It Seems Like The Infamous Trash Can is Right Here! - Chapter 36
Ardin’s voice suddenly drew closer. Close enough that I could feel it—he was right behind me.
The realization that I had no choice but to face him made me stop in my tracks and turn around—
“……?”
I nearly crashed into a solid, black wall.
It took me a moment to realize— It was a person.
“Sir Ardin, do you have some business with my guest?”
Dark hair. Deep, inky black, tinged with a shade of blue.
I didn’t need to tilt my head back to confirm the color. I already knew.
“…Ah. Duke Luanax. It’s been a while.”
I had known Lionel Luanax was big —but was his back always this broad?
It must have been. Because standing behind him, I couldn’t see a single strand of Ardin’s golden hair.
What exactly made Lionel so different from Ardin?
Why did his presence alone put me at ease?
If anything, he was the one who dragged me into the capital.
Even if he had told me outright that he had investigated me and my family— Even knowing all that…
Nothing changed.
Because somewhere along the way, I had started believing that Lionel wouldn’t hurt me.
That even if it meant taking a loss, he would choose to protect me.
The moment I realized it, I was bewildered.
‘H-How… did it end up like this?’
After parting ways with my family, I had never trusted anyone.
Like a small, timid herbivore, I was constantly on guard. If someone tried to use me, or if I sensed even the slightest harm, I would quickly distance myself with a ‘Well, of course.’
Yet the first person I had unconsciously come to trust… Was Lionel Luanax?
‘Is this really okay?’
While I was lost in confusion, Lionel continued his conversation with Ardin.
“After hearing Vivian’s explanation, I was certain that the Priestess had collapsed due to divine power exhaustion. That’s why I simply wished to assist.”
“And in what capacity do you offer any kind of assistance?”
“Because the incident occurred within my gallery. I believed I bore some responsibility. And since Silias is a renowned magic house, we have potions that can alleviate the symptoms of mana depletion.”
“So. You intended to take her to the Silias estate? Without my permission, despite the fact that she is a guest I personally brought here? ”
“It’s true I did not seek your approval, but Vivian was quite pleased at the thought of receiving help.”
A shiver ran down my spine. So he really had planned to take me to the Silias estate.
“And what does it matter to me whether Vivian is pleased or not? Do you believe she has the authority to speak on behalf of Luanax?”
“I was merely offering kindness. I would prefer it if this wasn’t misunderstood.”
Well.
There was no way to be certain.
Just as he had introduced himself, Silias was a house of magic. Within their estate, they possessed all kinds of magical potions. And, naturally, not all of them were not yet legal.
In the novel, Ardin himself had once admitted that they profited from the illicit use of these substances. Though, of course… that had only been in the story.
“Consider this your warning. Whatever your intentions, do not approach my guest outside the Luanax estate again. If something like this happens again, I will not dismiss it as a mere misunderstanding—regardless of what excuse you provide.”
“…I understand. If I have offended you, I apologize, Your Grace.”
Lionel did not respond to Ardin’s apology. Instead, he simply turned away.
Only then did his gaze finally meet mine. The moment our eyes locked, I instinctively shrank back.
I had never seen Lionel this furious before.
“……”
He stood there in silence for a long time, staring down at me.
Then, without a word, he unfastened his cloak and draped it over me.
“……?”
He carefully wrapped it around me, ensuring that only my face was visible. I couldn’t understand why. Confused, I simply stared at him, dumbfounded.
“Priestess, I will be excusing myself for a moment.”
“…Huh?”
Had he taken that as permission?
Because before I could process what was happening— Lionel reached out and lifted me into his arms.
