I Abandoned the Male Lead Who Cheated with the Villainess - Chapter 233

‘How did this happen just because I looked away for a moment…!’

Feeling faint from the pain in his upper body and his legs trembling, Johann sank to the ground, only to be noticed by another knight.

In the end, Johann was lifted by the knight and taken to see the imperial physician who had been waiting in the welcome hall. He then came face-to-face with the delegation and ministers, who were chatting away without the Emperor and Empress.

In the brief moment Johann had looked away, Herix had taken Ivonne and disappeared.

‘He must have said something ridiculous and then taken the Empress with him!’

Johann could clearly picture Ivonne’s face, hesitating to call out Herix’s name, yet unable to resist him, helplessly going along. This wasn’t Ivonne’s fault. It was Herix’s fault.

“Did you see where the Emperor and Empress went?”

“Are you all right, sir? You’re looking pale, and there’s cold sweat on your face. Should I call for the imperial physician?”

Johann, feeling somewhat better after a moment, grabbed a nearby knight by the arm and asked. However, to the knight, Johann still seemed like a patient. Johann shook his head.

“No, I’m on my way back now. I’ll be fine soon. But if I don’t know where the Emperor and Empress are right now, I’m not sure what will happen.”

At this, the knight straightened his posture, his face now serious, as if to say, ‘No more small talk, just tell me if you know.’

“The Empress is with the Emperor, heading toward the terrace. The one on the far right, with the curtains drawn.”

Johann listened to the knight and inwardly despaired. He had desperately hoped they hadn’t gone toward the terrace!

‘The curtains being drawn means they don’t want to be disturbed, and who knows what they’re doing in there… I can’t approach them recklessly!’

It seemed that the world had no intention of lending Johann a hand, not even for a moment. In the end, Johann would have to bear the full responsibility for entertaining the delegation alone.

‘Ha ha, how wonderful.’

Johann laughed hollowly, looking at the firmly drawn curtains.

‘No, I should think positively. Let’s think of it in a good way. If it’s a problem either way… well, at least I can control the situation completely myself.’

And once the delegation left, he’d take some time off. A little rest would do him good. Then his stomach would feel better.

Without needing to bring it up, Johann already knew that Ivonne would feel guilty and grant him time off. Truly, to Johann, Ivonne was like a goddess.

As Johann tried to calm himself with positive thoughts, he felt a presence nearby.

“Good day. I’m finally able to greet you properly.”

It was none other than Clive, the man who had challenged Herix. Johann was slightly surprised by Clive’s greeting but didn’t show it, offering a polite smile instead—one that was entirely outwardly friendly.

“Good day to you as well. How is the banquet going? Are you enjoying it? I hope so.”

“Oh, I’m thoroughly enjoying it. Truly, the Sortenic Empire is impressive! I was just marveling at it.”

“You flatter me. But I’ll do my best to maintain that sense of satisfaction and expectation, without a single slip-up.”

When Johann smiled in a friendly manner, Clive also smiled back. Taking advantage of the brief pause in their conversation, Johann inclined his head and tried to step away, but unexpectedly, Clive stopped him.

“By the way, the Emperor and Empress have headed to the terrace.”

Johann froze. Just as he was about to move, he tensed up for a moment, then relaxed and looked back at Clive. Clive seemed to have no particular thoughts on it, but you never knew what was going on in someone’s mind.

‘I find people like him, who are soft-spoken and kind-hearted, more frightening.’

It was easier to deal with someone hot-headed and quick-tempered. At least they were transparent and easier to handle.

Or someone like Herix, who was outright terrifying. For those with an innate air of authority, you just don’t think of resisting them; you simply lower your head. But someone like Clive, who seemed completely harmless, was difficult to read.

It’s the clear-eyed madman who’s truly frightening.

“Yes, I’ve just figured that out. I wasn’t feeling well, so I went to see the imperial physician. They should be back soon. As you know, the Emperor and Empress share all responsibilities, so they occasionally need personal time.”

“Ah… but even so, with a foreign delegation here, can they afford to be absent for so long? And from what I see, there’s no guard present either. The only assistant they have went to the imperial physician… without informing the Emperor?”