The Reason Why the Forsaken Fake Returned Chapter 80

“Uurgh…!”

 

With an empty stomach, all Shailoh could manage was dry heaving. As soon as she escaped the brothel, she collapsed, trying desperately to purge the sickness inside her. The shops had already begun their business, bustling with activity. It was such a common sight that passersby didn’t even glance at her as they walked by.

 

“Ha… heuk…” Shailoh placed her hand on the ground and pressed her feverish forehead against the wall.

 

Caleb had threatened and tortured her in the most brutal way. He had just ordered her to seduce Albert, as if the act she had just witnessed was nothing. To exploit the enemy’s weaknesses, he commanded her to do such things without a second thought.

 

“How could…”

 

Was he even human? If you cut him, would red blood flow from him? No, she wondered if the man she knew was even the real Caleb. Perhaps the real Caleb had died recently, and a murderer was wearing his skin and pretending to be him.

 

“There you are.”

 

After a long while, she heard someone approaching. A coat was draped over her shoulders, and a hand with bulging veins grasped her arm to help her up.

 

“Let go.”

 

“…”

 

“I said let go…!”

 

She struggled with all her might, but he didn’t release her. Like an animal being led to the slaughterhouse, she was forced into the carriage.

 

* * *

On the way back, Shailoh stared blankly out the window, covered by a coat larger than her own body, like a corpse with open eyes. Sitting across from her, Caleb waited for her to speak. I can’t do it, I won’t do it, I misspoke. Any of these three phrases would suffice. If she said them, everything could be reversed.

 

Pretending to be at odds with him, acting as if she betrayed him while seducing Albert. She was indeed the perfect person to extract information from Albert by moving between the two, but it wasn’t absolutely necessary. It might take a little detour, but the plan could be adjusted. Yet Shailoh remained silent until they arrived at the townhouse, entrusting her body to his hands like a doll. Even when Caleb got out first and helped her down. In the end, it was he who reached the limit of his patience.

 

“Sasha.”

 

“…”

 

As she was about to enter, he called her, and her ghostly pale face turned to him. Caleb, momentarily speechless from the unfamiliar sensation of his heart sinking, slowly asked. “Do you have anything to say to me?” He asked as if demanding an answer.

 

Shailoh finally lifted her gaze. “Is that what it takes to seduce Albert?”

 

For the first time, his turquoise eyes wavered. But it was so brief that neither she nor he could notice.

 

With sunken eyes, Shailoh looked at him and spoke clearly. “I’ll seriously consider it. Whether I can do it or not.”

 

No response was needed. Shailoh turned abruptly, opened the door, and fled inside.

 

* * *

“Haha! It’s all mine!” Albert laughed confidently as he swept all the cards on the table into his hands.

 

The men seated around him clicked their tongues in admiration of his skill.

 

“Your Highness, your skills are improving day by day. It’s hard to keep up.”

 

“This must be what they call talent.”

 

Puffing out his chest proudly, Albert checked the amount he had raked in just that night. He was the third prince of this kingdom and currently the most likely successor. Though he spent money like water, enough to cover a common family’s annual expenses in a single night, winning money like this made him feel as if he were soaring through the skies.

 

“What do you think? Would you like to play another game?”

 

“Another game?” Albert checked his pocket watch and looked back at his servant.

 

The servant shook his head with a troubled expression. “No, Your Highness. You have a prior engagement.”

 

“Not even for a moment?”

 

“No, Your Highness.”

 

Unlike usual, the servant was strangely firm this time. Feeling uneasy, Albert pressed him sharply. “Who’s the meeting with? Can’t it be canceled?”

 

“T-That’s…”

 

Under Albert’s piercing gaze, the servant hesitantly averted his eyes. Albert was capricious, sometimes violent, and indulgent, but he was royalty, after all. Having secured this position, if he displeased Albert, he might be dismissed immediately. As he fidgeted, unable to do anything, someone knocked on the door at just the right moment.

 

Albert, whose nerves were on edge, shouted toward the door. “Who is it!”

 

“Your Highness, Duke Perus is here.”

 

“What?” Albert inhaled sharply in disbelief and cursed under his breath. “How did he find out about this place and barge in?”

 

This was a villa he had secretly purchased by transferring ownership through three different accounts, keeping it hidden even from his mother. On weekends, he would invite women or friends to indulge in drugs and enjoy this precious hideout day and night. Located a full day’s journey from the capital, few people knew about it. Moreover, the security was so tight that it was impossible to set foot here without permission.

 

“Damn it, that creepy old man.”

 

“Your Highness?”

 

“Tell him to wait in the parlor for a bit. I’m not dressed properly, so I’ll tidy up before going out.”

 

“Yes, I’ll convey that.” The maid replied politely and withdrew.

 

With the game disrupted, Albert dismissed the men he had been gambling with. “It’s unfortunate, but that’s it for today. Please leave discreetly.”

 

“Of course. We had a great time.”

 

One of the men, unable to hide his disappointment, made a suggestion. “Next time, let’s play at my place.”

 

“At your place?”

 

“Yes. Besides what we played today, there are many more types of gambling you can enjoy. They’re really fun.”

 

“That sounds great.” His mood, which had plummeted, quickly soared again.

 

Albert set the date and time before sending his gambling companions away. He then received the maid and servant’s assistance to wash up, change clothes, and comb his hair. Ready at last, he headed swiftly to the parlor with his servant.

 

“How do I look? Considering I spent the whole night gambling, I think I look pretty decent except for the slight bags under my eyes, right?”

 

“Yes, Your Highness. You look just like you always do.”

 

“That’s a relief. Anyway… that annoying old man, how did he find out about this place and barge in?”

 

Albert took a deep breath and placed his hand on the doorknob, turning it. As soon as he opened the door, Duke Perus, who had been gazing out the window, turned around. Stroking his beard, the duke spoke first. “You arrived sooner than I expected, Your Highness.”

 

“It was an unexpected visit, so I was delayed preparing. I hope you understand, Duke.” Albert countered the sarcasm with sarcasm of his own and sat on the couch, gesturing to the seat opposite him. “How did you find out about this place?”

 

“There are no eternal secrets in this world, Your Highness. Besides, I have a few people in the royal castle who are loyal to me.”

 

“…I suppose you do.”

 

“I heard that Your Highness disappears every weekend, and it seems you’ve been hiding out at this villa.”

 

“I need at least one place where I can relax quietly.”

 

“For a quiet retreat, the friends who scurried out like mice didn’t seem particularly tidy.” Duke Perus laughed heartily and delivered a sharp remark to the stiff Albert. “Your Highness, do you truly understand your position?”

 

At his sermon-like words, Albert clenched his fist. He couldn’t afford to make an enemy of Duke Perus. His mother had drilled this into him until his ears bled. He knew all too well about the countless behind-the-scenes maneuvers and deals that had taken place to secure that dull girl as his fiancée. So he endured and endured.

 

“I wondered why you came barging so early in the morning. Are you here to lecture me? As my future bride’s uncle, perhaps?”

 

“Is that so wrong? Octavia was born fatherless, and I’ve raised her as if I were her father. So, I consider myself somewhat like a father-in-law to you.”

 

Despite showing his discomfort, Duke Perus didn’t back down but rather intensified his response, causing Albert’s temples to throb.

 

“So, what is it you want to say, Duke? What urgent business brought you here at the crack of dawn, panting like a dog?”

 

“Watch your words!”

 

Albert’s spine straightened as Duke Perus’s thunderous roar echoed in his ears like a splash of cold water.

 

“Be careful. No matter how high your status, you must not speak carelessly to someone who governs the South.”

 

“…Forgive my rudeness.”

 

“I accept your apology.”

 

Albert’s throat felt parched. He picked up the teacup that had already been set out and took a sip.

 

“Now, to address my reason for coming.” Duke Perus fixed him with a sharp gaze and asked. “Just how on earth have you been treating Octavia?”

 

“What do you mean by that?”

 

“Octavia has asked to change her marriage partner.”

 

“What…?” The teacup slipped from Albert’s hand and shattered on the floor. His face contorted as he sprang to his feet.