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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 106
Chapter Title: A Believable Lie
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As I left the Emperor’s chambers with Calix, I saw Lute leaning against a wall in the nearby hallway.
It seemed he had been waiting for me this whole time.
I spoke to Calix, who was following behind me.
“Lord Calix, thank you for coming with me. Please go on ahead to your quarters. I’ll be right there.”
“Huh? Oh. Uh, okay…”
Calix had a dazed expression. What was wrong with him?
I recalled that Calix had been sitting on the sofa in the reception area when I used the item on the Emperor.
So, I never imagined that he might have heard or seen what happened inside.
As simple as Calix could be, I didn’t think he was so ignorant of basic etiquette that he would eavesdrop on the Emperor’s conversation.
That thought was influenced by the sensible sight of Calix, who had neatly tied his cravat for his meeting with the Emperor.
“What’s wrong? Calix… brother-in-law? You don’t look well.”
*No way…*
But you never knew.
Wondering if he, too, had been affected by the item, I asked, but Calix just shook his head.
“…No, I just suddenly felt a little dizzy.”
I was startled by his words. I grew anxious, wondering if he was having another seizure.
“If you still feel unwell when you get back, please be sure to take the medicine I gave you. I’ll be there soon.”
“Uh…”
With that, Calix turned and walked away.
As if he were in a great hurry.
*Is it really another seizure?*
Seeing Calix’s pale face, a wave of concern washed over me.
The scenes from last night came to mind, and my heart ached. He must have always endured that pain alone…
I decided to deal with Lute quickly and get back to Calix.
With that in mind, I strode toward Lute.
“……”
Lute was still glaring at me as if I were his mortal enemy. If looks could kill, I would have been dead already.
I let out a deep sigh.
“Sir Lute, we need to talk.”
“…Of course, we do.”
Lute sneered, the corner of his mouth twisting up.
I gestured with my chin for him to follow and started walking. Lute trailed behind me, his eyes blazing.
The two of us headed to a garden connected to the main castle’s cloister.
Once we were in a more secluded spot, I turned to face Lute.
His expression clearly said, ‘If you have something to say, say it.’
I took a deep breath before speaking.
“…His Majesty the Emperor insulted me by asking if I was, in fact, a woman.”
“…What did you say?”
Lute blinked, his face blank as if he couldn’t process what he had just heard.
How could His Majesty offer such an insult!?
I continued.
“So, I proudly proved my manhood before His Majesty, and he apologized. As an apology for the insult, he agreed to grant me one request.”
“……”
“That’s when I brought you up.”
“……!”
“Sir Lute, I told him what a sincere and good man… you are, and I recommended you as a fiancé for Princess Yuriana. My request was for him to arrange a formal meeting for the two of you.”
“…Sir Raymond!”
Lute blinked in disbelief, then wiped a hand over his mouth.
And then, just as I expected.
He began to look at me as if I were the greatest benefactor in the world.
*This infuriating man.*
I silently cursed Lute’s attitude, praying that he would confess to Yuriana as soon as possible.
With simmering frustration, I glanced at the quest window stuck in the corner of my vision.
[Sub Quest~]
∙ Help the grieving young man confess his love
It was still glowing a resentful gray, a sign that the quest was not yet complete.
