The Obsessive Male Lead Is Obsessed With Me! - Chapter 108

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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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Episode 108

“…What do you intend to do by summoning him?”

“What else? I need to ask if the Second Prince truly wishes to go against my will, abandon the Imperial surname, and become an adopted son-in-law of the Roheim family.”

Duke Roheim made a troubled expression at this. He quickly managed his expression as if realizing his mistake, but everyone present witnessed the dismay he had revealed.

Not missing that moment, someone raised their voice.

“Come to think of it, that’s right. This is a matter between two families, but in reality, isn’t it also a matter between two individuals?”

“Exactly. Marriage is something that should be accomplished when two people’s hearts are in agreement.”

“If the Second Prince’s will is also firm… In fact, what is there for us to oppose or approve?”

The fact that Cecilia liked Lionel to the point of obsession was too well known.

Of course, there seemed to be rumors circulating that Lionel also liked Cecilia… Well.

‘Even if that were true, it wouldn’t be to the extent of going against the Former Empress’s wishes.’

Everyone thought so.

There wasn’t a single person who didn’t know that Lionel had been obedient to the Empress and Cayen his entire life.

Duke Roheim seemed to think the same, as he retorted with an indignant face.

“This is unfair. What will you do about the contract made between the Imperial Family and Roheim!”

“That’s why I’m saying we should call the person in question. If the person’s will is also firm, then we’ll allow the engagement to proceed.”

The Former Empress quickly looked around the assembly before Duke Roheim could continue speaking.

“Anyone with objections?”

“I agree.”

“So do I.”

The Former Empress’s people quickly came forward in agreement. Since their number exceeded almost half, Duke Roheim had no choice but to nod with an indignant face.

“…You must not forget your words that if the Second Prince’s will is firm, you’ll proceed with the marriage as planned.”

“Of course. Guards! Summon the Second Prince here immediately!”

Thus, about an hour later, Lionel was summoned to the meeting hall.

For someone suspected of being kidnapped, he had eaten and slept well, with his skin glowing smoothly.

He was even well-groomed from head to toe. Even before, he had always carried himself with the bearing of a noble and handsome prince wherever he went, but now he looked much more dignified and dazzling than before.

This was somewhat different from the matter of how expensive the clothes he was wearing were.

Lionel, who wasn’t particularly extravagant by nature, had left the management of the Prince’s Palace budget to the Maid Manager, and the Maid Manager had made clothes that were just enough to not diminish the Prince’s dignity for Lionel to wear.

In short, the difference between Lionel then and Lionel now was whether the person beside him felt a sense of duty toward him or affection.

The expressions of several nobles who noticed this became strange. They were people who had believed that Duke Roheim truly had other intentions when he took custody of Lionel.

But seeing that radiant appearance…

‘At least it doesn’t seem like he’s being used as a political tool?’

‘Rather, more than when he was in the Imperial Palace…’

Whether he knew that some people were having such thoughts or not, the Former Empress spoke to Lionel with a stern face.

“Lionel von Altehaide. Do you know why you’ve been summoned here?”

“I do not.”

This was the place where he had been called the prospective Crown Prince, occupied the seat right next to the Former Emperor, sometimes received everyone’s praise for his opinions, and cast meaningful votes when majority decisions were needed.

However, as if all of that now had nothing to do with him, Lionel maintained a calm expression while simply standing without even a chair for his position.

‘In a way, the Former Empress certainly did a thorough job with his education.’

‘In the end, it will conclude according to the Former Empress’s intentions.’

Amid some people’s quiet sighs, the Former Empress’s next words continued.

“Where are you currently staying?”

“At the Roheim Duchy.”

“Right. You, who received orders to take refuge in the temple, are staying there. I’ll ask directly. Lionel, are you confined there against your will?”

Not ‘are you confined,’ but ‘you are confined, aren’t you.’

It was a question that made it all too clear what answer the Former Empress wanted.

Everyone’s gaze turned toward Lionel’s mouth. Yet most of them thought that the answer ‘yes’ would come from his lips.

“No.”

Yes, just like that…

“What?”

A question burst from someone’s surprised lips, and as if startled by their own voice, they quickly covered their mouth.

But no one gave them a glance. They couldn’t. Even the Former Empress.

She was looking at Lionel not just with surprise, but with shock, as if she had never once considered the possibility that Lionel might go against her will.

“What, what did you say? No?”

“Yes. My staying at the Roheim Duchy is entirely my own will.”

“The temple, the order to take refuge… I gave you…”

Just how shocked she was, the Former Empress stammered and couldn’t properly complete her sentences. Before her, Lionel answered calmly.

“Since you haven’t paid the penalty for breaking the engagement contract, I understood that you have no intention of canceling our engagement.”

“What…”

“Am I mistaken?”

Lionel’s straightforward gaze turned toward the Former Empress.

So what he was saying was this:

‘Will you pay the penalty to the Roheim family?’

Given that he mentioned the word penalty, he must know exactly what amount that sum was.

Yet to ask if she intended to pay that money, this was undoubtedly mocking the Former Empress, telling her to keep quiet if she had no money!

If not others, at least the Former Empress took it that way.

While she turned red-faced and couldn’t say anything, Count Keller drew people’s attention to himself with a light cough.

“Your Highness. May I ask you one question?”

Lionel’s gaze turned toward Count Keller. He said nothing, but Count Keller took his silence as an affirmative answer.

“Certainly, Your Highness is engaged to the Roheim Duke’s daughter. But you haven’t held the wedding ceremony yet. Is that correct?”

“What is your intention in asking such a question?”

The person who interrupted was Duke Roheim. Count Keller spoke in a persuasive voice to him, who was full of displeasure.

“Duke Roheim, this is also a question for your daughter’s sake. For two unmarried people to live under the same roof without even holding a proper wedding ceremony. That fact alone might give shameless scoundrels cause to tarnish the honor of a noble lady.”

“That shameless scoundrel must be referring to you!”

“Absolutely not. I believe in the purity of the Second Prince and the Duke’s daughter. Therefore, I would like to make a proposal to the Second Prince.”

While those around restrained Duke Roheim, who looked ready to throw a punch at Count Keller’s face if left alone, Count Keller asked Lionel.

“For the Duke’s daughter’s honor as well, how about returning to the Imperial Palace for now?”

Indeed, at this moment everyone finally understood Count Keller’s intention.

Anyway, once Lionel returned to the Imperial Palace, sending him to the temple would be as easy as eating cold soup.

They even had sufficient justification.

The Lionel they knew wouldn’t refuse this proposal. If it was to protect a lady’s honor, especially his fiancée’s.

“Ahem, certainly that’s true. A lady’s honor is more important than anything.”

“If Your Highness is truly staying at the Roheim Duchy of your own will, there’s actually no reason for you to remain there, is there?”

“There is.”

“There… Yes? There is?”

Whether people had dumbfounded faces or not, Lionel just said what he had to say with a calm expression.

“Groom lessons.”

“G-groom lessons?”

“What kind of nonsense is that! You’re a prince, and you’re talking about groom lessons!”

The Former Empress belatedly retorted.

Lionel met her eyes and continued speaking without a moment’s hesitation.

“Since my fiancée, who was supposed to enter the Imperial Family, received bride lessons at the Imperial Palace, isn’t it reasonable for me, who will become an adopted son-in-law, to receive groom lessons at the duchy?”

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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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