Chapter 229
Either way, it’s unpleasant.
Trapped by a forced ‘opportunity’, Sebelia clicked her tongue quietly, fixing a cold glare on the First Queen.
The First Queen left a brief greeting for her son, Prince Dillion, and Nelia before exiting the hall without hesitation.
“Looks like Nathan is the star of today’s stage.”
Dehart whispered into her ear. She turned to see Nathan approaching, as he had predicted.
Arriving suddenly, Nathan exuded a wistful charm as he greeted her.
“It’s been a while. Are you well?”
“I’m not sure when we last spoke, but I can assure you I’m perfectly fine.”
“Ah, yes. I only saw you collapse that one time. I see…”
It was already an act.
“I’m glad you’re well. The Duke must be taking care of you. I was worried after letting you go.”
Nathan’s pitiful gaze flitted between Sebelia and Dehart, sending chills down her spine. She wanted to shout at him, to call out why he was pretending to care but she restrained herself.
She had to play along for now, allowing him to dig his own grave. Her rising nausea was barely kept in check. Nathan continued his act.
“I was so desperate to protect you after losing Sebelia that I didn’t consider your perspective. I apologize. Watching you collapse like that was unbearable…”
The performance was called: “The younger sister, lost and unable to recognize her family, thrust into a tragic ordeal.”
Is this what they call overacting?
Sebelia watched, curious to see how far he’d go. She also wanted to see exactly how he’d attempt to d**g her.
Her curiosity was soon answered: Nathan suddenly went silent, rubbed his face as though struck dumb.
Finally, the moment came. Sebelia’s heart raced as she awaited his next words.
“I have a gift for you.”
“…A gift?”
“Yes. Something you’ve longed for your whole life.”
With a bitter smile, Nathan gestured down the corridor.
“I’ve brought your mother, Cornelia.”
Sebelia nearly strangled Nathan on the spot.
* * *
Balak had overheard Nathan’s nonsense. He was furious, letting go of the fragile thread of reason he had maintained.
“Does he intend to be a hero or a criminal?”
Shateian intervened, glaring with unusual sternness. His normally calm sky-blue eyes now bore a warning.
“You’ve spent your life searching for your cousin. You’re meant to be the hero who rescues her, not some mysterious assailant slaughtering nobles at an exhibition.”
Balak’s heart froze at the grim words. His stormy sky-blue gaze calmed. Shateian finally relaxed, lowering his hands.
Regaining his composure, Balak rubbed his throbbing cheek and muttered:
“Sorry, but I couldn’t help it. That wretch dared to speak of my aunt… dared to use her as bait…”
A chilling realization struck him like an arrow.
“And the child… where is she?”
That was all he had to say. Balak remembered the previous moment: Nathan claiming to have brought her mother to the capital, and Sebelia frozen pale.
After a moment’s hesitation, Sebelia took a deep breath and accepted Nathan’s proposal.
[I want to go with my uncle.]
Only then did people realize that Karl Appenz, her legal blood relative, was also present. Nathan immediately refused. His reasoning was simple.
[I understand your feelings, Cornelia. But she… is the one who bore you alone.]
In other words, Sebelia’s mother didn’t want her identity revealed to anyone. She had given birth to an illegitimate child.
[I see… she only wanted to reveal herself to me. Fine. Then I suppose the Duke escorting me to the door isn’t an issue.]
[Yes… that should be acceptable.]
With that, Sebelia bravely walked into Nathan’s trap.
“Damn it!”
Balak, having finished his reflections, dashed out of the hall without knowing where they had gone.
Shateian did not stop him this time. Instead, he instructed Ludmil to bring the nobles under his command to follow the direction they had taken after the appointed time.
By the time they reached the corridor where Dehart was, the screams began.
“Kyahhhh!”
“Aaah! Stop! Go away!”
The screams pierced the corridor through the cracks in the doors.
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