The Devoted Second Male Lead Decided to Favor Someone Else Chapter 29.3

Scarlet Rose [ABO] – What Happens When the Villain Dies at the Beginning? (15)

Prime Minister Lu fell silent after hearing the story, and slowly sat down on a chair before he said, “My son is a subject, and being a sacrifice to his ruler is his responsibility. Since it is already like this, your Highness needs not blame yourself.”

“Major Lu was held captive because of me, please believe me when I say that I will definitely rescue him.

Prime Minister Lu glanced at him, “Then I'll thank your Highness again.”

Prime Minister Lu had always been on Neptune's side, so his behaviour wasn't unexpected.

“There's something else you should know.”

“What?”

Payne told Maupay to bring Rondon, “This is a mecha master from the Imperial army, Rondon, one of the fellow members of the expedition. He'll be the one to tell you why Blood Owl knew about us the moment we got onto his turf. Go on, Rondon, repeat what you told me to the Prime Minister.”

Rondon hung his head, without the pressure from the pheromones, he went back to acting like he was mute.

Payne smiled at Prime Minister Lu, “He's a bit stubborn and might need a bit of encouragement to speak.”

Then, he looked at Maupay, who kicked Rondon's knee. Rondon knelt onto the ground, then Maupay used his gun to shoot his calf.

A heart wrenching scream broke the silence and peacefulness of the room.

Prime Minister Lu heard the gunshot and immediately leapt up from the chair, staring at Payne in panic, not knowing his purpose.

“Now are you willing to speak?” Payne gently asked Rondon, his expression was still that of a kind and polite smile.

Rondon was pressed to the ground by an expressionless Maupay, blood leaking from the hole in his leg, quickly dyeing the expensive rug red.

Payne ignored Prime Minister Lu's shocked gaze and asked, “Who ordered you to join the expedition?”

“H- his Majesty.”

“What did he tell you to do?”

“Observe you!”

“And?”

Rondon sucked in a breath, “Pass information.”

Payne unbuttoned his top two buttons, clearly getting impatient with this method of questioning, “To who?”

Rondon had already begun shaking, “T-to Blood Owl.”

Prime Minister Lu's eyes showed a bit of surprise, but quickly hid it as he was experienced in the ways of the world. Instead, he asked, “Why did his Majesty tell you to pass information to Blood Owl?”

Rondon glanced at Payne. Payne's expression still seemed kind, but Rondon acted like he saw a demon and quickly looked back down, “His Majesty . . . wanted to, use Blood Owl . . . to get rid of his Highness . . . I've already told you everything, can you please spare me?”

Payne ignored Rondon's plea and looked at Prime Minister Lu, “Did you hear that? Our great Emperor actually made a deal with the underground forces. This expedition was supposed to be my death bed, but instead, Major Lu got dragged into it. I feel very bad for not protecting him. Prime Minister, has his Majesty really never brought this up to you?”

“… No.”

Payne frowned, “So he didn't even try to stop your son from walking into danger? You've always been loyal to him, though.”

Prime Minister Lu finally realized Payne's purpose.

The young crown prince couldn hold back his dissatisfaction toward the Emperor no longer and came here to cut ties.

Prime Minister Lu straightened his back, neutrally saying, “His Majesty must have his intentions. As his subject, I couldn't hope to know his thoughts. My son being able to participate in this expedition is his honor, and rescuing your Highness is his responsibility, so I have no regrets.”

Payne nodded with a smile, his blue eyes showing some appreciation, “Prime Minister is really impressive. It is the Empire's honor to have a loyal subject like you.”

“Then, does your Highness need anything else? If not, I must do my work.”

Prime Minister Lu had already invited him out. Payne didn't continue to insist and let Maupay pick up Rondon, who was lying on the ground like a dead dog, and prepared to leave.

“I sincerely apologize for dirtying your rug. I'll have someone bring a new one over.”

Prime Minister naturally would not bother continuing to argue about a mere rug, as he wanted to quickly send away this bad omen.

Prime Minister Lu wasn't in the mood to go out after learning the real purpose of the “hunt.”

The butler entered and was shocked to see blood all over the rug, “What happened sir? Are you okay?”

Prime Minister tiredly waved his concerns away, “I'm fine, tell someone to clean it later.”

The butler saw that his expression didn't seem right and asked worriedly, “Are thre troubles?”

“Shijin, he's being held hostage by Blood Owl.”

Prime Minister Lu had Lu Shijin as his only son. Although he was an Omega, he had high expectations of him since childhood. Lu Shijin had lived up to most of those expectations and earned a lot of credit for him.

Though he didn't show any dissatisfaction toward Neptune in front of Payne just down, his only son was at the hands of a vicious mob boss, how could he not worry?

Prime Minister Lu was suppressing his anger. If Neptune had given him the slightest hint beforehand, there was no way he would've let his son go into something so dangerous!

It seemed like the Emperor he had supported didn't put his son, or even himself, in his eyes at all!

Chapter end