I Unintentionally Cured the Grand Duke’s Insomnia - Chapter 130

65. — His Intention (2)

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In the vast garden, lush green grass stretched out extensively, and sunlight shimmered and scattered over the lake in the center. The sight of swans gliding over the lake and white doves strolling across the grassy lawn evoked a sense of peace. If it weren’t for the dark atmosphere created by the people gathered around the table, one might have thought the events of a few days ago were just a fantasy.

Cain had been watching the Emperor, Joan, who had summoned him and the Saintess to the imperial palace early in the morning. Although he had called him under the pretense of tea time, it was easy to see from the face of the person sitting across from him that this wasn’t the main purpose.

He watched Irene, who was sitting with a tense expression while fiddling with her teacup.

In fact, Joan had put the most effort into this return ceremony. He had planned to use the successful execution of the return ceremony to make the temple his support base. However, his plans were thrown off course when the return ceremony was canceled. The capital was in turmoil, and the temple, unaware of the situation, expressed displeasure at the canceled event.

In this situation, he expected Joan to be in a bad mood, but his face was calmer than expected.

“I’m not sure if the tea I prepared will suit your tastes.”

Hearing Joan’s words with a smile, Cain turned his gaze to Irene.

She responded with a faint smile.

“The fragrance is very pleasant. I’ll enjoy it, Your Majesty.”

“Try some dessert as well, Saintess. It’s very sweet and delicious.”

“Yes, I will.”

While Irene awkwardly lifted the teacup and took a sip of the tea, Joan smiled, pretending not to know anything despite seeing the Saintess’s completely stiff face. Cain’s gaze, which was observing the atmosphere at the table, met the Emperor’s. Seeing Joan subtly raise the corner of his mouth towards him, he became convinced that he was scheming something again.

At the same moment of realization, Joan seemed to lighten up the atmosphere by setting his teacup down with a loud clatter. There was a sharp clinking sound of the teacup and saucer colliding. Unlike Irene, who flinched, Cain remained expressionless.

Joan opened his mouth with a solemn expression.

“I wanted to have a longer tea time, but I’m sure you all have noticed that the situation is becoming urgent.”

“….”

“In fact, the recent incidents occurring throughout Lian are causing anxiety and confusion. And I have a feeling that this situation is somehow being orchestrated by someone targeting me.”

Joan shook his head, exaggerating his show of distress. Meanwhile, Irene clenched her lips at those words and tightly gripped her teacup.

“That’s why I called you today. Since we share a common enemy, I thought it would be beneficial if you could help me.”

“What do you mean?”

Cain’s face hardened at the vague explanation. With an ominous premonition, he tightened his grip on the fist he had clenched beneath the table.

“Grand Duke Destro.”

“….”

“Why didn’t you mention that the cover of a novel written by Young Lady Adelia Blaise was found inside the mouth of the corpse hanging on the gate?”

The foreboding feeling had become a reality.

Irene looked at Cain with a surprised expression at the unexpected revelation. In the meanwhile, Joan added with a sly smile while looking at Cain, who kept his mouth shut.

“It was a part with the name of the author, ‘Million,’ which is Young Lady Adelia’s pen name, written on it, wasn’t it?”

“….”

“Doesn’t it seem like a dying message left for us by the victim?”

“Your Majesty, about that part…!”

Joan interrupted Cain’s attempt to refute by placing his index finger to his lips. Then, seeing Cain frown and remain silent, he continued his words.

“Of course, I don’t believe that Young Lady Adelia is involved in this matter either, but…”

He trailed off with a subtle smile.

Cain’s face hardened as he understood the implication of that expression.

“However, if it becomes public knowledge that the condition of the corpse found hanging on the city wall is similar to those being discovered one after another in the Blaise family estate, I doubt whether I would be able to continue to trust Young Lady Adelia.”

“….”

“Actually, the imperial knights have already been sent to the Blaise estate. The Count and Countess are now the prime suspects in this case and will be imprisoned later today.”

Cain’s eyes sparked with anger at the casual remark that followed. Joan continued to smile nonchalantly, even while looking at him like that.

“I’ve heard that the Count and Countess are very fond of Young Lady Adelia, but I wonder if Young Lady Adelia feels the same way about her parents.”

“Nothing has been revealed about any connection between this incident and the Blaise family.”

“I’m well aware of that. But please understand, Grand Duke. After all, I’m on the side of the empire’s citizens.”

Joan turned his gaze from Cain, who had a stern look on his face, to Irene.

“And I’ve heard that the Saintess has been seen with a mysterious man whom even the temple doesn’t know about.”

“….”

“To think that the Saintess, who should be the most sacred of all, is traveling with an unidentified man… His Holiness will be greatly disappointed if he learns about this along with the corpse found on the gate.”

“Your Majesty, that person is—!”

Joan raised his index finger to his lips once again, this time blocking Irene from speaking. The slight upward curl of his lips clearly showed the face of someone with an ulterior motive.

“Well, even if you don’t keep that matter hidden, I believe you must be grateful that I agreed to the Saintess’s request to cancel the return ceremony without any conditions.”

“….”

“So, I hope the Saintess won’t refuse my request.”

The two people had no response to Joan’s words, which were close to a threat. Looking at the two people who remained silent, he then clapped his hands loudly and smiled.

“It’s decided, then. I’ll wait and trust that you two will resolve this situation well.”

“….”

“Good luck, Grand Duke Destro. And to you, Saintess Irene Rochere.”

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