Third Arc (Fallen Heart) - 293. Entertain My Curious Mind

Ten minutes later, Angel canceled his Evil Eye skill and blinked his eyes open, he found himself back in the familiar confines of his study room. The soft glow of the lamps illuminated the space, casting a warm ambiance over the room. His eyes scanned the room, taking in the sight of his cluttered desk piled high with documents awaiting his attention.

A deep, tired sigh escaped his lips as he leaned back in his chair, feeling the weight of exhaustion settling in his bones. Utilizing his Evil Eye skill for an extended period had drained him, leaving him feeling mentally fatigued. Yet, despite the weariness that lingered, there was a sense of satisfaction coursing through him.

Angel couldn't help but feel a twinge of relief at the outcome of the nobles' discussions. Despite the wild speculations and conjectures that had been thrown around, none of them harbored any ill intentions toward him. It was a comforting realization, one that reassured him of the loyalty and trust that still existed within his court.

He shook his head slightly, a wry smile tugging at the corners of his lips. The nobles' penchant for speculation and gossip was nothing new, and Angel had grown accustomed to navigating their conversations with a sense of detachment. Still, it was reassuring to know that, despite their tendency towards intrigue, they remained steadfast in their support of him.

Angel prepared to delve back into his work, the muffled sound of voices caught his attention. His focus shifted towards the twins, Cley and Claire, who were engaged in a whispered conversation nearby.

Curiosity piqued, Angel subtly tuned in to their dialogue, his ears straining to catch their words amidst the ambient hum of the room.

"I wonder what he heard there," Cley whispered to Claire, his voice tinged with curiosity. Despite his attempts to maintain his focus on the documents before him, Cley couldn't resist the urge to indulge in speculation.

Claire, however, remained steadfast in her determination to stay focused on their tasks at hand. With a huff, she dismissed Cley's inquiry. "I don't know. Don't ask me and put your concentration on your work," she retorted, her tone laced with exasperation.

Cley's brows furrowed in frustration as he halted his hand movements, turning to face his sister with a pleading expression. "Come on, entertain me. I'm bored," he whined, his eagerness to engage in idle chatter evident.

Claire suggested that Cley take a break, his frustration only seemed to grow. "That's not what I mean," he lamented, his agitation evident in the way he ran his hand through his hair. "Entertain my curious mind. I'm very curious about what he heard in that discussion," he implored, his voice tinged with a hint of desperation.

Before Claire could respond, a voice unexpectedly cut through the air, causing both twins to freeze in their tracks. "What do you want to know, Cley?" The voice was calm and composed, belonging to none other than King Angel himself.

Cley's heart skipped a beat as he slowly turned to face the source of the voice, a nervous smile plastered on his face. There, seated regally in his chair, was the king, his eyes fixed on Cley with a calm demeanor. His hand rested casually on the chair handle, exuding an aura of authority and control.

Caught off guard by the king's sudden words, Cley struggled to find his voice, his mind racing to process the situation. Meanwhile, Claire let out a long breath, her expression betraying a mixture of surprise and apprehension at the unexpected turn of events.

For a moment, silence hung in the air, punctuated only by the sound of Cley's nervous breathing. Finally, summoning his courage, Cley managed to stammer out a response. “Uh, you're back, Your Majesty,” Cley said with an innocent smile.

Angel raised an eyebrow, a faint smirk playing at the corners of his lips. "I didn’t go anywhere, Cley," he replied casually, his tone carrying a touch of amusement.

Cley's smile faltered, replaced by a sheepish expression. "Right," he mumbled.

But Angel wasn't about to let him off the hook so easily. With a teasing glint in his eyes, he leaned forward slightly. "You haven't answered my question," he reminded Cley, his tone light but playful.

Cley shifted uncomfortably under the king's gaze, feeling the weight of his curiosity bearing down on him. "Um... I was just... wondering about... uh... what you heard in the discussion," he stammered, his words tumbling out in a rush as he tried to regain his composure.