I Don't Want to Be Loved

Chapter 192.1 – Setting the trap

Translator – Yue

Taking advantage of the dark of night, Rode stole into the Palace grounds and waited for in the agreed spot. He was used to this, as he’d done it already many times.

Rode soon heard footstep sounds and quickly turned around. It was one of Count Clovis’ servants. He stood there, waiting for his intel.

“Today you are quite late”, Rode complaint.

The servant shrugged his shoulders. “Today I took the precaution of taking another path, that’s why I’m late. You brought the information, right?”

Rode nodded, taking out a piece of paper where he’d written all he’d heard and seen in the Palace corridors.

The servant got excited and quickly stuffed the piece of paper in his pocket. In exchange for this piece of information, he gave Rode a stash filled with coins.

“Then, be careful on your way b-“

Before he could utter his last word, a group of armed guards emerged from the bushes. Rode quickly realized that they’d been cornered and tried to escape, but it was already too late. Someone stood on his way, blocking the path. Rode’s face quickly turned white upon seeing who it was.

“Grand Chamberlain…”

Basil was always smiling, but on this precise moment he looked like a herald from hell. Basil coldly took the piece of paper from the servant’s hand and read its content, his terrible gaze shifting to Rode.

Rode gave up any attempt of giving excuses and lowered his head. They’d caught him giving out inside information to a stranger red-handed. He could not escape from this. He was guilty, and he knew the harsh punishment he’d receive for this crime.

Bam!

Basil punched Rode’s face with his fist, making him fall and roll on the ground.

“How dare you?! How dare you sell information about Her Majesty while under my command?! Did you think you could get away with this?!”

“Please, forgive me… I apologize for what I’ve done!” Rode lowered his head and flattened himself on the ground.

Basil could hardly contain his suppressed anger. If he could get away with it, he’d have this traitor’s head off.

“Take this man to the King and arrest Count Clovis immediately!” Basil yelled, enraged.

***

In a beautiful night, Count Clovis was taken to an underground prison right below the Palace. He was familiar with this place, it was somewhere especially designed for those who dared betray the Royal Family. He knew something had gone wrong.

To be brought to this depraved place, Count Clovis deduced they’d had discovered something, but he couldn’t quite tell what. He thought about it over and over, but he had no idea what could have gone wrong. He lived a carefree and isolated life, far from the King’s eye. Besides, he made sure to keep his ambition for the throne under check.

What could have gone wrong?

Finally, the King showed up. He had a cold expression on his face, without an ounce of feelings. The Count knew then that he was doomed. He felt extremely uneasy.

“Your Majesty… what is all this? Why have you brought me to this place?”

Count Clovis didn’t know how he’d ended up in this situation. However, he needed to play his part and deny any wrongdoing. That was the only way to escape this place without being punished for any crime.

Igor slowly sat down on a chair that had been previously prepared for him. He did it calmly, slowly. Count Clovis kept looking at him nervously. It looked like the King didn’t care at all if people found out he’d apprehended and arrested him.

The Count hid his fears from the King’s gaze.

“Perhaps… if you are trying to blame me over something, it would be best if you didn’t. Did you forget, your Majesty? The promise that was made after the tragedy that shook Arundell?”