I Unintentionally Cured the Grand Duke’s Insomnia - Chapter 132

66. — Turning Point (2)

“Actually, I was quite puzzled.”

I looked at Cus’s pale face and spoke in a lowered voice.

“I wonder why you were so desperate to sell my book, to the extent of revealing the pen name I had asked you not to and even producing promotional bands unrelated to the book?”

“….”

“So, it was to cover your losses?”

At my continuous questioning, he fell silent as if he had nothing to say. As I looked at Cus, who was lying face down and trembling, I asked the question that had been on my mind for a while.

“I’ve been curious, though. Honestly, after causing such trouble, I thought you might never come back again.”

“….”

“However, seeing you come back like this makes me wonder if you have some sort of backup plan or confidence?”

“H-How could that be? What could someone like me have to be confident about…”

“Is it Irene? Or the man who was next to her?”

Perhaps because my words hit the nail on the head, his body twitched visibly.

I thought as I looked at Cus, who had frozen in that position. The backup plan Cus was relying on probably wasn’t Irene. If he had been relying on Irene and had decided to come back even for a moment, he would never have spread such a rumor that would cause trouble for her.

“It’s that man, isn’t it? The one you’re relying on.”

“N-No. I don’t even know who that person is…!”

“Abel Destro, the younger brother of Cain Destro, who went missing during the Battle of Vandro Gorge five years ago.”

“….”

“You came back thinking the man next to Irene was Cain’s younger brother Abel.”

̊ · : * ✧ * : · ̊

Cus wiped his face, remembering how Adelia had changed beyond recognition in just a few short months.

〈 Cain was quite upset when he found out that you reprinted the book. Fortunately, having been with him while you were publishing it without permission, I had no trouble proving my innocence to him. 〉

〈 Oh, and one more thing. Contrary to what you might think, Abel and Cain aren’t on good terms right now. Abel’s memory hasn’t returned, and Cain has been using Irene’s life as leverage against him. 〉

〈 So, the lifeline you thought you had was actually a rotten rope, wasn’t it? 〉

Adelia, who had skillfully taken control of the conversation, naturally began to put pressure on him.

〈 Oh, and on the way here, I saw Suns desperately searching for you. He mentioned that he had lent you two hundred gold? But with the interest, it’s now five hundred gold. 〉

In saying so, she was completely threatening him.

Cus’s stomach churned as he remembered being manipulated by the young lady, who was so much younger than him.

〈 Well, I’m not threatening you. I’m just saying I might be able to keep the fact that you’ve returned to Aren a secret if you just fulfill one request of mine. 〉

〈 Whether to Suns or to Cain. 〉

If Abel was indeed a rotten rope, as she said, there was no point in holding onto him. It was absurd and hurtful to his pride, though it might be better to prostrate himself and beg Adelia for help right now.

Cus, who had been scratching his scanty hair, suddenly stood up.

Even though he didn’t know what that woman was plotting, he had no sharp solutions left.

̊ · : * ✧ * : · ̊

My thoughts tumbled along as the carriage clattered. Lily, sitting opposite me and nervously biting her nails, cautiously asked.

“Young Lady, do you really think Cus will fulfill your request?”

“He’ll probably agree.”

“….”

“Cus may not be afraid of me, but Cain…”

I started to respond to her question but then shifted my gaze out the carriage window. Somehow, the atmosphere of the distant mansion seemed strange. I could see servants cowering and crying in front of the wide-open iron gate.

Lily, who had turned her head out the window after seeing my frozen face, also seemed to sense something was wrong.

As soon as the carriage stopped, I jumped out and saw Bane, who was standing with a distraught expression, spot me.

“Young Lady Adelia!”

“Bane!”

“Are, are you hurt anywhere?”

“I’m fine. But more importantly, has something happened at the house?”

He seemed to ponder for a moment at my question before wiping his face. At the sight of him like that, frustration welled up, and I raised my voice.

“Bane!”

“…Not long after the Young Lady left the house, the imperial knights arrived. They said there are similarities between the bodies found in the territory, Retinem, and those discovered throughout Lian, so they…”

Bane couldn’t bring himself to finish, but I knew what he was trying to say.

I bit my lip as I reassured the startled servants.

“It seems there must have been some misunderstanding. For now, everyone, don’t worry. I’ll go see His Majesty.”

“…Yes? What do you mean by seeing His Majesty…!”

As I was about to turn around and get back on the carriage, a familiar figure stood in my way. When I looked up to see the man, his stern face came into view.

“Where do you think you’re going, Adelia?”

“…Your Highness.”

He was blocking my path.

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