Male Lead Is Obsessed With My Health - Chapter 305

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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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305
Episode

For a moment, silence descended upon the main hall.
‘What… did she just say?’
Murmurs rippled through the crowd.
Gasps erupted in a chaotic chorus, then faded back to hushed whispers.
Since nothing had been agreed upon beforehand, everyone but Empress Azeni turned to stare at her in shock.
Even Emperor Edward himself!
“…….”
Valere narrowed his eyes, glaring at Empress Azeni as though asking what on earth she was doing.
The Empress met his gaze and smiled brightly.
She had declared it so openly precisely because she knew Valere would never consent otherwise.
The Grand Duke of Halbern, sensing the Empress’s true intent, sent her a look of open hostility—but Azeni did not retreat an inch and continued.
“Arelin, you understand as well as I do that I share a deep bond with your mother. The grace she bestowed upon me knows no end.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“I wish to repay that kindness to you.”
In truth, from the moment Arelin had descended the stairs, Empress Azeni had been overwhelmed—so much so that she could not remain seated.
How was it possible?
How could she bear such an uncanny resemblance to Sione?
For a moment, she thought it was Sione herself coming down.
And with that thought came the memory of Sione’s legendary debutante ball—Sione, who had captivated not only the imperial family but all of high society.
‘How I wish you had been here.’
Having been friends since birth, Empress Azeni prided herself on knowing Sione better than anyone in the world—even better than her own brother, Valere. She could easily imagine what Sione would have been like had she lived.
Sione, who had loved even her younger brother so fiercely—how much more would she have loved Arelin?
A profound longing welled up.
An acute yearning for Sione and an affection of unmeasurable depth stirred within her.
Emotions she had forcibly suppressed and deliberately ignored finally broke through like a dam bursting.
‘I don’t want to regret anything more.’
Azeni traced the contours of her own unhealed regret. So many instances of remorse she had felt every time she lost Sione and realized the void she left behind.
She should have helped Sione.
Even if Sione had become her misfortune, even if she herself had fallen into the depths of hell—that was what she should have done. This belated regret remained a knot in the chest of Azeni, who lived what everyone could see was a perfect life.
Memories would strike her unexpectedly as she went about ordinary days, causing her pain, and there were moments when being alive while Sione was not felt like a sin.
Guilt for her own happiness felt like a crime.
“So…….”
Empress Azeni severed the hesitation that had tormented her.
Whatever it took, however it could be managed—she wanted to do something for this girl.
This was not presumption on her part to stand in for Sione, nor was it an attempt to use Arelin as a substitute for her lost friend.
She simply wished to cherish the last trace Sione had left in this world.
Because she was precious to Azeni as well.
“Would you not grant me this opportunity?”
At the earnest, yearning note in Empress Azeni’s voice, Arelin—who had expected the Empress to push forward unrelentingly—blinked rapidly.
“I… yes.”
A strange tension gripped the great hall, and all eyes held their breath, waiting for Arelin’s answer.
Arelin felt the weight of the moment and glanced sideways at Valere.
Though he wore an expression of disapproval, he nodded as if to say she should do as she wished.
And this was Arelin’s reply:
“I look forward to your guidance, Your Majesty.”

* * *

After Empress Azeni’s bombshell declaration had caused a momentary pause, the event proceeded as smoothly as water flowing downhill.
Arelin’s next were Caroline Muon Gremwart, daughter of the Gremwart Ducal House’s second son, and Thomas Muon Gremwart, son of the third son.
“…exploring uncharted lands and bringing glory to Albrecht, the Gremwart….”
Though they were children of the Five Great Duchy Houses and certainly deserving of interest, the guests’ attention remained fixed on Arelin.
The same was true of Grace, wife of House of Sperom, seated at the head table.
“For Her Majesty to take a Chaperon’s role……!”
“My heart still hasn’t settled.”
Duchess Idicels said, placing a hand over her chest.
“What an incredible moment to witness. I’m so glad I attended the party today.”
Julia Mubisk was equally fascinated.
The only person at this table wearing a sour expression was Mehren.
“Did the Duke know something beforehand?”
Julia asked with sparkling eyes, and Mehren shook his head.
“Her Majesty gave me no prior indication…….”
Though he could hazard a guess.
Traditionally, a debutante would have her mother, a godmother, or a married elder relative serve as her Chaperon.
Mehren had initially asked the Gremwart Duchess, a prominent figure in high society, to serve as Arelin’s godmother, but had cancelled at Empress Azeni’s insistence.
‘So that was why.’
Mehren marveled at the Empress’s foresight.
Having publicly declared it like this, even Valere couldn’t take it back even if he wanted to!
“The Duke seems rather troubled.”
Duchess Idicels laughed, observing Mehren’s expression.
“After all, they say Arelin follows after her mother. You’ve got competition now~.”
“Still, you’re on good terms with Her Majesty, aren’t you?”
The Duchess of House Sperom and Julia Mubisk chimed in together.
“Honestly, who could possibly refuse you? Everyone adores you.”
“Who could dislike you? Even my husband has been rumored to be courting you for twenty years. Of course I welcome it too, Duke Mehren.”
“Haha…….”
“So naturally Her Majesty would want to look good to you as well. Hehe, just look at where she’s seated you.”
“True, absolutely true.”
The three women chattered away in conspiratorial tones. Under their avalanche of praise, Mehren’s expression grew inscrutable.
Though Empress Azeni and these three noblewomen all showed him attention, affection, and unmeasured regard, Mehren felt a subtle distance between himself and them.
He was grateful for their kindness and trusted them, but no deeper feeling arose.
Some observers noted this perceptiveness and restraint and liked him all the more for it—yet…….
In truth, Mehren’s reserve had nothing to do with reading the room.
He had spent over thirty years as a member of the aristocratic world, and still he did not feel he belonged to it—not in his bones.
‘What intent lies beneath that smile? How do they see me and Arelin? As useful? As convenient cards to play?’
This vigilance and suspicion were attitudes he had learned by lingering long in this world.
No matter how intimately the nobles approached him, no matter how long he exchanged with them, he could only think that they were fundamentally different from him at their core.
There were only two nobles who existed outside that boundary.
Valere, bound to him by a bitter enmity that had hardened into fate, and Arelin, whom he had raised with his own hands.
Perhaps it was this very thing that kept Mehren in Halbern, unmoved by countless overtures of affection.
“Idicels is fortunate. All your children are married. What will we do about our twins? Even when we arrange a betrothed, they refuse.”
“We set our betrothals before birth due to our family tradition. Still, our eldest should be returning soon. We’ll need to address the succession question.”
“Is it already that time?”
“Now that you mention it, there’s another house being troubled by succession matters.”
Mehren decided it was time to excuse himself. He had seen all he needed to see.
“Forgive me for interrupting, but I shall take my leave now.”
“Already?”
“Stay a bit longer.”
“True, we were hoping to monopolize you for once~.”
At the note of reluctance in their voices, Mehren offered a warm smile.
“I should see to the young lady.”
“Oh.”
The three noblewomen had noticed that Mehren’s gaze had not left Arelin since her entrance.
They had pretended not to notice, hoping to keep him a while longer.
Now they let him go with expressions of disappointment.
“Look at him, he can’t take his eyes off her.”
“How charming she must be.”
“Well, he raised her himself, so naturally.”
The three noblewomen smiled in unison at the sight of Valere, Arelin, and Mehren together, looking like one family.
It was a pleasing picture indeed.

* * *

“Your first dance must be with father. Absolutely.”
The moment Mehren approached Arelin, he found Valere clinging to her, making a spectacle of himself.
“Do you understand? You’re to dance your first dance with me, no exceptions.”
Once all the young lords and ladies had completed their First Presentations, the debutantes and debutants began their First Dance.
Mehren’s eyes grew weary as he watched Valere project the fierce determination that he would yield this moment to no one else.
‘……?’
Mehren noticed that Arelin’s expression was somehow different and raised an eyebrow.
‘What is this?’
Valere hadn’t noticed yet, but that was the look Arelin wore when she was in an awkward position.
Just as Mehren sensed something amiss and stroked his chin in thought, the Regent Duke Ludwig, who had approached unnoticed, patted his shoulder.
And in the direction he indicated—
there stood Crown Prince Fession, whose commanding presence was so overwhelming that no other young lord present could come close to it.
“Miss of Halbern.”
Fession drew near with a smile so gentle it seemed to melt, and extended his hand.
“Might I request your First Dance?”

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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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