I Unintentionally Cured the Grand Duke’s Insomnia - Chapter 82

41. — The Truth About Popularity (2)

“Read it. I’m sure it’s definitely the same.”

“Oh, that’s enough! Take it! Just take it back…!”

The man stormed out of the bookstore, paying no attention to Note’s irritation.

Jenny frowned at the man’s behavior as he tapped her on the shoulder as he walked past. On the other hand, Note, who was messing his hair in frustration, tossed papers received from the man onto the counter.

Seeing that, Jenny narrowed her eyes and asked.

“Who was that person who just left?”

“Ah, long time no see, Lady Jenny.”

“Enough with the greetings. Who was that man who just left and pushed over people?”

In response to her repeated question, Note, who had his hands clasped around his waist, shrugged as if it was nothing.

“He’s the strange guy who has been visiting the bookstore lately, asking us to stop selling that book because he thinks it plagiarized his book.”

“Plagiarized?”

“Yes, but it’s probably a lie.”

“Why?”

“There are always one or two of those. When books start to do well, they would claim that someone plagiarized their work.”

“….”

“It’s really disgusting.”

The way he casually explained piqued her curiosity about the papers the man had left behind. While observing Note straightening the books on the counter, she sneaked a glance and asked, pointing to the wad of papers with her finger.

“Are you going to throw these away?”

“I’ve got to throw them away. It’s hard to do business if I respond to every claim from those guys.”

“Then, can I read this a little before you throw it away?”

With her eyes sparkling, Jenny asked, and Note nodded as if it didn’t matter.

“Yes, it doesn’t matter. Go ahead and read it.”

She picked up the stack of papers as if waiting for his answer. Her brow noticeably furrowed as she quickly read the contents.

Note, who hadn’t noticed Jenny’s face, asked in a nonchalant voice.

“Have you come to receive the second volume of the author Milcell’s book for the book review? I thought you would come today, so I’ve already prepared it.”

“…I think I’ve seen this somewhere.”

“Lady?”

It was only then did she finally turn her gaze towards Note at his call. Holding the book he retrieved from under the counter, he showed it to her and asked.

“You came to get this, right? Author Milcell’s ‘What Happened in that Stable?’ volume two.”

“Huh, uh… sta, stable?”

He tilted his head in perplexity at her flustered voice. In the meanwhile, Jenny alternated her gaze between the book written by Milcell and the stack of papers Note showed her, then slowly placed the stack of papers in front of him and muttered.

“The content written by this person is exactly the same as the book.”

“Yes…?”

“Milcell’s book ‘What Happened in that Stable’.”

The two bewildered gazes turned to a wad of old papers.

˚ ･: * ✧ * :･ ˚

“Young Lady, this is the cream soup that Mr. Cooker just made. Please try a little.”
[ T/N: LOL the names in this bookkk—! .·°՞( ≧ □ ≦) ՞°·. ]

“…I don’t want to eat.”

“You haven’t had anything for three days already! Just a little bit, please. Even just a little bit, okay?”

Seeing me lying motionless in bed without eating anything for the past three days, Lily’s voice grew angrier.

“After going through all that trouble to get up from the bed, do you really want to die like this?”

Despite her sharp words, I had no motivation, so I turned around and pretended not to hear her. The room, with not a single ray of sunlight seeping in, was dark and gloomy, and I was trapped within that small darkness.

“Young Lady, please…!”

Upon hearing Lily’s voice, now tinged with sobs, I drew the blanket over my head. The enclosing darkness seemed to transport me back to the day three days ago when I first encountered Million. From the moment of our meeting until now, Aren had ceaselessly chatted stories about my book.

“How could a book be so boring?”

“It was truly excruciating and unbearable boredom that was difficult to read even a single line.”

The newspapers that had once heaped praises on my work now dripped with scorn. I couldn’t say anything as I listened to the mockery of those who didn’t even read the book.

In my head, Million’s words from three days ago kept repeating.

〈 “As long as we write without betraying our conscience as writers.” 〉

〈 “It means not plagiarizing someone else’s work or stealing their material. People who do such things shouldn’t even be tied up as us writers.” 〉

I couldn’t blame anyone for this situation.

It was all my fault for not upholding my conscience as a writer. It was my fault for making the wrong choice because of my discontent with a life that hadn’t received attention, and because of my desire to create a work that would be loved by everyone.

At that moment, there was a clattering sound like a tray being placed on a table before shuffling footsteps and a distinct click heralded the closing of the door. I thought it was Lily, who was fed up with me not showing my face even once, leaving the room. I had never anticipated his presence here… until he pulled the covers off me like this.

“Your Highness…”

“I must have warned you.”

“….”

“If you avoid me again next time, I’ll force my way in.”

His vivid scarlet eyes sank deep in the room where not a silver of sunlight could enter. Those eyes exuded a dusky red glow, mirroring the dimness of the room.

“Adelia.”

She couldn’t understand.

Why do tears keep coming to my eyes every time he calls my name?

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