I Like Another Man, Not the Male Lead - Chapter 58

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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 58

Selena looked around one last time as she spoke.

“Don’t ever speak carelessly about Reina again. If you do that again….”

Selena’s eyes glinted coldly.

“I won’t stand for it. The same goes for all of you. If you damage Reina’s dignity with useless words, I won’t let it slide. Remember that.”

Grace also stood up to follow. The two left the tent. Many gazes followed them afterward. The remaining Young Ladies looked at each other awkwardly. Anna covered her cheek and slumped down. Tears burst forth.

And despite Selena’s warning, the events of that day created many rumors.

＊ ＊ ＊

After that day, strange rumors began to spread.

“Reina Regfield deliberately entered the forest.”

“To catch Caesar Prince’s attention?”

“So His Highness went to rescue her and….”

“How terrible. To go that far.”

The rumors spread like wildfire. And they gradually grew bigger and began to be embellished more entertainingly. People would gather and spend time badmouthing Reina.

“She was always obsessive anyway.”

“Eight years was quite something. Doesn’t she get tired of it?”

“This time is the same thing.”

People whispered.

Reina had transformed into someone who stalked Caesar Prince for eight years, and now had even risked her life to gain his attention.

Thus Reina’s image was falling to rock bottom. Even in the moment when she was missing and her life or death was unknown. Rumors were faster than truth, and more cruel. Her family was focusing all their attention on finding Reina, and rumors infiltrated that gap. Becoming an even sharper knife.

＊ ＊ ＊

Caesar Prince and Reina were discovered on what was scheduled to be the last day of the hunting competition.

People had devoted themselves to the search, but there had been no results during that time. Hope was gradually disappearing. People began saying that the two might be dead by now.

‘That can’t be.’

Rochester looked around the riverside. They would be somewhere here. That’s when it happened.

“Rochester!”

An urgent shout was heard. It was Matthias.

Matthias had been a good friend and colleague to Rochester for the past three days. Their thoughts about each other, which had only been superficial until now, changed to understanding through interaction. Matthias was a sincere person. Though he was absorbed in swordsmanship, that too was merely aligned with Matthias’s disposition and different from fanatic devotion. The need to broaden Matthias’s perspective remained unchanged, but it was a big change in Rochester’s perception.

Rochester hadn’t slept properly for three days. His beard was unkempt, and his eyes were bloodshot. But he couldn’t stop.

“What’s wrong!”

Rochester ran toward where the voice had shouted. Matthias had found a cave among the reeds on the riverbank. Though it was on the other side, it was large enough for a person to enter.

“Over there… there’s someone over there! Isn’t that a person?”

Rochester’s heart felt like it stopped.

Two people were walking out from inside the cave. A silver-haired man and a woman in a sky blue dress. It was definitely the missing Caesar and Reina. Reina was supporting Caesar. Only now did he understand why there had been no trace of them for three days.

Since Caesar had injured his leg, movement would have been impossible. Reina was a target and could be in danger, so she couldn’t have come out alone to send a rescue signal. They could only wait for the rescue team to find them.

A corner of Rochester’s mind was making such judgments, but none of that mattered at all. The only thing that mattered was Reina.

“Reina!”

Rochester’s cry filled the forest.

He ran like a madman. In an instant, he reached Reina. And he embraced her tightly. Reina stepped back with a surprised face.

“Reina… Reina!”

Rochester’s voice, his trained massive body was trembling.

Reina smiled faintly and placed her hand on his back. Reina’s hand also trembled with relief. As expected, he hadn’t given up on Reina and had been searching for her. Rochester murmured.

“You’re alive… Really… you’re alive…”

“Brother…”

Reina also embraced Rochester. Reina said while sniffling.

“Were you worried?”

“Of course!”

Rochester pulled Reina away to examine her carefully. Her face was pale, her clothes were torn and dirty, but she didn’t seem to be injured anywhere.

“Are you hurt anywhere? Do you have any pain?”

“I’m fine, Brother. But Caesar Prince is injured.”

Reina smiled. It was a tired smile but looked bright. Reina wiped away her tears and looked back at Caesar.

Caesar was already being supported by his fellow knights. Rochester looked back at Caesar.

“Your Highness.”

“Lord Regfield.”

Caesar nodded his head.

“I have safely protected Lady Regfield.”

“Thank you.”

Rochester bowed his head deeply. It was the moment when the one-sided hostility that had existed between Rochester and Caesar completely melted away. Caesar had become Rochester’s benefactor.

“For saving Reina… I sincerely thank you.”

Caesar glanced at Reina. Reina also looked at Caesar. Their eyes met and a strange atmosphere flowed between the two.

For the past three days, they had stayed alone together in one cave. Hunger, boredom, fear. They had shared everything.

Reina swallowed and turned her head. Somehow Caesar seemed to look different. She could see things that Reina hadn’t seen before.

Rochester didn’t miss the subtle change in feelings between the man and woman.

‘Something… has changed.’

Something that hadn’t existed between Reina and Caesar before had been created. He didn’t know exactly what it was though.

“Let’s go back for now. Everyone is waiting.”

Rochester supported Reina.

＊ ＊ ＊

When they arrived at the pavilion, news of their rescue had already spread.

“The Regfield young lady has returned. Fortunately, she’s safe.”

“I heard His Highness Caesar was injured a little.”

Duke and Duchess Regfield were the first to rush over.

“Reina!”

The Duchess pulled her daughter into her arms. Then she burst into tears. She could finally breathe in the warmth that filled her embrace. All this time, the Duchess had been living under a collapsed sky. It felt like being thrown straight into hell. The Duchess kept stroking Reina’s back.

“Really… what a relief…”

“Mother…”

Reina also embraced her mother and burst into tears. The tears she thought she had completely shed in the cave flowed endlessly.

The Duke also approached and stroked his daughter’s head. Tears were welling up in his eyes too.

“Welcome back, Reina. Our daughter.”

“Father…”

It wasn’t just them. Those who had been desperately waiting for Reina came running.

“Reina!”

Selena and Grace came running. Both their faces were a mess. It seemed they hadn’t eaten or slept properly for three days.

“Reina… is it really you?”

Selena touched Reina with trembling hands. As if confirming she wasn’t a mirage.

“Yes, it’s me. I’ve returned.”

Selena pulled Reina into a tight embrace. Selena burst into tears, unlike her usual self. She had thought she might lose Reina. She had been afraid every moment that she might hear news of a body being found, or worse, that Matthias might say they couldn’t even find that and could only assume she was dead based on mere traces. That fear was now gone. She was truly happy that Reina had returned alive.

“I’m sorry. For making you worry.”

“Never… never do this again, Reina.”

Selena murmured in a trembling voice. Reina nodded repeatedly.

Everyone was watching this scene. These were the people who hadn’t returned home yet and were still staying at the hunting grounds. Their eyes sparkled as they searched for new gossip.

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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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