Chapter 70: Your Obsession Is Insane

Chapter 70: Your Obsession Is Insane

After confirming that Aren and the Earl had left the room, the Emperor turned to the man standing before him.

It seems the Marquesss former family is quite compassionate.

The Emperor laid emphasis on the word former.

Cassadin wasnt one to overlook such hidden implications, but he pretended not to understand and placed his hand over his chest before bowing.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

The Emperor, with a satisfied smile, bestowed a fiefdom upon Cassadin.

I will grant one of the fiefdoms in the capital to the Marquess.

I am unsure how to express my immense gratitude for Your Majestys boundless grace.

Throughout the entire award ceremony, the Crown Prince had persistently glared at Cassadin. However, Cassadin had not once returned the Crown Princes gaze.

Unable to endure his conduct any longer, the Emperor looked at Leon and his fiery eyes with a pitiful gaze, then addressed him.

I told you to remain silent, yet now you articulate curses with your gaze.

Your Majesty, this is what I normally look like.

As the Crown Prince directed his gaze at the Emperor while maintaining this expression, the Emperor exhaled a heavy sigh. Even the wisest of emperors could experience failure when it came to raising their offspring properly.

Since the awards ceremony has concluded, he will probably pay a visit to Aren once again. What exactly is the Crown Prince doing? Is he truly following behind a simple healer like a baby duckling?

Internally shaking his head in disagreement, the Emperor resolved to urgently find a capable woman to become the Crown Princess.

Marquess.

In his hoarse voice, the Crown Prince called out to Cassadin.

Confine the Crown Prince in an empty room, at least until Aren has left the palace.

Your Majesty! What is the meaning of this?

Leon immediately objected, but Cassadin ignored him, bowing to the Emperor before seizing the Crown Princes wrist.

Let go! You scoundrel!

Despite Leons struggles and shouts, he was no match for Cassadins strength. He found himself being forcibly dragged out the door by his wrist.

Clack.

When the imposing golden doors closed behind them, Cassadin located an empty room and stepped inside. The Crown Prince, with his wrists still firmly held in Cassadins grasp, continued to resist.

It was not until Cassadin had secured the door that he released the Crown Prince.

It was His Majestys command to confine Your Highness. While this might be uncomfortable, I request that you remain here with me for a while.

Hah!

He had never experienced such humiliation in his entire life. Never before had anyone treated him, the Crown Prince, in such a manner.

He couldnt comprehend how the man had not only obtained the rank of Marquess from the Emperor but had also been ordered to bring him here

Moreover, he had been brought here in an incredibly disgraceful manner, and his father, the Emperor, merely watched with a gaze filled with disappointment, failing to intervene.

In a fit of frustration, the Crown Prince aggressively ruffled his hair with his hand.

Ive never encountered a madman like you before in my life.

Resigning to his fate, the Crown Prince abandoned the idea of leaving the room and slumped down onto the plush red carpet, glaring accusatorily at Cassadin.

From the start, there was something about you that I didnt like. Especially that peculiar gaze with which youd regard your sister.

This man had been an oddball from the onset.

Leons wrists hurt from where Cassadin had grasped him, yet he didnt show it. He was about to talk with Aren for the first time in a while, but the man just had to interfere.

Everything regarding the man confronting him was aggravating in some way.

Im amazed that you have the audacity to hold your head up high after leaving that house of your own volition.

You could, at least, attempt to speak using that mouth of yours.

Cassadin did not react to the Crown Princes provocations. Instead, he gazed at the Crown Prince with an impassive expression, giving no indication that he intended to speak.

So, youve decided to completely ignore me? What a surprise. Im not sure whos the royal one now.

Even in response to the Crown Princes sarcastic comment, Cassadin remained silent. He continued to watch the Crown Prince with a face devoid of any emotion.

I knew from the beginning that you loved Aren. Sister? Hardly. Not even the eyes of a man looking at the woman he loves are that affectionate.

As soon as Arens name slipped from the Crown Princes lips, Cassadins eyes turned icy. The tension in the room seemed to escalate within moments.

The Crown Prince felt this too, and responded with a bemused expression.

Are you truly insane?

Cassadin was now observing the Crown Prince with a frosty expression.

But no matter how much he craved to kill the man, Cassadin was restricted from laying his hands on him as long as he remained the Crown Prince.

Leon was also aware of this fact. Hence, he continued to agitate Cassadin.

Its regrettable that Aren has accepted someone like you into his family.

Leon genuinely felt pity for Aren.

The reason Leon took an initial interest in Aren was merely out of curiosity.

Curiosity soon evolved into fondness. This was due to the fact that the more he got to know about Aren, the more she seemed like a good person. She was the first person who looked at him for who he was, not for his status.

This fact was something that Cassadin knew, which allowed him to express his hostility towards Leon without any reservations. To keep Leon from trying to see Aren while he was away at war.

Leon had not been oblivious to the Emperors increasingly grim expression every time he went to meet Aren. However, he hadnt realized that the Emperor had become so suspicious of Aren simply because of his interest in her.

This must be his way of getting back at me for warning Aren about him.

Leon was left speechless by Cassadins remarkable personality.

And he felt intense pity for Aren. Just observing from a distance was enough to stifle his breath, so how much worse would it be for the one who was the object of that obsession?

Scowling at him, Leon cursed Cassadin.

You are a disgraceful bastard and a monster.

Whether or not the Crown Prince was cursing him, Cassadin had his eyes closed, focusing on planning his future tasks.

There are too many nuisances I need to deal with.

Too many pests surrounded Aren, but the man named Damian irked Cassadin the most, surpassing even the Crown Prince. Despite the Crown Princes higher status, his intellect barely matched that of a few brain cells, unlike Damian.

Damian possessed the skill to manipulate individuals by leveraging their shortcomings. He proved to be cunning and calculative, making him the most troublesome fly for Cassadin to swat.

Cassadin completely ignored the Crown Prince, who continued his onslaught of curses, as he fell deep into thought.

He collapsed yesterday, so he should awaken about now.

Geuahhh!

By the time Damian awoke from his deep sleep, Cassadins award ceremony had already ended.

Sitting up in bed, Damian surveyed his surroundings with a hand supporting his throbbing head. And the high golden ceilings were the first things to enter his field of vision.

Was he brought to the palace after he collapsed?

Have you awoken, Your Grace?

A stranger sat close to Damian. He was a middle-aged man dressed in a white gown, looking at him with a worried expression.

A palace physician.

Is this the palace?

Then the palace physician responded to Damians quiet mutter.

Yes. His Majesty has directed me to care for Your Grace. However, I regret to inform you that my medical skills may not be sufficient to treat your heart condition. I sincerely apologize.

Upon hearing the palace physicians response, Damian clenched his teeth in silent frustration.

It appears he doesnt intend to admit they have a healer. This useless emperor.

The thought prompted him to recall the combat tournament. What had happened to it? What had Cassadin requested as his prize for winning the competition?

It was only then that Damian regained his senses. Barely managing to grasp hold of his sanity, which was on the brink of slipping away, Damian asked the physician,

Do you know what happened during the match after I collapsed?

Ah, yes. I do.

Tell me.

After nervously glancing at Damians pale face, the physician began to speak.

That is I was told that this years winner has earned the title of a Marquess.

What? Marquess?

Shocked by the news, Damian attempted to get out of bed. Yet, his debilitating heart condition only allowed him to take a few unsteady steps before he fell to the ground.

An indescribable fury was boiling within him. Although aware that this rage could exacerbate his heart condition, Damian was unable to suppress his anger.

He used me as a stepping stone, changing his status from slave to marquess in one fell swoop. That damned bastard.

Argh

You mustnt strain yourself yet, Your Grace. It has been a whole day since your collapse.

Taken aback by the mans sudden behavior, the physician struggled as he tried to lay Damian, who had collapsed onto the floor. And with a soft sigh, Damian called out the name of his singular savior.

Aren.

Where is Aren?

The Lady of the Serkia Family?

Damians green eyes shone sharply at the physicians statement. He was unnerved by the dangerous stare of his patient, causing him to swallow nervously.

You are familiar with this woman?

Yes, I am. I understand she is currently in the palace.

Take me there.

Excuse me?

Guide me to where this woman is.

The physician could almost feel his throat being constricted under the mans threatening gaze.

But, Your Grace, your physical condition

I am alright, so lead me there.

After taking several deep breaths to control his emotions, Damian felt the pain gradually fade away. He then urged the palace physician.

Right this instant.