The Reason Why the Forsaken Fake Returned Chapter 131

Even though Caleb was the king, he had traveled to the North in person and, for some reason, had chosen to hide his identity for the time being. Killing the wolf instead of her… was all part of a thoroughly calculated plan. There were no personal feelings involved. He had acted purely on logic and calculation. She wasn’t sure if that was simply what it took to be a king, or if only a person like that could ever become one. But that is the kind of man he is.

 

“Get a hold of yourself.”

 

As her crazed laughter went on and on, Declen couldn’t stand it anymore. He reached out and cupped her cheeks in both hands, forcing her gaze upward.

 

“I rejected that proposal. So you don’t need to worry about it.”

 

“Then why hasn’t he left?”

 

“…”

 

“He was rejected, so shouldn’t he naturally return? He must have a mountain of work waiting for him back at the royal castle.”

 

If Caleb went back to the royal castle, there would be a line of women waiting to become his queen. Women with beauty, honor, and distinguished family backgrounds. Women who excelled in everything. It would be a simple matter of picking one from among them to sit by his side. So why, just why her out of all people?

 

If Caleb’s goal was to drag her back and slowly wither her away, he was already succeeding. Just thinking about that faint possibility made Shailoh choke, her chest tightening in agonizing pain.

 

“Most likely…” With a heavy sigh, Declen slowly sat down on the couch. “He intends to take something else in exchange.”

 

“Something else?”

 

“A token of unshakable loyalty. Every king in history has kept a wary eye on the North. This is the most closed-off, the most independent region in the realm. Even if we are bound by the oath and have never once raised a rebellion throughout history.”

 

“I see…”

 

She recalled the fervent, almost blind loyalty of the northern people. Even with a king reigning over the land, if the lord were ever to declare a war of independence, the people would rise up beside him with shovels and pickaxes without a second thought. That burning, almost fanatical devotion could easily feel to a king like a thorn lodged in his throat. A constant risk, ready to catch and tear at him at any moment.

 

“So this time, that token… is me.”

 

“As long as he holds the North in his grip, other rebel factions won’t dare to make a move easily. Even before he knew your true identity, he was already searching for ‘Lady Yesiol.’”

 

Shailoh staggered at Declen’s following words. That man was so terrifyingly thorough. With everything already in the palm of his hand, life must have seemed unbearably dull.

 

“You should rest for today. You look terribly pale.”

 

“I’m really fine. I’m just… a bit shocked and tired.”

 

It was no wonder. Her heart had dropped into her stomach twice in a single night. A wave of exhaustion crashed over her, like she’d sprinted until she had nothing left.

 

“No, we need to make a plan. More than anything, that’s what we need right now.”

 

* * *

The next morning, as soon as dawn broke, Baron Gardin requested an audience and abruptly told Declen he intended to return to the capital. Whatever the reason, Declen’s face brightened, and he was just about to answer when the baron delivered a bolt from the blue.

 

“However, I’ll be leaving one person behind.”

 

“What?”

 

“Kay. He’s… my bodyguard.” As if finding it difficult to force the words out, Baron Gardin barely manages to finish, stammering slightly. “I intend to leave him behind for the time being to serve as the lady’s guard.”

 

“What is the meaning of this!” Declen’s fist clenched.

 

Just as Declen roared and slammed his hand down on the armrest, the baron suddenly turned his head, pushed through the people, and walked up to where Shailoh had been hiding. Before the startled Shailoh could react, he dropped to one knee before her with formal courtesy. “Greetings, Lady.”

 

At the same time, people stepped back as if a wave were parting, and a murmur rippled through them. Ignoring the commotion, the baron stood, bowed once more to pay his respects to Shailoh, and turned around pointedly.

 

“Having found the lady like this and yet failing to report it falls under the crime of deceiving the king.”

 

“…”

 

“I could return to the capital and report this as it is, but that would be too extreme. This is the compromise I have devised.” Speaking with practiced ease, the baron smiled faintly. “What will you do?”

 

At the question delivered in a deceptively soft tone, the veins beneath Declen’s jaw bulged. His razor-sharp gaze then landed not on the baron, but on the man standing behind him. The man who remained indifferent, his robe drawn low and his face covered by a mask, acting as though none of this had anything to do with him.

 

“What if I were to offer you something else instead?”

 

“Something else?”

 

Declen signaled with his eyes, prompting Kianan to bring something forward. As everyone held their breath and watched, Kianan carefully pushed a cart holding a large box, treating it as though it might shatter.

 

“Open it.”

 

“As you wish.”

 

Bowing respectfully, the baron slowly opened the lid of the box. The moment he did, he gasped and took a step back. “T-This…”

 

“Gold equivalent to the lady’s weight. It should be of use to His Majesty as well.”

 

The stunned onlookers could hardly believe their eyes. Piled high inside the massive box were indisputably solid bars of gold. An amount like this would be enough to buy a small island. No matter how noble the lady was, she was ultimately only half-blood lineage. It was more than enough to exchange for such a woman…

 

Gulping hard, the baron cast a quick glance at Caleb standing behind him. Seeing no reaction whatsoever from the motionless figure, he shook his head regretfully. “I am truly sorry, but His Majesty will not accept this. Whether you accept my terms or not rests entirely on your choice, Your Grace.”

 

A vein throbbed on Declen’s forehead. Noticing his hand about to go to his sword hilt, Shailoh quickly stepped forward. “Brother.”

 

“…Shailoh.”

 

“I think you should accept his offer.” Her hand was trembling.

 

Swallowing back his roar, Declen ground out his reply. “Fine. I’ll accept your terms.”

 

“A wise decision.”

 

“However.” Cutting off the smooth-tongued baron, Declen added coldly, “Deliver this to His Majesty. If he tries to force a grip on something that refuses to be held, he may end up with nothing at all in the end.”

 

The searing anger carved into each and every syllable left the hall speechless.

 

Casting a sidelong glance at Caleb, the baron then placed a hand over his left chest and gave a slight bow. “I will faithfully convey your loyal advice.”

 

* * *

After all the commotion, Baron Gardin and his party finally withdrew, and the castle folk at last felt peace return.

 

“My goodness… I felt like I was walking on thin ice.”

 

“Still, didn’t the baron stay quieter than we expected before he left?”

 

“Come on, you really think he was just sitting there quietly? He was definitely snooping around every corner to check for any signs of treason. Just like all the envoys before him.”

 

“Exactly. And is that all? To think he went and approached our lady so blatantly…”

 

The maid who had been speaking suddenly snapped around, sensing something off. The other servants who had been chatting immediately bowed deeply, acting as if nothing had happened.

 

“Milady, you’re here.”

 

“Do you need anything, Milady?”

 

“Mi-Milady, I…” The maid stuttered, her face turning pale with panic. Even if it wasn’t malicious gossip, speaking carelessly about one’s superiors was a severe offense.

 

“Do you have any wine?”

 

While the maid agonized intensely inside over what excuse she should make or whether she should just throw herself on the floor and beg for forgiveness right then, Shailoh simply brushed past her.

 

“Wine?”

 

“Yes. Preferably something a bit strong.”

 

“We do have some… but why not send Rose for it?”

 

“I already sent Rose on another errand.”

 

“Then your escort…” Before the maid could finish, her colleague nudged her sharply, prompting her to quickly change her words. “I’ve rambled on for too long. I-I’ll bring it right away. Please wait just a moment.”

 

The first thing Shailoh did when she stepped into her room with the wine bottle was pop the cork and drink straight from it, without even bothering with a glass. If Rose had seen her, she would’ve shrieked and tried to stop her, but thankfully Shailoh had already sent her off on another errand. Declen was also occupied elsewhere. Since Baron Gardin was the king’s envoy, he had given him a grand send-off and was now meeting with Caleb alone.

 

“Why? For what reason?”

 

In the end, Caleb hadn’t revealed his identity in front of everyone. He hadn’t forced her to go with him, but he also hadn’t gone back to the capital. To make matters worse, he had volunteered to be her personal guard, even turning down the gold offered as an alternative.

 

“Is he really trying to wither me to death? Or does he plan to knock me unconscious and sneak me away?”

 

Her insides churned with confusion that refused to settle, so she’d tried to borrow the strength of alcohol and gulped it down, but it only made her queasier and did nothing to help. Pressing her fingers hard into her temples, Shailoh thought and thought again about Caleb’s intentions. She had no idea how to even begin to read what was going on in his head.

 

“What on earth is he thinking?”

 

“Isn’t it obvious?”

 

Someone replied to her muttering the very next moment. Shailoh flinched and whipped her head around.

 

“…Sir Kianan?”

 

“The door was open, so I came in.” Speaking with a slight tone of scolding, as if faulting her carelessness, Kianan approached and sat down across from her.

 

Approaching an unmarried woman without even asking permission was rude, but he did it so naturally that she barely had time to register that fact.

 

“You want to get His Majesty out of here, don’t you, Milady?”

 

“…And if I do?”

 

“Then it’s simple. Make His Majesty give up.”

 

“…Give up. Give up, you say.” Shailoh, who’d been hoping he might come up with some brilliant idea she’d never even considered, let her head droop. “You think that’s easy?”

 

“If anything, it’s quite easy.”

 

“What is that supposed—” She was just about to snap at him, anger flaring at his inexplicable confidence.

 

“Get engaged to me.”

 

“…W-What did you just say?”

 

“I mean exactly what I said. Let’s get engaged.” Kianan grinned and added. “So people will be talking about it for years to come.”