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

 

 

『Wow… Clyde, why are you so pretty? I was almost mesmerized by your beauty』

 

Clyde responded with a puzzled expression, 『Really?』

 

『Yeah. If you’re curious, I’ll transform you again after I break the curse.』

 

『No, it’s okay. There’s no need for that.』

 

『You’re really, really pretty. You’re missing out on life if you don’t see this face. You’ll fall in love with it.』

 

『I don’t think so.』

 

『How can you be so confident without even seeing yourself?』

 

『There’s already a woman who I fell in love with at first sight.』

 

『…….』

 

My face brightened at the unexpected surprise.

 

I quickly changed my voice to a more familiar one.

 

『Hey, what do you want to call her?』

 

『Sapphire.』

 

Clyde replied immediately, as if he had prepared for this question.

 

『…Sapphire? Like the gemstone?』

 

『Yes.』

 

A beat later, I realized that Sapphire was a gemstone of the same color as my iris.

 

Just like how I thought of the name Ruby when I saw Clyde’s eyes seven years ago, he also named Sapphire in the same way.

 

『…It’s a pretty name. It suits her well,』 I said.

 

Instead of answering, Clyde smiled quietly. It was a beautiful smile that made my heart sink for a moment.

 

I led Viscount Doanne to Clyde’s bedroom.

 

“This is my friend Sapphire.”

 

The surprise in his eyes was evident when he saw the beauty of Clyde, who had transformed into a woman. 

 

“Sapphire lost her sense of smell, taste, touch, and sight. She got the curse about three years ago, and her sense of smell disappeared first at that time. Then, her sense of taste disappeared a year and a half ago, and the other two senses disappeared one after another about a week ago.”

 

“Could you please explain in detail about the situation when the curse was cast?”

 

“…….”

 

Clyde said nothing in response to Viscount Doanne’s question.

 

I quickly intervened and said.

 

“Sapphire said she doesn’t remember what happened at that time. It seems she was unconscious the whole time,”

 

“Do you have any idea who cast the curse and how it was done?”

 

“…No.”

 

I leaned closer to Viscount Doanne and lowered my voice.

 

“Actually, Sapphire almost got into trouble at that time… When she came to her senses, the man was already dead. There was a blood-stained knife next to her…”

 

Viscount Doanne blinked as if shocked.

 

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know…”

 

“It’s okay. Breaking the curse is our top priority now.”

 

“Then, it’s likely that the curse was triggered automatically by the protective charm that the man had, rather than being directly cast by a mage. It might have been triggered by the owner’s death or serious injury as a condition…”

 

This was my first guess.

 

Although I had to slightly alter the story to keep Clyde’s identity hidden, my guess was probably not entirely wrong.

 

According to Clyde’s explanation, it was clear that everyone present at the moment when his magic went out of control had died instantly. Therefore, there couldn’t have been any opportunity to cast the curse directly.

 

“Do you mind if I take a look at the mark?”

 

“Oh, sure. Sapphire, Viscount Doanne wants to check the markings. Is it okay?”

 

Clyde nodded slightly in response.

 

I began to unbutton Clyde’s shirt. However, Viscount Doanne quickly turned his head away as soon as he saw the markings.

 

The mark of the curse was revealed between the opened collar. I grabbed Clyde’s hand and moved it to cover his chest.

 

“Viscount Doanne.”

 

“Ah, yes.”

 

Viscount Doanne put on his glasses and knelt in front of Clyde to examine the mark. 

 

“Aras Hepta Lumina.”

 

Viscount Doanne recited a spell, and a blue magical circle appeared above the markings.

 

After casting a few more spells, Viscount Doanne stood up.

 

“How is it? Can you break the curse?”

 

I asked with an anxious voice without realizing it.

 

“Come this way for a moment…”

 

I followed Viscount Doanne out of the bedroom.

 

“It’s a pretty powerful curse. Breaking it might not be easy.”

 

“…What?”

 

Viscount Doanne waved his hand as if to reassure me.

 

“Don’t worry too much. It doesn’t mean that it’s impossible to break the curse. However, it might require some preparation. The breaking process itself might take a few days.”

 

“But we have to go back to the archaeological site starting tomorrow,”

 

Viscount Doanne let out a sigh of distress.

 

“Let’s just make all the necessary preparations today. Then, we can start breaking the curse on the next holiday.”

 

“The next holiday is a week away, we can’t wait that long. As you said earlier, it might become more difficult to break the curse as it progresses.”

 

“…That’s true, but….”

 

“Can’t I explain the situation to the head of the investigation team and ask for a few days off? I’ll explain everything.”

 

“But….”

 

“Please, I’m begging you. It’s a matter of life and death. I’ll never forget this favor and will repay it. I swear it on the name of Rojasis,”

 

“…….”

 

After hesitating for a moment, Viscount Doanne nodded his head as if he had made up his mind.

 

“Okay. Let’s do as you suggested.”

 

“Really? Thank you so much. I’m really grateful!”

 

I said, bowing my head to Viscount Doanne.

 

“No need to thank me. As you said, it’s a matter of life and death.”

 

“Then, please start preparing right away. I’ll go to Decoswan Canyon to get permission from the head of the investigation team.”

 

“What? You’re going right away?”

 

“Yes. That way, you can focus on breaking the curse without any worries.”

 

“Um…I see. Okay then, please do.”

 

“I look forward to your kind cooperation.”

 

After seeing Viscount Doanne off, I went back to Clyde.

 

“It seems like it will take a few days to break the curse. Viscount Doanne went back home to make preparations. I’m going to the investigation team to ask for a few days off. I’ll probably be back by evening.”

 

Clyde hesitated for a moment at my words.

 

“…Are you sure it’s okay?”

 

“Of course. Even if it’s not okay, I’ll find a way. So you don’t have to worry about anything.”

 

I replied loudly, although I wasn’t completely without worry.

 

I had noticed that taking a vacation right after the investigation started would raise suspicions, but there was an even bigger problem: Aslan.

 

Until now, I had managed to sneak out at night using my invisibility magic without Aslan knowing. However, during the few days that Viscount Doanne would be breaking the curse, I would have to stay by Clyde’s side, and it would be impossible to do so without Aslan noticing.

 

Even without that, taking a vacation would immediately raise suspicions.

 

‘How am I going to explain Clyde’s situation to Aslan…?’

 

I had thought about what to say, but I wasn’t sure if Aslan would believe me.

 

‘Honestly, if it were Brother Nita, he would just go along with it…I miss him.’

 

Still, I had to find a way to handle the situation like I had promised Clyde. Breaking the curse was my top priority and nothing could be more important than that.

 

“It feels like old times.”

 

“What do you mean?”

 

“Seven years ago, I said the same thing. That you would help me escape as soon as you saw me and that I should trust you.”

 

“Come to think of it, that’s how it was.”

 

‘But hearing it from your mouth makes it sound like such a dark history…’

 

“Still, you kept your promise.”

 

“That’s right. So trust me this time too.”

 

Clyde spoke in a soft voice that sounded even gentler than usual, perhaps because of her feminine voice.

 

“You’ve always been my savior. From the beginning to now, all the way.”

 

“…….”

 

Somehow, my nose feels stuffy.

 

I grasped his hand in both of mine, even though I knew he couldn’t feel it.

 

“Just wait a little longer, Clyde. I’ll be right back.”

 

* * * * *

 

I returned to the mansion where Aslan was waiting for me.

 

As soon as he saw me, he closed the book he was reading.

 

“You came right on time.”

 

“Huh?”

 

“It’s lunchtime. Let’s go. What do you want to eat?”

 

Come to think of it, I had told Aslan earlier that we should eat out for lunch. I had forgotten until now.

 

When I hesitated to answer, Aslan smirked.

 

“You don’t want to go out again after just coming in, do you? Then we can just eat at home.”

 

“…….”

 

I thought for a moment and then sat across from Aslan.

 

“Brother Aslan.”

 

“Why do you look so serious and nervous?”

 

Aslan’s expression wasn’t just merely, but genuinely guarded.

 

“I have something to tell you, Brother.”

 

“What is it? Don’t beat around the bush, just tell me quickly.”

 

“My friend is under a serious curse. I went to see Viscount Doanne just now to ask about a way to break it.”

 

Aslan narrowed his eyes for a moment at my sudden words.

 

“…A friend?”

 

That was the first thing he asked.

 

‘…No, if anyone hears it, they’ll think I don’t have any friends.’

 

Which is kind of true, actually.

 

“Yeah. Sapphire. She lives here in Bellum and studies ancient magic like I do. We became friends after exchanging letters about the magic department work last year. I sent her a letter before coming to Andela this time, so I thought we could meet while I’m here for the investigation. It’s a good opportunity.”

 

I began to unravel the explanation I had prepared in advance.