I looked at Cardan’s expression to gauge when he was standing there.
When I made the lame joke?
Or, since I was talking to Sally?
“Thanks to Your Majesty, we were able to successfully wipe out the slave market base.”
I tried to take a step away to greet him with courtesy, but when Knoxus did not let go, I became in an awkward position.
Cardan’s gaze was stuck in the arm of Knoxus supporting my waist.
“I can’t say we wiped it out until we find Faus yet.”
Cardan handed a jacket to Knoxus, pointing at the search dog that was still standing by him and wagging his tail.
“It’s something I found in Faus’ office. Use that dog to find Faus when you’re done playing around, will you?”
I nodded my head in a hurry as Knoxus showed signs of hesitation.
“It’s a priority to find Faus, so don’t worry about me and go.”
Knoxus eventually let me go. I almost stumbled due to the constant headache, but I managed to balance myself.
Fortunately, Knoxus didn’t seem to notice.
“All right, my lord. I will definitely bring Faus.”
Instead, he bowed to me with the utmost seriousness.
Cardan, who was staring at Knoxus, also turned away as if he had lost interest when he left with the search dog.
Instead, that dreadful gaze caught my eye.
At this moment, I avoided his eyes because I was not confident in dealing with Cardan.
There was a long silence after that. I was thinking about what to say to break the silence, but a low voice fell over my head with my head down.
“You are not at fault.”
The breath hung down my throat like a big lump.
“Ah…what do you mean?”
Even though I knew he was talking about Sally, I glossed over it.
“It cannot be your fault that Count Gesban’s butler died.”
I didn’t want anyone to notice this feeling. I barely pretended to be calm and avoided Sally and Knoxus’s eyes. Since when has he been watching? Cardan has dug into my heart so easily.
“Any human being should be responsible for his or her choice. It doesn’t change just because he’s the only blood of a child you felt sorry for.”
“I know, I know…….”
Cardan waited calmly for me to finish my creaking voice.
“I, I… The Duke of Baloa. That’s a lot of people.… I just wanted to.”
A more disastrous voice came out than was intended.
Cardan, who was watching me silently, swept my face lightly.
“When you decided to stand at the peak of your power, didn’t you already prepare?”
It was an obvious derision. But I half wanted to believe. It’s a word that makes me feel sorry for myself.
“Right.”
I laughed quietly.
“I’m ready.”
No. I’ve never been prepared.
When I opened my eyes, I was just standing here. I’ve never faced anyone, and I’ve never been determined to kill anyone in order not to die.
“Don’t struggle with the inevitable for nothing.”
That word took my breath away.
My stomach went numb as if he had hit the nail on the head.
He was right.
This is inevitable, too.
I woke up from Duke Baloa’s body and met again with the butler’s granddaughter who tried to poison me.
The only thing I can do in various inevitabilities is to do my best by holding onto the rare opportunity of choice.
And I really…… I did my best.
I don’t know if it was the right choice or the best one.
It was the best I could do.
Cardan hesitated and put his hand on my head.
And he glanced at my arm, which was drawn with a scratch.
“He often worries about others when he lies. The one who tried to kill you, too.”
(t/n: he’s probably talking about Knoxus here)
“Haha, I wasn’t particularly worried about the butler, but I was worried about Sally.”
Cardan messed up my hair.
“That’s what it is.”
It would hurt to be treated like a puppy, but I felt much lighter than before.
I didn’t know I’d be feeling better with Cardan.
Anyway, it was something to live for a long time.
“It is extraordinary that Your Majesty has shared his precious wisdom with a foolish and lowly person like me.”
My condition has recovered enough to use my tongue again, so I started speaking.
Cardan only sighed with a tired face when he saw me returning as usual.
Then the crow cried ominously.
“Kka-.Ka-.”
And at the very next moment, a hissing and ominous wind cut my ears.
Something sharp was heard like something flying through the air.
“Careful.”
Cardan wrapped his arms around my shoulder.
In an instant, I adhered to his solid body, and his subtle and heavy scent wrapped around my whole body.
I leaned fully against Cardan as my strength was loosened from my leg, which I had been barely holding out for a while.
Cardan, who was surprised, pushed me away and let go of me.
“Faus is playing a bad joke.”
As Cardan opened his hand with a small smile, red blood dripped from his palm.
A sharp-pointed fountain pen was revealed.
I swallowed my breath.
“……to assassinate the imperial family.”
Cardan smiled.
“He tried to kill you, not me.”
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