I Like Another Man, Not the Male Lead - Chapter 31

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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 31

And the Empress had also heard all of that scene, the conversation between Reina and Caesar Prince. The Empress wore a smile as if she had painted it on.

It was the moment she was about to leave the banquet hall to get some fresh air. She saw all too familiar figures, and the Empress naturally concealed her presence as if it were only natural. In that state, she eavesdropped on Caesar and Reina’s conversation. She confirmed everything – Reina’s thoughts and even Caesar’s reaction.

The declaration that she wouldn’t even be friends seemed arrogant, yet she liked it. She had never thought about it before, but it seemed there were aspects where Reina and the Empress’s intentions aligned.

After Reina left and Caesar stood there blankly like a lost child, the Empress revealed herself before him.

“Caesar.”

Caesar quietly turned his head. His expression looked completely empty.

However, all losses can be overcome. Caesar would soon shake off Reina’s absence as well. And someone new, someone who would be helpful to Caesar, would fill that place.

The Empress gently stroked her son’s shoulder. Her patting touch was tender and affectionate. As if she were soothing Caesar’s heart.

“I really never thought I’d hear such a conversation. Are you alright?”

Caesar gazed at the Empress with an unwavering expression.

“It seems Lady Regfield only chose the right things to say. What should we do? My son’s heart seems to be torn apart.”

Laughter tinged the Empress’s voice. Mockery was contained in its foundation. The Empress’s mocking gaze swept over Caesar. She would have to teach him that loss should be overcome with a new person. The Empress whispered gently.

“Don’t pay attention to Reina anymore, Caesar. Now it’s time for Caesar to start a family too. There’s a Young Lady who suits Caesar better than Reina.”

“…Hah.”

Caesar let out a deep breath. Before he could even digest what he had just heard from Reina, the Empress who appeared was stirring up Caesar’s insides. Caesar stepped back from the Empress and ran his hand through his hair. A sharp atmosphere rippled around Caesar.

“A Young Lady who suits me well? Who exactly are you referring to, Mother?”

Until now, Caesar had tried to be fair to everyone. Because if Caesar showed even the slightest interest in someone, there was no telling what the Empress might do.

Caesar was afraid of Reina. He was frightened of her who walked toward Caesar without resting for even a moment.

At first, he pushed Reina away for that reason. And then, he became accustomed to pushing Reina away. As Reina said, he had never truly faced her with sincerity. Pushing her away had… become a habit.

To Caesar who looked confused, the Empress said.

“Don’t make such an expression, Caesar. When you make such an expression, this mother becomes too upset. It makes me want to scold Reina. This mother has known from long ago. What kind of person the Regfield daughter is. She is absolutely not someone who suits Caesar. She’s from a bloodline of a family that’s utterly dissolute while advocating freedom. There’s nothing good for Caesar in being close to such a woman. How fortunate it is that the Regfield daughter at least seems to know her place. Grace is suitable for Caesar.”

Despite the tone, it was a gentle voice.

The Empress lightly grasped Caesar’s arm as he stared blankly ahead. The Empress sighed deeply with a regretful face. The Empress moved her picture-like lips as if Caesar’s reaction didn’t matter at all.

“I heard that what I had prepared for Caesar and Grace went to waste. Heyson went to that place instead? How tactless.”

“…I have no intention of doing anything with Grace.”

Caesar replied coldly. The reason he hadn’t said anything to Viviana Imperial Consort’s words until now was because they weren’t worth responding to. He hadn’t even been listening. Viviana Imperial Consort was a consistent person. While trying to subtly manipulate people from behind and packaging herself as a good person, she would occasionally reveal her true nature like this. However, one thing had to be corrected.

“Then Selena? No, Caesar. Selena is too assertive and has a spiteful side. Such a Young Lady is not suitable for Caesar. Caesar needs a more gentle Young Lady with a water-like temperament.”

Caesar gazed at his mother with quietly sunken eyes. It wasn’t that such a woman suited Caesar well, but rather that such a temperament would be easier for the Empress to manipulate. Viviana Imperial Consort continued speaking with a smile. Her face was completely transparent.

“Of course, Grace is of lower status, but such things… there are ways to make up for it, so don’t worry.”

The Empress was thoroughly captivated by her own thoughts. Regardless of what Caesar was thinking or what he said, she only carried out her will. She truly believed that was right. She had lived with such righteousness until now.

“Caesar, my son.”

The Empress stroked Caesar’s cheek.

“My poor son. You’ll do as I say, won’t you? You know how miserably this mother has been enduring in this Imperial Palace. Look at me, Caesar.”

“….”

Caesar gazed at the Empress with sunken eyes.

Viviana Imperial Consort was still beautiful like a painting. She had a youthful face that received the Emperor’s favor. However, what she harbored inside was not so innocent. Her own calculations and philosophy were underlying all her moves.

Caesar asked coldly.

“Was entrusting this charity banquet to the princesses meant to test them?”

“That’s right. Actually, I was troubled about which Young Lady to choose between the two. It was a place to evaluate Princess Grace and Princess Selena. I didn’t know an impurity would interfere in such a place. But in conclusion, it worked out well. Thanks to that, she seems to have learned her place well.”

It was strange from the moment she suddenly called the princesses. I think I can read the Empress’s intentions.

Caesar wore a bitter smile. Empress Viviana gripped Caesar’s hand tightly as if it didn’t matter at all.

“Caesar just needs to walk the flower path I’ve laid out for you. You understand what I’m saying, right? If you just do as I tell you and follow my instructions, you’ll be able to hold the most precious thing in your arms. That’s this mother’s dream. For Caesar to rightfully enjoy what is his.”

The Empress wasn’t someone words could reach. And the Empress also didn’t expect Caesar’s answer. It was a strange relationship.

The Empress, who had stroked Caesar’s cheek a few more times without getting an answer, turned around and headed toward the banquet hall. Caesar’s cold gaze followed the Empress.

He felt completely suffocated inside. When he thought of Reina, it felt like grains of sand were rolling around in his chest, scratching at him, and when he thought of the Empress, he couldn’t breathe.

‘Reina.’

Moreover, there was something among the Empress’s words that bothered him.

‘…wanting to punish her.’

What a truly remarkable person. Caesar’s eyes sank heavily.

However, there would be no chance of Reina getting hurt because of the Empress. Because Caesar didn’t want to see Reina get hurt.

‘I will protect you, Reina.’

Even if Reina might not want it.

Having that thought felt like his heart was being pierced by a massive thorn. Caesar pressed down firmly on his chest with his palm. A sharp pain started in his heart and spread throughout his entire body.

“Ha.”

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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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