I Like Another Man, Not the Male Lead - Chapter 6

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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 6

Caesar truly wasn’t visible to me. Until Caesar, who had eaten his fill, got up from his seat.

“I apologize for any discourtesy to both Hailboard Princesses. I will personally convey my gratitude to Young Duke Hailboard for the invitation. I should take my leave first. I’m already quite late as it is.”

“…Not at all. Then please take care. I won’t see you out.”

Selena spoke coldly. Seeing her speak in that tone… I kind of… somewhat understood why she was a villainess. She seemed to be merciless toward people she wasn’t close to.

Caesar then turned his gaze to me.

“…Lady Regfield. I apologize for my rudeness today.”

Caesar politely apologized to me. Actually, Caesar was a very rational character. If Reina hadn’t stalked him, he wouldn’t have treated me that way.

“There will be no more incidents where I trouble you with unnecessary misunderstandings.”

“Me too. There will absolutely be no incidents where I cause trouble for Your Highness. My brother as well.”

So let’s not even cross paths from now on. Of course, I knew that wouldn’t be easy. High society was small, and the gatherings that high nobles could attend were even fewer within that circle. Naturally, both Caesar and I moved in similar circles. It was practically impossible to avoid seeing each other’s faces.

It was just a promise that even if we passed by each other or were in the same space, we wouldn’t make each other uncomfortable.

Caesar looked at me with a strange expression before giving his final greeting and leaving.

I suppose… I should hurry up and go on blind dates, date, get engaged, and marry. Once I do that, there won’t be any reason for misunderstandings between us. I glanced at our Female Lead, Grace.

She seemed to have little interest in Caesar and me. She was just looking down at her plate, picking at her food.

She might be like that now, but once she gets involved with Caesar, things will change. There’s no need to get on the Female Lead’s bad side. And it’s awkward to be mentioned with the Male Lead too. Living quietly was best. To do that, I either needed to avoid getting involved with them as much as possible, or maintain good relationships. Since building a good relationship with Caesar was out of the question, I should at least cut ties cleanly. That’s what I thought.

While I was lost in these thoughts, Selena suddenly snapped at Grace.

“If you’re going to pick at your food like that, wouldn’t it be better not to eat at all? Why are you making everyone else lose their appetite too?”

What did you just say, Selena? This isn’t right. Whatever your intention, that tone will cause misunderstandings! Grace unconsciously dropped her fork, and seeing this, Selena let out a sigh. I shifted uncomfortably in my seat. It was as uncomfortable as when Caesar misunderstood me. I looked back and forth between the two.

I could see Grace mustering courage to speak carefully.

“…I’m sorry, Elder Sister. But I find these situations uncomfortable…”

However, Selena cut her off sharply.

“How long are you going to be uncomfortable? You’re a princess now. Even if you’re someone who doesn’t fit the position, shouldn’t you at least try? I’ve told you countless times that acting like this only damages the family’s dignity.”

Her voice was utterly cold. Tears began to well up in Grace’s clear eyes. I would cry too if I were her! Before my horrified eyes, Grace finally burst into tears. As Grace hung her head and sniffled, Selena snapped at her again.

“Crying at the dinner table… Really, what won’t you do. What kind of disgraceful behavior is this in front of a guest? Grace, can’t you stop crying right now?”

“…Selena, Elder Sister…”

“Elder Sister? While acting like that? Do you really have the qualifications to be a princess?”

Hiccup.

Just listening from the side made me feel breathless and my heart race. Selena, that’s not right. Scolding isn’t everything. I felt a heavy sense of duty to rescue Grace right here and now. This would also earn me points with Grace. I quickly opened my mouth to change the subject.

“Um, me! Selena! I’m done eating… I think I ate too much. I’d like to take a walk. How about you, Selena?”

“Ah, Reina…”

Selena called my name as if she just realized something.

Yes, I’m here. Please don’t forget about me.

“Would you like to come along too, Grace?”

Grace shook her head with tear-filled eyes. She wouldn’t be in the mood for a walk. She looked like she wanted to be alone. As Selena was about to snap again, I quickly intervened.

“Then Selena, let’s go just the two of us. I’d like to spend some time alone with you too!”

At my words, Selena nodded shyly. Grace ran away as if escaping, and I inwardly breathed a sigh of relief. I really thought I was going to get indigestion. I thought all the delicious food I ate was going to come back up.

I had roughly guessed from the descriptions in the original work, but seeing it directly was more brutal than I had imagined.

I quickly took Selena out for a walk.

“…Really. I’m sorry, Reina.”

What for? Making me almost choke?

“I don’t know what or how I should help Grace.”

From what I can see, just speaking kindly to her would probably be enough…

“She still seems to think this isn’t her home. She barely eats, doesn’t seem to sleep properly. And she doesn’t go out or spend the budget allocated to her. To enter high society, she’ll need dresses, jewelry, hats… There are so many things she’ll need, but what is she planning to do acting like that? Sigh, it’s really so frustrating.”

Selena muttered with a dejected expression. Seeing her face made me feel troubled too. Did she perhaps cast some curse with her words? Speaking like that would make Grace misunderstand…

It seemed like I was witnessing the true nature of the villainess Selena right now.

“I wish Grace could live more comfortably. There are so many things I wanted to do together with her…”

“…Don’t you resent Grace? Grace is…”

“I know what you’re trying to say, but don’t.”

Selena shook her head.

“That wasn’t Grace’s fault. And it wasn’t my fault either. I don’t think Grace needs to bear that burden. I simply gained a pretty younger sister, that child did nothing wrong.”

It was a firm and clear conclusion. Selena seemed to truly believe that.

Wow, really.

The original story got this wrong.

＊ ＊ ＊

Caesar Prince reflected on what had happened at Hailboard Estate today.

Especially about Reina.

She had screamed at the top of her lungs with a pale face.

‘You’re so damn annoying!’

Ha.

He had never heard such words in his life. Caesar Prince, who had grown up receiving strict education, had never been cursed at like that by anyone. Partly because he was a prince, but also because he was naturally well-mannered by birth.

Of course, Caesar Prince was in the wrong for suddenly cornering someone like that…

“Has she really changed?”

Suddenly, why?

Until now, Reina had been persistently bothersome. When Caesar Prince wouldn’t move according to her wishes, she would use Rochester Regfield. Within the Knight Order where hierarchy was strict, the order of entry became one’s rank. Social status had no meaning within the Knight Order.

This was because social status meant nothing on the battlefield.

What mattered there was experience, skill, and ability.

Rochester Regfield was three classes above Caesar Prince and was also renowned for his skills. Even Caesar Prince had come this far because he respected Rochester Regfield.

Rochester Regfield’s only weakness was Reina.

Rochester Regfield would grant his younger sister anything she wished for.

‘She’s been frail since childhood. She gets a fever just from crying. I became a knight to protect that child.’

The tragedy began when Rochester Regfield’s younger sister fell in love with Caesar Prince. The more Reina obsessed over Caesar Prince, the more Rochester Regfield rejected Caesar Prince, and the more Caesar Prince came to dislike Reina.

It was only natural to be hated by the senior I respected.

Reina had personally severed the relationship that had been repeating like a vicious cycle.

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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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