Adopting the Male Protagonist Changed the Genre - Chapter 290

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Special Side Story Episode 3

However, before Cesar could even realize this fact, he answered the woman’s question without hiding anything.

“I don’t remember.”

Flinch. As if offended, the woman’s already sharp eyes became even more venomous.

After taking a deep breath as if to compose herself, the woman asked in a voice even colder than before.

“You’ve been putting off recovering your memories?”

“That’s correct.”

“The reason?”

Cesar answered honestly again, not feeling any discomfort even at her casual tone.

“Because I’ve grown weak over the past 8 years. I don’t know what happened during that time, but it’s clear I neglected training and my duties. If I regain my memories, I’ll likely repeat the same mistakes.”

Only after speaking did he realize he was being strangely obedient to a woman he’d met for the first time today.

The sense of unease soon turned into wariness.

A woman of unknown identity.

Yet strangely, each and every word she spoke pierced deep into his heart like an irresistible command.

Perhaps it was some kind of sinister magic he didn’t know about.

‘This woman is dangerous.’

An inexplicable alarm bell rang in his head.

It was when Cesar used all his strength to barely tear his gaze away from the woman.

A single drop of clear laughter that followed easily disarmed him.

The woman laughed lightly and looked straight up at him.

Something like the remnants of sunset light shone beautifully in her eyes.

“What on earth are you talking about? You weren’t weak for 8 years, you were simply happy.”

Happy? Could there be any other word so ill-suited to his life?

While Cesar stared at her with half-belief and half-doubt, the woman slowly approached.

Cesar belatedly recognized the blue ring sparkling on her finger.

It was a treasure of House Baluashten, paired with the ring on his ring finger.

Only then did Cesar recognize the other party’s identity.

“You are…”

It was definitely his fiancée whom he couldn’t remember, Belinda Blanche.

Belinda, standing two steps away from Cesar, spoke again.

“For the past 8 years, you looked truly happy. Especially during the 2 years after we held our engagement ceremony again.”

He remembered nothing of the 8 years she spoke of, nor the engagement ceremony. Therefore, what Cesar had to say was predetermined.

“I don’t remember. Also, I have no plans to actively eliminate the pulse yet. It would be more efficient to use that manpower to find the Northern Gate.”

“It’s fine. From now on, you’ll be dying to remember what happened over the past 8 years.”

A mischievous smile appeared at the corners of the woman’s mouth.

“So, do you know who I am now?”

“Yes. You’re my fiancée. I heard it’s an engagement involving important interests. I’ll fulfill my duties as a fiancé so as not to bring shame to the Marquess’s honor.”

“Then tell me my name.”

“…”

Even though it was a trivial request, Cesar hesitated for a moment.

It was because of a sense of crisis that the moment he spoke her name, he would cross some irreversible boundary.

He had learned to trust his instincts’ warnings through many battles. This time too, he had no intention of ignoring those instincts.

“Go ahead.”

…He had definitely intended not to ignore them.

With just one urging from her, like someone under a spell, he helplessly spoke her name.

“Belinda, Blanche.”

“Well done. Today was just my name, but from tomorrow I’ll tell you much more about me.”

Belinda left those words behind and departed without looking back.

Cesar watched her retreating figure for a long time.

Until the sunset light flowing in through the window completely faded, he couldn’t move an inch.

And finally, as if released from a spell, he slowly rubbed the area around his heart and muttered.

“…It seems I’ve developed a chronic condition over the past 8 years.”

A quite serious chronic condition related to the heart, at that.

* * *

Belinda had declared she would seduce Cesar, but in truth, her method wasn’t anything grand.

‘First, I need to meet face-to-face as much as possible.’

Considering Belinda’s appearance, it was certainly a simple but most effective method.

Fortunately, the employees of Winter Castle were already serving Belinda as their prospective madam, so she could easily blend into Cesar’s life.

“I heard the chef paid special attention to the sea bass dish since summer sea bass is in season. How does it taste?”

“It tastes like seasonal summer sea bass.”

“…And what else?”

“It tastes like seasonal summer sea bass steamed with thinly sliced lemon.”

They shared meals and engaged in conversation.

“Your preference isn’t black coffee but sweet drinks, you know? Don’t force yourself to drink bitter things and drink this cocoa here.”

“Coffee is fine too.”

“No, it’s not fine – you like sweet things.”

“That’s not true.”

“Why do you pretend otherwise? Don’t tell me you’re embarrassed that a grown adult got caught liking cocoa that only children drink?”

“…”

“Everyone in the castle already knows. So that coffee is mine, and this cocoa is yours.”

Sometimes they enjoyed tea time,

“From here to there is your study collection. These are all books you loved enough to read multiple times. Since you lost your memory, it’s like having fresh eyes. Enjoy this opportunity.”

“They’re all romance novels though…”

“That’s right? Your hobby was reading romance novels.”

“…”

“It’s no use looking at me like that. It’s your collection, not mine, so accept reality already.”

Very occasionally, they spent time reading in the study.

As the time they spent together increased, Cesar gradually grew accustomed to Belinda’s presence.

The time spent in unexplored regions also gradually decreased, and he who had been strict and blunt with everyone showed a gentle attitude only toward Belinda.

But if you asked whether Cesar had fallen for her again…

“A powerful finishing blow is lacking.”

So far, it was closer to ‘no.’

“Do you train separately?”

Cesar asked seriously after hearing Belinda’s muttering.

“It’s nothing, so let’s just finish our garden walk.”

Belinda answered primly while secretly pouting behind Cesar’s back.

A month had already passed since she came to Winter Castle.

An ominous premonition quietly raised its head – could it be that Cesar wouldn’t regain his memories until they found the North Gate?

Despite meeting daily, sharing meals, spending time together in the study and building friendship, still not once did fierce waves of emotion surge in his eyes.

Simple friendship was far from enough.

She remembered the moment when his glacier-cold gaze took on heat as if embracing the sun.

She just wanted to see those eyes again, that longing that had flashed toward her.

‘What exactly is lacking? He doesn’t seem to dislike me.’

Moreover, though it might be her imagination, at some point Cesar had begun to feel uncomfortable about stories of his future self.

“Did I mention before what pet names we called each other in the future?”

“No. But I don’t think I need to hear it.”

See! It wasn’t my imagination after all!

Belinda narrowed her eyes and stared at Cesar.

Cesar, who had been looking at empty air to avoid her gaze, let out a light sigh and reluctantly said.

“If the Marquess wishes it, I will listen.”

‘If you wish it’?

Though hurt welled up at his unsatisfactory answer, Belinda forced herself to calm her emotions.

However, she couldn’t help but let a colder tone slip out than before.

“How long are you going to keep calling me Marquess? That’s not like you, Cheri. We’re engaged, aren’t we?”

“Who is Cheri?”

“Ah, it’s a pet name I used to call you.”

“…I see.”

Cesar answered briefly and turned his head away.

His face was as expressionless as usual, but Belinda alone could tell.

That he was quite angry right now.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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