The Obsessive Male Lead Is Obsessed With Me! - Chapter 55
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————
Episode 55
The location where the hunting competition was held was the Heyten Mountain Range north of the capital.
If you climbed above the midpoint, the slope became steep and the terrain rough, but up to exactly that midpoint, the slope was gentle enough for carriages and carts to ascend.
Therefore, a waiting area for participants was set up by the large lakeside located exactly at the mountain’s midpoint.
Given the location, much of the conversation among the gathered participants was related to the hunting competition.
“I heard His Highness the Second Prince is also participating this time?”
“But isn’t His Highness still a minor to participate in a hunting competition? How did this happen?”
“Perhaps he’s participating in place of His Highness the First Prince? After all, His Highness the First Prince probably couldn’t even make it up here…”
“Oh my, didn’t you hear? His Highness the First Prince is also attending.”
“What? Is that true?”
“Yes. He won’t be holding a bow himself, but he came to encourage those participating in this competition, including His Highness the Second Prince.”
Someone pointed to the side of the widely spread dais, telling others to look over there.
Indeed, among the large imperial tents lined up beside it, one had the First Prince’s flag planted in front of it.
People murmured in surprise.
“Surely he didn’t walk up here himself?”
“Oh my, he would have collapsed on the way if he had? He must have come by carriage, of course.”
“Even taking a carriage is impressive. Perhaps his health isn’t as bad as the rumors suggest…?”
Until now, the First Prince had rarely shown himself at official occasions. Even when he did show his face, it was only for very brief moments—literally appearing and disappearing.
Neither the First Prince nor the Empress had ever officially explained the reason. But everyone knew. It was because the First Prince’s health was so poor he couldn’t endure even an hour.
So they never expected to see the First Prince not at the Imperial Palace, but at the midpoint of a high mountain, even if the slope was gentle.
People without exception murmured that perhaps the First Prince’s health wasn’t as bad as the widely spread rumors suggested.
Of course, the fact that everyone was having similar conversations was possible because someone had secretly stirred the wind.
The attendant who had excellently carried out the First Prince’s command returned to him and finished his report.
“I think we should wrap up at this point, but what would you like to do?”
“End it here. This is sufficient for now.”
His body had only just begun treatment. It was still too early to build up people’s curiosity and expectations.
What Cayen wanted was for the perception that ‘the First Prince’s health might not be as bad as we thought’ to spread among the nobles.
“How are things at the Duke’s residence?”
“Quiet. Except for Sir Bellows who was assigned security duty for the hunting competition, no one has left the Duke’s residence.”
“Not even Cecilia, and not even her maid?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
He had wondered if she might pull some cute stunt like secretly sending a handkerchief through her maid, but apparently not.
Well, hadn’t Cecilia declared it with her own mouth?
“Then there won’t be your handkerchief tied to my brother’s bow either?”
“Of course not. I told you I’m not going there, didn’t I? I can swear on my name.”
“What a heartless fiancée. Your own fiancé is participating in a hunting competition for the first time, yet you won’t even send a handkerchief.”
The content sounded like he was reproaching Cecilia, but his voice was too clearly tinged with mockery and ridicule for that.
Besides, wasn’t he the one who had prevented Cecilia from delivering a handkerchief to her fiancé?
There wasn’t a single person among the First Prince’s attendants who didn’t know this fact, but none dared open their mouth in front of Cayen.
Meanwhile, Cayen, wearing a pleased smile, gestured lightly.
“What was the name again… Anyway.”
He didn’t even call a name, let alone say any word that would identify a specific person.
However, the First Prince’s attendants, accustomed to such summons, busily exchanged glances, and after everyone’s consensus, one maid stepped forward.
“Did you call for me?”
“Was it you? Anyway, you prepared the handkerchief, right?”
At those words, the maid bit the inside of her cheek and bowed her head deeply.
“Yes. I prepared it.”
“Show me.”
The handkerchief the maid presented was an ordinary cotton handkerchief that commoners used in daily life. It was far from the silk handkerchiefs that nobles typically exchanged as tokens.
But this handkerchief satisfied Cayen. He particularly liked the carelessly embroidered name in the corner.
“The name is… Liz?”
“Yes. That’s correct.”
“To be able to tie a handkerchief with your name embroidered on it to the Second Prince’s bow—what greater honor could there be in the future?”
At Cayen’s amused words, Liz bit her lips and bowed her head deeply.
‘Honor, my foot!’
“Well then, shall we go see my brother who must be busy preparing for the hunting competition?”
Following behind Cayen, who rose from his seat with an amused expression, Liz squeezed her eyes shut.
‘This is driving me crazy. How did I get caught up in this mess!’
“It’s quite unfortunate that my brother’s fiancée won’t be attending the hunting competition. But he has his dignity as the Second Prince… How can he go hunting with an empty bow?”
“Right. Yes. You there. Do you have a fiancé? …No? How perfect. I shall bestow upon you a great honor.”
Just her rotten luck. For the sole reason of being in that place, Liz ended up in the position of tying a handkerchief to the Second Prince’s bow.
Only then did Liz realize. Cayen had planned this from the beginning.
Going hunting with a bow without a handkerchief because his fiancée couldn’t attend the hunting competition. While this fact might be laughable at the moment, everyone would still understand the legitimate reason that his fiancée couldn’t come to the hunting competition.
But appearing with a maid’s handkerchief tied to his bow because his fiancée couldn’t come?
Moreover, it wasn’t even a maid from his own palace, but a maid from the First Prince’s Palace.
It would become a lasting scandal for the Second Prince, and Liz’s marriage prospects would be completely ruined.
If only her marriage prospects were ruined, she’d be lucky? She might even be expelled from the Imperial Palace.
Liz regretted that she should have run away from the Imperial Palace immediately when she received such an absurd command from the First Prince.
The only fortunate thing was that at least this incident wouldn’t earn her the wrath of the Duchess Roheim.
‘It was good that I told her about the maid’s work back then…’
She hadn’t shown kindness for this purpose, but still, if the Duchess Roheim knew that she was the maid who tied the handkerchief to the Second Prince’s bow, she wouldn’t harbor ill feelings toward her.
Besides, Fiona had said so too.
“The Duchess Roheim seems like a good person. Unlike the royals, she’s kind and affectionate. I’ve decided to pledge my loyalty to her.”
‘Right. It’ll be okay. Fiona has a good eye for people.’
Just as she was calming her nervous heart, Liz realized that the surroundings were somewhat noisy.
When she carefully raised her head, the area near the Second Prince’s tent was somehow chaotic.
Wondering what was happening…
“Fi-fire!”
Fire? What fire suddenly in the Second Prince’s tent?
While the attendants were in chaos looking for water, someone walked out from inside the tent.
…It was the Second Prince, holding a blazing bow in his hand.
“You, you… That bow.”
“Your Highness the First Prince! It’s dangerous!”
Cayen’s guard knights urgently stepped forward to protect him.
They even drew their swords and confronted Lionel as if he would cause great harm to Cayen.
To dare draw swords against the Second Prince! It was all the more impossible since their duty was as Imperial Knights who had sworn loyalty to the Imperial Family.
But everyone knew this incident would bring them no disadvantage.
The Empress’s command was to prioritize the First Prince’s safety ‘above all else’ in any situation.
Of course, Lionel knew this fact well too. So instead of getting angry at the Imperial Knights or frowning, he turned around and tried to go back into the tent.
Cayen stopped him.
“Wait! Lionel, what is that bow?”
Cayen, who had pushed aside the Imperial Knights and stepped forward, lightly looked Lionel over from head to toe.
Despite the bow in Lionel’s hand still burning, not only was there no burn on his body, but not a single hair was singed.
And then, the fire on the bow went out.
The fire that died down as if it had burned everything it needed to burn was clearly not natural by any measure.
Cayen narrowed his eyes and asked.
“That bow—is it a magic bow?”
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
helloworld15
Lololol eat 💩 Cayen!!!