The Reason Why the Forsaken Fake Returned Chapter 94

“What?” Caleb stared at her, unmoving, as if he’d just heard a joke that wasn’t funny.

 

The chill in the air was enough to send shivers down her spine, but Shailoh didn’t avert her gaze from his cold turquoise eyes. A suffocating silence hung between them, and it was only after a long pause that she finally spoke.

 

“It was a joke.”

 

“…”

 

“I was curious to see what expression you’d make.”

 

This was a matter between just the two of them. She had no desire to involve anyone else, as it could lead to trouble.

 

“I’m really not involved with Mr. Nox. We’ve only bumped into each other a few times by coincidence, and I’m somewhat acquainted with his younger sister. I helped her when she got hurt in the park.”

 

It was a calm explanation for such a bombshell. Unable to read her true feelings for the first time, Caleb only stared intently into her blue eyes.

 

At that moment, the coachman announced their arrival. Feeling a sense of relief, Shailoh flung open the carriage door. “Then I’ll be going now. I’ll take care of Lady Octavia for the time being.”

 

“Sasha.”

 

Just as she was about to quickly disembark before Caleb could extend his hand, he grabbed her arm. Then, with a hot breath, a sharp pain followed on her neck.

 

“What are you—!”

 

With his index finger, Caleb pulled down her collar, deepening the healing bite mark like a male marking his territory. Shailoh turned her head, eyes blazing. Before she could protest, a calm voice preempted her.

 

“I know things can’t be the same as before.” Caleb’s hand moved slowly and deliberately as he adjusted her collar, a sly smile playing on his lips as if he hadn’t just acted so savagely. “So, I’ll forgive a little rebellion.” On the surface, it seemed like a generous statement, but the underlying message was as sharp as a knife. It was a subtle warning not to push any further. This was as far as her defiance would be tolerated.

 

Instead of answering, Shailoh turned her head sharply and hurriedly got off the carriage. Only after watching her enter the townhouse did the carriage finally set off.

 

* * *

The news Octavia brought was more useful and valuable than expected. Since he had watched from a distance to avoid drawing suspicion, he hadn’t seen the reddish-blonde woman hand a letter to someone. However, the woman had definitely been at that place at the exact time Octavia had mentioned. That alone was practically a decisive clue.

 

If this were indeed related to Queen Ingrid’s secret funds, it could be a significant weapon to launch a devastating attack against the queen’s side. If handled well, it could even be framed as treason against the king, sweeping everything away in one fell swoop. Yet throughout the ride home, what occupied Caleb’s mind wasn’t future plans, but the bold words Shailoh had spoken. That she no longer loved him. And that she had fallen for another man.

 

The moment Caleb heard her words, his blood boiled with rage, and murderous intent surged within him. At the same time, he had nearly drawn the pistol hidden inside his coat. He had been a moment away from aiming at that lovely head of hers and demanding whether it was true. As his hand slipped into his inner pocket, a voice broke the tension with a joke. It was a close call. It had been decades since he felt such anger and turmoil. Not since he discovered that the deaths of his mother and brother were linked to his stepmother.

 

Amidst the chaos in his mind, the carriage slowed as it approached the front gate and finally stopped at the entrance of the mansion.

 

“Welcome back.” The butler, who had been waiting for his late return, greeted him with a hint of anxiety.

 

Caleb, setting aside his recent thoughts, furrowed his brow. “What’s going on?”

 

“Well.”

 

“So you’ve finally arrived.”

 

The uninvited guest who appeared as if he owned the place was none other than Albert. A chill ran down his spine at the thought that Albert might have been tracking Octavia’s whereabouts. Despite boldly entering enemy territory alone, Albert seemed at ease.

 

Hiding his thoughts, Caleb tilted his head. “What brings you here at this hour, Albert?”

 

“What brings me here? You’re speaking as if this is a place I’m not supposed to come to.”

 

“It’s not exactly a place you can come and go as you please.”

 

“Should I feel uncomfortable then?”

 

Ignoring the sarcasm, Caleb moved inside without a word. Causing a scene here would only work against him. Although they were maintaining a precarious peace, both sides were silently watching, waiting to see who would light the fuse. Unfortunately, Albert had the upper hand. It would be foolish to give him any reason to exploit or provoke.

 

“Follow me.”

 

As they entered together, refreshments prepared by the parlor butler were already laid out. Noticing the absence of his glass, the butler cautiously spoke up. “I’ll have one brought up for Your Highness.”

 

“No need. I won’t be staying long.”

 

“Then…”

 

“Just go. It’s late, you should get some rest.”

 

Whether Albert had come because he was certain of Octavia’s whereabouts or just to probe, there was nothing to gain from dealing with him.

 

Once the butler was dismissed, the two brothers, who bore no resemblance to each other, sat facing one another. For some reason, Albert seemed amused.

 

“Aren’t you being too cold to your younger brother?”

 

“Cut the pretense and the formalities. It’s just the two of us here.”

 

“So you want me to get to the point. Fine.” Albert exaggeratedly shrugged his shoulders and took a sip of the now-cold tea.

 

Caleb, who was intently watching Albert’s lips in case Octavia’s name was mentioned, felt deflated by the conversation that followed and twisted his mouth.

 

“Why haven’t you responded to my request?”

 

“Request?”

 

“The request to hand over Sasha Griche.”

 

“Ha.” Letting out a cold laugh, Caleb leaned deeply back against the couch, draping both arms over the backrest.

 

Taking it as permission to continue, Albert spoke confidently. “Didn’t you promise to grant me one thing I wanted? Surely you haven’t forgotten.”

 

“There’s always an exception to the rule.”

 

“In this case, there shouldn’t be.”

 

Albert demanded Shailoh sooner than expected. It had been anticipated, yet an inexplicable chill and unease crept into Caleb’s chest.

 

“I want Sasha Griche. So hand her over.”

 

“She’s not a pet.” Caleb removed his arms from the backrest and placed his hands on his knees.

 

Albert, noticing the shift from Caleb’s relaxed expression to a blank one, grinned broadly. “If she’s not a pet, then what?”

 

“I told you. She’s the only one I lo—” Though it was a lie he had uttered without a second thought, the words strangely caught in his throat, as if he had swallowed a large candy that was now stuck.

 

“The only one you love?” Albert finished his sentence, hitting the mark. “So, are you going to marry her?”

 

He had no such intention, but he needed Albert to believe he was sincere. Instead of answering, Caleb nodded. It was definitely a lie meant to deceive, yet oddly, it felt like he was speaking the truth.

 

“Pfft, hahaha!” Albert burst into laughter, clutching his stomach at Caleb’s calm response. “So you’re really that serious? Refusing a potentially advantageous marriage proposal just to protect her?”

 

“I told you, I’m not greedy.”

 

There had been no suspicious moves. Though Caleb provocatively announced his return and frequented the royal castle, he hadn’t physically or politically attacked Albert significantly. On the contrary, he even handed over a business that had just started to grow.

 

The opponent Albert had been tense about suddenly seemed insignificant, quickly becoming uninteresting. But the moment Sasha Griche was involved and a reaction appeared, the game that had been growing dull suddenly became exciting again.

 

“Brother, let’s be honest. She’s a singer, isn’t she? Surely you weren’t her first. She must have met all sorts of men behind your back and played around quite freely.”

 

“She’s not that kind of woman.”

 

It was an absurd accusation. Caleb gave a faint scoff in denial, but Albert narrowed his eyes and pressed on.

 

“Really? Are you so sure? She seems pretty close to a man named Nox Wyvern. She’s been to his house twice.”

 

Caleb’s jaw tightened, and his mouth clamped shut. Clearly, he had no idea about this.

 

Albert, with a triumphant smile, threw a bigger stone into the calm waters. “That’s not all. She also seems to have some sort of relationship with Duke Yesiol too.”

 

“Duke Yesiol?” Caleb gritted his teeth at the unexpected news. That Declen? “I don’t know where you heard that nonsense, but it’s ridiculous.”

 

“It’s true. You might not believe it, but someone saw them having a secret meeting at an abandoned chapel. The man looked exactly like Duke Yesiol.”

 

“…What?” Caleb glared at Albert with a chilling gaze, his previously calm breathing growing rougher as his fists clenched involuntarily. “Why would the two of them?”

 

“I don’t know. But they say the security was tight. But when a grown man and woman secretly meet alone, doesn’t that already say enough?” Albert knew the meeting had been far too brief for anything to truly happen, but he kept that to himself. “You may be devoted only to her, Brother, but she wasn’t. My condolences.” Having sat for a long time, his legs felt numb. As Albert stood up, he delivered the final blow. “Still, I want her even if she’s that kind of woman. Let me know if you change your mind.”

 

No reply came. Albert hadn’t expected one anyway, so he left the mansion with light steps.