I Will Die for You, My Darling! - Chapter 97

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On the first day of drilling in the swamp, the remains investigation team met with the Glass Dome estate staff at the swamp’s edge. It was a rather unfamiliar location, being the closest point on the ground to the Sky City. The investigation team members frowned, seemingly overwhelmed by the stench of pollution and the murky landscape. The estate staff, however, silently set up the drilling equipment.

Benjamin took a deep breath. His attention wasn’t on the seemingly endless expanse of contaminated swamp mud, but on his homeland above. It looked surprisingly small from below. He narrowed his eyes, wondering if he could spot the secret passage known only to a few Sky City officials and the investigation team. Of course, it wasn’t visible. It couldn’t have remained a secret if it were.

In the distance, General Soluten was speaking with Isaac. Benjamin couldn’t quite make out what they were saying. Tearing his gaze from his homeland, he fixed it on Isaac’s profile. It was the first time he’d seen him since their encounter in the forest. Isaac seemed somehow thinner than that day, yet his mood appeared lighter. His golden eyes, however, gleamed brightly.

Had he been staring too long? Sensing his gaze, Isaac approached Benjamin, a smile playing on his lips. “How have you been, Viscount Lenota?”

Benjamin gave a slight bow. He couldn’t stop the insidious thoughts that surfaced whenever he saw Isaac. Arietta must have slept with this man. Judging by that kiss, it was certain. They’d probably lost themselves in each other countless times, reaching the peak of pleasure together. He sometimes regretted not having conquered her body himself.

The past doesn’t matter. It’s the present and future that count. All that matters is that I, not the man before me, will be the one to give her pleasure from now on. He wanted to get her pregnant as soon as possible. He knew his father well. The Marquis of Lenota would treat Arietta as nothing more than a “Downstream woman.” Benjamin wanted Arietta as his lifelong companion, but that would likely prove difficult. His father wouldn’t understand, wouldn’t believe, that Arietta was actually from Sky City.

But if Arietta were to have a child, things would change. The Marquis wasn’t the kind of man to cast aside a woman carrying his grandson. Arietta would be formally recognized as Benjamin’s mistress. If things went well, it could even lead to an engagement, and then marriage.

“Greetings, Marquis Tygra,” Benjamin finally responded, having been lost in thought about Arietta while looking at Isaac.

Isaac couldn’t pinpoint exactly what Benjamin had been thinking, but he suspected it concerned Arietta, and that he wouldn’t be pleased to know the details. A sharp intuition. “Is Arietta well?” Isaac asked, deliberately mentioning her name.

Benjamin’s expression immediately changed. He was consistently predictable in his reactions. Isaac smiled inwardly. “She is well,” Benjamin replied stiffly.

“How is that promised future coming along? Making good progress?” Isaac’s tone was laced with sarcasm. Benjamin’s blood ran cold. Had Isaac approached him just to say this? He honestly wanted to start an argument right then and there, but General Soluten was watching them. Besides, the drilling equipment that would hopefully turn everything upside down today was provided by Isaac. And hadn’t Isaac saved his life in the forest? Even Benjamin had to yield to Isaac in this situation.

“It’s… progressing well. I’m doing my best.”

“My, my. Looks like a Sky City brat is about to take away a well-maintained collectible. Such a waste,” Isaac said casually, though his eyes were cold. Benjamin, looking down, didn’t see it.