It Seems Like The Infamous Trash Can is Right Here! - Chapter 128
Lionel quickly ran through the possibilities in his mind, trying to think of who his opponent might be.
There were roughly three factions that might currently act against him.
First, the Imperial Family.
More specifically, not the Emperor himself, but likely the Crown Prince or one of the other princes or princesses. The Emperor had gained too much from Lionel to go out of his way to provoke him.
Second, foreign powers.
At present, the Lubarque Empire was gradually expanding its territory thanks to Lionel’s unhinged maneuvers. Kingdoms that felt threatened by this occasionally sent assassins. From the outside, it would look like removing a war-crazed Lionel would eliminate a major threat.
And the third, Solen.
‘Most likely them.’
The timing was ambiguous for one of the Imperial Family to have made a move. And foreign assassins rarely staged their attacks within the capital. If they’d been willing to take such a risk, they would have already made their move.
The complete absence of any killing intent only reinforced his conclusion.
‘To think they’d come for her in just a single day. They must’ve been desperate.’
Well, of course. For someone like Vaikal, who considered Lionel a lunatic, the thought of leaving his precious little sister by that madman’s side for even a day would have been intolerable.
Having deduced their approximate destination by comparing the route and the scenery outside, Lionel turned back to look at Serenia.
“I’m afraid it seems we’ve been kidnapped.”
“Wha… what?”
Her eyes widened in shock.
Her expression overlapped with the youthful Serenia he had once seen in a vision, and it made his heart ache.
He wanted to keep her hidden from the world. He wanted tot have her all to himself. Never to be disturbed by anyone.
‘Can’t I do that?’
Even though she had introduced herself not as Serenia Solen, but as “Sasha Diloette,” the Crown Prince Axion had been unable to tear his eyes away from her.
He didn’t know how it was now, but only a few years ago, Halid had still been scouring the continent in search of his first love.
And even Dantère, who had placed restrictions upon himself out of caution, still occasionally sent her glances of temptation whenever he dropped his guard.
But what unnerved him most wasn’t any of them. It was her family. Solen. They were the ones who could take her away from him at any moment.
If only he could hide her from all of them. Make her truly his, wholly and solely.
That desire was so fierce it surpassed even his other ambitions, more than any hope of ending his cycle of repeated lives.
But…
‘Serenia wouldn’t be able to bear it if I did.’
Lionel didn’t know exactly how Serenia had died each time. But at least in the most recent regression, he’d seen it with his own eyes.
She had no desire to survive at all costs. If it meant enduring oppression and shame, she chose death. Without the slightest hesitation.
The one thing Lionel must never do was take away her freedom.
He couldn’t say there had been no coercion at all in bringing her from the monastery to the capital and housing her in his mansion. But it could not go further than that.
As if he had never entertained any sinister thoughts, Lionel gently kissed the corner of her eye.
“It doesn’t seem they intend to harm us, so there’s no need to worry too much. Even if they are enemies, I at least have the strength to protect you.”
In a way, an assassin would’ve been simpler. The more difficult opponent would be someone he couldn’t afford to harm.
“So… would you take a look at me? Is my face or hair or anything out of place?”
“That’s what you’re worried about?”
“It’s very important.”
Serenia tilted her head with a puzzled look, clearly not quite understanding, but still reached out and busily straightened his hair and clothing.
