Male Lead, Don’t Follow Me! - Chapter 24

“…What?”

What nonsense is this now?

But Bishwaltz looked quite serious.

Surely… Ephelia didn’t misunderstand my actions all this time, did she?

For a moment, goosebumps ran all over my body.

Come to think of it, I always talk about Bishwaltz to her under the guise of concern. Moreover, during the investigation, I kept staring at him, didn’t I?

It was surveillance, but it might have looked different to others.

I made a dumbfounded expression, astounded by this ridiculous situation.

‘Me, for you? Why?’

Noticing my confused expression, his gaze shifted to the sword at his waist.

What, why why! Why is he looking at the sword!

I hurriedly reached out my hand and shouted.

“That’s right!”

Damn it. Why did I?

I had no choice but to follow the cliché that appears in all novels.

I have to survive first, don’t I? If I deny it to the end here, I could imagine what would happen next.

“Yes! Actually, I’ve been watching Your Grace for a long time.”

“……”

“Ah, that doesn’t mean I’ve been secretly peeping. It’s just that as I gathered information, I came to know all sorts of things. You’re exceptionally handsome, skilled in swordsmanship, and excellent at work…”

Why is it so quiet?

I paused mid-sentence and cautiously observed his reaction.

He was listening to my words without moving. His blue eyes glinted with a strange light, and then he smirked.

“Go on.”

“That’s all there is.”

“Is that really all? Do I look like a fool to you?”

But you told me to continue. I folded my hands neatly like a dejected puppy at his words.

“This is just the beginning. Surely the merits of the great Duke Bishwaltz don’t end there?”

Yes, I was a helpless person.

It’s ruined. Completely ruined.

I swallowed hard as I saw Bishwaltz’s subtly raised corner of his mouth.

That smile gave me a very bad feeling.

You know, it’s like that. The kind of smile that pretends not to be pleased when you are or pretends not to be in a good mood when you actually are.

The corners of my mouth, which had been smiling awkwardly, trembled.

“Judging by your expression, it doesn’t seem to be a lie.”

I tried to maintain my expression as I met Bishwaltz’s gaze.

“Of course.”

The sharp sword at his waist glinted towards me. I instinctively smiled broadly to survive.

“But, do you have to wear the sword at your side like that?”

Bishwaltz glanced at his sword and then, as if to show off, stroked it once with his hand.

“It’s not so much that, but rather because of your past actions towards me, I can’t trust you.”

His gentle and even voice was sweet as can be, but the words he uttered were bitter. If I made any careless move, he might cut off my head.

“You don’t trust me?”

“Well.”

What? Weren’t you believing it? What a scoundrel. After hearing all the pleasant things, now he says he can’t trust me.

“You are a person whose emotions are clearly visible.”

Bishwaltz’s eyes narrowed at my obvious expression of having eaten something unpleasant.

‘Oh no, my expression.’

I tried to gather my bewildered expression as I looked at him.

“Right, if you can’t trust me, there’s nothing I can do. It’s okay, don’t worry, I won’t be hurt even if you reject me.”

In fact, it was better for me if he didn’t believe it.

“I didn’t say I disliked it.”

As expected of an obsessive male lead, is his concept different from the start?

I was quite taken aback by Bishwaltz’s attitude, as I had expected him to surely dislike it.

Perhaps he likes the style of cursing and tormenting?

“…No. Think about it! Don’t you find it creepy that I’ve been following you around and know all the secrets about Your Grace’s body?”

“It would have been different if there was malice.”

Bishwaltz maintained a calm expression. Moreover, the look in his eyes seemed even a bit softer than before.

Somehow, he seemed to view me as nothing more than a herbivore and didn’t seem to consider me in any other way. You know, like an assassin or someone trying to threaten his safety.

‘Well, I guess. Since I’m a spirit mage who can’t properly use my power, I must seem insignificant.’

Perhaps this aspect might actually help in keeping me alive.

“Of course, when you shouted ‘son of a b*tch’ at me in front of everyone, it was full of killing intent.”

“…That was.”

Geez. He sure holds a grudge.

I clicked my tongue softly and shut my mouth tight. I couldn’t grasp what he was trying to say.

“So, what does Your Grace intend to do with me?”

“Well, I can’t send someone who knows me well somewhere else.”

“No, I think the conclusion is a bit strange.”

I immediately raised my hand to object.

Seeing my blank expression, he got up from his seat and walked towards the desk. As he opened a drawer and seemed to be searching for something, I became acutely alert.

‘What is it, what’s he trying to do? Is he going to make me write a will?’

I could feel his gaze staring intently at my tensed back.

I was sitting upright, staring ahead, ready to flee if necessary.

“Didn’t you say you wanted to go to the provinces?”

“What?”

My head turned sharply at his unexpected question. Seeing my sparkling eyes, he sat down opposite me with a document in hand.

The document he pushed towards me was an application for the Kaibern region.

Seeing my suspicious gaze, he crossed his legs and handed me a fountain pen. Bishwaltz gestured with his chin, pointing to the signature section at the bottom of the document.

“…What are you doing? Isn’t this what you wanted?”

“Well, yes, but…”

“I hope you realize that today is the deadline for submission and there’s not much time left.”

Startled, I turned my head to look at the clock. Seeing the hour hand pointing exactly at 5 PM, I hurriedly began to sign.

“Can I really go?”

“Of course.”

“Then, does this mean you forgive me…?”

“You’ll have to go with me.”

Bishwaltz pointed to some small print at the bottom of the document. In the special clause section, written in tiny letters, was a condition stating that it was permitted under the accompaniment of Investigator Bishwaltz.

“This is a fraud!”

Bishwaltz snorted lightly at my words. Were we meant to be this entangled? Certainly not.

I never thought a situation like this would arise.

‘How much did I try to avoid getting involved!’

I didn’t expect that sharing my thoughts in a place where no one was around would come back to bite me like this.

“I didn’t expect to hear the word fraud. That’s what I want to say.”

“…No, that rumor wasn’t spread by me.”

I only talked about Bishwaltz by myself. The rumors currently circulating weren’t started by me in the first place.

I did influence those who believed it, but I didn’t make it up.

“That’s why there’s a saying.”

“…Don’t say anything.”

I lowered my head in disgust. There was no way anything good would come out of his mouth.

“Now that you’ve been revealed as my hidden woman, wouldn’t it be troublesome for you if I pretend not to know at this point?”

“Let’s say we broke up.”

“I’m sorry, but that won’t do.”

“I’ll say I was dumped. That’ll work, right? Phew, how could I say I dumped Your Grace? Don’t worry about that part.”

I waved my hand and smiled shamelessly. What’s wrong with being a dumped woman? It’s better than being with a guy like this.

Besides, I wasn’t his hidden woman, so there was no need to act. It had been hard enough pretending until now, and now again?

It was absolutely impossible.

“I’m sorry, but I’m more sensitive to social circles than you might think.”

“I know. A scandal with an insignificant lady like me? Ugh, it’s absurd, right?”

“…You seem to lack self-esteem.”

It’s for survival, why would self-esteem matter?

Knowing what kind of person Bishwaltz was, I had no intention of dancing to his tune. Of course, I had escalated the situation, but since it didn’t go in the direction I wanted, it was right to end it.

“Yes, I don’t have any. Is that important?”

I’m doing this because I love you too much. I blinked my eyes and stared straight at him. Well, he does have a handsome face.