I Unintentionally Cured the Grand Duke’s Insomnia - Chapter 149
75. — Doubt Sprouts (1)
〈 I can’t say for certain since I saw it in the dark, but it looked like he was chewing on Kaltix leaves. Considering his injuries were severe enough to break bones, I can understand why he’d turn to a painkiller. 〉
〈 But Kaltix leaves are a highly toxic plant classified as a narcotic analgesic. Their addictive properties and severe hallucinogenic effects have led to them being banned in Lian. 〉
Cain frowned as Lyle’s report from the early hours of the previous day replayed in his mind. It wasn’t the revelation of his affection for Lia that bothered him—it was the man himself. The easygoing smile and the way he pretended to be clueless… it all felt deliberate.
Like someone wearing a mask.
And now, he was hearing that a lord was secretly stockpiling an illegal drug within the castle? There were far too many suspicious details to simply brush aside.
Lost in thought, Cain was abruptly pulled back by the sound of a deliberate cough. He turned toward the source of the obvious attempt to get his attention.
“Well, you seem to have something on your mind.”
“…That’s not something you need to worry about.”
His irritated response made the man’s expression crumple with displeasure. When Cain ignored his concerned question and turned away, the man raised his voice again.
“Come on, why not just talk about it?”
“….”
“Do you really think anyone will notice if you keep carrying everything on your own?”
Cain visibly flinched at the words. He halted his slow steps and turned to face the man.
Abel’s dark eyes gleamed as he spoke to Cain.
“I know our first meeting wasn’t exactly smooth, but at the end of the day, we’re allies with the same goal, aren’t we?”
“…You.”
“….?”
“I wish you would stop talking to me.”
“What?”
Abel’s expression twisted in frustration.
He had actually taken the time to worry, and this was the response he got?
A scoff escaped his lips.
Meanwhile, Cain, who had been walking ahead and leaving Abel behind, tightened his grip on the reins as an old memory abruptly surfaced in his mind.
〈 Brother, do you really think anyone will notice if you shoulder everything by yourself? 〉
〈 You don’t have to carry it alone. Whatever’s weighing on you, let’s face it together. 〉
Even though he didn’t want to admit it, the man reminded him of Abel.
His tendency to stick his nose into things and his inability to turn a blind eye to those in trouble.
Cain couldn’t shake the thought that if Abel had survived back then and stayed by his side, he might have grown up just like this.
He muttered under his breath but couldn’t help glancing back at Abel, who was still trailing him diligently. The events from earlier replayed in his mind. As soon as he had announced he would personally visit the victims’ families, Lyle had immediately stepped in front of him, blocking his path.
〈 I’ll accompany you. Now that we know the lord is suspicious, it’s too dangerous for you to go alone. 〉
〈 You’re overstepping, Lyle. 〉
〈 Your Highness! 〉
〈 I can handle myself just fine, so stay here and guard Lia. For some reason, they seem to be targeting her, not me. 〉
〈 But…! 〉
〈 If you’re that worried, I’ll personally escort His Highness. I just so happen to have some time to spare. 〉
It seemed Abel was on his way back from the training grounds, wiping sweat from his forehead with a towel as he approached. Cain had allowed him to accompany him, reasoning that having Lyle, the most reliable person here, guard Lia gave him peace of mind.
“That tone of yours really hasn’t changed, huh? Try being a bit more civil. You don’t need to make enemies for no reason.”
For a brief moment, Cain regretted his choice as he glanced at the man beside him, who was cheerfully talking away, completely undeterred.
̊ · : * ✧* : · ̊
“Lia?”
Lord Jackson’s voice snapped me back to reality. The next moment, I turned to Andre, who was staring at me in confusion, and quickly spoke.
“I’m sorry, Lord Jackson. Are you hurt?”
“…I’m alright, Lia. But shouldn’t you explain what’s going on here?”
His eyes shifted to the broken teacup lying on the ground.
I took a deep breath, pressing a hand to my chest to calm my still-racing heart.
“I’m sorry for the sudden reaction. I smelled Ritul in the tea and instinctively knocked it away.”
“…Ritul?”
“Ah, I don’t know much about it either. But according to His Highness, when heated, it becomes a poison potent enough to cause blindness.”
Andre’s eyes widened slightly, startled by my words. He glanced at the shattered teacup, then back at me before carefully asking,
“Lia, it’s not that I doubt you, but how did you know there was Ritul in the tea?”
“….”
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~
Please consider sending some love to the translator through Ko-fi!
≪ Discord ≫
≪ Novel Updates ≫
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
