The Problem Is, My Ex-Boyfriend and I Are Both Dating Other People - Chapter 14

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

Episode 14

“So you did look into it, then?”
……
“And yet when I was investigating Riharde, you had plenty to say about it.”
……
“I never realized you were lecturing yourself about unrequited love.”
“Are you comparing me to your excellency right now? I was never to that degree.”
That was a lie, and we both knew it.
His neck was flushed crimson—how else could I explain that? I clicked my tongue and shook my head.
Asta hadn’t come back now to confess to Noah; it had to be Riharde’s doing.
‘Which means Asta’s been with him all this time.’
The thought alone made my teeth clench, so I forced myself to focus on the matter at hand.
Let me think this through.
Why had Riharde sent Asta to Noah? If it wasn’t to push him into seizing the love he’d missed all these years, there had to be another reason.
Had he known in advance that monsters would appear?
I needed to verify that. By the time I’d thought that far, Noah muttered something under his breath.
“When exactly do you plan to forget about me?”
“……What?”
He looked so serious I’d assumed he was thinking about the monsters too, but now? Was he really bringing this up? Out of nowhere?
Yet Noah didn’t spare me a glance before rising from his seat. His gait was perfectly steady—a far cry from all that moaning about being in agony moments ago. I wondered where he was going, only to find him standing before the mirror.
He began tilting his head this way and that, examining the wound above his eyebrow.
Since when did he care so much about his appearance?
“I explained it plainly enough. What have you been doing these past ten years? Are there truly no decent men in the Northern Region?”
“Hey, don’t you seem a bit… interested?”
“Does this look like interest to you?”
“Yes. Very much.”
The way he smoothed his still-damp hair betrayed unmistakable excitement.
“I told you to forget about him.”
“Well, it seemed like he still liked you a lot.”
I hadn’t even seen Asta’s face, but I played along anyway.
“Really?”
“What do you mean, ‘really?'”
“Did Asta really seem to like me that much?”
“Well… wouldn’t he have saved you from the monsters’ attack otherwise?”
“True enough. That’s right. I mean, honestly, someone like Asta could meet any number of decent people. The fact that he’s been alone all this time—there must be a reason. God. Really. I’m just a sinful man, that’s all.”
“Yes, yes.”
What did Asta even look like?
My memory was hazy, but ordinary, I thought. Brown hair, brown eyes, twitching every time he saw me… . If he liked Noah so much, why did he hate me?
“How long do you think you’ll stay young? You’ve spent ten years swinging a sword and never meeting a man.”
“That applies to you too… . But are you really leaving now?”
“He must be worried sick about me. I should go tell him I’m fine.”
So why was he buttoning up a shirt and fastening a cravat? Might as well pin a flower to his chest.
I watched Noah with a cold, expressionless face—his words and actions pulling in opposite directions.
It was Noah who’d made me realize that my jealousy of Asta was nothing but a misunderstanding.
Asta, who’d been glued to Riharde’s side, started trailing after Noah the moment he laid eyes on him.
I didn’t understand it then, and I don’t understand it now. Honestly, if I had to choose between Riharde and Noah, wouldn’t it be Riharde? Who would pick that one? Asta’s taste was either extraordinarily peculiar or his eyes were simply poor.
“Noah.”
“Yes?”
I felt a faint twinge of regret as I spoke to the clearly delighted Noah.
“Daemon knows about the Inner Treasury incident.”
Noah turned to me, his face registering shock.
His eyes asked if I was serious. I signaled back with a look.
Now is not the time for romance. Put that flower back in the vase.
“I was so certain of myself. It’s embarrassing that things have turned out this way. I’ve underestimated Daemon.”
“No, wait. So he knew about the Inner Treasury incident and yet went around meeting courtesans?”
Watching Noah’s shock, I nodded grimly.
“Apparently he never received his Royal Education. He must have learned acting instead.”
I understand. You’d wonder what kind of madman does that. I felt exactly the same way.
“That’s what I’m saying. He’d have had a brilliant career as an actor.”
I’m not joking—I’m genuinely reflecting on it.
I thought I was a real bastard for living like a dog, but it turns out I’m a madman pretending to be one. How was I supposed to know?
“Well. How did you happen to learn that?”
I gave Noah a brief account of what had happened at the banquet. He grabbed the back of his neck, let out a sigh, opened his mouth as if to say something, then closed it again and shook his head.
“The Grand Duke knows full well that you’ve been skimming from the Inner Treasury, and you told him you wouldn’t make an issue of it?”
“For now.”
“Is he actually insane……?”
“Or there’s some other reason for it.”
“Either way, he’s insane.”
“Well, yes.”
Noah furrowed his brow again, lost in thought. I waited for him to collect his thoughts, then gestured with my head.
“Anyway, we need to handle the urgent matters first. Come with me somewhere.”
“After nearly dying, you’re going to work your cousin this hard? Is that how you find satisfaction?”
And where was the person primping in front of the mirror just moments ago?
Noah didn’t yield even to my reproachful gaze. Watching him burrow into the bed with reluctant shuffling, I couldn’t tell if he was eight years old or twenty-eight.
“Fine. Then rest.”
“……?”
“If you’re hurt, you should lie down and rest. I’ll go to Winston County alone. If Asta comes looking for you, just tell him you can’t get up from the shock of encountering a Monster, or whatever.”
“No, sir! Sir!”
Noah bolted upright as if he’d never been uncomfortable at all.
I knew he would.
He rolled off the bed and rushed straight to the door, then blocked my path as I reached for the handle.
“Why are you suddenly trying to go there?!”
The man was far too healthy—more than healthy, he practically brimmed with energy. Staring at him with a cold gaze, I watched his grip on the door relax slightly. He whined and tapped his shoulders, making sure not to forget that either.
“Is your whole body aching just from talking about it?”
“You’re being too harsh on a cousin who’s come back from the dead. I’m telling you, everything hurts. You should’ve seen how desperately I ran for my life to survive, sir.”
Right. I’d heard all about how he’d drawn a sword for nearly twenty years, only to run straight without even trying to stand his ground.
“Why does Asta even like you?”
A mystery that had gone unsolved for ten years. Noah straightened his shoulders as if he’d never been whining.
“My face.”
He was proud of it.
Even under my look of disdain, Noah remained unshaken. I hadn’t known he was this confident about his appearance. I waved my hand dismissively.
“Anyway, let’s secure Asta first. He’d be better than you for getting detailed information about the Monster.”
“You’re going to capture Asta? How?”
“Illegal entry into the territory.”
“Are you trying to make an enemy of the Count over just that? And there’s the problem of what to do with him after. Don’t even think about putting Asta in the Underground Prison—it hasn’t been used in over a hundred years.”
“If you care that much, go ahead and confess your feelings.”
“Is that what matters right now? Let’s just leave him alone and see how things play out for now.”
“Fires need kindling to catch. You have to stir the embers.”
“That’s not kindling, that’s just throwing fire everywhere…… Sir. Ah, Bella!”
I ignored Noah’s urgent shout from behind me. That man would get plenty of words out once I met with Asta—he’d find a way to extract information about the Monster no matter what.
‘Asta.’
Recalling the man with whom I held only unpleasant memories, I swallowed a sigh.
First I’d capture him, then I’d hear what he had to say.

* * *

“There is no such knight in Winston.”
I hadn’t anticipated such a situation. I stared blankly at Riharde as he suddenly adopted a formal tone, as if questioning when he’d grown comfortable enough to drop honorifics.
I couldn’t believe that the man who’d been shouting “Bella, Bella” and the one standing before me now were the same person.
“There is none?”
Listen.
Look me in the eye. I fixed Riharde’s gaze steadily as I spoke. Can you lie to me while looking me in the eye?
Riharde’s gaze met mine unflinching. A faint smile flickered across his crimson eyes.
“There is none.”
“Tch.”
I shot a glare at Noah, who was laughing without a trace of tact. I could see his face turning red as he stifled his snickers.
So even Bella wasn’t on my side. I’m utterly alone. Grinding my teeth, I glared at Riharde, who continued to smile faintly.
This is how it’s going to be, then?

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