I Unintentionally Cured the Grand Duke’s Insomnia - Chapter 151

76. — Becoming the Target (1)

The only sound that echoed through the large dining room was the clatter of silverware and plates. With a neutral expression, the Marquis cut into his steak, his plate pooling with blood.

Evelyn, who had a weak stomach, felt her nausea rise just from seeing the blood on his plate.

Million, sitting across from her, noticed her face contort and let out a slight snicker, a soft puff of air escaping his lips. He found it amusing that the woman who had tormented Irene as if she were going to kill her was so squeamish that she couldn’t even handle the sight of blood from a steak.

At that moment, Lautner broke the tense silence by setting down his utensil.

The sharp sound made both of their eyes turn toward him.

Despite the gaze directed at him, the Marquis calmly picked up the napkin beside him. His movements were clean and efficient as he set his utensil down and wiped his mouth, each action precise and without any unnecessary movement.

Million, who had been quietly watching the Marquis, lifted the corner of his mouth in a subtle smile as he observed him.

As expected, a man born of noble and aristocratic blood carried an air of dignity in both his expression and actions, no matter what dark thoughts might be running through his mind.

Just as Million’s thoughts were drifting on, the Marquis’s lowered voice interrupted.

“Things have been quite chaotic outside lately.”

“….”

“I was going to brush it off as just a passing breeze, but now I have a feeling it might not be something that’ll blow over so easily.”

“….”

“What do you both think? Who’s going to explain this ‘breeze’ to me?”

At the Marquis’s words, Evelyn shifted her gaze toward Million. His face remained calm, as though he had expected something like this to happen eventually. Given that the whole country, not just the capital, was in turmoil, it would’ve been stranger if he didn’t know.

Perhaps his father had known about all this before anyone else.

The reason he had been allowed to act on his own without consequence was probably because his father had overlooked it.

After what seemed like an eternity of silence, Million finally set down the utensil in his hand. Like the Marquis, he wiped his mouth with a napkin and smiled before answering.

“I was trying to quietly help with my father’s plan, but my lack of skill caused some trouble. But don’t worry, the storm will pass soon enough.”

“…You were trying to help with my plan?”

The Marquis’s cold response made Million flinch for a moment.

Evelyn, noticing the brief moment of discomfort on his face, raised an eyebrow in confusion.

‘…Did he just get flustered?’

Million, oblivious to Evelyn’s thoughts, quickly wiped the expression from his face. He met the Marquis’s gaze and answered in a firm voice.

“I had to stop the saintess from returning to the capital. If she came back before we could execute our plans, she would have figured out that we were using black magic.”

Lautner narrowed his eyes as he returned Million’s gaze directly.

In response, Million hurriedly added,

“Of course, I know it’s not easy to keep the saintess from ever returning to the capital. That’s why, considering what’s ahead, I thought it would be best to damage her reputation.”

“….”

“She’s been serving at the lowest levels of the empire for over five years. I thought it was crucial to undermine the people’s trust in her as the saintess.”

“Do you really think hanging a corpse above the gate the saintess will walk through will destroy the trust the people have in her?”

Million’s lips curled into a smile at the Marquis’s question. He met the Marquis’s doubtful gaze and spoke firmly.

“The people of the empire love the saintess because they believe she is the only one blessed by the gods. It’s Irene Rochere, the saintess, who has the power to save even those on the brink of death.”

“….”

“But soon, rumors will spread through the capital. The saintess, once blessed by the gods, will no longer be favored by them. They’ll say a corpse was hung above the gate she’ll walk through.”

Even after he finished speaking, the Marquis didn’t respond. He just stared at him in silence as though trying to figure out the real meaning behind his words. After a brief moment, the Marquis stood up from his seat.

He glanced at Million and Evelyn as they followed him and said,

“I can’t stand people who talk without taking action.”

“….”

“I’m curious to see if you can really live up to the name of Black.”

The Marquis exited the dining room first.

As the door clicked shut, Million collapsed back into his seat. Evelyn watched him let out a hollow laugh and remarked, her tone laced with sarcasm:

“You were acting all confident before, but I guess you were actually scared?”

“…I’m scared. But he’s still the greatest villain in the story.”

“…What?”

“Guess I shouldn’t have underestimated a character like that.”

Million, who had been staring down at the table, lifted his eyes to meet Evelyn’s gaze. Seeing the confusion on her face, as if she didn’t understand, he smiled casually and added with a shrug:

“Of course, except for you.”

“Million Black.”

“You’re exactly how I imagined you’d be.”

He flashed a playful grin at Evelyn, who was glaring at him. Then, with a soft thud, he stood up, dusted himself off, and turned to her as he spoke.