I Like Another Man, Not the Male Lead - Chapter 18
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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 18
Going on a secret date behind Rochester’s back was like conducting a 007 operation. He was so sensitive and quick to notice things. I swallowed nervously and asked Rochester, who was having breakfast.
“Brother, are you coming home early tonight too?”
First, I needed to figure out Rochester’s schedule for tonight. Rochester grinned and replied.
“Yeah. Of course.”
“Why?”
“What do you mean why?”
“No, I mean…”
At this rate, today’s date was going to be ruined too. No, I didn’t want that. Heyson Reliz really seemed like a good person. Let me have just one proper date, Rochester. It would really be okay if you didn’t come home just for today.
I smiled brightly and said.
“When I asked Selena, she said Young Duke Hailboard comes home late. She also said he rarely comes home. She hasn’t seen him for weeks? I was wondering if you might be forcing yourself to come home because of me even though your schedule is busy.”
My heart was pounding. Fortunately, my excuse seemed adequate as Rochester replied.
“That bastard is crazy about swords… ah, he just loves swords too much. After completing his assigned duties, he says he has no time to train, so he stays behind to finish all his training. That’s why he can’t return home.”
“You’re not overexerting yourself because you’re busy, are you?”
I didn’t care who was obsessed with what. What mattered was that Brother needed to come home late today.
“Not at all, Reina. Just thinking about you eating dinner alone breaks this brother’s heart. For you, I’m fine with anything.”
Our parents tried to have dinner with us, but they more often ate out. Father frequently dined at the Imperial Palace as the Knight Order Commander, and Mother was preparing to inherit our maternal family’s business. Maternal Grandfather, Count Bernus, had no other children besides Mother. While the family title would be passed to an adopted relative, the business was planned to be handed over to Mother.
So he was worried about me eating alone… Listen, Rochester.
I’m the one who’s not okay with this.
Please understand my feelings, just a little.
“Still, don’t overdo it today, Brother. I have dinner plans tonight.”
I had no choice but to reveal only that I was going out.
“Dinner plans?”
“Yeah. I’m going to eat out with a friend.”
“A friend… you mean Hailboard Princess?”
I didn’t answer and just smiled brightly. Well, I felt a bit bad about lying. Saying I was eating with a friend wasn’t a lie, but letting him think it was Selena was. Actually, even if Rochester misunderstood it was Selena, there was no way the truth would come out. Selena didn’t seem close to her brother, and Selena and Rochester had no contact with each other. Those who witnessed Reliz and me could tell Rochester, but well. By then it would be after the date. It would be after I had directly met Reliz and determined whether he was okay or not.
Brother interpreted my silence as he pleased.
“If that’s the case, this brother should step aside. Still, Reina. You must be careful. This world is quite dangerous and scary, isn’t it. Come back before 8 o’clock.”
You’re the first person to give me an 8 o’clock curfew. Are there any adults who have an 8 o’clock curfew even now? This isn’t Cheonghakdong or anything.
But I suppressed all my complaints and just smiled brightly.
“Okay, Brother.”
“Have fun with Princess Selena. Should I give you some allowance?”
“I have more than enough.”
I sent Brother off to work as he kept looking back reluctantly. Ha, the first thing I do after making a friend is sell out that friend. Selena, thank you. I will definitely repay this debt.
* * *
Rochester frowned. Even as he set out for work, his mind remained at home. Leaving Reina alone always left him with lingering regrets, but today it was worse than usual.
‘There’s definitely something going on.’
Reina was strange today. Normally, she would have been annoyed and told him to stop bothering her and just go to work, but today she was unusually sweet. Not that it was a bad thing, but his knight’s sharp instincts were telling him something.
‘There’s something different from usual.’
But he couldn’t figure out what it was. Even if he went back now and asked Reina about it, there was no way she would give him an answer. If anything, this time she might really kick him out. In the end, he would have to find out what the problem was on his own.
Rochester stared at his fellow knight who was training, swinging his sword. Selena’s brother, Matthias Hailboard. He was Young Duke Hailboard. Rochester approached Matthias.
“…Matthias.”
“What is it?”
This was Matthias, who was said to be possessed by the sword spirit. Matthias would gladly swing his sword all day long if asked. At Matthias’s cold voice, as cold as his sword, Rochester glared at him before reluctantly speaking up.
“I have something serious to ask you.”
“Speak.”
“Did your sister say she was going out today to have dinner and come back?”
Matthias frowned. He wondered if he had misheard the question.
“My sister?”
“Yes, your sister.”
“How would I know that?”
“How… don’t you know?”
Rochester asked as if it made no sense. Rochester frowned.
“Besides, you have two sisters, so you should know what they’re doing, whether they have appointments or not, whether they’re meeting any men! In this dangerous world!”
“…Crazy bastard. Don’t you have anything better to do?”
“…I guess this isn’t important to you.”
Rochester and Matthias stared at each other with eyes that said they could never understand one another. Rochester clicked his tongue and turned his head away. It seemed like there was nothing to gain from Matthias.
‘What the hell does that guy live for?’
Rochester sighed.
“I’d rather spend time being curious about such things on more training.”
Matthias turned around and raised his sword again. Watching him move his body that was radiating heat again, Rochester clicked his tongue. Matthias wanted to reach a higher level than he was now. However, to Rochester’s eyes, having reached the level of Sword Master, it was clear.
Matthias’s obsession was actually blocking the path to that level. Rochester considered adding something but just shook his head. It was certain that Matthias wouldn’t listen.
Instead of worrying about Matthias, he thought about hurrying home to follow her to the dinner. But if he kept being clingy like this, Reina would really get angry. And that wasn’t all?
‘If you keep bothering me like this, I’ll really run away from home.’
‘Wh, wh, wh, wh, what running away! How dangerous is this world!’
Unable to do this or that, Rochester was shaking his leg anxiously when he spotted Heyson. The guy who had dressed up excessively today was cheerfully preparing to leave work. Heyson Reliz. He was someone more interested in other things than his own work or training.
Though it was annoying, since the guy wasn’t under Rochester’s command, he just let it be.
‘Wait. Why is he so polished today?’
Ever since Reina declared she wanted to date, all polished men looked like potential thieves. They looked sinister, like guys who would steal Reina away. Rochester’s eyes widened. He glared at the back of Heyson’s head as he walked around cheerfully. He had a bad feeling about this.
Sigh, he should have raised Reina in a world without men.
Who knew being a brother with a pretty and lovely sister would be this difficult.
This is all his parents’ fault.
It’s his parents’ fault for giving birth to Reina so pretty and lovely.
Rochester’s sigh grew so deep it seemed like it would pierce through the Knight Order’s floor.
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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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