I Like Another Man, Not the Male Lead - Chapter 14

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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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Chapter 14

Caesar Prince was having such thoughts while drinking tea with his mother, Viviana Imperial Consort. Viviana Imperial Consort observed her son’s face lost in thought before setting down her tea cup.

He held his tea cup without even touching his lips to the cooling tea. Viviana Imperial Consort was curious about everything concerning Caesar Prince.

“…What are you thinking about so deeply?”

Viviana Imperial Consort asked with a bright smile. Caesar Prince emerged from his thoughts and set down his tea cup. Caesar Prince raised his head and met Viviana Imperial Consort’s eyes. He spoke curtly to his mother.

“It’s nothing.”

Viviana Imperial Consort tilted her head.

“That’s not true. Your face clearly shows you have worries. Come to think of it, on Saturday… it seemed like Reina Regfield was on a date with another man? Has she finally stopped chasing after you?”

“…Is that so? I wasn’t aware.”

For some reason, Caesar Prince lied. Even though he had also seen Reina dating another man on Saturday. Viviana Imperial Consort spoke in a gentle voice.

“Hasn’t Reina Regfield been troublesome for you all this time? This is good news, so why aren’t you happy about it?”

“…That’s not it.”

“Hm?”

Viviana Imperial Consort’s eyes widened.

“I don’t understand what you mean. It sounds like you’re saying it’s actually bad that Reina Regfield isn’t chasing after you anymore. I thought you found it uncomfortable all this time. Am I mistaken?”

“…I’m worried about Reina as a friend. Young Master Dawson isn’t really that good of a person, you know. His reputation is bad too.”

“Oh my. So it was Young Master Dawson that Reina was dating that day?”

Caesar Prince pressed his lips into a straight line. He bit his lips tightly and looked away.

‘I shouldn’t have said that.’

Viviana Imperial Consort laughed heartily. As if she had heard something truly amusing. However, her eyes had grown cold. Her gaze showed she wasn’t pleased at all about Caesar Prince’s interest in Reina. Viviana Imperial Consort’s cold look was quickly hidden behind her smile. Viviana Imperial Consort smiled sweetly and changed the subject.

“By the way. Did you two decide to be friends? Reina Regfield wants to be friends? She’s okay with just that?”

“…We were already friends to begin with.”

“If that’s how you think, then it could be so. Oh, right. It was Hailboard Princess’s birthday recently, wasn’t it? Did you deliver the birthday gift properly? I picked out something nice, but I wonder if she’ll like it.”

“She probably liked it.”

“Arrange a meeting with Hailboard Princess sometime.”

“…Are you planning to meet with Hailboard Princess?”

Viviana Imperial Consort nodded.

Her face looked innocent, as if she had no ulterior motives. Viviana Imperial Consort had never once shown greed for the throne or displayed any political moves. It was the same even after giving birth to Caesar Prince. She had even supported Caesar Prince when he volunteered to join the Knight Order. That’s why she had maintained the Emperor’s favor for so long.

It was difficult to find grounds to refuse such a request from Viviana Imperial Consort.

“I’m planning to organize a charity fundraising event. As you know, the Empress is currently a bit… unwell, isn’t she? I’ve been asked to take over that event. The Crown Princess is also pregnant. But I’m curious about young people’s sensibilities these days.”

“…I see.”

“I’d like Hailboard Princess’s help. I hope you can arrange a comfortable meeting.”

“You could contact her directly yourself, Mother.”

“Me? You don’t understand what I’m saying, Caesar Prince.”

Viviana Imperial Consort raised her index finger and waved it.

“I want you to personally escort her here, Caesar Prince. Since I’m the one asking for a favor, I should show that much courtesy. She can come with her famous younger sister… or with Hailboard Princess’s friends. Actually, it would be better to have more opinions.”

Caesar Prince frowned but obediently nodded. Viviana Imperial Consort’s words were reasonable. It was proper to show that much courtesy when asking for a favor. Caesar Prince pushed aside his complicated, tangled thoughts. No, in fact, his thoughts had once again reached Reina.

“I’ll do as you say.”

As far as Caesar knows, Reina is Selena’s only friend. If Reina ends up preparing the charity fundraising banquet with Viviana Imperial Consort, that would actually be a good thing. At least she won’t be meeting any more strange men.

He needed something that could capture Reina’s attention.

Until a truly good man appeared for Reina.

This was worry as a friend. The desire for Reina to meet a truly good man and be happy.

Viviana Imperial Consort glanced at Caesar, who was lost in thought, with sharp eyes. Then she quickly changed her expression and asked.

“Aren’t you going to work?”

“Ah. I’m going.”

Viviana Imperial Consort saw off her reliable son. Caesar had always been too good a son. A son who was too good to remain merely in the position of prince.

＊ ＊ ＊

As expected, my dates were disasters.

Both days.

When I looked at Dawson’s smiling face, he looked stupid just like Brother said, and I could only focus on his protruding nose hair. And every time Tears spoke, all I could smell was the strong garlic odor. Apparently he’s afraid of ghosts so he sleeps with garlic filling his bedroom. I heard many people avoid him because of the smell.

The dates where I only saw both men’s flaws.

Prejudice is this scary, so scary.

I couldn’t help but sigh while drinking tea with Selena.

“You said you were going on dates over the weekend, how did they go?”

Selena asked first. During the weekend when I was away, Selena and Grace had completed about a third of the painting. Fortunately, they didn’t seem to have fought. As expected, coloring books are the best for calming the mind.

“Ah, well.”

I smiled awkwardly. I didn’t want to badmouth people who had kindly asked me on dates and spent time with me. Even if I hadn’t wanted it in the first place, I was the one who looked at people through colored glasses. Damn Rochester.

“I don’t think they were compatible with me. I’m sure there are other better women for both of them.”

“I see. A better man will appear, Reina. Actually, Reina is so kind and pretty that you’re popular anyway. Right, Grace?”

Grace nodded with an embarrassed face. Selena smiled brightly. No, she’s made infinite progress. Well done, how admirable. To carry on such ordinary conversation. I could tell that Selena had really tried hard.

From the slightly awkward way she spoke, it was clear she was being conscious and making an effort. What I realized this time is that if I want to date, I need to get rid of Rochester first. I asked Selena seriously.

“Ah, but. Do you happen to know any good women around?”

“Good women…? In what sense?”

“My brother. I think I should arrange a blind date for him or… anyway, introduce him to a good woman.”

Selena and Grace won’t do. Grace already has someone destined for her, and Selena is too precious. Selena is too good for such a little sister stalker.

Sigh.

“Now that I think about it… a moderately good woman. A woman who’s too good would make me feel sorry.”

“…Does Reina worry about Brother’s marriage?”

“Parents don’t think about it at all… and Brother has no thoughts about it either…”

I’m tired.

I held back from saying this much because it would seem like badmouthing Rochester. My weekend dates were complete disasters both days because I couldn’t concentrate. So much so that I went out but came home before sunset. I came home without even eating dinner, and Rochester, who had been waiting just for me, smiled so brightly. I almost punched him but held back. It was a face that was genuinely happy about ruining my dates.

Then he used my heartbreak as an excuse to drag me out shopping. Shopping was fine, but Rochester chattering that everything looked pretty on me was not. Just noisy.

Nobody knows about my exhaustion.

“…There are sibling relationships like that too. Brother and I barely talk once a month. He rarely comes from the Knight Order either.”

“…Is the Knight Order busy?”

As far as I know, Young Duke Hailboard and my brother should be from the same class. Even if they serve in different Knight Orders, wouldn’t their schedules be similar? But Rochester has been staying home the whole time! He’s been tormenting only me at home!!

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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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