I Like Another Man, Not the Male Lead - Chapter 17

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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 17

The carriage stopped by Hailboard Estate to drop off Selena and Grace, then headed to Regfield Estate. By the time we parted ways with the two of them, the sun was already setting.

Ugh, I need to rest too. Actually, I didn’t really do much today. Just agreeing with what Grace and Selena said, and answering Viviana Imperial Consort’s questions well.

‘Haven’t seen you around much lately, Reina.’

So Reina was close enough with the Empress to call each other by name. That makes sense. She hovered around Caesar so much, how could she not have met the Empress? Viviana Imperial Consort’s face suddenly came to mind. She had a kind-looking face. The way her eyes completely disappeared when she smiled was charming.

‘Oh, I’m sorry about all this time. I apologized to Caesar Prince too. I was so immature…’

‘Don’t say such things. The truth is, feelings like love are like that, you know. They don’t go as you want, and they don’t fold away easily. Don’t you think?’

She really spoke so beautifully too. She seemed to have such a good impression.

She must be a good person, right?

There wasn’t much mention of her in the parts I read, so I’m not sure. But my feeling about her was good. I was mulling over what happened today when the carriage stopped. It was Regfield Estate. I wonder if Brother is here too? I was stretching in the carriage when the door opened. Reliz extended his hand to me.

“Ah, Sir Reliz.”

“Please take my hand and step down. You’ve worked hard for such a long time, Lady Regfield.”

“Sir Reliz, who escorted me all the way here, worked much harder. The way back is far too. Thank you so much for taking me today. Please tell the Empress that I’m grateful for her consideration as well.”

“Don’t mention it. You’re someone who helps my aunt.”

Reliz smiled gently at me. There are more handsome men in this world than I thought.

I spoke to Reliz, who lightly touched his lips to the back of my hand before pulling away.

“Well then, take care on your way back.”

Hurry up and go back. I need to go inside and take a half-bath to warm up my body. But Reliz wasn’t thinking of leaving and hesitated.

“Sir Reliz?”

“…Um, by any chance.”

“Yes, please speak.”

“…By any chance, are you seriously seeing anyone?”

At that moment, my thoughts stopped. Reliz’s face looking at me was sparkling. With that expression, he’s saying something like that?

Is, is this a green light…?

I swallowed my saliva. It felt like my fatigue was completely disappearing. No way. Since he’s from the Imperial Consort family, his bloodline is certain, and though he’s a second son, he’s a knight so his future is promising too.

Plus he resembles Caesar, so his looks are guaranteed too.

A man like this, to me…?

“No.”

I answered firmly.

“There’s no one, for me.”

At my words, Reliz burst into laughter. His face laughing so refreshingly resembled DiCaprio in his prime. Just like that face smiling in Titanic. Ha, this is exactly healing and welfare. Thinking that he’s making a move on me made Reliz look even more handsome.

“Then if you have time tomorrow, I’d like to have dinner together.”

“…I’d love that.”

Just because I threw away one Caesar, men are lining up like this. Reina, look at this. You’re this popular. Half the world is men.

“Then I’ll come to pick you up.”

“Yes. I’ll be waiting.”

I should probably stay home tomorrow instead of going out. I was planning to visit the art studio where I had my painting done. But I can go there another time, right? It’s not like the art studio is going anywhere.

“Oh, wait a moment. Lord Reliz, please keep this matter secret from my brother…”

That would just be another headache. I’d prefer if Rochester never found out about this.

“Of course I will. Even within the Knight Order, Rochester Regfield is famous. As a brother who loves his younger sister very, very much.”

“Haha. That’s embarrassing.”

“I thought it was enviable. I’m worried that I might not be good enough in the eyes of the Young Lady who lives in the same house as Rochester Regfield.”

“I can say with certainty that won’t be the case.”

Reliz burst into laughter again at my words. He probably thinks I’m joking, right? But I’m being completely serious.

“Tomorrow, please feel free to call me Heyson.”

Ah, so it was Heyson Reliz. I nodded my head.

“Yes. Then please feel free to call me Reina tomorrow as well.”

“I will.”

This time feels good. I felt like I might actually be able to have a real romance.

＊ ＊ ＊

Meanwhile, when Caesar Prince returned to the Imperial Palace, the three people had already gone home. Even though he had timed his arrival to match when the three would be leaving, he was still a step too late. Only the Empress greeted Caesar Prince.

“Are you already finished with your conversation?”

“We were. I couldn’t send unmarried Young Ladies home too late in the evening.”

“…If you had contacted me, I would have come.”

The Empress’s eyes widened.

“Why would I bother a busy child? Fortunately, Heyson said he had time. So I asked Heyson to do it.”

“Heyson… you mean?”

“Yes. Heyson is trustworthy, isn’t he? He’s your cousin. Now go inside and rest. You have to go to work tomorrow too.”

The Empress patted Caesar Prince’s shoulder.

She ignored Caesar Prince’s expression that seemed somewhat displeased. She remembered the look Caesar Prince had shown earlier. And she also remembered exactly what Reina had said today.

‘I’m sorry for everything up until now. There won’t be any more incidents like that in the future.’

Things like that.

‘Now I’ve truly… given up. I bothered Caesar Prince too much, didn’t I?’

Things like that.

She had tested her several more times after that, but Reina really seemed to have moved on from Caesar Prince. She appeared to have no feelings for Caesar Prince. Like an autumn day after the sweltering heat has passed, her expression was calm with all the passion cooled. Viviana Imperial Consort was sensitive to such things.

Rather, the dangerous one was.

Viviana Imperial Consort narrowed her eyes and stared at Caesar Prince’s retreating figure.

Yes, the dangerous one was Caesar Prince.

Now that Reina had lost interest, Caesar was actually showing interest instead.

Reina Regfield would not be helpful for Caesar’s future. House Regfield was famous for being part of the Pro-Imperial Faction. The heir of House Regfield was also close friends with the Crown Prince and was considered a top candidate for the next Knight Order commander. In the end, keeping House Regfield close would be no different from keeping enemies close.

‘I cannot bring a poison-bearing enemy under my roof.’

The reason she had been keeping quiet and appeasing others all this time was because she had a bigger goal. In that sense, Reina was not a suitable match for Caesar.

The Empress was a princess from the Carzina Kingdom, famous for trade. Viviana’s background was inevitably inferior. Since his mother’s background was lacking, at least his wife should make up for that deficiency.

That’s why she had chosen the Young Ladies of the highest status within the country.

This was the reason Viviana Imperial Consort had summoned Selena and Grace today.

“…The princesses of Hailboard Estate are all truly wonderful Young Ladies.”

Viviana Imperial Consort began tentatively.

Hoping that Caesar would show interest.

“If there are similar events in the future, I’m thinking of asking the two princesses to help. What do you think?”

“If Mother wishes it, then please do so.”

Caesar answered indifferently. Seeing his calm face that showed not a trace of interest, Viviana Imperial Consort’s smiling expression slightly frowned.

‘I shouldn’t be too hasty. When people meet often, feelings naturally develop.’

Viviana Imperial Consort composed herself.

The young people still had plenty of time. After waiting for so long already, she couldn’t ruin things now with an impatient heart. Viviana forced a smile as she spoke.

“You’ll escort the princesses each time, won’t you?”

“Yes. If Mother wishes it.”

This was enough for now. Whatever Caesar was thinking, or whatever he was interested in, taking one step at a time would eventually lead to the destination. Now she just needed to remove Reina from the picture.

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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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