For Sale: Male Lead, Obsession Included - Chapter 57
Declan refused both food and medicine, staging a protest. He demanded to be let out, and his stubbornness only deepened the sighs of the people in the ducal household.
Clovin was no exception, as he had been saddled with the tiresome task of watching over the Duke’s son at Dezereth’s request. Clovin, thinking a special approach was necessary for this obstinate boy, entered the room where Declan was confined.
Approaching Declan, he leaned in close to his ear and whispered as if sharing a secret.
“I have news about Lady Estira.”
“…!”
For the first time, Declan, who had been motionless, suddenly stood up, placing his hands on the desk.
“Did something happen to her?”
Clovin looked into Declan’s burning red eyes and shook his head. This kid is too simple. There’s a long way to go.
“Calm down, and I’ll tell you.”
“…”
Clovin repeatedly said easy now as he gently pushed down on Declan’s shoulder. Declan, his jaw clenched, fixed his gaze on Clovin and slowly sat back down. His red eyes still blazed with intense emotion.
“I’ve calmed down. Now, tell me.”
“There’s a condition, Young Master.”
“…Liar.”
“I may be a swindler, but I’m not a liar.”
“…”
“Anyway, the condition is simple. If you eat properly, take your medicine, and study diligently…”
Declan leaned forward eagerly, as if urging Clovin to continue. His face was more desperate and alive than it had been in days.
“I will regularly provide you with news about Miss Estira. Of course, I’ll keep it a secret from the Duke. How does that sound? Tempting, right?”
This would violate the Duke’s order to cut off all contact between Declan and Estira, but Clovin believed that taking Estira away from this young master was not the right move.
Like a newborn animal that imprints on the first creature it sees, Declan seemed to have imprinted on Estira, showing signs of separation anxiety.
If you take a mother away from a newborn like Declan? The outcome was obvious.
Therefore, Clovin thought it best not to separate Estira from the boy but to use her as a tool to control him—like training a horse with alternating rewards and punishments.
“I promise. I won’t try to escape. Just tell me any news about her.”
Declan didn’t even hesitate before answering. His voice was firm and clear.
“Oh… maybe I should have tried this earlier.”
Clovin chuckled and shrugged his shoulders lightly.
“What’s the news?”
“Ah, but first, you’ll need to learn how to speak to the servants properly. That’s part of your studies too, you know?”
“…”
“Young Master?”
“…Okay.”
As Declan’s hand, gripping the desk, trembled so violently that the objects on top began to shake, Clovin slowly spoke.
“She’s traveling with some companions.”
“…What?”
“A priest and a mercenary. She’s hired them.”
At that moment, Declan’s heart plummeted.
Estira had replaced him, taken on new servants in his place.
…So I really was useless to her after all.
Beyond the reward money attached to my name, I was of no use to my master.
That’s why she abandoned me.
“A priest and a mercenary…?”
“Yes. The priest is probably for identification purposes, and the mercenary is for protection, I suppose?”
Identification and protection…
Declan opened his calloused hand, then clenched it into a tight fist with a determined look on his face.
If I can become strong like that, maybe my master will come back.
“Should I start with sword training?”
***
The moment they left the capital, the travelers were greeted by wide, open fields lined with short trees. The green land stretched all the way to the horizon, basking in the warm sunlight of a spring day.
Estira was too busy running around, seemingly eager to see every single blade of grass. It had already been four hours since they left the capital, yet she showed no signs of getting tired.
“You do know our final destination is Dongguk, right?”
She suddenly spun around to face Ariel and Feyden, who were walking behind her. This being her first time traveling, Estira was bursting with excitement, repeatedly walking ahead only to turn back and match her companions’ pace.
Ariel smiled softly and nodded, his long silver hair catching the spring breeze and fluttering gently.
Meanwhile, Feyden, watching Estira run around excitedly like a hyperactive child, already felt exhausted. Ignoring her, he lazily walked with his hands clasped behind his head.
Undeterred, Estira approached Feyden. Since they would be traveling together for a long time, it wouldn’t hurt to build a good relationship.
“Is there anywhere you’d like to go? Priest Ariel wants to visit the Holy Nation, so we’ll be stopping there as well.”
“No.”
Rustle, rustle.
Estira quickened her pace to match Feyden’s long strides.
“There has to be at least one place you want to see, right? Aren’t you excited about this trip?”
