Male Lead, Don’t Follow Me! - Chapter 12

It was because of the marriage talks between families, and among them, the talks with the Ephelia family were the most positive.

‘I thought he wasn’t interested.’

Moreover, why didn’t Lady Kirin come herself?

Serhin bit his lip as he looked at Kiara sitting in front of him.

“May I ask why you called me? And regarding the Forbidden Forest, I will share the information with everyone.”

I narrowed my eyes slightly as I glanced at Serhin.

‘If only you hadn’t made such a big deal out of it.’

It could have been a matter that would have simply passed. A trace was found, and that should have been the end of it!

“Are you aware of the marriage talks going on between our families?”

“No, I haven’t heard about it.”

I was internally very flustered by Duke Bishwaltz’s words.

Not only had I not heard anything from Ephelia, but he suddenly brought up the topic of marriage.

“I see. I’ve been thinking quite positively about it.”

What kind of bolt from the blue is this?

I hadn’t noticed at all, but it seems he had been interested in Ephelia all along.

Or perhaps he was impressed by the spirits’ performance during the investigation.

I fell into deep thought with a rather serious expression.

Serhin stared at me intently, finding something incredibly amusing.

“What does Lady Kirin think of Duke Bishwaltz?”

“Pfft.”

I widened my eyes at the sudden question. As I started coughing and choking, Duke Bishwaltz handed me a handkerchief.

But who am I?

I took Bishwaltz’s handkerchief and placed it on the desk. Then I wiped my mouth with the handkerchief from my own pocket.

‘I won’t create any point of contact.’

His expression subtly distorted at my resolute action.

“I’ve never thought about it.”

“Is that so? That’s a relief.”

Serhin smiled with his eyes, resting his chin on his hand as he stared at me intently.

“Serhin, what kind of rude behavior is this?”

“Why don’t you be honest too? You called her here because you were curious, right? You were curious about her feelings towards you, not just the marriage talks.”

“……”

Bishwaltz closed his mouth at his words.

Honestly, he was curious about her.

Not because he had any particular feelings, but because she had strangely stuck in his memory when he caught a glimpse of her in the Forbidden Forest.

Although the strange pink-haired girl who was overly protective of her also came to mind.

“Is that lady who was with her then also a spirit mage?”

Kiara Lowell. The woman who had given him an unforgettable humiliation.

Bishwaltz’s eyes narrowed.

I nodded with a dumbfounded expression at such an obvious question.

“Perhaps about the rumors about me……”

He cleared his throat and coughed. As soon as he finished speaking, I smiled brightly and said loudly.

“Yes, I’ve heard. You mean the rumor that the Duke is a son of a b*tch?”

“……Pff he.”

Serhin lowered his head and his shoulders shook.

His chuckles gradually grew louder, to the point where it was unclear whether he was trying to hold back laughter or crying.

“That rumor is absolutely not true.”

“Ah! Or perhaps you mean the rumor that you’re gay?”

At my unfiltered words, Bishwaltz roughly rubbed his face.

“If I may be so bold…… My father always used to tell me.”

In a voice calmer and more dignified than anyone else’s, I made a delicate gesture and stared straight at Bishwaltz.

“Never be a ‘son of a b*tch’, he always cautioned that a person should never be remade. So I think this marriage talk will probably be forgotten. My father must have heard the rumors too.”

So, Bishwaltz, you’re absolutely out of the question.

“If you asked me for that reason, I respect Your Grace’s sexual preferences. However, I don’t understand the intention behind asking me what I think of Your Grace.”

I hid my triumphant expression and smiled brightly, feeling as if all the pent-up frustration had been released.

As if possessed by Ephelia, I recalled her tone and habits one by one, firmly conveying my thoughts.

‘This should be enough for him to get it, right?’

Bishwaltz looked quite shocked.

Well, it’s not my business anyway.

“Then, if you’ve said everything you wanted to, may I take my leave? We’ll let you know if anything comes up on our end.”

I stood up, my silver hair swaying.

Glancing at the clock, it seemed there was ample time to return, fortunately.

As I was leaving the room with a lighter heart, someone followed me out.

“I’ll escort you.”

It was Bishwaltz.

“No, that’s alright. You haven’t forgotten that I’m a spirit mage, have you?”

I don’t need an escort from the likes of you.

Faced with my perfect wall, Bishwaltz withdrew his outstretched hand. At that moment, Serhin approached my side and brazenly offered his hand.

“Then, let me escort you.”

“No, there’s no need……”

Serhin slightly bent down at my refusal and whispered in my ear.

“Kiara, wouldn’t it be quite troublesome if your identity was revealed here?”

Contrary to his soft voice, his red eyes gleamed dangerously.

In the end, I forced a smile and took his hand.

I bit my lip hard and didn’t forget to express my gratitude, saying I was so thankful I could die.

“Why are you doing this to me?”

“Because I missed you.”

He was infuriatingly incomprehensible.

I wore a sullen expression as I got into the carriage.

“How did you know?”

“Aren’t you underestimating me too much?”

Serhin didn’t lose his mischievous smile. Sitting across from me, he examined my appearance and then snapped his fingers.

“As I thought, this suits you better.”

With just one gesture from him, my transformation was undone.

My silver hair had already changed to pink, and my clear silver eyes had returned to their lustrous purple.

“Fine. Since it’s come to this, let me ask you something.”

I glared at Serhin and demanded.

“Why on earth did you do that that day?”

“I’m not sure what you’re referring to.”

He feigned ignorance and stared out the window. His long black hair swayed gracefully in the wind.

“During the investigation. That mana was your doing, wasn’t it?”

“Who says so?”

“……”

I was at a loss for words at Serhin’s response.

Although no one had explicitly said so, hadn’t he admitted it himself?

My mouth gaped open in bewilderment. I pointed at Serhin.

“Y-you told me yourself!”

“I just helped because you looked troubled.”

“But why?”

Serhin made a sulky face and then leaned in close to me.

Suddenly faced with his approaching face, I pressed myself against the wall and swallowed hard.

“Bishwaltz is looking for someone, you see.”

I met Serhin’s gaze without avoiding it. Still at a distance where I could feel his breath, he continued speaking.

“I hoped that woman wouldn’t be caught.”

“W-why?”

“She might die if she’s caught.”

Well, that makes sense……?

But what does that have to do with me? I blinked slowly.

“But what does that have to do with you?”

Perhaps he had figured it out because he overheard me talking about Bishwaltz to myself.

That I was the woman he was looking for.

“You’re right. It has nothing to do with me.”

Serhin moved away from me slightly and raised the corner of his mouth in a smirk.

I tried to calm my rapidly beating heart by taking slow breaths.

I felt uneasy, sensing that I had been led on by him again.

‘No, but why did you use that mana, that’s what I’m asking?’

That was what I really wanted to know, but I couldn’t get an answer.