I Like Another Man, Not the Male Lead - Chapter 34

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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 34

After dropping off Selena and Grace at Hailboard Estate, only Caesar Prince and I remained in the carriage.

A heavy silence settled over us. Even when Selena and Grace had been sitting on either side of me with their mouths tightly shut, the atmosphere hadn’t been this heavy. Now we could even hear each other’s breathing.

Caesar Prince was sitting across from me. His gaze was quietly directed out the window. Even though he wasn’t looking at me, I somehow felt like he was watching me. I swallowed a sigh and gripped the hem of my dress tightly.

Why on earth had he insisted on taking me home? It would have been better to go alone. How long had it been since I declared we should each go our separate ways, and here we were riding alone together in a carriage just a few hours later. Life really is unpredictable.

But what was truly unpredictable was myself. In such an uncomfortable situation, I was dwelling on that moment when Caesar Prince had saved me.

It kept coming back to me involuntarily. Like a tattoo, it remained in my mind and wouldn’t disappear.

The cold terror when the knife pressed against my throat, and Caesar Prince’s warm embrace that contrasted with it. His trembling voice and the large hands that held me tight.

‘…Are you hurt?’

Caesar Prince’s voice from that moment settled heavily in my heart.

I turned my gaze to the window. Street lamps dimly illuminated the dark street. The silence that had settled in the carriage was too uncomfortable. The truth was, this situation of being alone together was unbearable.

The carriage jolted. My body tilted slightly, and Caesar Prince reflexively reached out to catch me before stopping. Our eyes met.

“…”

“…”

Caesar Prince looked away first. I could see his jawline taut with tension. The hand he had awkwardly extended and then withdrawn was placed on his knee. I turned my head away again too.

Ah, this is really awkwardly unbearable.

But the end was approaching. We’d probably arrive in about 5 minutes, so it would be goodbye to this uncomfortable silence.

Now that I was certain I could escape, curiosity began to surge.

Why had he been so desperate?

I had seen him right after he saved me. Caesar Prince had clearly been terrified. Moreover, hadn’t he insisted on escorting me even while fighting with Rochester Regfield? Even though there was absolutely no need to do so after being cut off.

Why on earth?

I was curious about everything, but I didn’t want to ask.

The line drawn between Caesar Prince and me was still in effect. That line would protect me.

Familiar scenery began to appear outside the window. The Regfield Estate was getting closer.

Caesar Prince seemed to have noticed it too. He called my name.

“Reina.”

His voice was slightly cracked.

“Yes?”

“Are you really… all right?”

His golden eyes turned toward my neck area. It was wrapped in bandages.

“Yes, I’m fine. The doctor said it was nothing serious. I just need the wound to heal.”

Moreover, perhaps because I had taken medicine, I couldn’t even feel any pain. Caesar Prince smiled bitterly.

“I’m truly relieved.”

He said quietly.

“That you’re safe… I’m truly relieved.”

It was a voice filled with sincerity. It was so genuine that it was rather bewildering.

The carriage began to slow down.

“Reina. Friend….”

Caesar stared straight at me. I was reflected in his eyes. Seeing it this close and this clearly made me feel quite strange.

“Won’t you be my friend?”

I opened my eyes wide in surprise.

Even amid the mixed sounds of the carriage’s creaking wheels and horse neighing as it came to a stop, his voice was clear. Though we could hear the coachman’s voice from outside announcing our arrival, neither of us moved. We couldn’t budge. Caesar’s golden eyes were rippling like waves.

“I know. That I don’t deserve such a thing. How shameless it is for me to say this now.”

Caesar laughed self-deprecatingly.

“But today I was truly scared. That I might lose you.”

I bit my lips. I hadn’t seen it wrong. His fear was real.

Caesar caught his breath.

“Please give me one more chance.”

This was what Reina had wanted so desperately for eight years. To share true feelings with Caesar. Now that I had given up on all of that, it was finally in my grasp.

“Your Highness. I still think we should end things here.”

“Reina, please.”

I opened the carriage door. The cold night air brushed against my face.

“Reina!”

Caesar called out to me.

I didn’t hesitate and stepped down from the carriage. The coachman stared at me with a flustered expression as I got out without an escort. I turned around and spoke to Caesar.

“Thank you so much for today, Your Highness. Please return safely.”

Caesar seemed like he wanted to say something more, but I ignored him and turned away. I heard the sound of Caesar getting out of the carriage behind me. I didn’t look back.

Don’t let your heart waver. Grace is there anyway. And it’s just a whim. A momentary whim he’s showing to me now that I’ve lost interest in him. Once his curiosity fades, Caesar will abandon his interest in me again. So this is right.

I entered the mansion and closed the door. Firmly.

＊ ＊ ＊

Deep in the night, Empress Viviana’s bedroom was shrouded in silence. Until Lilith Head Maid arrived. In the room where candles flickered, there wasn’t a trace of the Empress’s usual gentle smile on her face.

“Did you obtain what we were after?”

Viviana spoke softly. But it was a voice that felt devoid of any warmth.

Lilith Head Maid bowed her head deeply. In her hands was a black velvet pouch. A strange light flickered in Viviana’s eyes as she looked at the luxurious pouch.

“We secured the pink diamond.”

Viviana opened the velvet pouch. From within, a beautiful diamond glowing with pink light revealed itself. The diamond, about the size of a thumb, was radiating an enchanting brilliance. It was as if Princess Rosenta’s legend was unfolding before their eyes.

Empress Viviana picked up the jewelry and held it up to the light. A satisfied smile spread across her lips.

“Beautiful.”

Everything that happened today had been worthwhile. Including getting this diamond into her hands now.

There was only one thing that had gone against her will.

“What happened to those men? The one who was dragged to the underground prison?”

“…He’s dead.”

Lilith Head Maid replied heavily. Viviana narrowed her eyes and smiled.

Satisfying. Of course it had to be. To keep secrets, burying them forever was the best option.

Moreover, their mistake had ruined Viviana’s plan, so they deserved to die. Grace was almost kidnapped on the spot, and Caesar had to rescue her. Viviana had intended to give the two young people a push. She believed that Caesar, being a person with a strong sense of responsibility, could add momentum to their relationship.

However, her expectations were spectacularly thwarted. And coincidentally, Reina had entered that place. How bitter she felt about that fact.

Viviana blinked her eyes. Her good-natured son had gone to escort Reina home after hearing such things, and hadn’t returned yet.

If Heyson had done his job properly, this wouldn’t have happened. Moreover…

‘He found out that Heyson approached Reina on Mother’s orders.’

Our son has done something quite adorable.

Viviana placed her hand on her plump lips.

Had Heyson gotten sulky over this incident? Heyson was still a child who had things to do for her. It seemed she would need to coax Heyson well.

Viviana ordered the Head Maid to arrange an appointment with Heyson. Her eyes glinted darkly.

If Caesar can’t take his eyes off House Regfield’s daughter, then there’s no choice. I’ll just have to forcibly tear them away.

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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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