The Male Lead Knelt Before Me - Chapter 96

Translator: Missme
Editor: Aru

Given Caleb’s straightforward personality, this progress wasn’t particularly shocking.

As a result, Enosh had been in trouble throughout the weekend.

However, Enosh couldn’t help but be embarrassed since this was faster than he expected. And it made his head throbbing.

Enosh was annoyed by the perpetrator who pushed Elena to the lake.

If he had known who the perpetrator was, he would have commanded that they be arrested and chopped apart.

‘This would not have happened if it hadn’t been for that incident.’

Caleb would not have been aware of his feelings for Elena, and the two would not be in a relationship as they are today.

Moreover, the one who was supposed to be the main character of the circulating rumor was Enosh. Instead of Caleb.

‘No, there’s still a chance.’

Enosh remembered the hidden weapon that had helped him regain composure over the weekend.

That Elena was intentionally ‘approached’ Caleb.

He couldn’t kill Elena because of the royal oath he swore and the fact that she was the daughter of Archduke Adele.

So the only way he could keep them apart was for Caleb to reject Elena.

And there’s no better way to do that than to bring up the contract he made with Elena.

‘He may feel betrayed when he realizes that all of the emotional meetings that happened by coincidence were actually planned’

Enosh couldn’t say it during the birthday banquet because a certain noblewoman shouted, but he could certainly say it this time.

Because Enosh and Caleb are the only ones at the luncheon at the time.

“Well, as you said, you might find it doesn’t matter that the rumors of her being an actor weren’t all good. But, Duke, I’ll tell you something……”

Enosh said with a relaxed smile.

“I paid a fortune to Elena Oreu in order to approach you on purpose, Duke.”

Enosh firmly checked Caleb’s countenance when he said that. Because he was sure, Caleb would be surprised upon hearing it.

However, contrary to what he expected, Caled’s expression was normal.

He had a peaceful and comfortable expression on his face. In other words, Caleb seemed indifferent.

‘How come you aren’t surprised?’

Enosh couldn’t contain his bafflement. Because Caleb’s immediate reaction was so different from what he had anticipated.

‘Is it conceivable that he doesn’t change his face much because he is so shocked?’

That’s right. That’s a possibility.

Caleb has never been good at expressing his feelings.

Though his face appeared to be unaffected, he must have felt betrayed on the inside.

Enosh was speculating, but Caleb’s voice was soon heard.

“Could you tell me why you asked her to do that?”

“Let’s just say, Duke, I was concerned about you.”

Enosh then deftly created several lies to add to the explanation.

“As far as I’m aware, you’ve never even dated a woman. At your age, you don’t even have a fiance, and I believe you never intend to have one.”

“……”

“As a man, don’t you think it’s necessary to have experiences with women in your life? I believe that is important in light of the duke’s family’s succession.”

“Is that why you offered Elena such a request?”

“You’re correct. I believed it would be difficult for an ordinary young lady or other noblewoman to seduce you, Duke. That’s why I approached Lady Oreu with an offer. Aas an actress, she must have a lot of experience dealing with men……”

That’s a made up lie. And yet Enosh thought that it was a perfect excuse for himself.

“Anyway, I don’t believe being engaged to someone like her would be a wise decision. Do you believe she’s the right person to be the duchess of the duke? She is merely enough to enjoy……”

“Your Highness the Crown Prince.”

At Caleb’s piercing voice, Enosh couldn’t continue his words.

“It gives me a lot of pleasure that you’ve been considering what’s best for me. I also can’t thank you enough for providing me with the opportunity to meet my lover.”

“……”

“But.”

Caleb added vehemently.

“They don’t give me a reason to put up with my lover being insulted.”

“The way you say it just now…… are you intending to continue your engagement with her?”

“That’s right.”

Enosh was taken aback.

Caleb, who felt deceived, broke up with Elena, which was obviously the outcome he intended. It was as simple as that.

‘However, he intends to go through with the engagement? It’s insane.’

Enosh laughed in vain.

Caleb’s comments were beyond Enosh’s common sense.

“How come? Duke, that woman deceived you out of the money I offered to her. But you still want to get willing to engage with her? Doesn’t it really bother you a bit?”

“Your highness, I’m not sure how much you promised my lover, but I have a lot of money, so it’s fine.”

Caleb is perfectly aware that Elena did not love him for this reason.

Elena would not make any excuses to refuse his proposal if it were not for the money. Furthermore, Elena’s gaze was so sweet, as if he was the only thing that mattered to her.

There’s no way a person could love someone like that for the sake of  money.

Even if Elena could love someone for the money, it won’t make a difference to him.

Because that was also the charm she possessed.

Isn’t it perfect if you could meet someone you love while also maintaining a stable financial situation?

“If she feels I’m lacking in some manner, I’ll go out of my way to make up for it. And if she wants something, I’ll do all I can to make it happen.”

Enosh, who had heard Caleb’s response in the meanwhile, got gradually insane.

He even questioned Caleb’s sanity.

‘How could that woman have influenced him in this way?’

Elena came from a low-aristocracy family with no money, as even Caleb must have known. Nonetheless, he couldn’t believe Caleb’s response……

It was a time when Enosh was troubled by situations he couldn’t understand and didn’t want to understand.

An idea crossed Enosh’s mind.

‘Does he happen to be aware of her origins? That she is the Archduke Adele’s daughter?’ 

It seemed plausible.

Because there was a possibility that before Enosh handed her the rings, Caleb was already aware of Elena’s eye color changes.

Although it was well known that the imperial family possessed a sacred relic known as Izaka, which was used to implement royal oaths, it was less well known that the archduke family possessed a similar sacred relic.

There were more people who were unaware of it than those who were aware. Not to mention those who know how to wield the sacred relic.

Caleb is the empire’s sole duke, therefore he may be aware of this fact.

Enosh could only comprehend Caleb’s attitude after that.

Caleb is still planning on marrying Elena because he is aware of her heritage.

Because he knows that with the archduke’s support, he will prosper even more.

“I see. That’s what it was. Duke, you are just outstanding. I almost fell for it.”

Enosh scowled sharply at Caleb.

“So you’re already aware that the woman is Archduke Adele’s daughter.”

“The Archduke’s daughter? What do you mean, Your Highness?”

“You don’t have to pretend anymore, Duke. Weren’t you aware that the woman’s eyes change gold whenever they come in contact with lights?”

Enosh added.

“Though it wouldn’t change these days due to the ring I gave her.”

“Was that the real reason you gave Elena the ring? Not because of the temple priests and Imperial wizards, but to conceal the truth that she is the archduke’s daughter?”

“Do you think I’d be prepared to offer a sacred relic ring only to protect someone from imperial wizards?”

“Elena… is the archduke’s daughter…”

Caleb murmured something, not sure whether it was a query or an insight.

For a brief period, Enosh wondered if Caleb was joking.

Enosh tried to respond sharply again, but quickly hushed up.

Because he noticed a rare look of confusion on Caleb’s face.

“Don’t tell me…… you really don’t know?”

There was no response.

However, Enosh was certain of one thing.

Caleb was completely unaware of this fact.

Enosh wanted to bite his tongue at his own stupid action.

Because he squandered what may have been an opportunity.

‘It isn’t too late. Let’s have it fixed right away.’

Enosh determinedly added rapidly.

“Of course, that hasn’t yet been confirmed. Despite my certainty, the archduke has yet to confirm it. So, let us not rush into anything.”

“Thank you for your interest. But let me make one point clear this time.”

“……”

“I didn’t adore my lover because she was the archduke’s daughter. I love her for who she is.”

Enosh’s ear was penetrated by a strong voice.

“I love her for who she is. It has nothing to do with her heritage.”

“Wow, that’s incredible. Yes, absolutely incredible.”

Caleb’s expression remained unchanged despite Enosh’s sarcasm.

And that enraged Enosh even more.

Caleb has always been like this. No matter what Enosh does, Caleb always acts like a good boy.

“I don’t get it. You had no idea she was the archduke’s daughter, but you still love her?”

“Your Highness is not required to understand me.”

“But isn’t there something you should consider? It may be difficult at first, but it will become easier after that. Duke, you never know when she’ll deceive you again. Furthermore, she was an actress, so she must have had a lot of experience with men……”

Shatter!

There was a sound of something crushed.

The sound was sharp enough to make the atmosphere become chilly in an instant.

Enosh couldn’t continue his sentence and turned to gaze towards the source of the noise.

His eyes were drawn to the shattered wine glass in Caleb’s hand.

The table was covered in a mixture of blood and wine.

Enosh flinched when he turned to stare at Caleb’s eyes after looking blankly at his palm.

Caleb’s demeanor was obviously the same as always, yet his gaze was different.

Caleb’s gaze was that of a predator staring down its prey.

Enosh was taken aback by Caleb’s intense stare.

“Allow me to repeat myself, Your Highness the Crown Prince.”

Enosh was unable to react. He just remained there staring at Caleb.

“I have no reason to hear you insult my lover, and I’m not going to put up with it. This is my final piece of advice and patience.”

“……”

“Moreover, if Elena is, as you claim, the archduke’s daughter, you have much more reason to be cautious about what you say about her.”

Caleb raised himself after speaking, nonchalantly shaking his hands.

아직 굳지 않은 검붉은 액체가 그의 손끝을 타고 흘러내렸다.

A dark red liquid that had not yet hardened flowed down his fingertips.

“I apologize for not being able to finish the entire meal, but I am afraid I must go immediately due to an injury to my hand. Then.”

Caleb greeted Enosh with a wine-bloodied hand on his chest.

A reddish stain spread over Caleb’s navy blue uniform.

Caleb, though, was unconcerned and turned around.

Bang!

Enosh’s eardrum was pierced by the thunderous sound of the door closing.

Enosh, who was left alone, went blank for a second before shouting and hurling the glass in front of him.

But Enosh was aware.

He can’t do anything about it at all.

Enosh, as Caleb mentioned, has to look good to Elena if he is concerned about his own future.

⇺⇺⇺⇼⇻⇻⇻

Caleb went to visit a therapist after leaving the crown prince’s palace.

Before pouring holy water, it was necessary to remove the glass fragments. Because if he just spilled the holy water, the glass would rot underneath.

The glass shards in his palms pricked him, and the wine and blood had dried and turned them sticky.

‘It was a good thing I left Lord Vessel in charge of the training session.’

Since he couldn’t lift his sword with his hand injured.

Caleb recounted what Enosh had stated previously while being treated by a therapist.

“There’s a possibility Elena is the archduke’s daughter……”

Caleb, as he previously stated to Enosh, was unaware of Elena’s birth and origins.

He just wanted Elena to be happy if he told her about the news.

Caleb, on the other hand, was hesitant to tell Elena the news right away.

Because the archduke has yet to confirm it.

The claim about Elena being the archduke’s daughter must be accurate, based on how confidently the crown prince said it. But it would all be for vain if the archduke denied it.

Caleb doesn’t want it to happen, but if it does……

‘I’m sure Elena will be hurt if that happens.’

Elena will be disappointed, as she had anticipated.

In the end, Caleb couldn’t decide what to do.

⇺⇺⇺⇼⇻⇻⇻

“This is the room you’ll be staying in from now on, my lady.”

After Caleb departed for work, I followed the butler’s directions to the room where I would be staying.

And I squinted at the spot where the butler had indicated.

“Are you sure this is the room I’ll be staying in?”

“Certainly, my lady.”

I couldn’t believe it even after hearing the butler’s response.

Because the room where I’ll be staying is just around 10 steps away from Caleb’s.