I Like Another Man, Not the Male Lead - Chapter 56

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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 56

Last night, Viviana Imperial Consort returned to her pavilion only late in the evening.

She had obtained permission from the Emperor to mobilize the Imperial Knights to search for Caesar Prince. The Emperor embraced and comforted her as she made an emotional appeal, even shedding tears. Viviana gritted her teeth.

She had gone to such lengths to get her people into the hunting grounds where security was tight and crowds were gathered. These were people she had originally brought as backup in case Heyson’s group failed or was discovered. Viviana had never completely trusted Heyson from the beginning. It wasn’t just Heyson—she felt the same way about everyone. Even if they were her own hands and feet, she couldn’t trust them.

Viviana ground her teeth. Seeing Viviana’s expression, Lilith sent all the other maids away. Only Lilith Head Maid remained in the pavilion. She was the only person who knew the Empress’s true nature.

Suddenly, a tea cup crashed against a pillar and shattered into pieces.

Crash!

Porcelain fragments scattered in all directions. Tea water trickled down the pillar.

“Damn it!”

Viviana clenched her teeth. Her face was pale with shock. Anger blazed like fire.

“Why, why Caesar Prince too!”

Upon hearing the report that things hadn’t gone according to her plan, Viviana immediately sent the assassins she had secretly brought into the forest. But there was still no news.

This wasn’t part of Viviana’s plan. Caesar Prince should be in his pavilion right now. Not wandering through that forest with Reina! Swept away by the rapids? Ha.

Viviana rubbed her forehead.

This couldn’t happen. Caesar Prince was supposed to be the next Emperor!

Lilith Head Maid silently kept her head bowed, waiting for the Empress’s anger to subside.

“Everything should have been perfect.”

Catching her breath, Viviana ultimately couldn’t contain her anger and swept the entire tea table that had been prepared for her.

“The drug was effective, and the wolves moved properly too, didn’t they? Right, Lilith? All we needed was for Reina to die there. Everything was going according to plan!”

The porcelain tea set fell and shattered one by one. Fragments embedded in her palms. Blood flowed, but Viviana didn’t care. Viviana looked like she wasn’t in her right mind. Lilith closed her eyes.

Viviana slowly turned around. Her dress fluttered gracefully.

“Why did Caesar Prince jump down?”

Lilith carefully opened her mouth.

“Love… perhaps, Your Majesty.”

“Love?”

Viviana sneered. It was a cold and sharp laugh.

“For a prince to risk his life for such a sentimental reason. Foolish. Truly foolish.”

Her earlier anger seemed to have subsided. The remnants of the explosive emotions settled like debris.

Viviana stared at the mirror. Inside was a woman much younger and more beautiful than her age suggested. She traced the mirror with her finger. The blood on her finger left a red streak.

“A Sword Master wouldn’t die from falling from that height. Caesar Prince will be alive. Definitely.”

Lilith nodded.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“And if Caesar Prince is alive.”

Viviana’s eyes sharpened.

“Reina will be alive too. Caesar Prince wouldn’t let that woman go. Foolish son.”

Viviana turned her back to the mirror. Her dress fluttered as if scattered by the wind. Viviana’s grace was like a viper’s dance. Viviana smiled slightly and said.

“This is ruined. What should I do about this.”

Viviana slowly sat on the sofa and crossed her legs. All her movements were graceful. Like an actor on stage.

Viviana scratched the sofa’s armrest with her fingernails. A sharp sound rang out. Her nails tore through the fabric. With a ripping sound.

“The story will spread. People will be thrilled by the romantic tale of the prince risking his life to save the duke’s daughter, and their relationship will become even stronger, won’t it? Then Caesar might think it’s destiny. Reina, who had barely separated from him, might cling to him again. Believing their love is real.”

Liris asked cautiously.

“Is there anything I should do, Your Highness?”

Viviana didn’t answer. Her son, who would be somewhere in the dark forest, flickered before her eyes. For her son, for the throne, she had to devise a plan.

After calculating for a long while, Viviana opened her mouth.

“Heyson.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Bring him to me immediately.”

Liris flinched.

“But Your Highness, using Lord Heyson again is dangerous. Caesar Prince must have already found him out.”

Caesar was a very perceptive person. There was no way he wouldn’t have noticed Heyson.

“That makes it even better.”

Viviana smiled. That smile was chilling.

“Heyson already has nothing left to lose. He’s been dismissed, lost his honor, and has no future. Such a person is the most dangerous. And the easiest to use.”

Viviana stood up. Gracefully from the sofa. And walked to the window.

“Reina should have died. But she survived. Then we just need to kill her again.”

Her tone was as calm as if she were killing an insect.

“There must be no mistakes this time. We need a more certain method. Bring Heyson to me alive. Without being caught.”

Viviana muttered while looking out the window.

“Tell Heyson. That I’ll give him one last chance. If he kills Reina, I’ll return everything to him. His title, his honor, his future.”

“But Your Highness, if he fails….”

“If he fails, Heyson dies.”

Viviana shrugged her shoulders. As if she didn’t care at all.

“That boy is already as good as dead anyway. If he’s useless, we can just discard him like a card.”

Viviana turned to look at Liris. It was a signal not to question her further.

“Understood, Your Highness.”

Liris bowed deeply and withdrew. The door closed. Viviana was alone again.

Viviana stood before the mirror again. The line drawn by her blood crossed over Viviana’s reflection. It was in the perfect position, as if slashing across her throat. Viviana smiled. It was a chilling smile.

However, that day Viviana could not get hold of Heyson.

＊ ＊ ＊

The next morning, the Crown Prince stood before all the nobles. Countless people had gathered in the plaza in front of the hunting grounds. Even so, not a single person made a commotion. The air was rigid with tension. The Emperor had taken to his bed with a headache as an excuse, and the Crown Prince stood in his place. The Emperor had a tendency to avoid difficult situations.

The Crown Prince stood on the platform and looked down at the people. His face was full of worry. The Crown Prince’s voice echoed across the plaza.

“A terrible thing happened yesterday. Reina, daughter of House Regfield, and my brother Caesar have gone missing.”

Murmurs spread among the people.

“A search was conducted throughout the night, but we have not found them yet. However, we will not give up.”

The Crown Prince clenched his fist. His resolute voice instilled a sense of stability in the people.

“We will expand our search personnel. It doesn’t matter if they’re not from the Imperial Knights, Regfield Knights, or Hailboard Knights. We will also accept volunteers from anyone who wants to help. The hunting competition is suspended.”

The Crown Prince’s words continued.

“I will also join the search myself. We will not stop until we find Caesar Prince and Reina Regfield. Please, everyone, let us combine our strength. We must find those two people.”

The Crown Prince bowed his head. It was a sincere request.

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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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