Imprinted with the Obsessive Male Lead - Chapter 70

I thought he would say something more, but he simply went about his own business. The crackling firewood quickly spread warmth through the office.

Now he was undoing the cuffs of his shirt sleeves. Since there was no longer any reason to keep watching, I was just about to turn and leave.

“What have you been up to?”

After placing the metal cuffs on the desk with a soft thud, Chase’s gaze slowly lifted toward me.

“You couldn’t go outside for over a week. Weren’t you frustrated?”

It was such an absurdly casual, everyday question.

It seemed that, to him, what happened that day had been completely erased. I was probably the only one feeling awkward. And yet, it seemed he remembered what I had said on the walking path.

“Not really. I’ve been busy decorating since flowers get delivered every morning.”

“That’s good.”

“The flowers. You’re the one who ordered them, right?”

After undoing the cuff on his other sleeve and setting it down, Chase gave a light smile.

“They’re not something I just picked up.”

“You didn’t just pick them up back then either.”

“Well. Think whatever you want.”

Having removed everything that was bothersome, Chase brushed his hair back.

Just moments ago, he had seemed tired, but now his face looked completely refreshed, without a trace of fatigue. I was about to leave, but for some reason, my feet wouldn’t move.

“And you? You look tired. Have you been very busy?”

Chase’s brows, which had been expressionless, lifted slightly before settling again. For a moment, it even seemed like a faint smile crossed his face.

“I was busy and tired. But I’m fine now.”

“Ah. Well, that’s a relief.”

“And you?”

At the question laced with a low chuckle, I looked at him. Chase pulled off the tie he had half loosened.

“Did you think about me while you couldn’t see me?”

The snow had stopped. Outside the window, sunlight was pouring down for once. His black hair, which had been damp, had already dried. When I didn’t answer, he set the tie down and asked again.

“Did you?”

I did. It would be stranger if I didn’t.

I gave a small nod.

“If I did, then what?”

Chase let out a short laugh and opened a drawer, taking out a rectangular black box.

“Here.”

I stared at it for a moment before setting down the vase. I took the box he offered and opened the lid.
Inside is a sharp, silver dagger.

“Wow.”

The admiration slipped out before I could stop it. It’s an incredibly beautiful blade. The handle, decorated with elaborate floral engravings and jewels, stood out. The blade itself is extremely sharp, gleaming with even the slightest movement.

Chase took the dagger out and held the handle toward me.

“Hold it.”

I grasped the silver handle. The cool temperature traveled up my arm. It’s light.

“What do you think?”

“It’s light and beautiful.”

“I’m not asking if it’s beautiful. See if you can use it.”

“…What? This dagger?”

You want me to use this? For what?
Ignoring my flustered question, Chase grabbed my hand and moved my fingers as he pleased, examining something minutely.

“The handle’s a bit thick. How small are your hands? Are you even holding it properly?”

“I am holding it properly. It fits just fine. But that’s not the point, I don’t know how to use a dagger.”

“Still, carry it.”

Taking the dagger from my hand, Chase lifted his gaze to meet mine.

“Keep it with you, and if that stalker bastard shows up when I’m not around, stab him.”

Saying something outrageous so casually, Chase stepped closer and closer. After setting the dagger aside, he took my hand again and tilted his head slightly to the left, exposing his neck.

The thick vein running beneath his ear is clearly visible. Placing my hand there, Chase continued,

“Here.”

Even to someone like me, it’s obviously a vital spot.

“You don’t need to use much force. Just stab and pull it out. Then he’ll die in an instant-”

Chase, who had been speaking so calmly about something so violent, suddenly stopped. It was partly because my face had turned pale at the vivid explanation and the sensation of his skin beneath my fingertips, but also because of the urgent knock at the door.

Releasing my hand, Chase answered,

“Come in.”

I quickly lowered my hand and rubbed my fingertips, then turned toward the door. Anthony, looking different from usual, appeared with a pale face.

“Your Grace! There’s a fire in the Forest of Prosperity!”

At the sudden news, Chase and his subordinates quickly gathered and headed toward the forest.

Even Anthony, who usually stayed inside the mansion and rarely went out, went along.

The Forest of Prosperity, where the World Tree had once stood, was now completely sealed off. That made it the most dangerous place.

After the trees withered, just as the once-praised power of mana had turned into something dreadful, the land where mana had gathered had become a ticking time bomb, a place of extreme danger. Even Vivian Grace, the original story’s heroine who possessed the Empire’s greatest purification ability, had not been able to touch that land.