I Just Wanted Revenge, But Everyone Loves Me - Chapter 80

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 80
While the child shrank back.
Rodrigo turned over what he’d just heard.
‘Amelot?’
A house he’d never heard of before.
Or perhaps he’d simply forgotten it as unremarkable.
Outside of his retainers, Bangkadium rarely had cause to remember other noble families.
Dragons were inherently indifferent and selfish creatures. Bangkadium, bearing their blood, shared much the same disposition.
Bangkadium concerned himself with others? It scarcely happened except in cases of the gravest enmity—like that with the Imperial Family.
If he remembered a name, it was worth considering whether the person had committed wrongs grave enough to warrant the sale of an entire nation.
“?”
It was then that Rodrigo, reading the other man’s identity, lowered his gaze.
The child who had been chattering away moments before had withdrawn into his Robe like a hermit crab, curling tight.
‘What’s this?’
The child did occasionally behave unexpectedly, but this was different.
As if he’d spotted something frightening—his small body coiled defensively, ready to hide in the nearest mousehole.
It was pure instinct.
So what, exactly, was he trying to escape?
Rodrigo’s train of thought led him to glance at the man across from them.
The child’s retreat seemed to have begun the moment that man appeared.
‘I don’t like it.’
He couldn’t even recall the man’s face, doubted he’d remember it in the future, and yet something about him displeased him intensely.
Or could it be—
‘Does the child know him?’
The question arose naturally enough.
The man who had introduced himself as Amelot then spoke.
“I currently hold the rank of Count and own a small trading company in the Capital. Though its scale pales compared to other establishments, it grows steadily each year.”
“…….”
“Still, it hardly compares to the renown of Bangkadium.”
Count Amelot, generous with his praise, allowed himself a thin smile.
‘What fortune this is.’
To meet the Duke of Bangkadium alone, of all things. He’d arrived late after idle conversation with the other nobles—surely chance had granted him this unexpected blessing.
‘Though everyone speaks of him with fear.’
And yet Bangkadium was also an object of reverence, a place all looked up to. He’d heard the Emperor had cleared up the misunderstanding—that Bangkadium had not killed the Crown Prince after all.
Though his standing might not recover overnight, he was still the head of a thousand-year lineage.
As long as Bangkadium remained counted among the Empire’s greatest noble houses, there was no harm in making his acquaintance.
‘Indeed, opportunity comes in moments of crisis.’
It was galling that he still hadn’t found that ill-mannered wretch.
Yet now that he’d gained a chance to speak with Bangkadium, the anger that had been building began to ease.
“You must have endured so much, Your Grace. How difficult these months in Iztale must have been…….”
“It wasn’t particularly difficult.”
“But surely, having had to live in Iztale all this time, it must have been hard…….”
“It wasn’t.”
“…….”
Why was he like this?
Watching him toss out one-word replies, Hyacinth winced inwardly. If he found it pointless, he could simply remain silent. The curt refusals only made his already scarce social grace seem even thinner.
He didn’t usually conduct himself so tersely.
At least not with the Emperor.
‘I understand the Emperor is disagreeable, but—’
It was peculiar that he would spend time answering a noble he likely wouldn’t bother to remember.
It seemed like he was simply trying to feign some connection…….
“I apologize. I fear I may have detained you unnecessarily on your way.”
“I’d prefer if you’d leave.”
“……I beg your pardon?”
Count Amelot thought for a moment he’d misheard.
“Par—”
“I hate repeating myself.”
Rodrigo tightened his grip on the child cradled in his arms. Count Amelot, his gaze naturally drifting to the small figure nestled against the Duke’s chest, narrowed his eyes.
‘What is that?’
An animal? A person?
Either way, it hardly seemed the sort of thing a Duke would carry.
From the look of it…… it seemed more like a small child than an animal.
‘Does the Duke have a child?’
No, that couldn’t be.
The Duke’s former wife and child had long since passed from this world. Had there been a child, they would be about four or five years old by now.
Looking closer, he could make out what appeared to be strands of hair peeking from beneath the Robe.
‘Hmm.’
In that instant, as Count Amelot stared intently at the child, he felt a sudden chill of dread.
A sharp, palpable killing intent had emerged from nowhere, cutting at his cheek with a keenness that made his breath catch.
Realizing his mistake too late, Count Amelot quickly bowed his head.
“I—I apologize, Your Grace.”
Count Amelot retreated a step with swift courtesy. He had some sense of propriety, after all.
Crossing the line any further would be poison. Today, a simple greeting was enough.
The Count, satisfied that this exchange alone would suffice, bowed respectfully.
“Safe travels, Your Grace.”
“…….”
Rodrigo, regarding him with indifference despite the Count’s proper courtesy, turned to leave.
It was a blatant disregard of the other man’s bow.
Surely he wouldn’t just walk away like this? Really?
The moment Count Amelot felt the distance between them widening, he raised his head.
And sure enough, fortune betrays the careless.
Bangkadium, having thoroughly ignored the Count’s farewell, departed at an easy pace.
“Hah!”
Count Amelot let out a short, bewildered breath.
‘So they say he’s arrogant and hopeless.’
The description fit perfectly.
* * *
‘Did he see me?’
For just a moment, I’d felt his gaze on me clearly.
How tightly I’d held my breath then.
The instant I was sure the Count had moved away, the breath I’d been holding burst out in a rush.
‘I knew we’d meet again someday.’
But I never expected it would be so soon after arriving. The shock left my entire body trembling still.
‘If I’d been found out back there—’
What would have happened?
My mind conjuring the worst possibilities, I shook my head vigorously. I didn’t dare imagine it.
‘Thank goodness the Duke and Hyacinth were there.’
If I’d been alone, I’d have been captured without question. I’d have been dragged away before I could form any proper plan.
‘Now it’s finally starting to feel real.’
Even though I’d confirmed the Duke was safe, even though I’d achieved my first objective, it still felt like a dream somehow.
Count Amelot’s sudden appearance had made it all real at once.
“Little one.”
“…….”
“Dust mote.”
“……Y-yes?!”
I started badly and lifted my head at once. The Duke was already looking directly at me—had been for how long, I couldn’t say.
“Don’t concern yourself.”
“……I’m sorry?”
“That man you just saw.”
“!”
Had he somehow sensed the connection between me and the Count? The thought crossed my mind unbidden.
But fortunately, that wasn’t the case. The Duke said nothing further.
“Your name is cleared now, but the real trial begins from here. The moment you cross the threshold of the Mansion, your life will become entirely different.”
“…….”
“Don’t trouble yourself over such a worthless insect.”
The Duke’s brow furrowed slightly.
“It irritates me.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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