It Seems Like The Infamous Trash Can is Right Here! - Chapter 82
“…What?”
“I chose him because I love him.”
Vaikal stared at me, stunned, as if he couldn’t process what I had just said.
The problem was that Lionel had the exact same expression.
As if he had just heard something completely unexpected.
…If this continues, we’ll get caught.
“…We’ve already crossed the line.”
“……!”
“……!”
Ah. No—why were both of them so surprised?
Lionel wasn’t the type to be oblivious, so why was he acting like this now of all times?
Luckily, Vaikal was too overwhelmed with shock to even glance at Lionel’s reaction.
“…Serenia.”
His voice trembled as he grasped my arms.
“Why… Why him of all people? How could you choose the one man everyone on this continent agrees is insane?!”
“You misunderstand, Brother. Lionel is kind and responsible. He treats me better than anyone—”
Ah.
…Oh no.
It wasn’t just that he looked about to cry. Tears genuinely welled up in Vaikal’s eyes.
“No… No, Serenia. Lionel Luanax… is really, really not that…”
His devastated expression made my heart twist.
I had no choice but to play my worst card.
“…At least he’s better than Axion.”
“…Who?”
“Axion Varnas Lubarque. The Crown Prince.”
Perhaps my words were too unexpected. Vaikal stared at me, eyes wide in disbelief, as he stared at me.
Then, after a long moment, he slowly let go of my arms and straightened his posture.
A strange silence settled.
Vaikal turned his gaze to Lionel. Then, as if lost in thought, he shifted his focus to a distant point in the air.
I wasn’t sure how much time had passed before he finally closed his eyes, inhaled deeply, and exhaled with a sigh.
“…I think I need some time to process this. And I should discuss it with Father. Let’s talk again later.”
I understood his feelings all too well.
So, I nodded.
“Okay. I’m sorry for worrying you, Brother.”
“There’s nothing for you to apologize for. None of this is your fault.”
Vaikal carefully stroked my cheek.
Three years had passed, yet his eyes still held the same warmth as before.
“Next time, don’t do something this reckless. Come to my estate instead.”
Lionel, who had been quietly observing, finally spoke.
“And what makes you think I’d believe anything you say?”
“Then let me ask you this. What do you plan to do if you don’t trust me? You think you can afford to make an enemy of both the Imperial Family and Luanax?”
“Are you threatening me right now?”
“Take it however you want. Believe whatever you like.”
Vaikal frowned, then let his gaze drift over the wreckage of the room.
“…Dantère’s going to lose his mind.”
He muttered the words under his breath, sighing as he bent down to retrieve his fallen mask.
“I’ll find you soon.”
“Alright.”
Lionel gave a small nod and then turned to me.
“Shall we return now?”
“My makeup is probably ruined… what should I do?”
“There’s no need to worry. You’re still beautiful.”
The moment those words left Lionel’s mouth, Vaikal’s head snapped toward him.
“…What the hell.”
Since I was standing close, I noticed it immediately—the goosebumps crawling up Vaikal’s skin.
Something about the way he looked at Lionel felt strangely familiar.
I thought back carefully. Vivian had looked at Lionel the exact same way…
‘What’s wrong…?’
Puzzled, I glanced at Vaikal before pulling my mask back on.
When I placed my hand atop Lionel’s, as I always did, he guided it gently around his arm and smiled down at me.
“……”
Vaikal, his face stiff and unreadable, stared at us for a long moment. Then, without another word, he turned on his heel and strode out of the room. I thought I heard him mutter a curse under his breath, but if he did, it was too quiet for me to catch.
