I Like Another Man, Not the Male Lead - Chapter 35

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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 35

Viviana Imperial Consort narrowed her eyes and asked.

“How was Rochester Regfield when the incident occurred?”

“When Reina became a hostage, he was on the verge of losing control. There were witnesses who testified that his aura exploded outward.”

Viviana narrowed her eyes.

All this time, Viviana had been researching ways to blow her nose without using her hands. The very existence of the Regfields was irritating. The nobles of the capital were all quite stubborn, but among the forces supporting the Crown Prince, the Regfields were the foremost. Duke and Duchess Regfield, as the Emperor’s closest confidants, served and protected the Crown Prince. She had to bring down the Regfields by any means necessary. And now Reina was starting to get on her nerves as well.

Viviana’s lips twitched.

“…If Reina Regfield alone were gone, the Regfields would completely collapse.”

Viviana’s eyes sparkled.

It was a method she had considered before. Watching how the Regfield household was particularly devoted to Reina alone. She had lost interest after Reina distanced herself from Caesar, but recently her attention had returned. That interest was akin to murderous intent.

Just then, the sound of knocking came from outside the door. At the rhythmic sound, Viviana put the diamond back into the velvet pouch. It was the signal that the Emperor was coming. The Head Maid took the velvet pouch and stepped back. She would leave at an appropriate moment.

Heavy footsteps could be heard from the corridor. The Imperial Consort’s expression changed instantly. A smile full of charm and sweetness spread across her face.

“His Imperial Majesty enters.”

The door opened and the Emperor entered. Despite his middle age, he still maintained a dignified appearance. The Head Maid quickly slipped out behind him.

Meeting the Emperor’s eyes, Viviana reflexively smiled even more deeply. It was an innocent smile as if nothing had happened.

To the Emperor, Viviana was merely a lovely and charming lover. Unlike the Empress who was authoritative and full of rules, she was easygoing and kind, someone who wouldn’t say anything no matter how he acted. She was performing exactly as the Emperor wanted her to be.

“Viviana, have you been waiting?”

“Your Majesty.”

The Imperial Consort called to him in a voice mixed with affection and embraced him. Rubbing her cheek against his chest, Viviana whispered.

“You’re late today. I missed you.”

“I was just coming from the Empress. She said there was something urgent to discuss. The Harvest Festival is coming up soon, isn’t it? It seems there was a small problem while preparing the hunting grounds for the Harvest Festival hunting competition. Sorry for making you wait.”

The Emperor rattled off explanations without being asked and held Viviana tightly. Viviana blinked in his embrace as if she knew nothing.

‘A hunting competition.’

Viviana rested her forehead against the Emperor’s chest.

“You’ve worked so hard, Your Majesty. Is there a problem with the hunting grounds? If that’s the case, I won’t be able to go there because I’m too scared. I’m not as strong as Her Majesty the Empress.”

Viviana whispered while twisting her body coquettishly. The Emperor grinned and lifted Viviana up. After laying the light Viviana on the bed, the Emperor lay down beside her.

“The prolonged drought has left the wild beasts hungry. They say wolves killed the Hunting Ground Keeper, but it’ll be fine. You won’t need to enter the forest. Just stay close to me. I’ll protect you, so what’s there to worry about?”

Viviana etched those words into her mind.

‘Wolves harmed a person?’

All information was stored in Viviana’s mind before being transformed into useful plans and released into the world. Viviana barely suppressed the laughter that was about to burst out. Heaven was surely on Viviana’s side. To think it would provide solutions so readily whenever she needed them.

The Emperor stroked the Imperial Consort’s hair.

“How was today’s charity banquet? I heard it was successful.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. A lot of donations were collected. Grace from the Hailboard family and the other Young Ladies prepared everything really well.”

These glamorous and outwardly appealing events were being handled by the Imperial Consort rather than the Empress. These were things Viviana had obtained by prostrating herself and fawning over the Empress.

The Empress had handed over the things in her domain with an indifferent expression. As if she was passing off bothersome tasks. It was humiliating to accept such things, but it didn’t matter. Viviana was gradually devouring the Imperial Palace from within. The greed that was voraciously opening its mouth inside her knew no satisfaction.

“But I heard there was a hostage incident. They say the Young Lady from the Regfields was hurt. An intruder got into the charity banquet? Tsk, what were the guards doing?”

“Yes, I was really shocked. Fortunately, the Young Lady is safe. Caesar handled it well together with the other knights.”

“Caesar did that. He’s truly reliable. It was really good that Caesar took up the sword.”

The Empress forced a smile at the Emperor’s praise.

It was the Emperor who made Caesar hold a sword and sent him to the Knight Order. As if telling Caesar not to even dream of the imperial throne. Her teeth clenched at the thought, but what could she do. It was right to follow the Emperor’s will for now.

“Your Majesty….”

Viviana swallowed her true feelings and buried her face in the Emperor’s chest, acting coquettishly. The Emperor held the Empress even tighter. The Emperor caressed the Empress’s cheek.

“My cute and lovely Viviana. I have a gift for you.”

The Emperor had an attendant come in. What the Emperor gifted to Viviana was a Ruby Necklace Set.

Viviana had actually coveted it since she heard the news about the Pink Diamond appearing. She felt that having that jewelry that Princess Rosenta had worn would elevate Viviana’s status as well. Viviana pestered the Emperor. But the Emperor refused.

‘I cannot give you such expensive jewelry that even the Empress doesn’t have, Viviana. Besides, the Empress said the financial situation is poor due to the drought.’

The Emperor depended on the Empress in various ways. Especially the Imperial Palace’s finances were entirely the Empress’s responsibility. This strange situation where a foreign-born Empress had to give permission to spend large amounts of money was simply laughable. In the end, Viviana had to back down.

‘It’s okay. Viviana must have been too greedy.’

So Viviana seized it. She took that Diamond into her arms. Viviana was someone who would stop at nothing to get what she wanted. That was Viviana’s way.

Viviana embraced the Emperor.

“Such a beautiful necklace, Your Majesty! You thought of Viviana, didn’t you? You prepared this for Viviana, didn’t you?”

“I don’t like seeing you upset. The Pink Diamond was stolen, wasn’t it? It wasn’t yours to begin with. Besides, it doesn’t suit you. Look at this. See how well this Ruby Necklace suits you.”

The Emperor would never gift Viviana a Diamond. As if it belonged to the Empress. The Emperor was discriminating against Viviana in his own way.

Viviana swallowed a cold smile inwardly.

“Really. It suits me so well. Oh my, where shall I go wearing this. I love you, Your Majesty.”

Viviana threw her entire being into the Emperor’s embrace. Without any hesitation.

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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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