The Male Lead Is the Villain, and I'm the Only One Who Knows - Chapter 90

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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 Mastermind, and Only I Know It — Chapter 90
“Master… I thought you’d forgotten me. You have no idea how heartbroken I’ve been.”
As always, Cahil appeared with that pitiful, harmless expression, and in moments he’d drawn near enough to kneel at my feet. Then he pressed his cheek against my calf, quietly voicing his sorrow.
True enough—whenever Cahil had tried to visit me these past weeks, Ibahn was always at my side, and our encounters had come to nothing. He had every right to feel wronged.
‘Right now Ibahn is probably deep in administrative work or sitting through a nobles’ council. If not now, there won’t be another opening.’
Which meant I had to get my answer from Cahil while I had the chance.
“How could I forget you? It’s been too long. Would you give me a massage? I have something I need to ask you anyway.”
When I gave his broad, drooping shoulders a gentle pat, Cahil’s expression brightened considerably as he looked up at me.
He seemed genuinely pleased that I had business with him.
“Of course, Master!”
Obediently nodding, Cahil promptly rolled up the knit sleeves on his forearms and skillfully gathered the hem of my blue dress up to just below my knees.
“Ngh…”
As his warm palms pressed directly against my bare skin, finding each knotted muscle with practiced precision, a pained sound escaped me unbidden.
“Master, you have quite a lot of tension again…”
“I’ve been through quite an ordeal.”
When I added that he knew as much, Cahil’s eyes curved into crescents, his gaze fixed on me as if delighted.
“Because of that, I get to draw closer to you… I’m happy about it.”
“You jest. Your master labors, and you find joy in it? What disloyal service is this?”
I ruffled his hair roughly, telling him to stop playing tricks, and he only laughed, his mouth curving upward.
As I continued my needlework in silence afterward, I waited until the air had settled into calm, then gazed down at him still absorbed in the massage and broached my question.
“Cahil, do you know anything about Dimensional Magic?”
At my question, Cahil’s white pupils flashed with a peculiar light as he looked up at me.
“Master, that’s a magic forbidden across all dimensions. It’s a dangerous art—one where all research was abandoned long ago due to countless side effects.”
His habitual, drawn-out and sulking tone vanished in an instant. Cahil met my gaze with sudden firmness, as if urging me to drop the subject.
“Even if someone manages to complete the spell, the body might shatter or the mind might perish during its casting.”
It was all identical to the warnings Ibahn had given me.
I was puzzling over how to explain myself so that Cahil would willingly help me, when he, who’d been watching my silence intently, spoke in a voice tinged with moisture.
“…Are you trying to go back?”
I’d always assumed Cahil had long since caught on that I was from another dimension, but his question just now seemed to have turned suspicion into certainty.
I answered without hesitation, simply nodding.
“I have to.”
“Why? Do you dislike this place?”
“I simply want to go home.”
I made it clear it was not a matter of liking or disliking, but Cahil’s complexion had already darkened, with no sign of recovery.
“So—do you know anything?”
“Not much, but I know there are records related to it in the Demon Realm Library. The problem is that place has so many forbidden texts that only Greater Demons can enter.”
I swallowed a disappointed sigh, thinking perhaps I could get no further help from Cahil.
“However… if Rene went to the Demon Realm in person, it might be possible to open it.”
“Me? How?”
“Because you’re currently wearing his magical power so completely that you could be called His Highness yourself…”
Cahil tilted his head slowly, as if questioning whether I hadn’t known. I’d realized that Ibahn had transferred his mana to me, but I had no idea it was to such an extent.
“Is it really that much?”
“Yes. Enough to make one jealous.”
The straightforward answer was rather blunt. If Cahil was saying it like that, then Ibahn must have really piled it on.
In that moment, his warm hand slipped inside my knee, moving with a deliberate warmth that unmistakably betrayed other intentions.
“If you’d like, would you go to the Demon Realm with me right now?”
“Right now…?”
“A human can’t reach the Demon Realm Library alone. I’ll guide you there.”
His pale silver-white pupils narrowed to slits. It was undeniably a seductive gaze.
“What information is in that record?”
“I’m not certain. I’ve never seen it myself, but surely it contains the exact spell and all the necessary materials.”
This was definitely tempting. Until now, I’d been collecting materials somewhat arbitrarily based on the information I’d gathered through legwork.
‘If I had a clear guide, I wouldn’t have to grope around anymore.’
The one problem was that Ibahn would absolutely never permit it.
‘The Demon Realm is already tense enough because of the Rebel Forces, and Ibahn worries excessively about my safety. There’s no way he’d let me go without protest.’
Cahil seemed to have read my concern, for he carefully took my hand.
“I’ll protect you, Master…”
The way he spoke softly, saying we’d be back before anyone noticed, was unmistakably a demon’s scheme.
I couldn’t help but let out a low laugh, thinking that even half-demon was still a demon.
“Well then, why not?”
Now that I had Fildth’s power too, there was nothing to fear. I had the ability to protect myself.
“I’m grateful for your trust. I’ll keep you safe.”
To my words of assent, Cahil smiled warmly and brushed his lips briefly against the back of my hand.
I was setting down the embroidery I’d been working on into the basket and rising from my seat when it happened.
“Rene.”
A voice I should not have heard at that moment cut through the air like ice.
My throat tightened as I stiffly lifted my head, and there stood Ibahn, leaning casually against the open doorway.
‘Ah, I can already hear my lifespan shortening.’
My startled heart began pounding fiercely. My hand flew reflexively to my chest.
“Ibahn—what brings you here without any word?”
“Why? Is there somewhere I’m not allowed to go?”
His tone deepened, leisurely, as he pointed out that there was no reason he shouldn’t visit his fiancee’s chambers.
‘Damn it. That’s unmistakably the face of someone who heard every word of my conversation with Cahil.’
Meanwhile, Cahil clicked his tongue in disappointment at the plan falling through and turned away.
“Rene, you have a talent for running. I’d like to keep you locked away.”
“I haven’t left yet.”
“But you were planning to.”
Ibahn, who had been leaning against the doorframe, strode forward and positioned himself before me. With a glance toward the back, Barnel approached at once and seized Cahil by the scruff of his neck.
“Be grateful that Dust is in a satisfied state.”
“…Dust?”
Cahil, still unaware of what state Dust was in, was dragged away with a confused expression by Barnel, and they both vanished from the bedroom.
Two presences gone, silence settled over my chamber once more. Ibahn then bent forward, his gaze fixed upon me.
“You said you liked me. Was that a lie?”
“How can you bring that up now? What does that have to do with this?”
Struck by the sudden assault, I hesitated for a moment, then held my ground, narrowing my eyes as I looked at him squarely.
“You tried to abandon me and make a pact with another demon.”
“Abandon? I never abandoned anyone. I was simply preparing a backup plan.”
I swallowed hard and answered calmly. Ibahn’s eyes flickered with an ambiguous light as his lips curved.
“No, Rene.”
Ibahn’s cool hand swept slowly across my cheek. It was an indulgent, tender touch—as if soothing a stubborn child.
“It seems you’ve misunderstood something.”
His low voice trailed off hazily. Then his deep forest-green eyes, close enough to meet mine, held me entirely within their gaze.
“Both your best path and your second-best path—they’re both 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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