For Sale: Male Lead, Obsession Included - Chapter 70
If I had known I’d get hit by a truck and die suddenly, I wouldn’t have saved up my vacation days and would’ve taken time off to see the ocean. If I’d known all that hard-earned money would turn into useless scraps of paper, I would’ve used it.
I sat there blankly, wondering, ‘Will I get to see the ocean on the way to Dongguk?’ Lost in thought, I figured there might be way to go via the sea… Should I look into it?
The end of my musings led to a decision: to check the map for more details. I had time, so I brushed off my clothes and stood up, ready to act.
That’s when Feyden, deep into his training, suddenly turned toward me.
“You’re not watching anymore?”
“Do I need to?”
“Most people beg me to show them more… Never mind, whatever. Where are you off to?”
As he shook off his sweat-soaked hair, I handed him a handkerchief, noticing the beads of sweat glistening on his sharp nose. Feyden gave me his usual crooked smile, as if to say, “I knew it.”
After watching him wipe his forehead, I started walking slowly. Feyden, wanting to tag along, threw a long robe over his shoulders, casually leaving it open, revealing his well-defined muscles through the gap.
‘Does he enjoy the attention?’
“Going to buy that Kerina gossip rag again, aren’t you?”
“Among other things. It’s about time for a new issue.”
“You’re so obsessed with reading that cheap gossip about nobles.”
Feyden muttered as if he was scolding me, walking side by side now.
“I just want to see how things are going in the empire.”
That, and to see if there was any news about Declan.
For the past month, I had bought every gossip paper and special edition available in the villages we passed through, but not a single line mentioned Declan. There wasn’t even a single passing rumor that the duke had found his son.
It seemed the duke understood well that if word got out that Declan was alive, the forces that attacked him wouldn’t leave him alone. The duke’s judgment was wise. When Declan eventually reappeared in society, the culprits behind the carriage attack trembled in fear. They knew that the emperor’s wrath would descend upon them.
Yes, the one behind Declan’s carriage accident was none other than the emperor himself. He had sacrificed the child in a scheme to keep Duke Dezereth in check.
Duke Dezereth had long suspected the emperor, but without solid evidence, he could only grind his teeth in frustration. Even if he found proof, the emperor would have found a way to cover it up, and the duke’s bitterness would have had no outlet.
It was Declan who would later avenge his father’s frustration.
Boldly, Declan would plan the emperor’s assassination, and he would succeed. And the one to stain his hands with the emperor’s blood would be…
“Feyden.”
“What?”
“Do you take assassination requests?”
“Depends. Why, do you need someone killed?”
He playfully scrunched his nose and gripped the hilt of his sword, as if seriously considering it.
“Is that why you gave me a sword? Just say the word, Potato. Who’s the target?”
Feyden grinned wickedly, his eyes scanning our surroundings as if ready to strike the moment I pointed someone out.
“Would you kill someone of high status?”
“Killing a noble comes with hazard pay. Wow, are you finally showing your true colors, potato?”
In the original story, Feyden eventually grows into a swordmaster and is hired by Declan to assassinate the emperor. Struggling with poverty, Feyden accepts the massive sum offered by Declan, even though it was a dangerous request.
After successfully assassinating the emperor, Feyden becomes a fugitive.
While on the run, he earns the title of Mercenary King and decides to stand on the side of justice. It’s only then, after losing his ordinary life, that he realizes money isn’t everything.
“Feyden.”
So, I wondered, what about this Feyden? In this world where I’ve intervened, would he still accept Declan’s request?
His younger brother, Truu, had safely enrolled in the priest academy, and Feyden had a steady paycheck now. Even in these stable days, would he still take on such a dangerous task?
I looked at Feyden, who was tilting his head in curiosity, and asked,
“If… purely hypothetically.”
“Yeah?”
“If someone offered you as much money as you wanted to kill someone higher than a noble…”
“……”
“Would you take the job?”
I hoped Feyden would say no. I hoped the few gold coins I had given him might nudge his life in a better direction.
Though he clicked his tongue, dismissing my question as silly, he hesitated for a moment, which made me think he was actually considering it.
Finally, he shoved his hands into his pockets and shrugged.
“Well, the more money, the better, right?”
