I Like Another Man, Not the Male Lead - Chapter 48

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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 48

“With this size, the orphanage children will be able to stay warm this year.”

The Empire’s Harvest Festival hunting competition had an old rule. The hunted meat was sent to free soup kitchens, and byproducts like hide, bones, and horns were all collected and donated to orphanages and poor relief. They would process what they received to use or sell. This much hide would be enough to exchange for cotton blankets for the young children to cover themselves with.

Caesar and Rochester made eye contact once again. The uncomfortable silence that had formed between the two returned.

“Which cart should we load the carcass onto?”

Caesar and Rochester kept their mouths firmly shut.

With this level of catch, today’s victory was as good as guaranteed. But the problem was that it wasn’t caught alone.

“Take it.”

Caesar’s single statement instantly relieved the atmosphere. Rochester’s eyebrows twitched.

The senior should yield, how impudent for a junior to act like that.

“Your Highness should take it.”

After the dispute, Rochester took the body and Caesar took the head. The retainers had mixed reactions. Rochester’s retainer let out a groan.

This battle wasn’t simply bear hunting. The deep rift between the two was filled in just slightly. Very, very slightly.

＊ ＊ ＊

In the afternoon, Viviana Imperial Consort’s tea party began.

Under the luxurious tent set up next to the Imperial Pavilion, Young Ladies had gathered. The Young Ladies who had confronted Selena earlier were also there, and they immediately turned their gazes away upon seeing us. The other Young Ladies were caught between them and us, reading the atmosphere. The mood was cold. Especially because one Young Lady in that group was glaring at us.

Amid the flowing silence, Viviana Imperial Consort entered with elegant grace. Viviana was wearing a dark pink dress today. It was a dress that brought out Viviana Imperial Consort’s best features.

“Thank you all for coming.”

The Empress smiled lovingly. Viviana made eye contact with me. She smiled toward me, but for some reason it gave me chills. I barely held back the urge to wrap my arms around myself.

“Please enjoy yourselves comfortably today. It would be fun to guess who today’s winner will be.”

When Viviana clapped her hands, the maids began carrying refreshments.

But being ‘comfortable’ was impossible. The relationships were already ruined, so. Viviana Imperial Consort noticed that atmosphere.

“Oh my, did something happen? Everyone’s expressions are…”

“It’s nothing, Your Majesty. I don’t know how honored I am to be invited to such an occasion. I am from the Chase Family…”

“You’re Anna, right?”

Anna forced a smile.

“That’s correct, Your Majesty. Thank you for remembering me.”

Viviana slowly turned her head. Viviana, who made eye contact again, smiled while gently narrowing her eyes.

That eye smile is quite menacing. I trembled without realizing it.

“Reina, come sit over here.”

Viviana pointed to the seat next to her.

No, what kind of aggro is this. I absolutely don’t want to do that. If I get close to Viviana, rumors about my romance with Caesar might ignite again.

However, this was a world where social status was everything. If I refuse here? I might get severely scolded for defying Viviana’s command. I reluctantly got up. I really hate this. Why me?

I was already feeling distant from Viviana Imperial Consort, so this kind of command was only uncomfortable. But no matter how much I delayed, the place I had to go wouldn’t disappear.

“It’s an honor, Your Majesty.”

As I sat down, the Empress personally poured tea for me. Envious sighs flowed among the Young Ladies. What’s there to be envious about.

“This is tea specially blended for today. I heard it’s good for fatigue recovery. You went through something unpleasant recently, didn’t you? I’ve been continuously worried about that.”

If you only heard up to this point, you’d think she was a good person. I spoke with an awkward smile.

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

I took the tea cup. The strong tea scent tickled my nose. It was a different fragrance from the tea I usually drank. Sweet yet somehow bitter.

I brought the tea cup to my lips. The hot liquid flowed down my throat. The taste was prominently bitter.

“How does it taste?”

The Empress’s voice was sweet as honey.

“It’s good, Your Majesty. It tastes like it will make me healthy right away.”

I wasn’t lying. They say bitter medicine is good for the body. It means the taste is absolutely terrible though.

The bitter taste didn’t fade. My tongue tip felt numb. It was like that terrible-tasting detox juice I made in the early days of detox dieting, throwing in all the ingredients. Ugh. I want to scrape my entire tongue clean.

The tea party continued. The Empress showed particular interest in me. She asked many questions and kept pouring tea for me. Now my tongue was numb to the point where I couldn’t taste the tea I was drinking.

“What plans does Reina have for the future?”

“Well. I haven’t decided yet.”

My voice answering sounded strangely distant. My ears felt stuffy. It was like speaking underwater.

What’s wrong?

“What about marriage? Your parents must be worried.”

“Not yet… I’m thinking…”

My words trailed off. My head felt heavy. Viviana Imperial Consort seemed to have great interest in my marriage. My vision swayed slightly.

“Reina, would you like more tea?”

I stared at the Empress’s smile as she asked me. Viviana Imperial Consort’s face appeared double then merged into one repeatedly.

Why is this happening.

“Are you alright, Reina?”

I heard the Empress’s voice.

“Your face has turned red.”

“I’m… fine…”

Actually, I wasn’t fine. I was dizzy. The inside of the tent began spinning round and round. My mouth was getting parched. My breathing was gradually becoming rapid too.

Selena and Grace’s faces conversing with each other also looked blurry. My condition seemed quite serious. I felt nauseous too. I thought I should get some fresh air.

“Excuse me.”

I said as I stood up. My legs had no strength, so I staggered without realizing it.

“I’ll go get some fresh air for a moment.”

“Alright. Take your time.”

The Empress’s smile was meaningful. That smile somehow felt terrifying.

I didn’t have the capacity to think about why. My vision kept darkening and brightening repeatedly.

I left the tent. The sunlight was dazzling. It was so bright I couldn’t even open my eyes properly.

The moment I squeezed my eyes shut then opened them, the scenery had changed. This place was no longer the hunting grounds. I was in my room. When did I come here? Phew, it seems I must have lost consciousness and collapsed.

At that moment, I heard a sound.

Wheeeeee!

It was a sharp whistle sound. The moment I heard that sound, my mind became a little clearer.

Ah, I need to follow that sound. Right, that’s what I was supposed to do.

I moved my steps. From my room to the corridor, then down from the corridor to the lobby, and then to the garden of the vast mansion.

Wheeeeek! The whistle sound was heard again.

Ah, I had to go that way. Right.

I staggered as I moved my steps. The whistle sound was guiding me to the right path. Hehe, I let out a laugh without realizing it. If I went to the end, there would be what I was looking for. Whether it was a person or an object.

Wheeeeek!

Something caught my foot and I tripped, but I had to go. I got up quickly and moved my steps. Before the sound stopped.

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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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