I Lied to the Male Lead with My Pinky Finger on the Line

 

 

Actually, I had anticipated some level of reaction even before entering the Palace’s Magic Department.

 

Considering that I had entered at the young age of eighteen without even a common academy graduation certificate, there was no doubt that such comments would arise.

 

Of course, I hadn’t really entered by parachute**. There were no disqualifications or issues with my application, and I had taken the exams and interviews just like everyone else.

 

(TL/N: **by parachute. It is used metaphorically to describe a situation where someone achieves something easily without much effort, as if they landed softly and safely by parachute.)

 

For the record, I later heard from the head of the research department that I had a perfect score in my written exam.

 

Above all, anyone who knew my father would know that he wasn’t the type to abuse his power to get his daughter admitted.

 

So, when I first entered the research department, there were indeed glances that silently questioned me.

 

But that was all in the past.

 

For quite some time now, I had already convinced those around me and had achieved enough accomplishments to stand on my own.

 

‘…But there are exceptions everywhere.’

 

In truth, I had very little interaction with Caden Colliwood. He belonged to the Disaster Response Department while I was in the Research Department, and we had never collaborated on any projects before.

 

This was the first time we were assigned to the same project.

 

Still, whenever we happened to cross paths, he would send me overtly displeased glances.

 

There were many occasions when he would make snide remarks as if inviting me to listen.

 

‘Well, it’s a common story. He dislikes that my father is more successful than his own, so he’s trying to find fault with me just because I’m younger than him.’

 

In truth, there were rumors quietly circulating that Caden’s promotion was faster than expected, considering his abilities and age.

 

However, I was certain that he never thought he owed his father’s connections for his achievements.

 

It was the best course of action to simply ignore such things.

 

But Aslan wasn’t having any of it.

 

“What did you just say?”

 

In response to his question, Caden furrowed his brow and pointed at himself with his finger.

 

“Are you talking about me, by any chance?”

 

“Are you asking because you genuinely don’t know? Well, I guess with that kind of face that looks like it has been shielded from common sense.”

 

In an instant, Caden’s face contorted. He slammed the table with a loud thud and stood up from his seat.

 

“Who do you think you are running your mouth like that…!”

 

The members of the team who were leaving the meeting room were taken aback and turned to look. Some watched with interest, while others hurried away.

 

“Why? You started using informal speech first, and I just responded in the same way.”

 

Aslan spoke with a completely relaxed attitude, the opposite of Caden’s agitated state.

 

“What nonsense are you talking about? You used informal speech first! A person younger than me…”

 

“You did, just now. When Eila passed by.”

 

“What? That was just me talking to myself!”

 

“If that was talking to yourself, then this is me also talking to myself.”

 

“That’s enough, Brother Aslan.”

 

I said, hurrying over to Aslan.

 

“You should step back, Eila.”

 

“The one who should step back is not me, it’s you, brother. Why have you been acting like this since earlier?”

 

Despite my pleas, Aslan still didn’t take his eyes off Caden.

 

Caden had a threatening aura, as if he would rush at Aslan at any moment.

 

“Whether it’s a cousin, a younger sister or even the lowest of the servants, everyone has to sit cramped together while those who have always lived off the wealth of others act like they are better than everyone else. Don’t they have any shame”

 

“They say they only see what they want to see but it seems like you only think in terms of your own narrow perspective?”

 

“What did you say? This bastard…”

 

The men around hurriedly intervened as Caden tried to jump over the table.

 

“Let go of me! Let go of me!”

 

Caden shouted, his anger escalating.

 

“Brother Aslan. That’s enough. Are you going to continue acting like a child?”

 

“You can’t understand these irreducible people unless you do the same.”

 

“Think about where we are. Consider it from your sister’s perspective. What do you think will happen if this matter reaches Father or the deputy head?”

 

“I don’t care.”

 

“Maybe you don’t care, but I do! What will happen to me if I’m called back home again?”

 

“…….”

 

Aslan faintly furrowed his brows.

 

He glared at Caden for a moment, then abruptly turned around.

 

“Let’s go, Eila.”

 

“Wait, where are you going? Stop right there!”

 

Despite Caden’s protests, Aslan paid him no mind. I was held by Aslan’s hand as we left the barracks.

 

 *****

 

Caden lay on the makeshift bed, staring at the ceiling of the meeting room.

 

“Aslan Rojasis, that damn bastard.”

 

Just thinking about the humiliation he suffered during the day made his blood boil.

 

He should have rushed at Aslan without holding back and given him a thorough beating. He should have crushed that ambiguous face of his until it was unrecognizable.

 

‘Pretending to be all high and mighty, acting like a professor, a position he got thanks to his father.’ 

 

The more he thought about it, the angrier he became. Caden cursed loudly.

 

At that moment, he sensed someone trying to open the door of his barracks.

 

Caden reflexively sat up on the bed and opened his eyes wide.

 

“Aslan Rojasis, do you know where we are right now–”

 

“Don’t raise your voice. It’s late at night. We should avoid unnecessary trouble, shouldn’t we?”

 

Aslan spoke with an expressionless face.

 

“Who started the argument in the first place? What do you want to say now? Have you lost your mind?”

 

“Whether you like it or not, we’ll keep encountering each other for a while, won’t we? You should also consider the dignity of the Head of the Investigation Team.”

 

“…….”

 

Caden gritted his teeth.

 

“So what? Are you suggesting that we hold hands and make peace?”

 

“Well, not exactly. I have a proposal.”

 

“A proposal?”

 

“Yes. Let’s make a bet. It’s about whether Eila can open the door or not.”

 

“…What?”

 

“If she can’t open it, I will apologize for my behavior during the day. On the other hand, if she can open it, you will apologize to Eila. And promise not to make any rude remarks to her again.”

 

“…….”

 

Caden’s face crumpled more and more.

 

“…Why should I trust you?”

 

“What do you mean?”

 

“You could have helped her decipher the barrier, couldn’t you? Is that why you’re here so late? You helped and finished everything, and now you’ve come to make a bet? Do you think I would fall for such an obvious trick?”

 

Aslan scoffed sarcastically. He looked at Caden with disdain.

 

“Does that mean you don’t approve of Eila’s skills, but you do approve of mine? Earlier, you said we were both useless.”

 

“So, from the beginning, it wasn’t such a difficult magic to decipher.”

 

“Then why don’t you give it a try? If you succeed in opening the door, I’ll consider it my loss.”

 

“Deciphering ancient runes is not my strong suit. How can you expect me to do that?”

 

Aslan narrowed his eyes and made an incredulous expression.

 

“You said it’s something that anyone can decipher, but when you are asked to do it you hesitate? You should at least do your part properly. Isn’t it embarrassing for the name of Colliwood?”

 

“…What did you say?”

 

Caden clenched his fists and glared at Aslan.

 

“I’m confident in both, so choose one. Since the conditions contradict each other, there’s no possibility that it’s a trap.”

 

“…….”

 

Caden furrowed his brow and fell deep into thought.

 

‘…It’s too risky for me to try here. If I fail in front of so many people, how will I handle the aftermath? But choosing the other option seems daunting because that bastard seems too self-assured. There’s no doubt that he must have manipulated something.’

 

“Why aren’t you answering?”

 

“…Shut up. I told you. How can I trust you and participate in such a bet?”

 

“…….”

 

Aslan tilted his head slightly to the side and sighed.

 

“You’re even more helpless than I thought.”

 

“…What?”

 

“I kindly offered you a way to avoid embarrassment and quietly move on. But you don’t even have the guts to accept that, so why did you start a fight in the first place?”

 

“This, this bastard—”

 

“Or should we settle it through a duel as per the old tradition? Whether it’s with a sword or magic, it doesn’t matter. It doesn’t matter which one. But if you choose, be prepared to risk your life if you lose.”

 

Caden couldn’t help but flinch for a moment. Aslan exuded a menacing aura.

 

He felt cold sweat running down his back.

 

“…Are you insane? Just because of this, you want to have a duel?”

 

Aslan laughed coldly at Caden’s words.

 

“Well, did you think you could insult my little sister and get away with it?”