For Sale: Male Lead, Obsession Included - Chapter 31
Eventually, with no gains, Duke Ragnar’s expression turned as sharp as if he could cut down anyone immediately upon boarding the carriage.
‘Was it a false report? Or did the Margrave act in advance?’
The latter wouldn’t be a problem, but if the information about his son being here was wrong from the start…
The Duke’s chest, which had swelled with hope, slowly deflated. The flicker of hope in his eyes gradually extinguished.
“There are too many suspicious points, so begin the investigation immediately.”
“Yes, my lord. Apologies.”
The old butler who had received the report directly through the communication orb looked equally distressed. Regret for passing on the information and getting the Duke’s hopes up was evident.
“Where is the child with the amber eyes who reported this?”
“…We are investigating.”
“Tsk.”
The Duke glanced coldly at the old butler to mask his sorrow.
Seeing the butler bow deeply, the Duke realized he was taking out his anger on an innocent person and turned his gaze outside the window.
Nothing was certain yet, so it would be fine.
If he investigated the Margrave, who seemed suspicious, he could find both the informant and his son.
It’s too early to despair.
He was pressing his temples wearily when the carriage suddenly stopped, causing him to lurch forward.
Screech—!
“What on earth is happening?”
The old butler shouted towards the coachman’s seat.
“A girl jumped in front of the carriage! Apologies! Are you all right?”
A girl? How reckless.
The Duke tilted his head and looked out the window.
Running in front of a moving carriage was dangerous enough, but blocking a carriage bearing the Duke’s crest? She must not understand its significance.
The Duke’s pupils slowly expanded as he observed the girl who had jumped in front of the carriage with indifferent eyes.
A girl with ivory hair and amber eyes, and clutching her tightly was a boy with black hair and red eyes.
The Duke unconsciously held his breath.
“Declan…?”
***
“Hiiing—!”
The horse reared, kicking its front legs high into the air.
Without considering the danger, driven by the thought of stopping the departing Duke, I had leapt in front of the carriage.
It was a perilous situation, nearly being trampled by the horse’s hooves, but thanks to Declan pulling me into his arms and dragging me aside, the carriage was stopped without incident.
“Haah. Haah.”
My heart felt like it would burst from my chest.
I was out of breath, but what did that matter? Stopping this carriage was more important than catching my breath.
I broke free from Declan’s embrace and stood straight, facing whoever was inside the carriage.
And I shouted.
“Don’t go!”
Please. Don’t go.
I looked at the carriage, filled with desperate hope.
Please. You are my last hope.
If I don’t meet you, my life ends here.
I’ll be decapitated by the Margrave. No, if I’m lucky. I might be torn limb from limb.
‘So please, let me meet you, Duke…!’
I anxiously stared at the carriage door, which finally opened, and saw two men step out.
The old butler, who looked like a sage from the communication orb, and…
‘Duke Ragnar.’
The father of the novel’s male lead.
A man so strong he seemed impervious to any blade. He looked even more charismatic than Margrave Pandrion, who had fought and won countless battles on the Eastern Continent.
Despite wearing a neat suit instead of armor, his imposing presence was stronger than any knight’s.
With eyes redder than Declan’s, he began to stride towards us.
Watching his somewhat hasty steps, I realized I was staring at his face too intently and quickly bowed my head.
“Greetings, Duke.”
“You are…”
The Duke’s low, rough voice came from right in front of me.
Declan tried to bow his head like me but was too flustered by a nobleman staring at him.
Gently pushing Declan’s back forward, I spoke politely.
“Yes. This is Declan Ragnar, the one you have been searching for, Duke.”
At that moment, the eyes of the two men, who looked so alike, began to tremble violently.
A father looking at a son who resembled a mirror image of himself, and the child who had just realized the secret of his birth.
Watching their intense meeting, I subtly drew attention to myself.
“I have been protecting the Young Duke.”
To support my claim, the old butler approached and confirmed to the Duke,
“Yes, she is the one who contacted us through the communication orb.”
The Duke, who had not blinked while looking at Declan, finally let out a small breath and turned his gaze towards me.
He was a man who could make others shrink with just a look.
I straightened my posture, satisfied with the mature voice I had managed to produce.
“Greetings, Duke. I am Estira. Thank you for coming all the way here.”
As I finished speaking and straightened up, I saw Margrave Pandrion running towards us from afar, causing a gust of wind.
