I Unintentionally Cured the Grand Duke’s Insomnia - Chapter 119

60. — Return Ceremony (3)

The lark that was flying in the sky naturally descended to the ground. The sight of the lark hiding in the shadow between the buildings suddenly disappeared, and in its place was Lyle.

He ruffled his hair, remembering how he had momentarily made eye contact with Adelia just moments ago.

It had already been three days since he received Cain’s order to monitor Adelia’s every move. Maybe it was because he had let his guard down after getting used to tailing her, or perhaps it was his mistake to think that the festive atmosphere would keep him unnoticed, but today, Adelia seemed to have sensed something strange.

A shallow sigh escaped his lips as he pondered his mistake, furrowing his brows. The good news was that there was no way Adelia would know that he was a shapeshifter, which meant there were still plenty of opportunities to follow her.

Lyle turned his stiffened body around, steeling his resolve once more.

“Alright. She won’t hear any sound this time, but I’ll keep some distance…”

“Oh, isn’t it cheating to fly?”

Lyle, who was turning around, froze as he saw a woman catching her breath right in front of him. His eyes, which were shaking with surprise, shifted to the small puppy beside her. The white, fluffy puppy was staring at him with a defiant expression on his face.

He bit his lip as he saw the familiar red collar around the puppy’s neck.

“Noya, you’ve worked hard. Thank you.”

Hearing the name of the shapeshifter coming out of Adelia’s mouth, Lyle touched his forehead.

It seemed that the one who had helped her track him was this young shapeshifter, who had been rescued from Winder Village and was now living with her.

̊ · : * ✧* : · ̊

“Noya, you’ve worked hard. Thank you.”

As I patted Noya’s head and expressed my gratitude, Lyle’s gaze turned towards the child. Seeing the red collar that Noya was wearing, he seemed to recall who he was and let out a shallow sigh.

After a moment of silent contemplation, an awkward voice came from him.

“…Flying? I don’t quite understand what you mean, Young Lady Adelia.”

“You know your expression is very awkward right now, don’t you?”

Lyle awkwardly cleared his throat loudly at my words. As upright as he was, he really had no talent for lying.

I asked, picking up Noya, who was jumping up and down as if he wanted to be held.

“It was Sir Lyle, right? The person who has been watching me for the past three days.”

“W-what do you mean…”

It was just a random guess since Cain, who left after talking as if he would imprison me, was unusually quiet, though it seemed I was right.

I approached Lyle, who had been avoiding my gaze for a while.

“How much have you been watching?”

“…Yes?”

“You didn’t happen to watch me while I was bathing…”

“O-Of course not! That would never happen!”

Lyle, who had been raising his voice with his face flushed red, suddenly realized his mistake when he saw me smirking and raising the corner of my mouth.

Looking at him flustered, I opened my mouth again.

“I’ve caught you now, Sir Lyle.”

“…What do you want from me?”

I asked a bemused Lyle, gesturing towards the podium where the return ceremony would be held towards the ramparts.

“At first, I thought you’d be on the platform, but then I realized that welcoming the Saintess would naturally be His Highness the Grand Duke’s duty.”

“…Yes?”

“Then, is His Highness still at the rampart?”

“….”

“Would you let me meet His Highness for just a moment? It will really be brief.”

Lyle furrowed his brows as I added, seeming to be in deep thought. He eventually asked cautiously, struggling to make an easy decision.

“…May I ask the reason?”

“Well, because we shouldn’t let an innocent life be lost. Does that suffice as an answer?”

“Are you saying someone is going to die?”

I nodded slowly, meeting his now hardened gaze. Although I didn’t really think he would actually kill Irene, it was probably better to use strong words to get to meet Cain.

Lyle, who stiffened his expression for a moment, nodded quietly.

“…Please follow me. I’ll guide you.”

He then removed the cloak he was wearing and draped it over my shoulders. As my eyes widened in surprise at his sudden behavior, he smiled awkwardly and explained.

“I suppose wearing a dress attracts a lot of attention. I hope you can understand.”

“Oh, yes. I understand. Thank you, Sir Lyle.”

As I chuckled mischievously, putting on the hood attached to the cloak, Lyle, who had been laughing along with me for a moment, turned to me first and spoke.

“The reason I grant Young Lady Adelia’s request isn’t necessarily because I believe in your words.”

“….”

“Thank you for saving Winder Village, my hometown.”

With his ears reddening, he hastened his steps.

I smiled awkwardly, feeling a little embarrassed for some reason, and walked behind him. Lyle turned around the corner of the alley and approached the knight guarding the entrance to the ramparts without hesitation. He glanced in my direction and seemed to be saying something before he eventually gave me a short nod.

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