I Like Another Man, Not the Male Lead - Chapter 12

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

Chapter 12

Meanwhile, Reina went to find Selena as promised.

She had to handle this well to avoid getting caught in the crossfire between the two today.

Both Selena and Grace clearly seemed to have affection for each other, but they weren’t some couple playing hard to get – why did they have to go around in circles like this? “I like you, you’re good, let’s be close.” Was it really that hard to say those words? Especially between sisters. So today, she had prepared this. Something they could all enjoy together.

“Reina, what is that?”

Selena stared at the luggage the maid was carrying with a surprised expression.

“This is my gift. I need a place with a big table, Selena.”

“…I think my bedroom would work.”

Selena said with a puzzled yet excited expression. Wow, so I’m even entering the villainess’s bedroom like this. No wait, no. What kind of villainess is Selena? At that level, she’s just a puppy. Look at her now. How gentle does she look?

Arriving at Selena’s bedroom, I unpacked the luggage. The preparations were finished quickly.

Watching me take out items one by one from the luggage, Selena’s eyes widened. She sat right against the sofa, flinching her shoulders every time I pulled something out. Really excessively cute.

“I’ve never seen anything like this before.”

Of course not. I was the first to make this in this world. If Selena and Grace’s reactions were good, I was considering selling them. Even though it was definitely the first time making it, the quality the artist produced was better than expected.

“It’s called a coloring book. I, um, came up with… and had it made.”

Inside the square canvas, only the line drawing of a sunflower field was drawn. I had pondered what kind of picture to order and chose sunflowers. Flowers are pretty, and since Selena liked saying yellow suited Grace.

“You color in the same positions as the numbers written on these paint containers.”

It was made hastily so I couldn’t make it detailed, but it wasn’t bad for a first attempt. I also used good quality paints throughout.

Selena listened to my explanation with curious eyes. Selena asked with an excited expression.

“This is really fascinating. I’m curious what kind of result will be created. You want to do this with Grace?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Selena hesitated.

“…Will Grace do this with us?”

Selena said with a somewhat troubled expression.

“…After getting so angry yesterday. I’ve never seen Grace make such an angry face before. Actually… My brother and parents aren’t really interested in Grace.”

Selena let out a deep sigh. Selena continued with an upset expression.

“The real bad guy is our father. If he brought her here, he should at least pay some attention to her. Though, he’s someone who has no interest in me or my brother either, so what would be different about a daughter who suddenly appeared?”

Selena shrugged her shoulders.

That was the setting. I remembered reading sentences about how not only Duke Hailboard who brought Grace, but most of the family members had no interest in Grace whatsoever. Only Selena bullied her. Sometimes that bullying was welcome enough to feel pleasant compared to the loneliness. Grace’s family was portrayed as villains in the original work. Was everyone except Selena the same as in the original? It was too early to judge. This was also something to observe. Look at Selena too. She came out so mean, but she’s completely soft. What appeared on the surface and what was inside could be different.

“So she probably has no one to lean on emotionally… Sigh.”

Selena sighed deeply. Selena said with a dark expression.

“…Actually, I know I’m the problem too. Why do my words come out that way whenever I see Grace?”

“Selena.”

Wait, she was self-aware? And had the will to improve? My eyes widened as if they would pop out. I never imagined she would actually say something like this. My goodness, Selena…!

I really don’t understand why you’re a villainess.

I spoke carefully. I didn’t want to hurt Selena’s feelings when she was even reflecting on herself.

“…How about trying to fix it slowly? I’ll help you.”

“Reina will?”

“Look at this. It’ll take at least a week to complete this picture. I do have plans on weekends, but other than that, I’ll come every day using this picture as an excuse. The three of us will slowly fill in the colors of this picture together. While doing that, we’ll try to help Selena express her feelings step by step.”

Don’t just blurt out whatever comes to mind like that. Filter it a bit first. These kinds of healing hobbies are generally the best for calming the mind, you know?

“…So that’s what it meant. That was the meaning behind the gift.”

Selena fiddled with the canvas.

“If Selena tries to say something mean again, I’ll grab Selena’s arm.”

“…My arm?”

“Would that be okay?”

“Of course. Thank you, Reina.”

Actually, if things had gone according to the original story, this relationship would have been completely ruined by now. I don’t know what will change with me interfering. But this isn’t something I’m doing with bad intentions.

Right…?

I was a bit scared about getting involved between the main characters of the original story, but what could I do when she liked it so much.

“How about going and having Selena personally bring Grace over? Tell her you want to spend time together. I’ll come with you.”

“…If I’m about to make a mistake again this time, you’ll help me, right?”

“Of course.”

Selena nodded with an excited expression.

＊ ＊ ＊

Ugh, my whole body aches.

Coloring is all well and good, but having to stay in one position for so long makes my body stiff all over. After doing Brush Work with Selena and Grace for such a long time, I ended up like this. I got out of the carriage while pressing my shoulders firmly.

But the fortunate thing is that while doing Coloring, Grace and Selena showed the possibility of improving just a little bit.

‘Ahem. I’ve never learned to paint… No. You’re good at this, Grace. I think you’re better than me.’

Of course, I did have to stop Selena’s words in the middle. Adding unnecessary commentary and creating problems. Grace responded to Selena’s words.

‘…No, Elder Sister Selena. You’re much better than me. Here, there’s not even a single place that went outside the lines….’

‘You’re good too! You’re doing well… really well. Really.’

Since the two of them exchanged fairly decent conversation, it was quite successful. And I also enjoyed doing Coloring after a long time. Maybe I should really make and sell these. It’s not bad.

Selena and Grace’s reactions were good too.

I was walking down the corridor thinking about this when a shadow fell in front of me.

“Ah, you startled me! Brother, you’re back already?”

“…Yeah. I got off work and was waiting for Reina. Where are you coming back from?”

Rochester spoke in an ominous voice. Ha, really.

No, even our parents don’t act like this, but I really don’t understand why he’s like this. Suddenly going on about nonexistent men and following me around like this is driving me crazy.

“I was with Selena and Grace. You know, that gift we made back then.”

“Ah!”

Rochester’s expression softened as if he remembered that day. Rochester nodded.

“You commissioned something interesting. Did the Hailboard Princess like it?”

“Yeah. We’ve been doing that all this time. I lost track of time.”

“Next time, let’s do it together with Brother too.”

“Sure, why not.”

Though I can’t even imagine him holding that tiny brush with those huge hands of his. Just suggesting we do it together completely changed his expression. Is it really something to be that happy about? Rochester asked while gauging my reaction.

“Have you had dinner?”

“I had a quick sandwich… Well, I’m not really hungry. What about you, Brother?”

“I ate before coming.”

“Then hurry up and go in to rest. You have to go to work tomorrow.”

“Ah, wait a minute!”

Rochester blocked my path as I was about to enter my room.

“Hm?”

“I have something to ask you, Reina. Are you close with Gelstone Tears or Walter Dobson by any chance?”

How does he know about those people? Did he plant a listening device on me or something? How did he pinpoint exactly those two…? I shrugged my shoulders as I answered.

“Well… I did make plans to meet them on the weekend. Why?”

Rochester’s expression immediately turned gloomy. Then he started scraping the floor with the sole of his foot. Seriously, why is he acting like that? He seems perfectly fine on the outside.

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