The Male Lead Is the Villain, and I'm the Only One Who Knows - Chapter 64

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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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The Male Lead is the Hidden Mastermind, and I’m the Only One Who Knows — Episode 64
“Mm…!”
I gasped as cool lips pressed against my burning mouth, and before I could close it again, Evan seized the opening with effortless grace, his tongue slipping past my teeth as his arm drew me close around the waist.
Fresh mint mingled with his natural cool scent, sharpening my senses to an almost painful degree.
‘His Mana is……!’
Nothing like when he’d bitten my neck or clasped my hand before—a surge of power so immense it flooded through my entire body in waves.
I felt the tremendous force ripple through my blood, reaching into every corner of my being.
The gentle way he held the back of my head, the unyielding strength of muscle pinning me close—every sensation was too intense to bear.
“Hah, mm…….”
“…I didn’t mean to suffocate you.”
When my breath finally ran out and I gasped for air, Evan released me at last. A delicate silver thread stretched between our lips, stark and clear in my vision.
“This should hold for a fortnight without issue.”
Evan wiped away the moisture lingering on my lips with his thumb, and seeing my dazed expression, let out a soft laugh.
“If you want more, just ask. There are far more effective methods than this—”
Tap.
I reached out and pressed my palm against his lips almost on instinct, cutting off his words in one swift motion.
“That’s more than enough, thank you. Please stop. I’m not curious.”
With his mouth sealed by my hand, Evan’s eyes curved into crescents as he brushed his lips softly against my palm.
The wet sensation against the tender skin of my hand made me jolt in alarm, and after glaring at him a moment longer, I slowly withdrew my fingers.
“Your complexion suggests no adverse reaction. I should have used this method from the start.”
When he’d bitten my neck before, I’d suffered all night, but mercifully this time would be different. I cleared my throat quietly and pressed my burning cheeks with both hands, trying to cool the heat flooding through them.
“The most pressing task is done. What comes next?”
While my face burned crimson, Evan asked about the next item on our agenda with infuriating composure.
Irritated by his composure, I glared at him for a moment before reluctantly opening my mouth.
“There’s a famous herb shop at Bashat 8, and I need to meet its owner, Joshua. Yesterday when I went to the Lataniel Cult, he was being held there.”
“Do you know where it is?”
“Well, either his home or the shop… Why do you ask?”
Something in his tone suggested he wasn’t simply asking about location. As I narrowed my brow at the weight behind his question, Evan looked down at me with a steady gaze.
“You freed a man being held by a demon in that cult of your own volition, didn’t you? I doubt I can guarantee his safety now.”
“…We need to go right now, Evan. As fast as we can.”
“Indeed.”
I’d thought freeing him would be enough, but now I realized it was only the beginning. Joshua was no man to abandon the herb shop he’d spent a lifetime building simply because his own life was at risk.
‘If Saha comes looking, he could easily drag Joshua back again…’
Seized by that dark thought, I urged Evan forward with urgency, and he nodded before taking my hand and leading me swiftly out of the reception room.
Vanel and Sis, who had been waiting in the corridor, hurried after us.
“Convey my apologies to the Count and Countess for leaving without a farewell.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Vanel received the instruction and immediately found a nearby attendant to relay the message, and the attendant quickly bowed to accept it.
We boarded the carriage without delay, and the coachman began moving at once.
“Evan, can’t we just use Teleportation Magic? If we get held up like this…”
“Haven’t you heard? As of today, no magic related to teleportation can be used within the Capital. They’ve placed an Enchantment over the entire city for Foundation Day.”
A deep sigh escaped me unbidden.
The situation was far from ideal. It was lunchtime, so the streets were crowded, and the Plaza was packed with people taking their meals—carriages, horses, and every other means of conveyance were struggling to move.
“Why are you looking for that old man?”
Evan asked the reason with his usual calm tone, watching my anxious expression. I exhaled my tension and met his green eyes.
“The thing is… it’s about that demon called Saha. I’m not entirely certain, but according to Joshua’s account, he seems to be kidnapping children. I was too distracted yesterday to question him properly, so I wanted to meet him again and ask.”
“And if you get answers, what then?”
“What do you mean—obviously I’d tell Duke Carahan…”
My words trailed off without warning. Come to think of it, hadn’t Evan been displeased with Carahan conducting his own investigations?
‘Moreover, that man was carrying out rather interesting duties unknown even to the imperial court… Did the Saint ask him to?’
That odd comment Evan had made when he was with Shiana suddenly troubled me.
“Tell Carahan, what.”
Evan watched me steadily, his eyes asking why I’d left my sentence unfinished.
“…You know. That the Duke is investigating the disappearance of children.”
“So you mean his unauthorized rummaging through temples, cults, security quarters—everywhere, without imperial sanction.”
Hmm. Why did his tone suddenly feel barbed?
The question was on the tip of my tongue when the carriage suddenly lurched violently over a rut, jolting hard.
“Ah…!”
A sharp cry escaped me as my body pitched forward reflexively, and Evan caught me smoothly by the waist, drawing me into his embrace with one swift motion.
His distinctive winter forest scent enveloped me instantly, and against the cool, refreshing warmth of his body, the tension coiling through me seemed to dissolve.
“The more openly Carahan chases them, the deeper they burrow. Makes my hunt considerably more troublesome. Did that answer your question?”
“…I haven’t actually asked you anything yet.”
“You asked with your eyes. Seems you don’t realize—you’re rather transparent.”
Transparent? That’s rich coming from him.
…Though I can’t exactly argue when he’s right about me losing control of my expression whenever I get irritated.
“I’d call it honest, more than anything.”
“That’s fair too.”
As I shot him a pointed look and corrected myself, Evan accepted it without protest and released his hold on my waist. Through the peculiar silence that followed, only the coachman’s voice carried—endless apologies floating into the empty air.
“Your old friend is alive and well, so don’t worry.”
“What? How did you know that?”
“I simply do.”
He answered lightly, and the tip of his long finger poked my cheek once. Then it drifted downward, grasping my chin to tilt my face gently upward.
“After you meet with your friend, we’ll stop by the Mage Tower. I have some business with Lion Astel.”
“With my brother…?”
I tilted my head, wondering what Evan could possibly need from Lion, when the corners of his mouth curved into a smooth smile.

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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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