I Seducing the Black-Hearted Duke Wasn't Me - Chapter 59

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 59
Unfortunately, pride alone couldn’t carry us through something we’d come so far to face.
“Bianca.”
“Y-yes, but to that woman…… I…… Oh, Father!”
At the princess’s urging, Bianca fixed her gaze on Duke Blanche as though he were her last lifeline.
But the duke had already turned to ice, deliberately avoiding his daughter’s eyes.
At that callous dismissal, color flooded Bianca’s cheeks.
“I’m sorry to you as well, Lady Merciel.”
The words held an apology, yet her chin stayed stubbornly raised, eyes cast only downward in greeting.
She couldn’t possibly not understand that this very attitude would poison her further.
It was a declaration of will—that even if it meant damage to her own reputation, she would never bow her head to Isabel.
“She’s got nerve, honestly.”
“Look at her, won’t even apologize properly. Didn’t think she had it in her.”
Already, murmurs from the crowd were pointing out her conduct.
“Well, it seems there were simply misunderstandings on both sides. Since things appear to be wrapping up, I’ll be taking my leave…….”
“Your Grace.”
I quickly caught hold of the duke as he made to rise.
Where did he think he was going?
Those blue eyes turned to me in something like bewilderment. To him, I offered a slight smile and nodded.
Yes, that bewilderment was warranted.
‘I can’t let this opportunity slip away.’
“I believe Duke Blanche also owes me an apology, wouldn’t you say?”
“Marquis. Enough now. How far do you intend to take this…….”
“But didn’t Your Grace just say it himself? ‘Those of high station must above all cultivate the character to acknowledge their own faults.'”
At my reminder that he must answer for his own words, the duke’s jaw tightened visibly.
The glare in his eyes gradually faded, and then his tightly clenched mouth slowly opened.
“I apologize for misunderstanding you.”
“Yes. That’s fine.”
I nodded, and the duke drew a short breath before turning away.
With a typical excuse about urgent business, he quickly withdrew from the banquet hall.
Bianca, left behind alone, hurried after him and fled the hall in desperation.
And so the storm of a scene came to an end.
It was Princess Nadia who tidied up the remaining commotion.
“What are you all staring at?”
At the princess’s blunt words—spoken with no concern for propriety whatsoever—the crowd flinched, then quickly dispersed in embarrassment.
They scattered like autumn leaves caught on the wind.
Only then could I breathe a little easier.
“Really. That foolish woman. All vanity and empty pride.”
“Your Highness.”
“At least it wasn’t too late. We nearly had a situation with the marquis that couldn’t be mended at all.”
Princess Nadia clicked her tongue at the fortunate turn of events.
Her eyes lingered on the spot where Duke Blanche and his daughter had stood just moments before, her expression radiating irritation at even the memory.
“Thank you for your help, Your Highness.”
“Don’t mention it. We share some blame in this too. I didn’t expect that woman to be running about causing such trouble.”
The princess spoke with palpable displeasure.
“As you’ve probably gathered, I don’t care much for Bianca. And in all of Roman, the only one who might actually like that woman is probably my youngest brother.”
The princess explained how Bianca was regarded even in the Royal House as a thorn in the side.
“She carried herself as if she were a queen, and once really blundered because of it. Lost the king’s favor. A crown princess who dared to disrespect the queen consort.”
“Ah, yes…….”
At the princess’s sudden sharp criticism, I exchanged glances with Isabel before nodding along.
“Does this kind of talk make you uncomfortable? Well, doesn’t matter either way. Honestly, this whole thing was just an excuse. I’d been waiting for a proper chance to teach her a lesson, so when this came up, I thought it was perfect timing.”
So the excess had a reason after all.
A foreign-born crown princess who leveraged the royal name in foreign trade deals.
And since there were aspects that ran counter to national interest, the charges could easily be inflated.
“She’s audacious. Frankly, even though I’m a royal princess, what’s the Roman kingdom compared to the Orden Empire? Getting treated as royalty here is something to be grateful for.”
“Surely there’s no need to put it that way…….”
“It’s fine. I’m not ignorant of what I know. The fact that we still maintain our status as a kingdom is entirely due to the empire’s consideration. If Orden had decided to swallow up Roman back during that conquest war centuries ago, we’d have been long extinct.”
Wow, she’s fierce.
The conversation was so sharp it made my ears ring, and my mind spun.
Isabel too seemed uncertain how to respond, rolling her wide eyes helplessly at a loss.
“I’ll say this upfront: I don’t want to be at odds with the Duke. Rather, I’d prefer to maintain a friendly relationship.”
“Because I’ve become connected to the Imperial House?”
“Isn’t that obvious? Zaherette’s influence is already considerable, and now the Imperial House stands behind him on top of that? And there’s also the Emperor’s betrothed here present.”
The princess fixed her gaze upon Isabel, as if she were the very future Empress of the realm.
She appraised Isabel with that peculiar, emotionless gaze of hers—measuring her as one might measure cloth—before extending her hand.
“I look forward to our continued friendship. The Roman Royal House wishes to maintain the same peaceful relations with Zaherette and Merciel that we have always enjoyed.”
The princess’s expression softened considerably as she spoke of their future accord.
Isabel and I shook hands with her in turn.
“Well then, I should be going. I’ve accomplished my purpose here, and I’m afraid my schedule is rather tight with the hurried journey.”
The princess turned to leave without hesitation, but then suddenly looked back at me.
“I do hope the Duke might show some leniency regarding the Loar Tea matter. And I’d like for our trade to continue. I’ve come to find that I simply cannot drink anything else now.”
“Thank you. I’ll make sure to pay closer attention to the matter.”
“Good. If you find the time later, come visit Roman together. It may not compare to this place, but there’s plenty to see and do.”
“Yes, yes! We’ll definitely visit!”
Isabel responded with such vigor that Princess Nadia smiled and nodded in approval.
And with that, she departed swiftly.
It’s truly over now, isn’t it?
‘My, what a relief. I feel completely drained.’
I was utterly exhausted.
“Phew. Thank goodness. I nearly collapsed halfway through—my legs were about to give out. Are you all right, Erna?”
“Not really. To be honest, my vision blurred in the middle too. Things kept spiraling in ways I never anticipated.”
I quickly shook my head at Isabel’s concerned question.
I was sorry, but I’d thought I might die as well. I’d never been comfortable in High Society to begin with, and I’d come dangerously close to public humiliation at what was meant to be an important Engagement Ceremony bearing my own name.
“Besides, Bianca wasn’t entirely wrong about what she said. After all, it was a fact that I cut off trade with her in a fit of anger first.”
“But that was only because you got angry on my behalf, Erna!”
“That’s right. I was fed up with Bianca Lowell’s attitude.”
At my response, Isabel—who had been desperately defending me, insisting I’d done nothing wrong and that all the fault lay with Bianca—let out a small laugh.
Somehow, my mood felt strange.
Oddly enough, I kept breaking into a smile myself.
At the same time, I felt released from the discomfort and awkwardness that had plagued me throughout.
“I’d been so consumed with the thought that I mustn’t make a single mistake. But now that it’s done, I find myself thinking: let come what may.”
“I’m the same. With the tension gone, I suddenly feel quite hungry.”
“Shall we slip away quietly and grab something to eat, just the two of us?”
“That’s a wonderful idea!”
With our farewells complete, we carefully skirted past the approaching guests and made our way to the Rest Area adjoining one corner of the Banquet Hall.
As it was meant for brief respite, a small round table and a few chairs occupied the space, with curtains drawn to obscure the view from outside.
We tucked ourselves into the innermost seat, well out of sight.
“No one will see us here, will they?”
“Perfect.”
Though the table was rather small and forced us to make do with limited space, once we’d arranged the Champagne, Cake, Cookies, and other simple provisions we’d brought, it felt exactly like we’d stumbled upon a secret picnic.
We passed the time in easy conversation, savoring this moment together.
It was so comfortable and joyful that we didn’t even notice someone slip in behind us.
“What in the world…… are you two doing here?”
Gasp!

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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