The Obsessive Male Lead Is Obsessed With Me! - Chapter 98

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

Episode 98

“There are only two people we must target as top priority. As for the others…”

“If possible, render them unable to fight and exclude them from combat. Also, in the unlikely event we encounter ‘that person,’ evacuate them to a safe place. I’ve made sure to thoroughly instruct everyone.”

“Um, well. I think I would be really shocked if Father suddenly passed away. I think I would cry a lot too.”

“Not just Liri. Make sure Liri’s family is also safely evacuated.”

“Yes, boss.”

“Then wait until there’s a signal.”

“Yes.”

“More importantly, have you figured out how the oracle was exposed to the outside?”

This was the matter Lionel had ordered Fry to investigate along with gathering troops when he received the Empress’s command in the northern village of the capital.

How had the oracle that had been well hidden until now become exposed to the outside?

“It seems Bishop Nicole, that is, Archbishop Seiji’s adopted daughter, revealed it.”

“For what reason?”

“I don’t know the exact process, but it seems she nearly died at the hands of the Empress. To survive, she revealed the contents of the oracle.”

“She spilled someone else’s secret to save herself?”

Lionel’s lips twisted into a fierce expression.

Though he had served Lionel for a long time, this was the first time he had shown his emotions so openly.

Startled by the naked disgust he displayed, Fry belatedly noticed something strange.

‘Huh? What Bishop Nicole did wasn’t simply revealing a secret, but disguising that oracle as her own.’

Come to think of it, he hadn’t been able to report that part before, so Fry opened his mouth to explain.

“For now, wait. I’ll enter the temple as is to avoid unnecessary suspicion.”

“Ah, yes.”

“I’ll watch for an opportunity to slip out of the temple and send a signal. Wait until there’s a signal, and when the signal arrives, immediately…”

“We’ll occupy the Imperial Palace.”

Lionel nodded and left the underworld.

Unlike him, whose insides were torn to shreds as if clawed and bitten by wild beasts, the streets were peaceful.

The sight of people living their daily lives with family, friends, and lovers pierced Lionel’s eyes like sharp thorns.

Why couldn’t he be like them?

Why was it him?

…Why only him?

‘No. It’s not too late yet.’

Just one day. He only needed to endure one more day. Then he too could reclaim the ordinary daily life he once had.

The one chance given to him.

This attempt must never fail. So Lionel headed to the Central Temple. It was to avoid the Empress’s suspicion before tonight was over.

But.

“The reward for protecting the north through countless life-threatening situations is banishment from the temple! This is absurd!”

“You absolutely cannot go to the temple!”

About ten men with fierce faces and sturdy builds were blocking the main gate of the temple.

They were northern knights.

He hadn’t expected such interference. Lionel spoke in a grinding tone, hiding his impatience.

“Move aside.”

“We absolutely cannot!”

“If you want to go, step over us!”

He really wanted to step over them. He wanted to scold them, asking what they would do if they ruined his plan.

But they weren’t standing there for themselves, but for Lionel. They were standing there to cry out that the treatment he was receiving was unjust.

So instead of drawing the sword at his waist, Lionel threatened them with a coldly sharp voice.

“This is an imperial command. Don’t you know that defying an imperial command is treason?”

The northern knights flinched for a moment, but didn’t unlock their interlocked arms.

No, they actually put more strength into them.

“At this point, what does it matter if we’re branded as traitors!”

“Just give us the order. Whatever it is, we’ll gladly follow!”

Those who were startled by that cry were the priests who had come out to greet Lionel, but were trapped inside the gate, blocked by the northern knights.

What does it matter if they’re branded as traitors? They’ll follow any command?

What kind of reckless words were these in front of the Imperial Palace!

The priests looked at Lionel’s face, barely visible between the northern knights, hoping he would severely scold them.

But.

“…Anything, you’ll follow?”

Lionel’s eyes looking at the northern knights sank deeply.

As if gauging how sincere these people were about committing treason.

The priests felt goosebumps rise on their arms.

A sincere, upright, wise, fair and just man with strong convictions.

Was this really the same man people praised endlessly?

‘Su, surely…’

‘Is the Second Prince really planning a rebellion…?’

Under the fearful gazes of the priests, it was the moment when Lionel, his violet eyes flashing darkly, was about to speak.

“Wait a minute!”

Someone’s loud shout came from behind.

Lionel paused. It was because he recognized the voice.

“…Liri?”

A carriage could be seen approaching rapidly, kicking up dusty clouds. The approaching carriage clearly bore the crest of House Roheim.

While Lionel watched with disbelieving eyes, the carriage that had come nearby stopped and a woman hurriedly got out.

“Why are you…?”

Cecilia Roheim.

She had been his fiancée, but due to the oracle being discovered, she was to become his brother’s wife and rise to the position of Empress.

But she wasn’t by his brother’s side. She was here now.

As if she had just rushed out of a banquet hall, she was in a fancy dress with hairpins fallen out, her hair almost disheveled…

She ran to Lionel without hesitation and grabbed him by the collar.

“You crazy bastard! Why are you here!”

Everyone around them gaped.

But despite the sudden profanity, Lionel just stared blankly at the woman gripping his collar as if seeing a mirage.

At that sight, another knight stepped forward.

“Excuse me, Duchess, but even so, he is a Prince…”

“What’s so great about treating someone like a prince when he’s abandoning his status and fiancée to join a monastery!”

The northern knight shut his mouth at her fierce momentum.

Cecilia glared at Lionel with blazing eyes.

“I hoped against hope, but you’re really here to join the temple? Then what about me? What am I supposed to do?”

“You should…”

Swallowing something that had risen to his throat, Lionel answered in a choked voice.

“Become the Empress.”

“Empress? Empress? This guy has really lost his mind! Telling his own fiancée to marry his brother!”

Asking if he was in his right mind, Cecilia shook Lionel by the collar and called for her maid.

“Uni! Bring the handcuffs!”

Then the maid who had been waiting behind actually approached Cecilia with handcuffs.

“Here they are, Lady.”

“Good. Tie him up.”

At Cecilia’s nod, Uni immediately handcuffed Lionel’s hands.

While the northern knights watched in shock with wide eyes, Cecilia gave another order.

“Lock him in my bedroom. Don’t forget to have knights watch him so he can’t escape!”

“Yes, Lady.”

Before the carriage door closed, the last thing Lionel heard from Cecilia was this:

“Listen carefully! That man is my man! Without my permission, no one…!”

As soon as the door closed, the carriage immediately began to run.

Since only his hands were bound and his legs were perfectly fine, he could escape anytime if he wanted to.

No, in the first place, he could easily break these light handcuffs with his strength if he tried.

But Lionel only quietly looked down at the handcuffs binding his hands, and Uni, misunderstanding his intentions, spoke carefully.

“I have no intention of harming you. It may be uncomfortable, but please bear with it for a little while.”

It wasn’t particularly uncomfortable. Really.

So even after the carriage stopped, Lionel was carried without resistance on the maid’s shoulder to Cecilia’s bedroom.

“Please wait here for a moment. The Lady will come soon.”

After Uni went outside. Left alone in the room, Lionel came to examine with his own eyes the objects that filled the room.

A crystal ball that could peek at his appearance anytime. A location tracking map that could know his whereabouts. Documents recording his every move in detail and dozens of letters he had sent… Even dried flowers and gifts.

This room was filled more densely with things related to him than even his own palace. As if this place was his nest.

‘…Ah.’

A lid was placed again over the hundreds of emotions that had been bristling sharply and boiling fiercely.

As if someone had blown breath beside him, the fire subsided. His turbulent heart calmed down and everything became surprisingly okay.

Lionel realized anew.

What he himself had wanted was simply to be able to return to this place.

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