I’m Stuck on a Remote Island With the Male Leads - Chapter 162
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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 162
Of course, since the contract terms were disadvantageous to him, it was obvious that Jenas wouldn’t cooperate in finding the forces involved in the Experiments.
That’s why I’d created the final clause: “He cannot speak falsehoods.”
“I’ll tell you. But not now. Margaret will be devastated.”
I could vividly imagine how despairing Margaret would become if she learned that Jenas hadn’t died. That’s why Kaiden wanted to confess this truth only after she’d overcome the aftereffects of escaping the Island.
[Do you really think that’s for her sake? How foolish. When she learns the truth later, she’ll surely despair even more. She might even blame herself. Though it’s none of my concern.]
Seemingly feeling somewhat better, Jenas offered Kaiden another piece of advice. Kaiden lay quietly listening to his words before slowly opening his mouth.
“Manifest.”
[Ugh—!]
Jenas’s anguished groan echoed loudly in his mind. Sleep seemed impossible now.
Moreover, whenever he drifted into slumber, Jenas would frequently attempt to seize control of his body.
Though Jenas might take over Kaiden’s body, the subordination contract would prevent him from deviating from Kaiden’s will or behavioral patterns—yet his efforts were admirable nonetheless.
Kaiden pressed his temples firmly with a weary expression.
He’d need to impose a seal so forceful that Jenas couldn’t even muster resistance. That was the only way for him to sleep peacefully.
* * *
A Tea Time had been held at the Imperial Palace for the first time in ages.
The Empress was the host, and those who’d been restraining their extravagance amid the ominous atmosphere of war were now eager to attend.
Innis Belgrime Flone—the heir of the Flone Family and Margaret’s elder sister—sighed as she observed the noblewomen and Young Ladies, who seemed even more excited than usual.
The Empress, seated at the head of the table, quickly assessed Innis’s complexion and smiled.
“Congratulations, Lady Flone. Today’s gathering has been prepared in your honor. I’m sure everyone understands the significance.”
Before the Empress could finish speaking, everyone applauded and offered their congratulations to Innis.
“I heard you’ve finally found your younger sister. I understand she’s currently under protection at the Romalisan Holy Ground with the Langrid forces.”
“Yes. I’ve heard the same. Thank you for your congratulations, Your Majesty the Empress.”
Innis responded with the warmest expression she could muster.
Though Margaret was a scoundrel and troublemaker, she was still her younger sister. How could she not be pleased that her missing sister had returned?
Yet considering her connection with the Duchess of Flone, Innis hadn’t anticipated the Empress would arrange such a grand Tea Time solely in her honor.
Innis, with platinum blonde hair like Margaret’s neatly pinned up, awkwardly touched the back of her neck.
“I heard she appeared by parting the very heavens?”
“She arrived riding a divine beast. I understand His Highness Crown Prince Enoch and His Highness the Crown Prince of Hestia were with her as well?”
Yet the Young Ladies seemed filled more with envy toward Margaret, who’d appeared alongside the two men—the Crown Prince and the Crown Prince—than with concern for their safety.
“My. But didn’t His Highness the Crown Prince dislike Lady Flone? How dreadful that they’ve been together all this time…”
One Young Lady spoke in surprise upon hearing the conversation. The Young Lady seated beside her immediately jabbed her side with her elbow. Only then did the flustered Young Ladies look toward Innis.
Innis remained silent without offering any particular response. The fact that Enoch found Margaret detestable was undeniable.
“Where on earth could those people have been all this time?”
A noblewoman voiced her question amid the awkward atmosphere. Another noblewoman who heard the question spoke with a laugh.
“Could it be that God temporarily took them away? Perhaps they were chosen by God for the sake of this world’s peace. There’s no other explanation possible, is there?”
At those words, the Young Ladies grew excited and began discussing God’s revelation. Innis keenly noticed the Empress’s brow furrow slightly as she observed them.
“I wonder. For those who hold the power of a nation—nay, the very fate of the Continent—to vanish together at the same time and place. No matter how I think about it, I cannot comprehend it.”
The Empress raised her doubts through vague and suggestive remarks without directly insinuating anything. The ripples spread like a stone cast into still water.
Only then did Innis realize why the Empress had arranged this gathering. She’d wanted to seize upon any pretext she could find.
This was because it was the Empress who had fully supported Rodban, the Deposed Crown Prince, after his pardon and reinstatement, enabling him to take direct command of the war.
No one was unaware that Rodban, the Deposed Crown Prince, sought to claim the vacant position of Enoch Aster Klaus Langrid, the Crown Prince.
It would be possible if he returned victorious from this war—assuming Enoch remained missing until then.
“However, regardless of the truth, I cannot express how joyful it is that everyone is alive. Therefore, we have decided to hold a grand homecoming celebration upon the Crown Prince’s return.”
A homecoming celebration, no less. Innis Belgrime Flone wondered if those who returned would even enjoy such a party. If their disappearance had been involuntary rather than by choice, they would surely need rest far more than festivities.
“I do hope everyone returns soon!”
“I cannot tell you how grateful I am that this dreadful war has finally ceased.”
“I’m eager to hear what on earth has transpired all this time!”
The conversations of those responding to the Empress’s words continued with voices brimming with anticipation.
Innis Belgrime Flone sat through the entire Tea Time with an uncomfortable expression, only finally released after three or four hours had passed.
Cursed people.
Now that she understood the true reason the Empress had invited her to Tea Time, their congratulations felt utterly unwelcome.
After Tea Time ended, someone stopped Innis Belgrime Flone as she walked through the Imperial Palace Corridor.
“Lady Flone.”
He appeared to be a temporary aide to Rodban, the Deposed Crown Prince.
At Innis’s gesture, her aide Jayden stepped forward and blocked the man’s path. Then he spoke on her behalf.
“What is the matter?”
Jayden, despite never having undergone Physical Training in his life, possessed a robust frame and impressive bearing. Perhaps because of this, Rodban’s temporary aide seemed somewhat intimidated, his eyes darting nervously.
“H-His Highness Rodban wishes to see you.”
“Isn’t he supposed to be on the Battlefield? How does he expect to find me?”
“He sent word through a communication crystal.”
At the aide’s words, Innis Belgrime Flone scowled irritably. She made no effort to hide her annoyance and expressed her anger toward him.
“The Flone Family has communication crystals too. Why must you block my path here? Do you have a death wish?”
At Innis’s piercing gaze, the aide’s face paled. Jayden then pressed for an answer once more, his tone threatening.
“Lady Flone is asking you a question. Answer.”
“It is that… His Highness finds it more convenient to contact the Imperial Palace…”
Crack. The identification badge in Innis’s hand shattered.
How utterly self-centered.
After Enoch disappeared and Rodban, the Deposed Crown Prince, was reinstated, he became infatuated with Innis Belgrime Flone at first sight and approached her, constantly making advances.
Was he not the one who had attempted to assassinate Enoch Aster Klaus Langrid, the Crown Prince, upon his victorious return from the Battlefield, only to be apprehended on the spot, stripped of his position, and exiled? Yet here he was, shamelessly persisting.
Rodban was utterly unfit to be Crown Prince. His thinking was shallow, and his schemes were so simple they were transparent.
However, whether through the Empress’s influence or the Emperor’s newfound support, Rodban’s position and standing were becoming increasingly secure.
Innis Belgrime Flone ground her teeth and followed the aide to the communication crystal, where she faced Rodban’s repugnant visage.
[Just wait a little longer. I will return safely and take you as my wife.]
“Have you not heard? They say His Highness the Crown Prince has returned.”
[I will handle that myself. This place is filled entirely with my people. Do you understand what that means? It means I will soon eliminate every last one of them and safely claim the Crown Prince’s throne.]
“Who said anything about marrying Your Highness? I am the heir to the Flone Family. Cease your rudeness. Should you persist, I will consider it an insult to my Family.”
[Hahahaha. What has angered you this time? Your angry face is beautiful too. But I am tired now, so let us end this. Just wait a little longer.]
The moment the communication crystal went dark and his repugnant face vanished, Innis Belgrime Flone hurled it to the Floor.
‘This cursed bastard—once Enoch Aster Klaus Langrid and Margaret Rose Flone return, I will strip you of your power.’
As Innis pondered this, she recalled what Rodban had said moments earlier: “This place is filled entirely with my people. Do you understand what that means?”
That fool had no caution whatsoever. No wonder he’d been deposed and exiled.
Innis moved with urgency. She needed to relay this news to the Flone Family members who would be at Romalisan Holy Ground.
While she was returning anyway, she’d make sure to tell them to completely eradicate that wretched Rodban’s bloodline. He would never even dream of restoration again.
* * *
It was the dead of night.
Deep in slumber, I felt a tickling sensation across my face and furrowed the space between my eyebrows. It felt as though someone were caressing my cheek.
“Tsk… Hah… Insolent wretch. You’ve turned your entire body into mere rags.”
A familiar voice reached my ears. My eyes snapped open, and Kaiden’s face came into view.
“You’re awake.”
“Kaiden?”
“I suppose I do resemble Kaiden. Unfortunately, I’m not.”
I bolted upright from the bed. Eun-ji, who had been curled up at my pillow, opened her drowsy eyes with a start.
“Who are you?!”
I frantically lit the Lantern. Yet to my astonishment, Kaiden sat before me—silver hair, red eyes, even an Earring on his right ear. It was unmistakably Kaiden.
“Could it be… Jenas?”
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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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