The Male Lead Knelt Before Me - Chapter 128

Chapter 128 

Translator: Missme

Editor: Missme

“I got lucky.”

It wasn’t because Caleb tried to be humble.

Caleb was sincere.

It was pure luck that he found Elena.

If it weren’t for the young nobleman he met on the way to the temporary camp, he couldn’t have saved Elena.

Caleb briefly recalled what had happened a while ago.

The two were on their way back to their temporary camp when they met Natalie. Her uniform, which had already met the demonic beasts, was stained with black blood.

As they joined and headed to the camp, he heard a scream of a man.

He found the young nobleman just before he was attacked by a flock of Leppard when he went there.

After dealing with the Leppards and saving the young man, Caleb asked why the man was there.

And the young man stutters with a shocked expression.

“I-I was following Lady Vessel and ran into these demons.”

It was probably natural for Edmund, who was standing next to him, to ask with a firm expression.

“What made the young lord follow my sister?”

“B-because everyone was evacuating but I saw only Lady Vessel going in a different direction. I heard that the Archduke Couple’s daughter was also bitten and taken away by the demons, so I’m wondering if Lady Vessel was also… gasp!”

The young nobleman abruptly covered his mouth. As if he had only recently recognized Caleb and Edmund.

However, it was too late.

Caleb had already heard him say everything.

That Elena was taken away by the demonic beast.

Caleb was feeling suffocated. Strangely, however, he turned his head calmly.

The regular Leppards were usually seen tearing and killing their prey as soon as they saw it.

But the young man said that Elena has been ‘taken away’.

That Leppard didn’t kill Elena as it was.

That means……

“Did you hear anything about the demonic beast who took my fiancée? Whether it’s the size difference or the color of the fur.”

“Y-yes. I heard that the demon was a very big beast. Though, I’m not sure what color the fur is.”

It was the exact moment when his instincts and just-in-case thoughts proved correct.

The beast who took Elena was the Queen of the Leppards.

‘But why?’

The only thing Leppard Queen took without immediately killing was another ‘Queen,’ her opponent.

To keep them fresh, they would paralyze them with their poisonous teeth, then take them to their hiding place and eat them.

Elena was not Queen.

But Elena was taken by the Leppard Queen.

How come?

Edmund inquired of the young man, while Caleb couldn’t help but wonder.

“Where is my sister?”

“I’m not sure, my lord. I missed her because she rode away.”

“Then where did you last see her?”

“I believe she was passing through there.”

The young man indicated one direction.

It was not heading towards the Imperial City.

Elena, who was abducted by the Leppard Queen despite the fact that she was not Queen, and Vivian, who was suddenly left.

It was a coincidence that the handkerchief Vivian gave came to Caleb’s head as he was repeating the two.

Caleb took off his gloves.

Perhaps it was because of the gloves, which were not only strong but also waterproof, that there was no beast’s blood on his hands. Only the distinct odor of leather gloves and an unfamiliar bitter odor.

“I apologize, Commander. But I think I need to find my sister. Is that all right?”

“No, I’m coming with you.”

“Aren’t you going to search for Lady Oreu?”

“Right. It’s my way of finding Elena.”

Edmund’s face was puzzled by the mysterious words, but Caleb put on his gloves without saying anything.

“W-who am I returning with……”

Caleb’s decision caused the noble young nobleman to stammer. He was also filled with dread at the prospect of running into Leppard again.

“You can go with me.”

It was Natalie who unexpectedly stepped up. Caleb and Edmund remained silent.

Natalie picked up the young nobleman, who looked perplexed and asked, “w-woman?” and drove to the temporary camp.

As a result, Caleb and Edmund were able to pursue Vivian without being distracted.

Following the deep horse hooves and large footprints on the soft ground, they were able to discover a cave.

Also notable is the scene in which Vivian strangles Elena in front of him.

Caleb was careful not to mention the connection between the beast and the handkerchief.

He simply stated that he pursued Vivian because she was acting strangely and discovered Elena.

“… Does that mean the young lady was attempting to harm our daughter?”

“That’s right.”

The Archduke and his wife’s faces were filled with rage.

“How dare she! To my daughter!”

“What happened to that lady? I don’t believe you sent her back without questioning her.”

“I instructed my lieutenant to imprison her, so she should be in the Imperial City Underground Prison by now.”

The Archduke’s expression softened as a result of Caleb’s words.

There was still anger, but it was much more subdued than it had been before he learned about the situation.

“But that isn’t enough. I will never forgive her for attempting to harm my daughter.”

“The trial will begin once the reason is revealed after questioning. She won’t be able to avoid harsh punishment because the crime is so clear and there are so many witnesses besides me.”

This was also what Caleb desired. Even if Vivian is his own lieutenant’s sister.

I drew my heavy eyelids up. Surprisingly, I was feeling more stretched and burdened than usual.

It feels like the inside of my neck is tingling for some reason.

I was fumbling around and was surprised when I inadvertently looked at my arm.

Because it was smooth without a single scratch.

‘I am all fine. Why am I all fine? Oh, I received the treatment before going to sleep.’

I vaguely recall Caleb pouring holy water on me in front of the cave, following the treatment provided by the therapist and the priest.

Because the therapist suggested that I take a nap because it must have been difficult for me, I took the sleeping pill and promptly fell asleep.

My throat was dry, possibly because I realized I had slept for a while.

‘I’d like to drink some water.’

I looked around, but there was no sign of the water jug.

I was about to call the maid when I noticed the only light coming through the window was the moonlight.

‘It appears to be still night or dawn. I’m sure they’re all sleeping, right?’

Deciding to go downstairs, drink some water, and come back, I rose from the bed.

“Ah……”

My body stumbled as soon as I set my feet on the floor.

I barely managed to avoid falling on the bed, but I could feel my legs trembling.

‘It would be strange to be fine after going through such tragic events.’

Should I just sleep again? I don’t think I’m in particularly good shape either.

However, I was thirsty. To the point where I find it difficult to fall asleep if I lie down like this.

I was concerned, but I decided to drink water as planned.

As I carefully exited the bedroom, I noticed a silhouette on the sofa in the drawing room.

I was taken aback by the unexpected silhouette, and even in the dark, his brilliant silver hair swept my heart away.

‘What is he doing sleeping over there? It must be very uncomfortable.’

Even though the sofa was quite long, it was shorter than Caleb’s height.

It was obvious just by looking at his legs sticking out next to the sofa.

And he’s sleeping over there? No, it’s clear why he’s sleeping there……

I took a deep breath and raised my heels.

It was just in case the sound of my footsteps woke Caleb up.

‘Let’s just drink some water quietly and return.’

It happened as I was sneaking past the sofa where Caleb was sleeping.

Something grabbed my arm unexpectedly.

As I was about to scream in surprise, someone threw me to the ground as if I were being attacked.

Thud!

Instead of screaming, the shock to my back caused me to groan in pain.

Even though there was a thick carpet on the floor, it still hurt a lot. Enough to make my eyes well up.

Perhaps it’s a relief that there’s no table hitting my back.

It was when I frowned at the throbbing sensation.

“……Elena?”

His voice had a loud crack in it. Let’s see where the sound came from.

“Why are you under me……?”

That’s what I want to say.

My mouth went up unconsciously as I watched him blink with a puzzled expression.

“Well, I was passing by and was suddenly attacked.”

Caleb’s expression remained puzzled. As if he has no idea what I’m talking about.

“Why don’t you move out of the way? It’s quite heavy. If you’re going to attack me, it’s fine to stay like this.”

The latter part was, of course, a joke.

The floor was the floor, no matter how many rugs were placed on it. It was obvious that I would groan from exhaustion and that my back would hurt.

Furthermore, it was still cold outside, so I could catch a cold.

Is there even a need to be concerned about that in the first place? Caleb is obviously not going to do that.

Of course, there could be exceptions, but he was unlikely to make such a request first.

It’s special in its own way, but that’s unimaginable.

While I was thinking about various things, Caleb scrambled to his feet.

My body became lighter as the weight vanished, but I felt regret for some reason.

I followed Caleb up and shook off the hem.

“Are you feeling well? Did you get hurt or something?”

“Everything is fine.”

Of course, falling hurt and surprised me for a moment. However, it was only a ‘moment,’ as the word means.

Everything was fine now.

“But why were you out at night? Did you have a nightmare?”

I shook my head.

I had no dreams, let alone nightmares.

“I just awoke from a deep sleep and am thirsty. I was about to drink water when I realized there was no water jug in the bedroom.”

“Is that so? First of all, it’s cold, so go back inside. I’ll get you some water right away.”

“It’s fine, I can do……”

…that myself.

I was unable to continue the words.

Caleb had already left the room before I could catch him.

Thanks to this, I slowly lowered my arm that stretched out into the air.

I sat on the sofa instead.

Caleb motioned for me to enter the bedroom, but walking back in was annoying, and I just wanted to be here.

There was a warm warmth on the sofa as if to prove that he had just been lying down here.

But it was only a small part of it.

The cold air rising from the floor of the room had more cold spots than the area where the body was heated by his warm warmth.

‘Is there anything I can use to cover myself?’

When I looked down at the sofa, I noticed that it was only a cushion.

‘Did he sleep without a blanket? It must have been cold.’

As a precaution, I hugged the cushion. But I couldn’t help but notice how strange I felt.

Caleb came in while I was huddled on the sofa, clutching the cushion. He paused, slightly surprised, when he discovered me on the sofa.

With my chin resting on the cushion, I managed to laugh.

“You came very quickly.”

“I thought you were in your bedroom. Isn’t it cold?”

But it’s a little chilly.

“Caleb slept here as well.”

Caleb snapped his lips but quickly closed them in response to my words. He didn’t seem to have any excuses.

When I saw him like that, I reached out my hand without saying anything.

He then handed me a cup of water.

After saying thank you and drinking water, it felt like my sore throat was much better.

“Give it to me when you’ve finished drinking. I’ll return it and come back.”

“Saying you’ll return it and come back means you plan to sleep here again.”

“Are you uncomfortable with me sleeping here?”

“It just bothers me. I mean……”

Instead of handing Caleb an empty cup, I placed it on the sofa at random.

And I smiled as I looked up at Caleb, who stood there.

“Shall we sleep together?”

I mean let’s go inside together.

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