My Sweet Deceiver - Chapter 61

Upon entering the conference room, Dennis saw Fabrice sitting in the top seat.

 

He was dictating something and having a conversation with someone. Dennis couldn’t help laughing at the sight of Fabrice talking so passionately and confidently. It was because Fabrice’s intentions were transparent.

 

If he had been as interested in state affairs as he was now, he would have gained the throne sooner.

 

Dennis quickly erased the smile from his lips, went over to Fabrice, and put his hand on his shoulder.

 

“Fabrice.”

 

“Ah, brother. Where did you go?”

 

It was funny how he talked. Fabrice’s words gave off a subtle feeling, like, ‘I was taking care of everything while you were gone.’ Dennis was away for less than half an hour. The only thing Fabrice did after entering the meeting room was to report the situation.

 

Dennis answered, pretending not to know, even though he recognized the meaning behind Fabrice’s tone.

 

“I had some work. What is it?”

 

“Since Father isn’t here, shouldn’t I take care of it?”

 

Fabrice said calmly.

 

Last night, when the situation was urgent, there was nothing to say to a person who did not show up.

 

Dennis looked around.

 

Then, he saw that the people in the hall hurriedly turned their gazes elsewhere. Dennis and Fabrice, the conversation between the two princes, people were watching carefully.

 

After the execution of Duke Briem, the nobles who supported Fabrice were divided into neutralists and those who supported Dennis.

 

However, some still believed in the King’s heart behind Fabrice.

 

In this conference room, of course.

 

Dennis watched what they did quietly, thinking he should not give excuses to Fabrice’s supporters.

 

“I will deal with the fire. My brother is safe in the palace.”

 

“You, yourself?”

 

Dennis asked back like someone who didn’t believe in the true meaning of the words that came out of Fabrice’s mouth.

 

“Yes. I have to be an example. Of course, if it is a prince.”

 

Having said that, Fabrice touched the necktie one more time for no reason.

 

Exemplary.

 

Was there any other word that didn’t go well with Fabrice?

 

Dennis said with a grim sneer on his lips.

 

“Okay. It wouldn’t be bad for you to go out once in a while.”

 

Contrary to expectations, Fabrice was surprised inwardly by the words of permission that fell.

 

It was because he thought that Dennis would object.

 

Fabrice said, not even realizing that he was asking permission from Dennis.

 

“Then let’s start right away.”

 

He got up from his seat as if he was going to leave the palace at any moment. However, Dennis reached out and stopped Fabrice. Then he said in a sweet voice.

 

“Before that, shall we go and have breakfast? Have you eaten yet?”

 

“Yes, I have.”

 

“Wouldn’t you like to eat with me after a long time?”

 

Dennis was smiling brightly.

 

It was a face he had never shown in front of Fabrice in recent years.

 

Then there was the sound of the people behind Fabrice inhaling.

 

It wasn’t common for people to just pass by Dennis’ smile like the sunshine on a spring day with the appearance of a God.

 

Only then did Fabrice realize that the people in the conference room were watching him.

 

‘You all are hoping for something fun to happen.’

 

“What do you think?”

 

Dennis again invited Fabrice to eat.

 

People were constantly watching the two of them, pretending they didn’t.

 

If he refused Dennis’ offer here and did anything wrong, he would never have his share of the throne.

 

They could tell from Fabrice’s dull head.

 

“All right, brother.”

 

Fabrice stood up, thinking he wouldn’t do anything to live up to people’s expectations.

 

***

 

After a while.

 

Dinner was set in the restaurant.

 

Dennis offered Fabrice an aperitif.

 

Still, he was holding a glass of water.

 

“You know I don’t drink alcohol.”

 

Fabrice took a sip of the drink.

 

It had been a long time since he drank alcohol due to his contract with Giselle.

 

The contract, over 40 pages long, also contained provisions regarding drinking.

 

Perhaps it was because it had been a long time since he drank, the alcohol tasted sweet.

 

Giselle said a few days ago, perhaps feeling the same situation today.

 

“Don’t let the First Prince do anything alone. Be sure to accompany the Prince wherever he goes. And if possible, please show the Prince something too. Can you do it?”

 

Fabrice, remembering that conversation, woke up and hurriedly visited the conference hall at dawn.

 

“You’ve been through a lot, haven’t you?”

 

At Dennis’ kind words, Fabrice woke up from his thoughts and raised his head.

 

Even the expression on his face when he said that was benevolent.

 

He overlapped with Dennis’ face from when they were close friends as children.

 

“No, brother.”

 

Fabrice denied it for now.

 

“What? You’ve had a lot of heartaches, I know. People don’t know, but you’re a soft-hearted kid.”

 

“…”

 

Fabrice looked down at his glass, and he gulped down.

 

Several things seemed to pass through his mind.

 

“Would you like more?”

 

“Yes. Please give me more.”

 

Dennis poured himself a drink for Fabrice.

 

“Fabrice, do you remember when you were little? You and I, at the hunting ground.”

 

“You mean the mother deer chased me while trying to catch a fawn, right?

 

“Yes, that’s right. You still remember.”

 

Dennis said with a laugh.

 

Then he spoke in a voice full of remorse.

 

“In the end, you barely escaped by climbing a tree.”

 

“You’re right. And I hurt my leg while coming down from a tree.”

 

Fabrice also felt sentimental.

 

“Yes, you did. You pretended that you didn’t hurt your leg because you were afraid you would get in trouble if caught, but you got in more trouble. It was a really nice time. Isn’t that right? “

 

“…Yes.”

 

The words ‘it was really a nice time’ was a fact that he had no choice but to admit.

 

“Drink some more, Fabrice.”

 

“Thank you, brother.”

 

“What? We can’t talk comfortably like before, can we?”

 

“Brother, that’s a little…”

 

“I’m just saying.”

 

Fabrice, absorbed in the atmosphere created by Dennis, emptied the entire bottle of drink.

 

Fabrice’s head kept falling down as if his eyes were closing.

 

“Why am I so tired?”

 

“Really? Then get some rest, Fabrice.”

 

It was a very friendly tone.

 

In the end, watching Fabrice fall on the table, Dennis stood up.

 

“Send Fabrice back to the palace. So that he can rest in peace.”

 

And he returned to the conference room.

 

He checked to see if anything unusual happened during mealtime when he was away.

 

“Where is the second prince…?”

 

An official who was bringing payment documents asked him.

 

Dennis answered casually.

 

“He said he would rest because he was tired. He will be in the palace now. What is that?”

 

“It’s about deploying additional troops.”

 

“Yes, please.”

 

Sylvan approached from behind.

 

Dennis smiled cluelessly at him.

 

“It seems to be strong for ordinary people,” said Sylvan in a bewildering manner.

 

“That’s right, I didn’t know because you increased the dosage every time I suffered from insomnia. That should be enough to put a bear to sleep.”

[T/N: Maybe something was added to the drink.]

 

“Yes.”

 

“Did you use it all?”

 

“I didn’t intend to use it all, but my hand trembled a little when I put it in the bottle. I put in more than I expected.”

 

“…”

 

It must be intentional.

 

That was intentional.

 

It was purely Dennis’ idea to put Fabrice to sleep after pretending to do what he wanted. He had quietly sent Fabrice away by putting the sleep powder that he smoked in his cigar into the drink.

 

If Fabrice went to the fire scene and confronted him, there would be no greater disaster than that.

 

Dennis shrugged his shoulders and smiled.

 

Sylvan touched his head.

 

Apparently, the boss he served wasn’t of that kind.

 

He saw now that his boss was a fox, not a bear.

 

A fox.

 

In the room, he couldn’t get rid of the thought that his boss’ natural behind-the-scenes work was becoming more and more like someone.

 

Does this prove that husband and wife are one body?

 

And what’s with that slyness…?

 

Sylvan had no choice but to think that his boss had evolved to the next level.

 

* * *

 

A week that felt like a year passed.

 

Late in the afternoon, word came that Elliot was arriving at the palace.

 

“Your Highness, the King is here.”

 

He saw Elliott’s face in the distance.

 

Dennis bowed his head to greet him.

 

“Thank you for coming back a long way.”

 

“Yeah. You did a great job, too.”

 

Elliott patted him on the shoulder and congratulated him.

 

Fabrice, standing right next to him, greeted him quickly.

 

“I have too, father.”

 

“Uh, okay.”

 

Elliot hugged Fabrice, patted him on the back, and continued saying, “You worked hard.”

 

There was a rumor that the King was staying away from Fabrice for a while, but it seemed to be nothing more than a rumor.

 

He was so affectionate.

 

Even though he must have been informed of what happened on the way back.

 

In fact, he must have known that Fabrice hadn’t done anything.

 

He didn’t know if his son was saying he struggled with going through a week without any accidents.

 

Dennis watched the friendly father-son reunion with insensitive eyes.

 

Elliot, who had returned, summoned everyone to his audience room.

 

He was in a moderately relaxed atmosphere, spinning his whiskey glass round and round.

 

“Report the progress.”

 

An official rose to report.

 

“Yes. All the fire sites, which had intermittent residual fires, have recovered. And the arsonists who set the fire are those who are dissatisfied with the monarchy, but the ringleader has disappeared. We are chasing after him.”

 

“And?”

 

“We have captured several members of the squad, and to deal with them legally…”

 

Elliott cut off the official’s words.

 

Then he slammed the desk and said.

 

“Those who are dissatisfied with the monarchy! It is absolutely unacceptable. Catch him as soon as possible! Leave no roots.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

 

Elliot shouted in an angry voice as if he was still angry.

 

“It’s been a week, and what’s the reason you still haven’t caught the ringleader? Huh?”

 

“…I’m sorry, Your Majesty.”

 

“Capture the ringleader alive. I will personally interview him.”

 

Eliot’s eyes were bloody as he chanted in a low voice.

 

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

 

The official bowed his head and withdrew.

 

“And you know…”

 

Elliot put down his whiskey glass and spoke.

 

“Who opened the palace gate without permission?”

 

Elliot was looking directly at Dennis.

 

(To be continued in the next episode)