The Obsessive Male Lead Is Actually Scary
Chapter 50: The Bait Was Taken

Chapter 50: The Bait Was Taken

* * *

"So you’re saying you really met that Alessio guy at the villa?"

"Yes, that’s right. We confirmed it ourselves. He is indeed Sir Alessio," Johann reported, his posture straight, tone respectful.

"And there was nothing unusual at the baron’s estate?"

"Yes, Your Grace. We checked all parts of the manor, the family’s records, and relevant documents," Enosh replied as he gave a firm nod. His expression remained calm and composed, but a subtle flicker of anxiety passed through his eyes. "We didn’t find anything suspicious that should be of concern."

Tap. Tap.

The sound of fingers rapping against the polished wooden desk echoed through the study.

Marius tapped the surface rhythmically, his eyes fixed on nothing in particular. A faint crease marked his brow, his lips pressed into a thin line as he sank deeper into thought. His cold gaze, once absentminded, began to sharpen with focus. He wasn’t one to sit idle, not when pieces no longer fit.

Across from him, the two knights exchanged brief glances. A bead of sweat traced down Johann’s temple, mirrored by the subtle stiffness in Enosh’s shoulders. The silence stretched too long, their breaths caught in their throats as they awaited the duke’s response.

"Alright," Marius said at last, the word cutting through the still air like a blade. "You can leave now."

The knights gave quick, reflexive bows. "Yes, Your Grace." Then, without another word, they exited the room, boots thudding softly against the floor.

Click.

The door closed.

Marius remained seated, his hands slowly coming together in front of his face. He rested them on the edge of his desk, fingers laced tightly, the knuckles paling from the pressure. His eyes gleamed, cold and piercing, filled with everything even as they stared down at nothing.

’If even the knights confirmed it’s him... then who was she running with?’

’Which route did they take to slip past our eyes?’

’Could it have been someone from the Marquess’s household?’ His brow furrowed. ’No... impossible. Even his aide didn’t know anything about Sonia, not even under interrogation.’

’Whoever helped her knew exactly what they were doing.’

His thoughts overlapped and tangled, but each one was clear. Doubt, calculation, suspicion. The tension in his jaw gave away the storm beneath his calm exterior.

"Huu..."

He let out a breath and leaned back into his chair, reclining slightly. The chair creaked under the shift of weight. His chest rose slowly, then stilled. Calm returned, masking the unrest that still churned beneath his skin.

"...Heinz," he called.

At once, as if summoned by thought alone, a man appeared from the shadows. Swift. Silent. His presence was so fluid it was as if he had materialized from the walls themselves.

"Yes, my lord."

"There’s been a delay with the black market shipment," Marius said, his voice low and icy. "Count Belmont said he had something to handle first."

Tap, tap.

Marius drummed his fingers against the desk once more.

Kneeling with his head bowed, Heinz stayed silent and still, waiting for Marius to continue.

"If he gets caught, clean it up. No loose ends."

"Understood."

Without another word, Heinz vanished again, disappearing into the dark edges of the room like a specter.

* * *

On the morning of Duke Marius’s departure overseas.

The entire estate buzzed with activity.

Servants scurried along the paved paths like ants, their movements swift and purposeful as the final tasks wrapped up.

In the courtyard, a grand carriage with the Wittelsbach crest gleamed under the afternoon sun, its wheels polished to a mirror finish. Nearby, guards secured the rear with steel-plated chests, their contents dressed for diplomacy but intended for something else entirely.

Several horses were being saddled, each one selected for endurance and speed. The Wittelsbach coat of arms was stitched into the saddlecloths. There was no hiding the duke’s departure.

Marius stepped out of the main hall. His boots clicked against the stairs as he descended toward the open grounds, where preparations were in full swing.

Step. Step.

Each stride was composed, his cloak fluttering behind him in the breeze. The air stirred with the scent of departure.

"Your Grace," a nearby servant bowed deeply. The man held a checklist in one hand and a half-sealed scroll in the other.

"How are the preparations?" Marius asked, his tone smooth yet commanding. "I depart for the border today and will set sail for Yelvanti soon after. Ensure the gifts for the Sultan are in order."

"Yes, Your Grace. We’ve packed two casks of Aurenfeldian wine, one of Solarian amber, silk bolts, and the ivory figurines from Venze’s collection."

"Good. The Sultan appreciates diplomacy wrapped in luxury."

The servant gave a crisp nod and stepped aside to finalize the packing. Marius was just about to continue his inspection when—

"Your Grace!" a shout came from across the courtyard.

A knight sprinted toward him, armor clinking with each step, face flushed with urgency.

Marius turned slowly, a furrow forming between his brows.

The knight stopped just short of him, panting hard. "Huff... Huff... Your Grace!"

"...Speak."

"One of our scouts just returned. He claims he spotted Lady Sonia!"

Marius flinched at the report, his expression hardening. Without hesitation, he strode across the courtyard.

"You, come with me. And you," he pointed to a nearby servant, his voice clipped, "delay my departure. Tell them it’s under my order."

* * *

Ever since she discovered the pendant Alessio had secretly left in her room, Clara had been in constant contact with him, reporting everything that happened inside the estate.

The game of deceiving the duke might have ended for the baron’s family. But for Clara... she was only just beginning hers.

"Yes, he delayed his departure, just as you predicted," Clara whispered, her back turned toward the corridor as she faced the window, pretending to tidy the curtains. "It seems the scout he sent took the bait and returned to the estate at just the right moment."

— "Good job. We still need to settle a few matters here before we can return. Keep updating me until everything is taken care of."

Unmistakably Alessio’s, the voice that came through the pendant was low, firm, and composed, radiating a calm that steadied Clara’s nerves the moment she heard it.

Clara gave a small nod, even though he couldn’t see her. Her voice was kept soft, nearly inaudible over the wind that passed through the corridor.

"Alright. I’ll call you again if anything comes up."

Zap.

The faint glow of the pendant dimmed slowly, the blue stone cooling beneath her fingers. The subtle buzz of magic faded into stillness. Clara swiftly slipped it back beneath the collar of her maid’s uniform, tucking it close to her skin.

"Hey, Clara! What are you doing over there? Come help me carry these!"

She turned toward the voice that called from outside the window, where servants were busy loading crates near the rear gate. The maid who had called waved at her, struggling to balance a basket full of neatly wrapped silk bundles.

"Yes, coming!"

She hurried across the corridor, her footsteps light but swift on the polished floor, weaving between other servants who bustled through with towels, crates, and ledgers in hand. The estate was chaotic with movement. So many preparations had been made over the past week, only to unravel today at the duke’s latest whim.

Duke Marius had postponed his departure, and no one had been told when he intended to leave. But one thing was certain: he needed to verify for himself whether the scout had truly seen Sonia.

* * *

At the present time, at the training yard behind the inn in Kalvena port city.

Thunk. Thunk.

The sound of arrows sinking into straw targets echoed across the quiet morning air.

I lowered the bow with a satisfied little huff, arms trembling just slightly from the effort. My final arrow had landed. Not dead center, but close enough to feel like a victory.

Especially considering that an hour ago, I could barely hold the string without nearly poking my own eye.

A few paces behind me, Alessio stood with his arms loosely folded across his chest, the corner of his mouth tilted up.

"You’ve done well," he said simply.

Coming from him, that was practically a round of applause.

I turned to glance at him, grinning. "That didn’t sound like a compliment, but I’m going to accept it as one anyway."

He tilted his head slightly, a teasing glint in his eyes. "It was a compliment."

"Hah! See, you can be encouraging when you try."

"I am encouraging. You hit your mark three times in a row. Most beginners don’t manage that without flinching."

’Ohoho, did you hear that, Sonia? You’re officially above average.’

I dusted my hands off and looked over toward the edge of the yard, where Amira and Emir sat perched on a bench like two overly invested cats. The siblings had claimed their usual spot to watch my morning training, and now they burst into applause, clapping with all the enthusiasm of a festival crowd.

"Miss Sonia! You hit it again!" Amira beamed.

"That was awesome!" Emir chimed in, eyes wide.

I laughed breathlessly and gave a half-bow. "Thank you, thank you, my adoring fans."

Alessio snorted quietly behind me. "Don’t let it get to your head."

"Too late," I said brightly. "I’m already planning my debut as the Empire’s next archery prodigy. Watch out, Aurenfeld Olympics."

"...That’s not a thing," he muttered.

"It should be."