I Like Another Man, Not the Male Lead - Chapter 29
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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 29
The ominous feeling turned out to be perfectly accurate.
“…What do you think of me? I don’t intend to burden Reina. If Reina doesn’t like it, she can refuse… but if it’s okay, I’d like to seriously meet Rochester Regfield. Actually, I’ve had my eye on him ever since he came to escort you before.”
Selena spoke with the prettiest expression I’d ever seen on her face. With that shy, fluttering expression of someone who likes someone.
Wait, what did I just hear? I blinked my eyes. Selena likes Rochester? So, really Rochester? That, my brother?
I was so flustered that I stammered and grabbed Selena’s arm.
“…Selena.”
“Yes?”
“…Think about it again. I’m really saying this for your sake, Selena. Is that right?”
I’m really serious here.
Rochester is a patient. A terminal sister complex patient.
* * *
Very, very regrettably, I failed to save Selena.
Of course, Rochester was a good brother. He could be called the best brother for me. Rochester was someone who could do anything for my sake. Sometimes it felt excessive, but there was definitely affection in it. And at the foundation of it all was guilt too.
My wish that Rochester would no longer be bound to me and pursue his own happiness was also sincere. Rochester was definitely a good person. If he had a family, he would certainly do his best. My sincere wish was for him to meet a good woman and build a family.
But, my friend… not my friend, right…? Including Grace, I only have exactly two friends now.
What if Selena ends up hating me too?
‘If I’m too strange… or if you’re concerned because of my rumors, you can just refuse.’
How could I refuse when she said that?
I was the one who raised both hands and feet in surrender to Selena’s dejected face. Even when I told her that Rochester was obsessed with me, Selena remained firm.
‘A person who cherishes his sister that much must be family-oriented. I want that kind of family-oriented man to be the father of my child. If that affection is directed toward the child, it would really be a happy family. But I know that Reina might not approve of me.’
When she said things like that, how could I possibly refuse!
In the end, I ended up making the foolish promise with my own mouth that I would introduce Rochester to her.
Sigh.
Of all days, today was the day of the charity banquet. Rochester, who would normally be working at the Knight Order, and Selena’s brother, and Heyson and Caesar Prince were all scheduled to gather in one place. It truly couldn’t be more of a meeting place.
With complicated feelings, I stared at the approaching banquet hall. I got out of the carriage with Rochester’s escort.
The banquet hosted by the Empress and prepared under Grace’s leadership was more splendid than expected. Moreover, all the major nobles of the Empire seemed to have participated. It was an event that also contained the sincerity of Selena and me. It absolutely must not be ruined.
I was busy enough just observing the banquet with tension for that purpose, yet even in the midst of that, I remembered a certain friend who was cherishing her excitement.
‘Since the charity banquet is in 3 days, it would be nice to naturally exchange greetings. What do you think, Reina?’
Is it really worth making your eyes sparkle so prettily like that? Ah, my head.
I glanced at Rochester. Rochester extended his hand to me with a solemn expression.
“Hold Brother’s hand tight. It’ll be big trouble if you lose Brother here.”
“…I’m not a little kid.”
I’m supposed to introduce Selena to someone like this?
A hollow laugh escaped me naturally.
Brother would probably take me along even when going on a date with Selena. He thinks of me like a 1-year-old left by the waterside.
No matter what I said, Rochester smiled warmly and patted my head. By all appearances, he wasn’t going to leave my side even for a step today. I heard voices calling Rochester. Unlike me, who had lost connections with people while chasing after Caesar, Rochester was different. Even with various voices welcoming Rochester, he didn’t turn his head once.
“Brother, aren’t you going to meet your friends?”
“I don’t have friends.”
He flatly denied the friends who were calling Rochester and waving their hands from over there. Good grief. I pushed Rochester’s back. Making Brother independent is really difficult.
“Ah, hurry up and go! I’m going to play with my friends too.”
And I absolutely refuse to let you catch Selena’s eye. Of course, Selena is expecting to meet Rochester today. But I’m not mentally prepared yet.
Rochester couldn’t give up until the end and kept fussing over me.
“Be careful of water, be careful not to fall, be careful what you eat, and be careful of men. Except for this Brother, they’re all untrustworthy guys…”
“I got it, I got it.”
Only then did Rochester trudge toward his friends. His eyes, which looked back at me several times, were dripping with reluctance.
First, I got rid of that nuisance… Selena and Grace didn’t seem to have arrived yet. Caesar is…, there he is. He was with people, but he stood out distinctly. Of course, he’s the Male Lead.
I walked toward Caesar. I lingered in front of him, trying to make eye contact with Caesar. It was to express that I wanted to have a conversation.
And after my efforts, I made eye contact with Caesar. I widened my eyes and moved my lips slightly.
‘To the back garden right now.’
You understood, right?
I glanced at Caesar once and headed to the back garden. He’s following me well, right?
The charity banquet was being held at Ameri Hall, famous throughout the Empire, and fortunately there weren’t many people in the back garden. I’d have a light conversation in a moderately secluded place and then disperse.
I wondered if I really had to go this far, but it couldn’t be helped. I wanted to simply finish my business with a letter too. But what if I sent a letter to the Knight Order and Rochester caught it? I don’t even want to imagine. And sending a letter to the Imperial Palace was too complicated a process. It’s difficult to bring anything into the Imperial Palace. In the end, meeting in person was the only option.
Isn’t there someone who could introduce mobile phones to this world? I desperately missed modern conveniences.
While I was pacing around the garden, an exceptionally tall and handsome man came out to the back garden. It was Caesar. Caesar also seemed to have spotted me and approached me. Fortunately, he properly understood my signal. Caesar called my name.
“…Reina.”
“You must be surprised that I called you so suddenly. But I have something to say. Was there no one following behind you?”
“There wasn’t. You seemed to want a quiet conversation, so I moved quietly.”
“Well done.”
He’s really quick-witted. I quickly looked around and brought up my business.
“Lord Reliz said something strange.”
“…Do you still meet with Heyson?”
“What?”
No, is that what’s important? I’m telling you he said something weird.
Caesar frowned. Then he turned his head and ran his hand over his face.
“I thought I spoke clearly enough for him to understand.”
Who did you speak to? It wasn’t me, so it must have been Heyson.
Caesar sighed and made eye contact with me.
“What did he say? Did he badmouth me, saying I’m someone who interferes with other people’s relationships?”
“I don’t understand what you mean. Are you saying it’s true that Caesar Prince told Lord Reliz there was some kind of relationship between you and His Highness?”
Then you really are a bad guy.
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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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