I Mistook the Hidden Identity of the Sub Male Lead (Web Novel) - Chapter 26

‘You still don’t trust me.’

 

It may be that he’s not providing any important information due to my low reliability. I made a contract with my heart at stake, but I was slightly disappointed at Grandiel who couldn’t trust me.

 

Of course, it’s extremely confidential that only those close to him would know, so he wouldn’t divulge it recklessly.

 

‘It’s hard to pretend not to know in front of Radiata and Acker.’

 

Yesterday alone, I was hesitant because it was difficult to explain to Radiata what kind of relationship I had with Grandiel, and today I almost died at Acker’s hands while pretending not to know Diel.

 

In order to prevent such a thing in advance, I had to hear Nepenthes’ identity from Grandiel’s lips.

 

“I made an appointment with Miss Mayerie.”

 

Could I finally get the answer I’ve been waiting for? His thick bangs were covering his face, so I couldn’t see his expression well.

 

However, I realized that he was more serious than ever through his low sunken voice.

 

“I’m not going to hide it.”

 

Grandiel’s face, raising his head, looked unfamiliar.

 

The warmth, which was like the sunshine of the spring sun, had disappeared before I knew it. There was no smirk or a sly smile.

 

“Miss Mayerie promised. Not to run away.”

 

No emotion was revealed in Grandiel’s expression, as he spoke. I implicitly thought that the personality of Nepenthes in the novel would be his true self.

 

It was different. If Nepenthes was a madman with no sense of humor, now Grandiel was rather rational and cold-hearted.

 

Perhaps this was the real Grandiel without the mask. His golden eyes twinkled with a strange light. Like the moon rising in the middle of the day.

 

“I believe you would keep that promise.”

 

His gaze stayed on me. As if to read something… I couldn’t lie in front of his eyes that could see through my emotions.

 

‘Are you trying to figure out what I’m thinking by reading my emotions?’

 

It was not easy to openly reveal what I felt to others. Even an honest person has something to hide.

 

Most of them would try to hide their secrets, but I decided to use them on the contrary.

 

To build trust in him. At least I have no intention of running away from him and I have no intention of breaking the contract, so it’s the truth.

 

“I would never run away.”

 

When I stared at Grandiel with an unwavering gaze, I heard the sound of the wind blowing from him.

 

What? I couldn’t believe I’m seeing the legendary ‘smile‘ with my own eyes. Grandiel’s face, which only raised one corner of his lips, looked more natural than usual.

 

“Nepenthes was an alias that I used when I pretended to be a commoner.”

 

“Oh! It was your alias! I thought you were called ‘Diel’ even when you hide your identity.”

 

I reacted eagerly with exaggerated gestures. Grandiel looked at me strangely and reached out to me.

 

Startled by the sudden touch, I pulled myself back, and Grandiel smiled awkwardly and gently touched my hair.

 

“There’s dust on your hair.”

 

“Oh, thank you.”

 

Surprisingly after a few days, I got used to Grandiel, who suddenly touched me, but I didn’t want to touch him, probably because I saw Ellex’s abilities in person.

 

‘When I touched Ellex, he calmed down, but I don’t know what would happen with Grandiel, so it’s better to be careful.’

 

There was a possibility that it wouldn’t change anything for Grandiel.

 

Everything has been well so far. However, it was unavoidable to become reluctant despite knowing human psychology.

 

In the midst of subtle airflow, he continued with a mask-like smile, “Miss Mayerie knows that I’m hiding my identity and running a certain group.”

 

“Yeah. Because we signed a contract to keep that secret.”

 

“The group I run mainly operates in the dark world. I couldn’t explain it in detail, but it’s not good for Miss Mayerie to hear. That’s why I’ve hidden my identity.”

 

I already knew everything, but I acted as astonished as possible.

 

“I didn’t even think it was related to that. So it’s why Diel desperately hid it.”

 

I nodded and pretended to agree. He didn’t reveal that he was the king of the dark, but it was important to me now that I heard that he was ‘associated with the Dark House, and the alias he used there was Nepenthes’. Oh, I’m so relieved!

 

“Are you okay?”

 

“What?”

 

When asked out of the blue, I asked back with a satisfied smile.

 

“It’s usually scary to say that it’s related to the Dark World.”

 

“I told you last time that it’s okay as long as you don’t make me do that, right?”

 

His golden eyes fluttered slightly at the answer without hesitation. Was my answer strange or was there a different reason?

 

I couldn’t understand what he was thinking, but I simply let it go. Because it was foolish to keep holding on to questions that could not be answered.

 

Grandiel, who had been staring at me for a long time, muttered something as he rubbed the jewelry on the necklace with his finger.

 

“Ah…”

 

Looking at him, I could notice his lips moving. I tried to ask what he was saying, but Grandiel didn’t give me a chance.

 

“Could I put the necklace on you?”

 

“What? Oh, yes.”

 

A completely different topic came up all of a sudden and I unexpectedly accepted it.

 

Well, I refused before. However, due to the atmosphere, it was difficult to refuse again, so I stayed still.

 

Grandiel stood up from his seat and approached with a necklace. Standing behind me, he carefully wrapped his arms around me and fastened the necklace.

 

Contrary to his gentle face, his cold fingertips brushed the nape of my neck. It was my first time receiving a necklace gift, and it was the first time someone offered to put it on me, so I was somewhat embarrassed, I fiddled with the blue jewel to hide my awkwardness.

 

“Miss Mayerie always exceeds my expectations.”

 

At that moment, a sweet voice penetrated my ears. When I turned my head in surprise, I made eye contact with Grandiel, who was looking down at me.

 

With a languid smile on his face, he swept my hair behind my ears with his long fingertips.

 

“I think that’s cool.”

 

And he kissed the tip of my hair softly. With his sudden behavior, I hardened like ice. Grandiel was smiling beautifully contrary to me, who became stiff.

 

“I-I see. Thank you for looking after me.”

 

I stood up stuttering… Compliments and praises like this are most likely to be the bait to do difficult things.

 

‘Why are you smiling like that? You make me nervous…’

 

It was best to avoid it when I know I couldn’t grasp his dream. I was very wary of Grandiel, and the distance to the door was close enough.

 

Good. It’s time to leave!

 

“Then I’ll get going now.”

 

Mayerie quickly said and took a step back towards the door.

 

As I distanced myself from Grandiel, his expression changed awkwardly. It was a short moment, but it seemed as if he had erased the smile on his lips and clicked his tongue.

 

‘Am I mistaken?’

 

“Already?”

 

Mayerie was contemplating whether it was an illusion or not, but Grandiel asked with a sullen expression as if nothing had happened.

 

Why are you looking at me like an abandoned puppy? Trying to shift my gaze away from his and thought of a suitable excuse.

 

“If I’m away for a long time, the head maid might scold me.”

 

It was a pretty valid opinion, so he seemed to agree quickly, but Grandiel, who licked his lips lightly, didn’t seem to want to let me go.

 

“I see. I’ll see you off.” (Grandiel)

 

“It’s okay.” Mayerie flatly refused.

 

Even if it was called a grand farewell, it was not very far from the wall to the Princess’ Palace, and there was no danger because the knights were patrolling.

 

‘If only people like Acker don’t show up.’

 

He’s such a fraud character, so let’s exclude him. Anyway, I refused because he had absolutely no reason to see me off.

 

“Actually, I’ll be away for about a week, something happened outside the palace. I won’t be able to see you for a while, so I’d like to stay with Miss Mayerie even a little longer.”

 

‘I’m fine with that.’ (Mayerie)

 

These words… rose to the top of my neck, but I couldn’t refuse because I thought we should take a walk, but Grandiel shrugged and gave a lonely look like a disappointed puppy at the fact that the owner would refuse.

 

We got out of the hideout and walked along the wall. I couldn’t walk side by side with the Crown Prince, so I kept a distance and followed him, but Grandiel, who had slowed down, came to my side and talked.

 

“Could I ask you a question?” (Grandiel)

 

Are you not acting because there’s no one around? It was Grandiel, dressed as a crown prince, who asked questions smoothly without stuttering.

 

On the way to the Imperial Palace, I answered, wondering if other people would think it was strange if they saw us.

 

“Yes.”

 

“What made Miss Mayerie so fond of the Duke?”

 

If I had been drinking water, I would have to spit it out on Grandiel’s face.

 

Mayerie was bewildered by the endless question, but she quickly straightened her expression and fell into thought.

 

It was difficult to answer. I wanted to say ‘what’s the reason for love?’ but there was a reason why I liked Ellex.

 

‘It’s because of his handsome face.’

 

If I had met Acker or Grandiel, who showed off their beautiful appearance first, I might have liked them before I recalled the memories of my previous life.

 

However, I couldn’t honestly answer that I liked Ellex’s handsome face, so I struggled to come up with another answer.

 

“His black hair looked cool.”

 

It was the answer after squeezing out my brain. Unlike in my previous life, black hair was rare in this world.

 

It was a plausible reason because many girls yearned for the black hair of the Duke, darker than the night sky.

 

‘Well, it’s not wrong.’

 

The best was the best, and the black hair was black hair. At some point, ‘he’s my favorite from now on!’

 

And I slap him on the cheek. Therefore, it varies regardless of whether it was blonde, silver, or brown hair. However, if there was an immutable fact, it was black hair.