DSFL | Chapter 92

~Chapter 92~

Brandon called me annoying—but he wasn’t exactly innocent either.

He was the one who revealed his hand first.

He gave up that supposedly important necklace in exchange for Arkan.

And it was his decision to follow Peril and show himself, all for the sake of killing her.

Until now, I thought everything Brandon had done was just part of the magical war.

Since Orphen wanted to cross over Carpea, that made sense.

But there were still a few things that didn’t add up.

Why would he need a guide?

Editing the records wasn’t even necessary.

And yet, even though things seemed to be going the way he wanted…

“Priest Brandon?”

Cassandra called his name with a puzzled voice. Only then did I snap out of my thoughts.

“Our conversation ran long. You should go back and finish your cleaning.”

I gestured for him to return inside the prayer room.

Brandon gripped the broom so tightly, it looked like it might break.

His face stayed calm, but the dark look in his eyes couldn’t be hidden.

…He looked like he might hit me any second.

He was the one who once suggested dying together, and now he’s angry about this?

But Brandon quickly hid all his emotions like nothing had happened.

Limping slightly as he walked over to Cassandra, he offered a polite suggestion.

“There will be dust… I-I think it’s best if you step outside.”

“No, it’s fine. I’ve got time, so I’ll stay and help.”

“Y-You really don’t have to…”

Seeing him awkwardly scratching his cheek made a chill run down my spine.

“Ah, Miss Bianca! There you are.”

Suddenly, I heard Elai’s voice.

Brandon’s eyes immediately shifted back to me.

“What brings you here…?”

Why is he here now, too?

I had too many things on my mind—it was making my head hurt.

Elai approached me with a bright, carefree smile and held out his hand.

“The Marquis seemed to be looking for you.”

…Liar.

No matter how urgent things were, Cedric would never send Elai.

Especially not after telling me I could go back on my own.

“Did my brother really say that?”

“Oh no, I’ve been caught already. To be honest, I snuck away just to find you.”

He didn’t seem the least bit bothered that his lie was exposed. I sighed to myself but decided to go along with him for now.

“I thought if I didn’t sneak out, I’d never get a chance to talk with you.”

“You could’ve tried a party or a ball. There were plenty of chances.”

“Haha! Did you see the Marquis earlier? He was practically guarding you with fire in his eyes.”

You don’t get it…

Cedric only did that because he didn’t want me to bring shame to the family.

But I didn’t feel like explaining, so I gave a different excuse.

“My family’s a bit strict.”

I think I finally understood why Cedric never mentioned Elai’s proposal to me.

The Roygin family is a well-known and respected noble house in the empire.

Elai probably sent the proposal right after my engagement with Ricardo was broken off—just to see what would happen.

A broken engagement isn’t exactly something people celebrate. Especially not for a noble lady whose name had already been whispered about in rumors.

He must’ve thought I was desperate enough to say yes.

“Was the Glaster family not to your liking? Of course, we’re nothing compared to a duke’s house.”

“Isn’t it proper for a gentleman not to ask the reason for a lady’s refusal?”

“If you had been the one to reject me, that would make sense. But this time, it was the Marquis who rejected me!”

I snapped back a little too sharply, but he smoothly brushed it off like it was nothing.

This guy was definitely no ordinary opponent.

Now I get why Cedric warned me to stay away.

“Then I’ll reject you now. I don’t have time to date anyone. Is that a good enough reason?”

“Ah, perfectly understood.”

…But somehow, I don’t think he really got it.

Still, he didn’t bring up the marriage proposal again.

Instead, he chatted casually, and I had to admit—he was skilled at leading conversations.

So much so that I even ended up learning his childhood dog’s name was Popo.

So helpful…

As I gave him half-hearted reactions, Elai suddenly burst into laughter.

“You’re actually a lot like the Marquis.”

“What?”

“I used to follow him around at the academy, trying to get close to him. He had the exact same expression you do now.”

He stroked his chin as if remembering.

“Leon also didn’t like it at all. He spread some nasty rumors about me.”

At the mention of a familiar name, I furrowed my brows.

“…Leon? He did that?”

“Yes. They were lies, of course—but after that, the Marquis started avoiding me. I guess you wouldn’t know.”

“Well, I didn’t attend the academy.”

“Right. And back then, the Marquis didn’t care about you the way he does now.”

“…”

“Anyway, because of the rumors, I got kicked out of the academy. Leon probably hated seeing me near Cedric. Or maybe he was afraid of losing his one and only friend.”

Leon, jealous…?

Even thinking back to when he and Cedric were close, I couldn’t picture him being the jealous type.

And starting a false rumor? That wasn’t like him at all.

“At the academy, Leon was…”

Unable to listen anymore, I let out a soft sigh.

“If he really did something wrong, shouldn’t you both talk it out privately?”

“…”

“You already know I’m close to both of them, so telling me this won’t make me happy. Why bring it up at all?”

Elai responded as if it were no big deal.

“It’s simple. I just wanted to let you know what happened.”

“…Then—”

“Did you know Count Owen’s family also pulled strings to change his grades behind the scenes?”

He cut me off, smiling as he spoke.

“They say he was a rival to the Marquis, but… I’m not so sure.”

Could that really be true?

But I didn’t want to hear more about Leon from someone else.

“I still don’t get what you want from me.”

“That’s exactly the reaction I hoped for! I just wanted to tell you something you didn’t know!”

He let out a light, meaningless laugh.

Luckily, the Cardiff meeting venue came into view.

Cedric, who had brought me here just to get me away from Leon, was now chatting with him, though his expression was sour.

“Hmm, looks like they made up.”

Elai stretched and walked toward Onyx with a sheepish smile.

But Onyx scolded him.

“Sir Glaster, leaving your seat for so long when we have guests doesn’t look good.”

“Apologies! I just helped a lost lady find her way.”

As soon as he said that, Onyx looked straight at me.

“Miss Roygin!”

Judging by how happy he looked, it seemed he hadn’t forgotten his promise to show me around the temple.

As I was thinking that, my eyes met Cedric’s—his face was full of anger.

He clearly didn’t like seeing me with Elai.

I hesitantly walked over, and Cedric clenched his jaw, unable to hide his frustration.

“I told you to go back.”

“There was nothing to worry about.”

Well… maybe there was a little something.

I glanced toward Leon, who stood silently next to him.

He didn’t say a word—he just clenched his fists tightly.

I couldn’t tell what he was thinking at all.