I Like Another Man, Not the Male Lead - Chapter 21

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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 21

Weekend lunch.

I stepped into the restaurant with Brother’s escort. Rochester, excited about going out with me after such a long time, was dressed to the nines. Since it had been a while since we had dinner together with our parents, I was in a good mood too.

The restaurant provided a private room so families could dine together peacefully. It was a restaurant that Rochester had personally reserved.

“What’s gotten into you? Doing something like this. A family dinner out. Rochester, you must be finally growing up.”

Mother said with a surprised expression.

“It was Reina’s idea.”

Rochester said curtly. That curtness of his – please direct even half of it toward me.

“As expected of our Reina. We only have our daughter.”

Brother had made the reservation and preparations, and would pay for everything too, yet Father praised me. Is this the youngest daughter buff? The way Mother and Father looked at me was overflowing with affection. They were treating this situation as if Rochester barely existed.

And Rochester seemed comfortable with that.

Sigh.

I smiled brightly and said to my parents.

“I wanted to go out together after such a long time. How was your business in the territory?”

“The bridge had deteriorated and collapsed. We should have managed it beforehand, but it seems the officer in charge was being lazy, so I issued some disciplinary action. There won’t be any more incidents like this.”

“That’s a relief then…”

“The bridge will be rebuilt too, so you don’t need to worry too much.”

“Was anyone hurt?”

“There were some injuries, but they weren’t severe, so they should be able to return to their daily lives soon. As the lord, I provided adequate compensation, so it shouldn’t become a major problem. Thank you for your concern, Reina. The one who will become the next lord…”

Father’s gaze turned toward Rochester, then back to me. He had an expression like he’d seen something he shouldn’t have.

I smiled awkwardly. The Rochester in Reina’s memories was originally like this. While Rochester performed his assigned duties very well, he had absolutely no interest in anything else. This time was the same. Well, he hasn’t become the lord yet.

I had a warm conversation with Father and Mother. Rochester joined in occasionally, but he wasn’t particularly affectionate. As always, Mother and I led the conversation. Meanwhile, Rochester seemed plenty busy just cutting meat and food into bite-sized pieces and placing them on my plate.

“Brother, I’m not a child.”

I said through gritted teeth, but Rochester was an iron wall.

“In Brother’s eyes…”

“Call a doctor and get your eyes examined first, please. Mother, Father. Please get Brother married.”

I said desperately.

“Huh?”

Mother’s eyes widened.

She seemed surprised by my sudden words. No, Mother. Don’t you feel anything even seeing him act like this? How long do I have to live under Rochester’s iron surveillance?

I thought this was a good opportunity. I opened my mouth to appeal more to Mother.

“I think Brother needs a good wife too. And I want to see my nephew or niece. If they take after Brother…”

That would be a bit troublesome.

What if they follow Brother and have a sister complex toward their aunt?

Right, preferably a nephew or niece who takes after their new mother.

“Anyway, wouldn’t it be wonderful to have a cute baby? I’m confident I’d be a good aunt.”

“You’re right. Rochester is well past the age for marriage.”

My parents’ gazes turned toward Rochester. Rochester smiled crookedly and put down his tableware. That look of his screams budding villain. Even now he looks plenty black-hearted. Rochester stared at me and said.

“I’m not interested. Reina, you alone are enough for me.”

“I’m not enough, Brother. Mother, what do you think?”

“…That boy needs to have some sense. Sigh. By any chance, Reina, don’t you have someone like that? I heard that Caesar… Caesar Prince has been completely settled.”

…Why is this bomb suddenly coming back to me? This isn’t a situation I intended at all. If I mess up here, all my secret dates could be blown. Rochester was already watching me with interested eyes. Why is he looking at me with such scary eyes?

I widened my eyes while being extremely tense. I absolutely cannot be caught.

Father also added.

“Right. Reina, you might be faster than sending that boy away. We’re at an age where we’d like to see grandchildren too. Haven’t you noticed any young nobles lately? Like Young Duke Hailboard. You’ve been getting along well with Hailboard’s Eldest Daughter recently, haven’t you?”

Why is Young Duke Hailboard coming up here? Still, I was relieved that Heyson wasn’t discovered. Just as the tension was about to leave my eyes.

“Matthias? Reina, surely you’re not with that guy… right?”

Rochester’s eyes blazed.

And he gave a long speech about why Young Duke Hailboard couldn’t be a good man.

“There’s an old saying that men who are obsessed and crazy about one thing from the beginning aren’t family-oriented, Reina. Especially Matthias is crazy about swords. I don’t think such a guy could love you more than his sword. He’ll come home late every day for training, and when there are missions, he’ll be away from home for months. Would you really be happy marrying such a guy? I don’t want to create such an indifferent father for my future nephew.”

Rochester kept talking without rest. His expression looking at me was still affectionate, but his words about Young Duke Hailboard were scathing. Moreover, from marriage to nephew. It was like asking him to do ABC and he thought all the way to XYZ. I stared at Rochester with a fed-up expression.

Ha, I think I’m going to get indigestion from what I was eating.

“…I’ll let you know if such a man appears. Brother, stop being so over the top. Mother, please arrange a political marriage for Brother, please.”

Mother giggled watching me get fed up with Brother.

“I’ll think about it. Really.”

He’s being serious, so why are you taking it as a joke? Didn’t you hear what Rochester just said? What are you going to do if I suffocate to death from being breathless? Meanwhile, Rochester brought meat to my mouth.

“Say ah. The meat is really delicious.”

Thanks to Brother urging me to open my mouth, I ate the meat.

“…Cut some more. It’s delicious.”

I have to eat what’s delicious.

“Right?”

Watching Brother cheerfully cutting meat, I thought.

Heyson must never be discovered. Not yet, yeah.

＊ ＊ ＊

For several days, Caesar maintained an ominous atmosphere.

Even his colleagues were avoiding Caesar. Although Caesar was usually cold, he had never been this menacing before.

However, Heyson was different. He had no hesitation in bothering Caesar when he was in a bad mood. This was thanks to his firm belief that Caesar, being his cousin, would never harm him. Heyson put his arm around Caesar’s shoulder and smiled brightly.

“Is something going on lately? The colleagues have been avoiding you whenever they see you. They asked me to talk to you.”

“Who knows.”

Caesar glanced at Heyson with cold eyes.

Heyson was the source of his rock-bottom mood. Even though he had people following Heyson, there had been no results. Usually Heyson would go out with Fellow Knights here and there, but lately Heyson hadn’t been going out except for meeting Reina. It should be something to be happy about, but strangely Caesar’s mood was drilling through the ground and heading below. As if he had been hoping for a breakup between Heyson and Reina.

It was such a strange emotion that he couldn’t understand himself. Caesar spoke in a low voice.

“You look happy.”

“Actually, there’s a Young Lady I’ve been meeting with good feelings lately. I’ll definitely introduce her to you next time. You’ll be the first to know.”

At those words, Caesar’s mood became even worse.

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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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