STM 22

I tilted my head, munching on the vegetables in the soup that came with the bread. It was called soup, but it tasted refreshing, just like water kimchi.

“It seems there was a sudden change in schedule. I heard that the Grand Duke’s distant relative, Zarayal Brons, was making his social debut and the Duke was escorting him to the party.”

What? I was about to drink the entire bowl of water kimchi, but then I stopped.

“Grand Duke Kun? Grand Duke Kun attended that party yesterday?”

“Yes. Besides, if the victim Bilge touched was Brons, it’s highly likely that the Grand Duke would have intervened.”

Could yesterday have been the same party where the traitor helped Grand Duke Kun?

No. I shook my head.

It was clearly a non-wine party. Doctor Kim, a meticulous person, couldn’t have made a mistake in her records. I brushed aside my discomfort and replied casually.

“Right, if you’re going to take action, you need to match the level. It could be Grand Duke Kun, but we don’t know for sure yet.”

“Even if they weren’t on the same level, Grand Duke Kun would’ve taken action.”

“You think quite highly of Grand Duke Kun?”

“If we set aside our emotions, I acknowledge his ability and boldness.”

“What emotion?” I asked with my eyes, and Solongo answered calmly.

“He’s a very irritating and annoying person.”

They’d fought as enemies for years, so that was expected. But things were different now.

“As you may have heard, we need to get on better terms with the Kun family now.”

“Yes, but being irritating is being irritating.”

Then Solongo gritted her teeth and muttered.

“The Matriarch made a big decision and offered a hand of reconciliation, but that cruel man insulted the Matriarch instead. Because of him, the Matriarch is now…”

Solongo clenched her fist, unable to contain her anger. That’s right, Doctor Kim was bedridden again. This time, it seemed like it was from stress.

“They’ve been at odds for a long time. Even if we show goodwill, he won’t believe it.”

“But how dare make such a horrific mockery? If Grand Duke Kun were human, he wouldn’t say such things.“

“What on earth did he say?”

How harsh could it have been for her to react like this?

I waited, chewing on the garnish of my water kimchi soup. Solongo took a deep breath and repeated Grand Duke Kun’s words.

“He said, ‘You eat only garbage food that even a dog wouldn’t take, so has your brain rotted too?’”

My jaw stopped moving as I chewed the radish greens, and without realizing it, I looked down at the soup.

“Do people here not like this taste? Isn’t it good?”

“Of course it’s good.”

Yeah, I thought so.

“At first, eating raw vegetables in salted water as soup was very strange, but after seven years of adjustment, now it suits my taste perfectly, and I love it.”

… …. It took 7 years?

“And these foods took so much time and effort from the matriarch! And that damned bastard belittled them as trash after all that hardship…Haa.”

Solongo couldn’t continue speaking, closed her eyes tightly, and then vented her anger again.

“But what makes me the most angry are the people who cheer for that bastard without even knowing what kind of person he is.”

“Oh, you said he’s popular.”

“Yes, disgustingly popular.”

So in our world, he’d be like an idol. And while eating, something came to mind and I stopped.

“Then Lu must’ve liked Grand Duke Kun too?”

“No. They attended the same academy, and he once foolishly hit on him and got beaten half to death. Since then, whenever he hears Grand Duke Kun’s name, he runs away without even looking back.”

As if to prove Solongo’s words, Mo intervened.

[One of the darkest fears in Adeye Lu’s memory is Grand Duke Kun.]

At least it was a relief that Lu wasn’t involved with him.

“Even after being terrified like that, Lu still kept chasing men.”

“Because most of them liked him.”

I was slurping down water kimchi with a spoon, then stopped again. the broth of the watery kimchi soup wi

“They liked getting rubbed by Lu’s thighs? Why?”

Instead of answering, she looked at me as if she couldn’t believe I didn’t know.

“Haven’t you looked in a mirror?”

“What about the mirror? Don’t tell me there’s some mirror that gives answers.”

What the heck, was this the world of Snow White? I looked at her in surprise, and Solongo’s gaze changed. It was the look people give an idiot.

“There’s no such mirror, but even if there were, you wouldn’t need to ask. You’d understand just by looking in it.”

It hurt my pride, but I felt like a fool. What would I understand by looking? Solongo frustrated, answered.

“Because you’re handsome.”

“Who? Me?”

When I pointed at myself, Solongo turned her head and let out a short laugh. Then she quickly apologized.

“I’m sorry. YouRACA reaction is the same as Matriach Lantuya’s. When someone compliments her looks, she looks like she doesn’t understand what they’re talking about.I guess the world you two came from is one where looks aren’t judged. It must be a wonderful place.”

Absolutely not. It’s just that Doctor Kim and I have a full sense of aesthetics. In our world, the obsession with appearance is severe.

“That’s not true. The traitor fell for the Grand Duke.”

“It’s Grand Duke Kun, so even the traitor couldn’t help it.”

“Is he that great?”

“Yes.” Solongo nodded vigorously.

“Perhaps the only one who hasn’t been swayed by the Grand Duke Kun’s smile is Matriach Lantuya. It’s no wonder people say even his enemies can’t get angry at that smile.”

“Then they are not worthy of being called enemies.”

“Because his looks are exceptional. That’s why Matriarch Lantuya is amazing. And I’m looking forward to you too, Lord Lu. You’ll be able to deal with Grand Duke Kun on the matriarch’s behalf.”

Why me? I frowned slightly.

“I’ll devote myself to finding the traitor.”

“The traitor is beside Grand Duke Kun, so wouldn’t it be killing two birds with one stone if you gain his favor?”

I stared at Solongo as I put the last piece of bread in my mouth.

“You’re pushing Grand Duke Kun onto me because you’re afraid Lantuya will collapse again, right?”

“Of course not.”

“Your eyes are shaking.”

Tsk. Solongo clicked her tongue.

I stood up and emphasized once again.

“My top priority is the traitor. I’ll keep an eye on Grand Duke Kun, but I won’t pretend to be friendly. I can’t risk being seen by the traitor.”

Grand Duke Kun wasn’t some random passerby dog, and I wouldn’t be easy to meet him.

Seeing my resolute attitude, Solongo didn’t mention this matter any further.

“So why did you come to see me?”

After finishing the meal, I asked her what her true purpose was. Then I heard some welcome but unpleasant news.

“The guest we brought from the resort has regained consciousness. But there’s a problem.”

‎

‎

‎

“I’m sorry… I’m sorry… I’m sorry…”

The guest who woke up was literally only conscious, unable to even raise her body properly. However, it seemed her ant-like voice wasn’t simply due to her physical condition.

She kept apologizing without even looking at the healers or me, as if she was terrified of people.

What could be the reason for this?

It was heartbreaking. Everyone watching her seemed to feel the same way. Everyone except one being.

[Oh no, our Petal, what do we do~ Lying down all this time made her face round like the moon~~ Her petal-like face got wide like a pumpkin leaf~ Her face is big and round like the moon~~ What should we do~~~]

“You bastard, you really are a wicked spirit, right?” I looked at the spirit singing about the moon with displeasure.

How could you say that to someone who just woke up after being sick? And on top of that she’s scared of people.

I approach cautiously, wondering if it might be because of the memory of being tied up in that resort.

“Hello.”

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry…”

“My name is Adeye Lu. I brought you to my home from the resort.”

“I’m sorry… I’m sorry…”

“I would like to help you, so could you please tell me your name?”

“I’m sor… sorry…”

“Is your name ‘sorry’?”

“Sorry, Sorry, I’m… sorry…”

She was harder to talk to than a spirit. I turned my head in frustration, but there was no escape. The healers whispered to me.

“She kept apologizing to us too. Her mind is awake, but her body’s still weak. We need some basic information to treat her properly.”

Their eyes told me to ask again.

I had no choice but to turn back. I had brought her here, so I had no choice but to take responsibility.

I thought for a moment, then knelt down next to her and whispered softly.

“I’m sorry. I’ve committed a mortal sin.”

When I apologized out of the blue, the reaction was different this time.