I Like Another Man, Not the Male Lead - Chapter 59

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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 59

Before returning to the pavilion, my eyes met with Caesar’s. He was also surrounded by people as he entered the pavilion.

The most intense memory from those three days in the cave slowly crept up.

‘I-I’m cold.’

At night, it was really cold enough to turn my lips blue. I lost my composure and complained about the cold. Unlike me, Caesar didn’t seem particularly cold. I’d heard that Sword Masters could maintain their body temperature with aura and weren’t affected by ordinary cold, but I never thought I’d witness it firsthand.

Caesar was flustered when I said I was cold.

‘How much, no. What should I do for you, no. Please tell me what you need, Reina.’

Even huddled in front of the campfire, I was cold, so what could we do in there? My gaze fixed on Caesar, who looked as warm as a heat pack. Caesar stared at me in confusion as I gazed at him blankly.

‘When it’s cold… they say to stay close to each other.’

I just threw out those words and sat right next to Caesar.

That wasn’t enough, so it didn’t take long before I burrowed into Caesar’s embrace. Once I was in Caesar’s arms, I quickly warmed up. That’s how we spent the endless nights of being stranded. Until just before we heard the search team’s voices today, we stayed close sharing body heat. At the time, survival was important so I didn’t think much of it, but thinking about it now, it was a bit embarrassing.

“Ahem.”

It seemed Caesar felt the same way. Caesar turned his head. I could see his ears were bright red. I quickly turned my head too. At this rate, both our marriage prospects would be ruined.

＊ ＊ ＊

For now, I focused on spending time with my family and recovering. There was no way a noble young lady’s body, having survived three days in the wilderness without any preparation, would have the strength left to return home. I followed the doctor’s recommendation to rest at the pavilion until my strength returned.

I was glad I did. As soon as I returned to the pavilion, I really couldn’t move at all.

The day my body recovered enough to move and I left the pavilion. I could notice the way people looked at me. Even while everyone was busy preparing to return, they didn’t forget to pay attention to me.

“But really… she didn’t do it on purpose, did she?”

“That’s what I’m saying. Isn’t the timing too convenient?”

“Alone with Caesar Prince. And why is the Regfield young lady so fine? Only Caesar Prince got hurt.”

“Did you hear? They say the Regfield young lady deliberately entered the forest.”

“To get Caesar Prince’s attention?”

“It worked. His Highness went to rescue her personally.”

What are they all chattering about now? Why aren’t they going home and lingering here instead?

At first, I thought I had misheard. But the way people looked at me was strange. Rather than joy, it was more like interest? And blatant criticism followed.

It seems I returned quite spectacularly. Bringing all sorts of rumors with me.

I think I need to properly understand what this is about.

“Excuse me.”

I called out to one of the young ladies nearby.

“What did you just say? What did I supposedly do on purpose?”

The Young Lady turned around with a flustered expression. Her eyes pleaded for rescue from the people around her, but those who had been huddled together gossiping all turned away from her. After all, people who band together to badmouth others become strangers once they’re caught.

“Ah, well… that is…”

Seeing her obviously guilty demeanor, my voice naturally turned cold.

“What story, I asked.”

The Young Lady looked troubled. But another Young Lady interjected.

“Wouldn’t you know better than anyone, Reina Regfield?”

That Young Lady’s voice was laced with thorns.

“You deliberately went to a dangerous place to catch Caesar Prince’s attention. We were just talking about that, so did you really need to corner us like this?”

“What kind of ridiculous…”

I couldn’t finish my sentence at such unexpected nonsense. Were they seriously spouting this as if it made sense?

“There’s even a witness.”

Another Young Lady spoke up.

“Someone who saw Reina Regfield walking into the forest alone, perfectly fine.”

My face twisted horribly. It was true that I had walked in by myself. But it wasn’t by my own will.

“Who… who said such a thing?”

The Young Ladies looked at each other. Then they pointed to one spot. Anna Chase. The Young Lady who had fought with Selena.

I let out a bitter laugh. Anna was standing at a distance, watching this way. Her cheek was still red and swollen.

I walked toward Anna. People made way for me. They all seemed to find this entertaining.

“Lady Chase.”

I stood before Anna.

“Did you say such things?”

Anna didn’t answer. She just stared at me intently. I could see some inexplicable stubbornness in her face.

“That I deliberately entered the forest? To catch Caesar Prince’s attention? Is that what you said?”

“…Isn’t that right?”

Anna spoke back as if challenging me.

“Reina Regfield is that kind of person. Everyone knows it.”

The surroundings grew quiet. Everyone was watching the two of us.

“This time was the same thing, wasn’t it?”

“Lady Chase!”

Selena, who had come to my side, tried to intervene, but I raised my hand to stop her.

“It’s fine, Selena.”

I looked straight at Anna. Anna flinched and turned her head away.

“You said you saw me?”

“Yes. I saw you. During the Imperial Consort’s tea party, you were staggering alone into the forest.”

“You said I was staggering?”

I asked quietly.

“Yes.”

“Then I wasn’t in a normal state, was I?”

Anna’s expression changed subtly.

“You must have been drinking. Anyway.”

“I’ve never drunk alcohol. Caesar Prince and Lord Hailboard will testify that I didn’t drink. How could the knights not recognize a drunk person?”

My voice was calm. If I pressed further here, I felt I could hear from Anna what had happened to me. Whether Caesar and I had guessed correctly.

‘I’m sorry that I seem to be the cause of confusing you, and perhaps even of you being here.’

Those words indirectly pointed to the Empress as the culprit who put medicine in my tea cup. I thought I should just end it as speculation, but conveniently there was a witness. This is a good opportunity. What Anna saw must have been me intoxicated by the medicine. The medicine that would have disappeared from my system by now.

“But even after seeing that strange state… why didn’t you stop me? No matter how much you dislike me, couldn’t you have at least called someone out of moral duty? Or was there some reason you couldn’t call anyone?”

Anna closed her mouth. I think I know without hearing it. There was no unavoidable reason. I let out a sigh. It seemed there was no information I could get from Anna.

Still, I could prove that I hadn’t drunk any beverage other than the tea the Empress gave me. Everyone who was there saw me next to the Empress.

“…From now on, only say things you can take responsibility for. When you can’t even answer properly. This story seems disadvantageous for you too, Young Lady, when it comes out properly. Don’t you think?”

I could see Anna biting her lips nervously. I didn’t want to deal with her anymore either. It only made me feel bad and was useless. I turned away from Anna.

“She was jealous, they say.”

Selena told me from the side.

“So you don’t need to worry about it anymore, Reina. The rumors… will spread a bit. But that’s not what’s important.”

I nodded. Selena was right. What did it matter what people who didn’t know me said? The problem was those who would try to exploit this. Because there are those who use even small and trivial things as weapons.

Suddenly, Viviana Imperial Consort’s face flashed through my mind.

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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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