The Male Lead’s Sickly Aide is My Type - Chapter 109.1
Chapter 109.1
“My lady!”
Returning to Esmeril, Carinne spotted Marie hurrying to greet her, a piece of paper clutched in her hand.
“My lady, you’re finally here! It’s terrible!”
Carinne wondered what fresh disaster awaited her. The entire carriage ride back had been spent discussing the future with Archen. Assuming the dukedom wasn’t a simple matter, there were countless details to consider.
In the carriage, at the inn, even during a quick stop for supplies, Carinne had tirelessly planned, leaving her utterly exhausted. And now, Marie’s frantic greeting suggested anything but rest.
Carinne stepped down from the carriage and approached her.
“What is it?”
“Look at this!”
Marie thrust the paper at Carinne, who blinked sleepily. It was a news sheet sold on the streets, its front page screaming ‘SCOOP’ in bold letters. Had something happened in the capital while she was away?
As she rubbed her tired eyes, Archen silently joined her, his own eyes shadowed with fatigue.
“What is it?”
“I don’t know. Let’s see.”
Carinne began to read.
“A prominent figure recently arrived in the capital and captured public attention. Possessing both power and wealth, this individual is also remarkably attractive, captivating the hearts of numerous noble ladies.”
She exchanged a glance with Archen. Even without words, she knew exactly what he was thinking.
Did he write this himself?
It certainly seemed that way. Or perhaps he’d paid someone to pen this blatant self-promotion. But what was so terrible about it? It wasn’t as if the idiot’s idiocy was a new phenomenon.
“My lady, turn the page!”
Marie, practically bouncing on her toes, flipped the sheet over for her.
“It has recently come to light that this prominent figure has taken a lover.”
Carinne’s eyes widened. Giles had a lover? Someone actually liked that man? Whoever she was, the poor woman. To be so blinded by infatuation, to fall for someone like him…
She offered a silent prayer for the unknown woman.
“This lover is reportedly the only daughter of the wealthiest family in the kingdom.”
As far as Carinne knew, no family was wealthier than the Second Duchy… unless someone had hidden assets? Her sleep-deprived mind struggled to process the information. She simply shrugged it off.
“This petite woman, with curly red hair and a charming appearance, once confessed her affections to Duke Lucas of the First Duchy…”
Curly red hair. Confessed to Duke Lucas. The wealthiest family’s only daughter.
Is this… me?
Carinne rubbed her eyes and reread the article. Her suspicions were confirmed. Though her name wasn’t explicitly mentioned, it was clearly about her.
I’m his lover? Since when?
All traces of sleep vanished. Only one person stood to gain from this fabricated news story; it was clearly orchestrated by him. What century was this? Spreading rumors like some medieval gossip?
“The rumor has spread throughout the capital, my lady. They say you and Lord Giles are a couple.”
Marie’s face was crumpled with worry. Was everyone insane? Believing such nonsense based on a single news sheet?
As Carinne stared blankly ahead, stunned by the absurdity, Archen spoke.
“I’ll be back shortly.”
He climbed into the carriage, pulling his coat tightly around him. “Where are you going?”
“I have someone to see.”
His voice was icy, radiating a chilling aura. He looked ready to confront Giles that very instant.
“W-wait!”
As Archen signaled the driver, Carinne rushed to block the carriage.
“What are you going to do if you see him?”
Archen turned to Carinne. His eyes were sharp, the usual gentleness replaced by a cold hardness. His lips were pressed into a thin line, and a palpable chill emanated from him.
Sensing the potential for disaster, she tried to appease him.
“We need to be calm and think this through. Listen to me.”
It wasn’t that Carinne didn’t want to throttle Giles herself. But that would only worsen the situation, not solve it.
She coaxed Archen out of the carriage and turned to Marie.
“Get Iris. We need an emergency meeting.”
Carinne’s eyes were wide as she glared towards the residential area where Giles likely resided, probably smirking and reveling in his handiwork. But how long would that last?
Grinding her teeth, she rubbed her palms together. He who rose by the news sheet would fall by the news sheet.
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