For Sale: Male Lead, Obsession Included - Chapter 120

“Feyden, you can just play games with me, take naps, and relax, while Jin handles keeping watch on the surroundings. Isn’t that so much easier? And you know, people who are good with a sword always have a line of disciples asking to learn from them. Feyden, you’re skilled enough for that, aren’t you? Why not take this chance to have a disciple and boss him around as much as you want?”

Sorry, Jin. I won’t actually let him boss you around.

I kept going, praising Feyden’s amazing swordsmanship, and added the lie that Jin saw him training and was so impressed he begged me every day to let him learn from him.

Feyden’s wishy-washy mouth curled higher and higher, until it practically soared up into the sky.

‘He’s completely fallen for it.’

I laughed inwardly, then delivered my finishing blow.

“And besides, I absolutely have no intention of letting you go, Feyden. Like I said back in the Empire, it’s not easy to find someone as strong as you.”

After that day, Jin began to receive sword training from Feyden.

If it weren’t for the mage watching over me, it would have been nothing but a string of peaceful Dongguk days.

…At least, on the surface.

***

—Let me go! Let me go back! How long are you going to keep me stuck in this country bumpkin town!

“Hmm.”

—You never said I’d have to stay this long! Hey! Are you listening? Clovin!

“Hm.”

—Ugh! At least send someone else! Does it make sense for a genius like me to be rotting away in a place like this!

Clovin thought that Plum’s voice coming through the communication orb was… rather loud. He wanted to just end the call, but if he did, that mage would only call again, day or night. Annoying as it was, he had to listen at least a little.

“Just wait a bit longer. Looks like it’ll take some more time.”

—That’s what you said last time! Don’t you remember? You said the exact same thing a few days ago!

Of course he remembered. In this empire, who had a better memory than him?

Clovin flicked his ear, then replied as if he was making a concession.

“I’ll ask the Duke directly.”

—Yeah right… You bastard.

“Did you catch me?”

He wanted to quit this job even more than Plum did. He had so much to do—babysitting some adolescent Young Master’s ‘make friends with a refined young lady’ project was enough to drive him crazy.

But what could a salaried worker do? If the Duke himself insists his son needs to make cultured friends his own age, the only choice for someone as smart and capable as him is to make it happen.

Clovin checked the time.

‘By now, the lovely tea time with Lady Floria should be over.’

Alright then. Clovin stood up.

“Pray the Young Master falls in love soon.”

—What? Love? What are you talking about?

“There’s such a thing.”

—What? If he falls in love, does that mean I get to go back to the Empire? Should I whip up some kind of love potion?

A love potion. That’s actually tempting.

Thinking it wasn’t a bad idea, Clovin added ‘love potion’ to the many scenarios in which Declan might fall in love.

“I’ll let you know if it’s needed, Plum.”

—Don’t hang up! Don’t hang up…!

Clovin arrived punctually in front of the drawing room.

Three o’clock in the afternoon.

Knock knock. Clovin rapped on the door, and inside there was a flurry of activity.

He expected that Lady Floria, unable to withstand Declan’s coldness, would come running out with tears in her eyes. But instead, Declan came out first, bursting through the door, and Clovin’s eyes widened.

‘Huh?’

Declan walked right past him, and Clovin leaned in to peek into the room.

The afternoon sun streamed through the window. Sitting prettily in that sunlight was a young lady, her parents having insisted she be a companion for a noble child. She had pale ivory hair, a high-quality white dress and shoes, and delicate, pretty features.

Clovin silently praised his own taste.

At a glance, she really did look like Estira. If you dressed Estira up that way, even Declan might be fooled.

“Enough of this doll-playing nonsense.”

The first day he met Lady Floria, Declan coolly cut her off, and Clovin couldn’t hide his disappointment.

Maybe they don’t look alike after all? No, they really do look exactly alike!

If Estira had a sharp, clever impression, Floria was more gentle and cute. But overall, they looked just alike. So why didn’t he like her?

Clovin, acting on the Duke’s orders, had even gone so far as to lock Declan and Floria together in a room.

He’d deliberately sent away all the attendants and arranged for tea and treats to help them relax and bond. ‘Operation: Become Friends.’

This was already their third meeting.

Lady Floria had been disappointed by Declan’s taciturn nature and gone home each time, but so far nothing major had happened.

But today…

Lady Floria was biting her lip, tears streaming down her face.

Tsk. What did Declan say to her?

Then suddenly, Floria spun around and glared at Clovin. The moment he saw those furious eyes turn on him, Clovin realized why Declan had given him that faint smirk as he passed.

Clovin took a cautious step back.

“L-Lady…”