95.
Although Keith disliked Jinhyeon, he knew that such a sudden change of heart was strange. No matter how quickly people’s feelings could change, this was too much. Lyunne must have done something, and Grey probably provided what was needed for it. If so, there was one thing that came to mind.
‘But why use it on Jinhyeon?’
Given Grey’s personality, he would likely have tried to use it on Yu Jin. The potion for controlling people was expensive to make and not easy to produce. While its future value was uncertain, Yu Jin’s current value was much higher than Jinhyeon’s. Sure enough, Grey’s expression was twisted with anger as he looked down. Lyunne had used the potion on Jinhyeon without Grey’s consent.
Now Jinhyeon would act for Lyunne, the first person he saw after taking the potion. For Keith, this meant the removal of someone who had been extremely annoying to him. It might even be for the best. While Grey would be furious, thanks to this, Yu Jin would be safe for a while. That potion wasn’t easy to obtain, so Grey wouldn’t be able to get another one right away.
Still, just to be sure, Keith asked Jinhyeon one last time:
“Are you going to leave Yu Jin’s side?”
Jinhyeon answered without hesitation.
“Yes.”
“Then that’s that. You don’t need to come back. We’ll send your belongings.”
Keith said this and turned his back on Jinhyeon. He could see Yu Jin looking at him anxiously from a distance. People who have lost someone they love and fallen into despair are weak. And at such times, even small kindnesses can move their hearts. It might be a despicable method, but Keith had no intention of missing this opportunity.
‘Anyway, there’s no antidote for that potion.’
The only way was to become strong enough to realize the brainwashing and break free from it oneself. And so far, no one had succeeded in doing that. Of course, they had only brainwashed those who were unlikely to break free in the first place.
“Brother.”
Yu Jin’s voice trembled finely as he called out to Keith.
“Why are you alone? Where’s Jinhyeon?”
“Yu Jin, brace yourself and listen. Jinhyeon won’t be coming back.”
Hearing this, Yu Jin blinked slowly. He seemed to have difficulty understanding what he had just heard.
“Jinhyeon decided to stay by Lady Lyunne’s side.”
“…Why?”
Yu Jin asked again, but it didn’t seem like he was expecting an answer.
“Why?”
After repeating the same word a few times, moving his lips, Yu Jin slumped down where he stood. This drew the attention of people nearby, but he didn’t care at all.
“Why?”
Yu Jin uttered the question and covered his face with both hands.
Sometimes he had thought about it. If the basis of this world was a novel, what would happen to a story that developed in the wrong direction?
And the answer came only today. Jinhyeon eventually went to Lyunne’s side, just as in the original story. There were many unnatural aspects if one looked closely, but Yu Jin couldn’t think that far. The negative emotions that arose when Jinhyeon took Lyunne’s hand and embraced her made him weak.
Knowing that this world was inside a novel made it even worse. Yu Jin, who collapsed at the party, was moved to the mansion by Keith.
“Lord Yu Jin.”
Haruna carefully took Yu Jin’s limp hand.
“It’s okay. Jinhyeon must have some plan. He’ll come back.”
No words of comfort reached Yu Jin. Confined to his room, Yu Jin lay on the bed, groaning in pain. The fever that had risen wouldn’t easily subside. Keith and Haruna procured all sorts of beneficial medicines and fed them to Yu Jin. But Yu Jin vomited most of what he ate.
As his condition rapidly deteriorated, doctors flocked to the mansion. But the doctors all shook their heads, saying they couldn’t determine the cause. This news reached Tulin as well. He used his connections to send a doctor who had previously worked in the imperial palace. After examining Yu Jin, the doctor said:
“It’s a psychosomatic illness. Commonly known as a disease of the heart. Do you have any idea what might have caused it?”
At the doctor’s words, Haruna bit her lip. There was something that came to mind, as the doctor suggested. It was probably because Jinhyeon had left Yu Jin’s side. Even a normal breakup would be painful, but Jinhyeon had gone to someone else without leaving any words.
‘This is strange.’
Haruna thought so too, but there was nothing she could do right away. She had tried to meet Jinhyeon, but couldn’t even see his face. Lyunne was blocking all contact.
“For now, I’ll prescribe some medicine to strengthen his body.”
The doctor gave the medicine and left the mansion. Haruna looked at Yu Jin, who remained listless even after taking the new medicine, and then turned her gaze. At the end of her gaze was Keith, wearing a worried expression.
“Keith.”
She tried to remain as calm as possible, but her voice came out harsh.
“Let’s talk.”
“Alright.”
Keith stood up and followed Haruna.
“You know something, don’t you?”
Keith nodded at Haruna’s words.
“A little.”
“A little? What’s this little that you know?”
“I can’t tell you.”
At those words, Haruna’s insides boiled. The twin brothers who had many secrets for some time now. Because she had guessed the reason, Haruna hadn’t actively pressed Keith until now. But now it seemed time to uncover everything.
“I’m not stupid either.”
Haruna clenched both hands.
“You’re currently affiliated with an organization, right?”
Keith nodded slowly.
“Is it perhaps Leviathan?”
“Why do you think it’s them?”
“You and I grew up together since childhood. The only time we were apart for long was when Lord Yu Jin was kidnapped. And the organization that led that kidnapping was Leviathan, wasn’t it?”
Haruna couldn’t know what had happened there. The only thing certain was that Keith would do anything to save Yu Jin. That’s probably why Keith became affiliated with Leviathan. He didn’t refute Haruna’s words. He just stared at her blankly.
“It must have been hard for you all this time.”
“…It wasn’t that hard.”
“If you’re affiliated with that place, you probably can’t move freely. But still, Lord Yu Jin is sick.”
“The pain is only temporary. Jinhyeon was bound to leave someday anyway.”
“Why do you think that!”
“If he hadn’t left, I would have sent him away.”
Keith’s eyes gleamed strangely as he answered.
“Keith.”
The twin brother standing right in front of her somehow felt unfamiliar.
“Haruna. I understand what you’re worried about, but everything will be fine. So don’t go stirring things up too much. You’re important to me too. Leviathan is a dangerous organization.”
Keith spoke as if he was worried and took Haruna’s hand.
“Let’s just think about us for now.”
The “us” he spoke of didn’t include Jinhyeon. Haruna closed her eyes, suppressing a sigh that was about to burst out.
Grey, whose plans were ruined by Lyunne’s arbitrary actions, clutched his chest in frustration. As Keith had predicted, the person they had originally planned to use the potion on was Yu Jin. But Lyunne had arbitrarily fed the potion to Jinhyeon and gained control over him. While it was true that Jinhyeon had extraordinary talent, he wasn’t the person they needed right now.
“Didn’t you say you wanted to become the heir!”
Seeing Grey raise his voice for the first time, Lyunne’s eyes narrowed.
“I did. But so what?”
“Then why use the potion on someone like him?”
Grey pointed at the closed door. Beyond the door, Jinhyeon was standing quietly, waiting for Lyunne.
“Someone like him? Didn’t you see his outstanding skills?”
“He’s impressive for his age, but still, that’s not the point. If we put them on a scale, of course the heir of Lucid would outweigh him!”
“Then get another potion.”
“It’s not something that can be obtained so easily.”
“But if it’s needed, you should get it.”
Lyunne spoke confidently, provoking Grey’s murderous intent. If he had known it would come to this, he would have properly brainwashed Lyunne first. He had let his guard down because she had followed his words so well until now. Grey let out a deep sigh.
“Are we done talking?”
Lyunne stood up calmly and left the room. Then, seeing Jinhyeon waiting in front of the door, she smiled brightly.
“Did you wait long?”
“Not at all.”
“That’s good. Then what shall we do this afternoon?”
“I’m fine with anything Lady Lyunne wants.”
Lyunne wore a satisfied expression at Jinhyeon’s submissive attitude. Although Grey was angry, Leviathan couldn’t abandon her anyway. So it was okay to act a bit selfishly. Thanks to that, she was now able to keep the person she had wanted by her side.
