I Unintentionally Cured the Grand Duke’s Insomnia - Chapter 137

69. — We Promised to Get Married (1)

I could see that his condition had improved just by taking off the necklace, even though I didn’t know much about divine power. Looking at Noya’s now-peaceful face, I felt relieved that Irene was here, though I couldn’t help but feel that everything had happened because of my own selfishness.

What if Irene had been Noya’s guardian, just like in the original story? Would he still be suffering like this?

The answer came easily.

Even though I knew why Noya had to wear the divine power suppression necklace, I had no idea how that power worked inside him.

“…If only I hadn’t been so selfish back then.”

I felt guilty that Noya was the one who bore the consequences of my selfishness.

As the guilt washed over me, I muttered to myself, and I thought I heard Cain’s voice faintly. However, before I could think more about it, someone else’s loud voice rang out.

“Li—”

“Lia!”

Before I could fully turn toward the unfamiliar voice, someone pulled me into a tight embrace.

I was momentarily startled by the hand on my shoulder and the unfamiliar scent. Over the man’s shoulder, I locked eyes with someone who looked like a servant.

“Lord Jackson! No matter how excited you are, I’ve told you countless times that you can’t act like this…!”

The eyes of the attendant, who had hurriedly chased after the man, widened in surprise.

I quickly realized his shock was because of Cain.

“If you don’t step back right now, I’ll assume you want your head removed from your shoulders.”

Without any hesitation, Cain swiftly drew his sword and pointed it at the neck of the man holding me.

The man, seemingly startled by the blade pressed against his neck from behind, raised both hands above his head and slowly stepped away from me.

Only then could I see the man’s face clearly.

He had dark brown hair and deep brown eyes. With gently curved eyes and wavy, curly hair, he gave a somewhat awkward smile and introduced himself.

“It’s just that I was so happy to see Lia—no, I mean, Young Lady Adelia—after such a long time that I forgot myself and acted rudely. If you give me a chance, I’d like to introduce myself properly.”

…Lia? Did he just call me Lia?

The one who was most taken aback by the man’s familiar nickname was me.

I had never been to Retinem. So, in other words, it wasn’t just that I hadn’t visited since I transmigrated, but even Adelia Blaise had never once set foot in Retinem in her entire life. This fact was well-known and acknowledged by my parents and the servants of the mansion, so there was no way I could be mistaken.

I frowned, staring at the man whose identity I couldn’t recall no matter how hard I tried. Yet, despite my confusion, he seemed quite amused, his face still lit with a smile.

“It’s an honor to meet you. I’m Andre Jackson, the eldest son of Viscount Jackson. I was born and raised in Retinem, and, due to my deep understanding of the affairs of the territory, I’ve been temporarily appointed as the acting lord on behalf of the Blaise family.”

Acting lord?

Hearing the man’s introduction, I recalled that I had heard something similar from my parents before. Due to ongoing trade negotiations with a foreign country, my parents couldn’t leave the capital, so they entrusted the management of our territory, which had become relatively difficult to oversee, to a trustworthy noble family.

While others seemed to relax after Andre’s explanation cleared things up, Cain still showed no intention of lowering his sword from his neck.

Noticing the servant’s pale, nervous face as he shifted his feet anxiously, Abel stepped forward with a resigned sigh.

“I understand he means no harm, so why not lower your sword?”

“….”

“He might seem a bit lacking, but he’s still the acting lord here. Isn’t it a bit much to have a sword to his neck?”

Despite the fact that Abel had a point, his words were rather arrogant and hardly seemed like he was genuinely concerned about Andre.

“Michael, I’ve told you not to speak like that.”

In the end, Irene, who had been sitting by Noya’s bedside, stood up and gave Michael a sharp scolding. After briefly glaring at Abel, who simply shrugged his shoulders, she turned to Cain and spoke again.

“Michael’s words may have been harsh, but he’s not wrong, Your Highness.”

“….”

“Please lower your sword from the lord.”

Only after Irene’s intervention did Cain finally and reluctantly lower his sword.

Perhaps due to the tension, Andre rubbed the area around his neck where Cain’s sword had touched with the back of his hand, then looked at us and said,

“I’ll be more careful with my actions in the future. Ah, I’ve heard through the messenger that you’re here to investigate the incidents that took place in Retinem.”

“….”

“On behalf of the people of Retinem, I extend my gratitude. If there is anything you need, please let me know. I’ll do everything I can to assist.”

I offered an awkward smile, my eyes shifting uncomfortably in response to Andre’s words.

His eyes, which seemed to light up as he asked me to let him know if I needed anything, lingered on me persistently.

Abel, who had been shifting his gaze back and forth between me and Andre, smirked with a knowing, almost mischievous grin.

‘…This is making me uneasy. I hate it when he smiles like that since it always means trouble.’

Please consider sending some love either through the translator’s Ko-fi or by leaving a rating/review for this series on novel updates~!

For update pings, novel discussions and/or to send mistake reports, join our discord server~