I Unintentionally Cured the Grand Duke’s Insomnia - Chapter 138
69. — We Promised to Get Married (2)
“Well then, Acting Lord? I’ve been curious about something for a bit now. Mind if I ask you a question?”
“Of course. Feel free to ask anything.”
Even with Abel’s sly grin, Andre maintained his friendly, approachable smile.
Don’t be fooled! When he smiled like that, it meant he was definitely up to something!
‘I know because that was exactly how I wrote him!’
“Acting Lord, you’ve been acting like you know Lady Blaise quite well, but from what I can see, it seems she doesn’t know you at all.”
“….”
“So, what exactly is the relationship between you two?”
As anxious as I was, Abel’s question was actually something I had wanted to ask myself as well because, no matter how much I thought about it, today was the first time I had ever met him.
If he had known Adelia Blaise before I transmigrated, then it would’ve made sense that I wouldn’t have known anything about it. However, I hadn’t asked because I was worried that it might be hurtful to him, especially since he wouldn’t understand why I didn’t remember.
Feeling a bit nervous, I swallowed dryly and watched him closely.
Andre’s eyes widened at Abel’s unexpected question, but then the corners of his mouth lifted into a bright, curved smile.
“Ah, I see. Well, I did think that maybe Lia might not remember me.”
“….?”
“But that’s okay. Because I remember.”
His gaze as he looked at me felt oddly familiar. How should I put it? It was like the gaze you’d expect from a melodrama protagonist who had reunited with their first love after many years.
I furrowed my brows at the sudden thought, then quickly shook my head.
No, that couldn’t be right. Adelia had been bedridden since she was seven, so there was no way she would have had some kind of melodramatic love story in her life.
I guess I’ve just been reading too many romance novels lately.
That must be why I was coming up with such ridiculous thoughts, even in this situation. Just as I managed to clear my head and lifted my gaze with a bit more ease, Andre’s voice made me freeze again.
“I met Adelia thirteen years ago in Aren, and we promised to get married.”
…Huh?
As he spoke seriously, everyone turned their eyes toward me. I could clearly see the thoughts running through Irene and Abel’s minds.
‘…No, I’m not that old.’
If it was thirteen years ago, that meant I was only…
“Haha, yes. It was a promise we made when we were seven.”
‘This is driving me crazy, seriously…’
Andre’s cheeks flushed a deep red, and he laughed as if he was embarrassed. I averted my gaze from him, not wanting to acknowledge a promise I hadn’t even made, especially since it was something from more than ten years ago, not something that happened yesterday.
“Well, Acting Lord, you’re more of a romantic than you look.”
At Abel’s voice, which was filled with a teasing tone, I turned my head in his direction and met Cain’s eyes. I could see the tension in his hand as he gripped his sheathed sword tightly.
As Cain looked at Andre, who was smiling shyly, he seemed as though he was ready to separate his head from his body any second.
Is this situation really okay…?
̊ · : * ✧ * : · ̊
If there was one saving grace, it was that, unlike the oblivious Andre, his servant was exceptionally quick-witted. The servant, who introduced himself as Phem, immediately noticed Cain’s expression turning not just sharp but downright icy and hurriedly guided us inside the castle.
After we unpacked in our assigned rooms and gathered again in the dining hall, it seemed that Phem had given Andre a bit of a talking-to, as he was now making an effort to stop staring at me like before.
Though, it looked like he couldn’t quite help the way his eyes still shone.
Feeling increasingly self-conscious about his lingering gaze, I found myself absently scraping my empty soup bowl with my spoon.
‘I see nothing, I hear nothing…’
“Phem, could you get Lia some more soup…”
“Oh, no! It’s fine.”
“….?”
“I’ve had enough to eat. Thank you for your concern, Lord Jackson.”
I quickly cut him off and politely declined.
Andre, looking momentarily thrown by my response, glanced around briefly before smiling and continuing, “Did you enjoy your meal?”
“Uh… um, yes. It was delicious.”
“That’s a relief. It seems your taste hasn’t changed much.”
I was surprised by Andre’s tone, which had suddenly become friendly, and I averted my gaze without realizing it.
As I blinked in confusion, I accidentally locked eyes with Cain, who was sitting across from me. For a moment, I felt relieved by his seemingly calm expression, but then I noticed the spoon in his hand crumpling like a sheet of paper.
‘…Wasn’t that spoon made of metal?’
“Lia—no, Lady Adelia.”
“Y-Yes?”
“I heard from Phem. His Majesty the Emperor is holding the Blaise family responsible for the incidents in Retinem.”
Andre’s face was filled with concern.
Meeting his eyes, I gave him a faint smile and replied.
“Thank you for your concern, Lord Jackson, but I believe both of them will be able to prove their innocence soon since they’ve done nothing wrong.”
“Of course. I believe so as well.”
He quickly nodded in agreement with my calm words.
Looking at him, I spoke with a determined expression, “But to prove their innocence, I need your help, Lord Jackson. Please, tell me everything that happened in Retinem and what you’ve found out.”
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