I Like Another Man, Not the Male Lead - Chapter 45

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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 45

Golden tents stretched out in a long line in the center of the plaza. The hunting competition had finally begun.

People had been busily dressing up since morning and pouring out. Horn trumpets announcing the opening ceremony rang out chaotically. Flags bearing the imperial crest fluttered in the wind, and the sunlight sparkled brilliantly white.

And the young ladies were excited about their own event. Waiting for the knights they held dear in their hearts, the line of noble young ladies holding five-colored ribbons was long and splendid. Gorgeous jewelry sparkled in their hands.

How many of them actually made those themselves? According to Jane, since last week, five-colored ribbon merchants had been busily visiting noble mansions with unmarried women. It’s quite prosperous around this time.

‘How about you purchase one too, Miss?’

‘Why would I? I don’t have anyone to give it to.’

‘Who knows what might happen, Miss. If you look for one later, there won’t be any. You can’t even get the materials there.’

Despite Jane’s encouragement, I held firm with iron will. I needed to develop better judgment about people first. I couldn’t just fall for any man and give him a five-colored ribbon. That kind of foolish behavior was enough with the Heyson Reliz incident.

Selena, Grace, and I were standing at the back of the line. It was because of Selena. She was burning with determination to give hers to Rochester.

I was just a spectator this time. In the past, I used to stand here nervously holding a five-colored ribbon, waiting for Caesar. People’s gazes would pass over me too. They were probably wondering if I was going to cling to Caesar again.

The participants of this hunting competition began to enter. Murmuring spread instantly.

“I’m going to give mine to Caesar Prince.”

The young ladies in the front row whispered.

“I’m for Rochester Regfield. I heard Rochester Regfield is more popular these days?”

“I’m for Hailboard.”

Familiar names were mixed in among the conversations. The noble young ladies competed to block the participants’ paths.

A line formed first in front of Caesar. Hands holding five-colored ribbons were extended toward him. It was the same for Rochester and Matthias. Caesar seemed to look around. His eyes met mine. Caesar smiled faintly as if he had been looking for me. That was all. Caesar ignored all the hands extended toward him and passed by.

Why did he look at me? Why did he smile like that? Like someone who was about to disappear. Making me worry.

The five-colored ribbon Caesar had given me bothered me. Caesar’s breathing as he tied it on seemed to still echo in my ears. It was hot and quiet. The time it took for Caesar to complete the knot with his clumsy touch felt like an eternity. My heart felt like it would burst. That memory came back vividly.

While I was absentmindedly fiddling with the ribbon on my wrist, Selena’s turn approached. Rochester, who had spotted us, was waiting for us instead of escaping from among the young ladies.

I glanced at Selena, who seemed nervous with her hands tightly clasped. In her hands was that five-colored ribbon, knotted until her fingertips turned red.

Everyone shyly smiled and extended their ribbons to Rochester. Rochester didn’t respond to any of them.

“Rochester Regfield is declining again today, it seems.”

“Those people are always like that.”

Whispers flowed.

Selena stepped forward. Her black hair fluttered and sparkled in the breeze. Selena’s trembling smile seemed to infect me with nervousness too. I clasped my hands tightly and swallowed.

Rochester looked at her. A strange heat arose in his eyes that had seemed bored. Selena raised her head and smiled slightly as she extended the five-colored ribbon.

“Rochester Regfield.”

His eyebrow moved very slightly.

“I made this while praying for your victory. If you would accept this, my whole day would be happy.”

A brief silence flowed. It was sincerity conveyed in a trembling voice.

With that much, even someone as dense as Rochester should have understood something, right?

Rochester’s gaze moved to her fingertips, then to the ribbon. His voice dropped low.

“As Reina’s friend?”

“Pardon?”

“Are you giving this to me as a token of friendship because you’re my younger sister’s friend?”

Selena smiled so beautifully.

“For now, that’s enough.”

There was no hesitation in those words.

A moment of silence passed. Then, Rochester’s hand slowly moved. He took the five-colored ribbon. The moment Rochester tied it to his sword hilt, I unconsciously let out a sigh of relief.

“Thank you.”

“I’m the one who should thank you for accepting it, Rochester Regfield.”

The two exchanged glances for a moment. In that brief instant, the air became still. The people around them held their breath.

Rochester’s movements were so clearly visible. The looks and words the two exchanged were too vivid. This was the first time Rochester had accepted someone’s five-colored ribbon.

I could feel excitement spreading among the gathered people. The shy young ladies were letting out silent screams. Watching this scene, I felt a strange emotion.

Rochester passed by, carrying only that ribbon.

At that moment, the five-colored ribbon on my wrist fluttered in the wind. The sunlight reflected off it, making my eyes sting.

I couldn’t tell if I was smiling or squinting. This thin ribbon really had a way of driving people crazy.

＊ ＊ ＊

After the event ended, people scattered again. Selena returned to my side. Her face was flushed red, but her eyes were sparkling.

“He accepted it. Rochester Regfield accepted my five-colored ribbon, Reina!”

“I saw.”

“My heart is still pounding. Thank you, Reina. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have had the courage!”

How could that be? All of this was something Selena had won for herself.

While the knights all went inside the hunting grounds to hear about the rules, the young ladies chattered endlessly. Seeing some of them glancing this way, it was obvious that Selena and Rochester were part of their gossip material.

Selena smiled. It was the face of someone who had shouldered the weight of her own heart.

A group of young ladies who had been gathered in small clusters approached us. They were all around my age, and among them were faces I had glimpsed at the auction house before. Their faces showed a mixture of interest, envy, and excitement.

“It’s been a while since we greeted each other. I’m Anna from the Chase Family. I saw Rochester Regfield accept your five-colored ribbon today. Hailboard Princess, congratulations.”

Selena pressed her lips tightly together. This was Selena, still awkward at dealing with people. Having someone suddenly speak to her must still feel uncomfortable and unfamiliar. She had reverted to her previous expression of someone who shut out the world.

But the young ladies didn’t mind. As if they wanted something.

“Could we perhaps have tea together? Imperial Consort Viviana’s tea party is after lunch, so it would be nice to spend time together until then.”

Young ladies who usually didn’t even acknowledge us were all glancing this way.

Hmm. Grace had a tense expression, and Selena…

“That sounds good.”

What’s this about?

Selena said with a slight smirk.

“If you’ll become good friends with our Grace.”

She really is such a good elder sister.

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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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