes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old mage looked toward Elena.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Have you informed him about your various crimes?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The princess immediately looked offended.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They were not crimes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Some definitely were.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They were research.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Guardian laughed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien watched the exchange with growing interest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly this wasn’t the first argument of its kind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Elena said something that froze him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"At least I never started a war.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The room fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Guardian suddenly became very interested in his tea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien’s eyes narrowed slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The princess seemed to realize her mistake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A tiny mistake,One sentence but enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because it connected to a memory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A battlefield campaign and An unmarked letter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The atmosphere changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elena noticed immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Guardian noticed too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Neither spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien set his cup down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The letter.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elena’s expression remained calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tried to attend least but her clenched hand gave her away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Coalition War.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The princess became very still.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Guardian looked as though Christmas had arrived early and he had lot of preparation to do.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The unmarked letter.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For several moments nobody spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Elena looked like a theif trying to deny the crime,she had commited\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reaction alone told him everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He asked anyway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Was it you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The princess closed her eyes briefly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then opened them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Guardian looked delighted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Which was the opposite of reassuring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally Elena asked:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Did it help?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien stared at her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Guardian burst out laughing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The princess immediately pointed at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Grandfather.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That only made him laugh harder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien, meanwhile, had received his answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It was you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elena sighed again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For several moments the room remained silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mystery had remained unanswered for years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And now the culprit sat directly across from him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Making notes and Drinking tea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking mildly embarrassed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The absurdity of the situation wasn’t lost on him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally he asked the obvious question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The princess considered the question carefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Long enough that he knew she was taking it seriously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then she answered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Because I was curious.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien stared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The answer sounded ridiculous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elena noticed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So she elaborated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Everyone was talking about you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The room became quiet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The nobles,The generals and The merchants.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She shrugged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Most were placing bets on whether you’d survive.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Guardian nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Accurate.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elena ignored him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile her gaze remained fixed on Lucien.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I wasn’t interested in whether you survived.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That caught his attention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The princess smiled faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I was interested in what you would do.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence followed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then she added:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The reports coming from Elarion didn’t make sense.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Neither did your decisions.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her expression became thoughtful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So I wanted to see what happened next.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The explanation was simple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet somehow Lucien believed her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because it fit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everything he had seen today suggested the same thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Princess Elena was driven by curiosity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An alarming amount of curiosity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Enough to secretly influence a war.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Enough to investigate an entire territory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Enough to spend years following reports from Elarion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The realization was mildly concerning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Guardian clearly agreed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"She has always been troublesome.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elena glared at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old mage looked entirely unrepentant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eventually the conversation resumed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But something had changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mystery between them was gone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And as the afternoon sun illuminated the Tower of Stars, Lucien found himself reaching an unexpected conclusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Princess Elena was far more interesting than he anticipated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, across the table, Elena reached a conclusion of her own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The face was the same.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The name was the same.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The voice was the same.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet somehow...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man sitting before her felt like an entirely different person from the one she remembered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And for someone as curious as Princess Elena, that mystery was impossible to ignore.\u003C\u002Fp>",1533,"2026-06-05T21:32:57.730Z",1,"novelbin.me","7feb4c3ef143969a57ea71ee175ebcfedfa44081feda04d1b744b58b356d0db7","the-exiled-duke-s-lottery-system-chapter-136","the-exiled-duke-s-lottery-system-chapter-134",144,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-exiled-duke-s-lottery-system-cover.jpg"]