I Like Another Man, Not the Male Lead - Chapter 40

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 40

The third floor box seat at the Imperial Opera House was the best seat with a perfect view of the stage. Duke Hailboard’s private box seat was positioned slightly to the left from directly facing the stage. The invitation that had come to House Regfield was useless. Since we were all gathered together like this.

“Wow, this really is a great seat! I can see the stage perfectly.”

Grace exclaimed in admiration.

Sitting in the red velvet chair and looking down, I could see the first floor audience seats at a glance. People were gradually filling their seats.

But then.

“Huh?”

Selena made a surprised sound.

“Caesar Prince is sitting over there.”

Looking where Selena pointed, Caesar was indeed seated in the box seat across from us. It was the Imperial private box seat. It was much more splendid than the other box seats.

Did Caesar enjoy opera? No, wait. What business is it of mine anyway.

I turned my head away again. I could feel a gaze clinging to my left cheek. I had a feeling I knew who it was. Why on earth is he looking at me.

“I heard today’s Prima Donna is a famous person. They say she’s the Empire’s greatest soprano.”

I deliberately changed the subject with a bright voice.

Before long, the lights in the audience dimmed and the orchestra began playing the overture. Even so, the gaze directed at me remained constant.

＊ ＊ ＊

The curtain rose and a magnificent stage unfolded. The set recreating the street was elaborate, and the actors’ singing was beautiful. It was a wonderful stage infused with the blood and sweat of the lead actors. Grace and Selena were completely absorbed in their passionate performance.

But I couldn’t concentrate properly. Because I kept feeling Caesar’s gaze.

At first I thought it was my imagination. And I hoped it was my imagination.

After all, Caesar was destined to be with Grace. All of fate would support them. There were still countless episodes ahead for the two of them.

But still, Caesar was looking at me.

The balcony scene that the performance venue management had enthusiastically promoted began. It was the scene where the Male Lead confesses his love to the Female Lead. A heart-wrenching melody filled the theater. All the audience members were entranced by the stage. Someone was even sniffling.

I tried to watch the stage too, but failed. My head turned toward him of its own accord. Our gazes collided once again.

Caesar was staring at me with his chin resting on one hand. His expression was unreadable. There was just something deep and dark contained in his golden eyes. What on earth is he thinking about.

It felt like we had been making eye contact for a long time. Only belatedly did I turn my gaze back to the stage. My heart was beating rapidly.

Ignore it, Reina. It’s probably nothing. He’s just acting that way because of his sense of loss. Don’t get unnecessarily involved. In the end, you’ll be the only one left hurt and alone.

I glanced at Grace and composed myself.

Our Female Lead was here. Caesar would grow thanks to Grace. I couldn’t disrupt that entire flow.

＊ ＊ ＊

Act 1 ended and it was intermission time.

“I’m going to the restroom.”

I got up from my seat. I wanted to escape from this suffocating space, even if just for a moment.

“Shall we go together?”

Selena asked, but I shook my head.

I wanted to be alone. And it didn’t seem like anything would happen inside here. It was the premiere so people were crowding in, but thanks to the Opera House management’s attention, there was plenty of security personnel to maintain order. Moreover, since most of the invited high nobles had come, there were even knights on the 3rd floor.

“I’ll be right back.”

I left the box seat and stepped into the corridor. The splendid corridor was bustling with people enjoying their break time. I avoided them and looked for a place to catch my breath. It was a small balcony.

Standing at the spot facing outside, I took in a deep breath of cool air. My heavy heart seemed to lighten just a little. If it weren’t for the voice I heard from behind me, I would have been able to rest alone.

“Reina.”

I could tell who it was without turning around. Who the owner of that voice was.

“Caesar Prince.”

Now I used the proper title. It couldn’t be Caesar anymore.

I slowly turned toward him. And I politely showed my respects.

Seeing him up close, his face looked more gaunt than before. It seemed like he hadn’t been sleeping properly. Dark shadows were cast under his eyes.

“Could we… talk for a moment?”

“I’m sorry, but my friends are waiting for me.”

I rejected Caesar once again. I could see Caesar frowning as he took a breath.

Was he hurt somewhere? His face really didn’t look good.

“Just for a moment. Really just a moment.”

“Your Highness, I think we’ve already had all the necessary conversations. Anything more would rather be poison.”

“Reina.”

He called my name. The emotions contained in that call felt too complex. Caesar ran his hand over his face and asked.

“Are you enjoying the opera?”

I was flustered by the sudden change of topic, but answered calmly.

“Yes, it’s good.”

“I don’t particularly like opera. But today I felt like I had to come.”

I didn’t know what he meant. Caesar smiled bitterly.

“Have you completely recovered your health? I was worried.”

“Yes, thanks to you I’m completely healed. Thank you once again for saving me that day.”

Caesar opened his mouth then closed it again.

The flow of conversation kept breaking off. It was probably because I had no will to continue the conversation. Caesar looked at me with an expression that showed he no longer knew how to hold on.

Caesar would be fine. That sense of loss would quickly pass by, and a greater emotion would take its place.

I spoke to Caesar first.

“The second act seems like it’s about to start. I should go in. My friends will be looking for me. Well then, goodbye.”

“Reina.”

My name was called again, but this time I didn’t stop. I returned to the box seat without looking back.

Even though the second act had started, the seat across from us remained empty, growing coldly vacant.

＊ ＊ ＊

Caesar leaned his head against the carriage with his arms crossed.

What expectations had he harbored when he rushed there?

Hearing Rochester’s story at the Knight Order had been by chance.

‘Haven’t you heard anything from your sisters? I heard the three of them are going to see the opera. It’s a bit awkward for me to go alone. How about you come along too, Matthias? Hmm? Aren’t you worried about your younger sisters?’

‘Would you shut up and get lost?’

‘Ah, Matthias! Reina has just recovered. What if she gets hit by another Blind Blade by mistake!’

‘At the Opera House? The probability of that is less than one in a hundred.’

‘What if our Reina falls into that one in a hundred? Hmm? Let’s go together?’

He couldn’t hear more because Matthias left his seat with a fed-up expression, but he did learn that Reina was going to see the opera premiere.

Originally, he wasn’t one to enjoy such occasions. They were boring and incomprehensible to him. But as if bewitched, he had prepared and rushed to the Opera House.

Caesar smiled bitterly.

What he had expected wasn’t the opera. He wanted to confirm with his own eyes that Reina had recovered safely. And if he was lucky, he thought he might be able to have a conversation with Reina.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————