The Obsessive Male Lead Is Obsessed With Me! - 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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Episode 6

“Right now, they’re preparing bridal lessons at the Empress’s Palace.”

“Bridal lessons? What bridal lessons? …Don’t tell me it’s for me?”

“Well, who else would it be for besides you?”

“There was no mention of that yesterday. Why so suddenly? …It’s not because I acted rudely yesterday, is it?”

“Of course not. Even in noble families, it’s common practice for daughters-in-law or sons-in-law to receive bridal or groom lessons when joining the family. Since this is the Imperial Palace, they’ll probably conduct it even more strictly.”

“I see…”

Sister and brother weren’t even engaged yet, so they didn’t know much about that part.

‘Bridal lessons, huh. I’m a bit worried.’

“Sister, what exactly do you learn in bridal lessons? Since it’s at the Imperial Palace, it seems like it would be something special.”

“Well, I don’t know exactly either, but…”

Despite saying that, Sister began counting on her fingers and listing what lessons I would likely receive.

“First, the basics would be Imperial etiquette. Then you’d learn about the Empire’s and Imperial Family’s history, how to manage the Office of the Imperial Consort and oversee the entire Imperial Palace household. To dominate high society, you’d need to memorize the entire nobility directory, plus artistic culture to develop refined taste, and essential foreign languages for diplomacy…”

“…I want to call off this engagement!”

Sister laughed out loud as if she knew I’d say that and lightly pinched my cheek.

“Is that even possible at this point?”

“Can’t you run away with me?”

“No. Sister is an Imperial Knight, so if anything, I’d be on the side catching the Prince’s runaway fiancée.”

“Waaah.”

Of course, even though she said this, if I really ran away, Sister would help me. That’s why I couldn’t joke about running away together anymore.

“There’s no choice. Since it’s come to this, I’ll work so hard that rumors will spread about me being an Empress sent by the gods!”

If you can’t avoid it, enjoy it! was also my life motto, but…

‘I needed to check on Lionel’s condition periodically anyway.’

Having an excuse to enter the Imperial Palace was actually convenient.

Besides, it’s not that I can’t study—I’m actually quite smart!

‘Bridal lessons? I’ll clear them with ease!’

* * *

“My goodness, perfect! Your posture, pronunciation, gaze control, and walking—all flawless. You must have learned from the Duchess of Roheim, correct? With her teaching you, what more could I possibly add? I shall take my leave now.”

“Your writing skills and vocabulary are exceptional. Moreover, your knowledge of history is impressive… Ah, of course! You must have been influenced by the Young Duke of Roheim. I heard he was called a genius during his Academy days—blood truly doesn’t lie.”

“Your harp playing was already professional level, but to think your artistic skills are this outstanding as well… I look forward to the future Empire that you and the Second Prince will lead together.”

“Hoho, you flatter me.”

The teachers the Empress had summoned to assess my level gave me basic tests and then showered me with praise, saying I was absolutely perfect.

This was all thanks to my family.

‘My family always used teaching me something as an excuse to monopolize my time.’

“Truly remarkable. I had no idea the Duke’s daughter possessed such refined accomplishments.”

Actually, what I was best at was something else entirely, but one must know how to be modest.

I placed my hand on my chest and bowed my head, thanking them for their praise.

“Thank you for your generous evaluation. Knowing that my words and actions in public reflect on our family’s reputation, I devoted myself to learning.”

The Empress’s face soured at my modest words spoken without batting an eye. Her expression seemed to ask why someone who knew all this had acted that way at last week’s dinner.

‘Why did I act that way? Maybe you should reflect on your own behavior.’

“Given the Duke’s daughter’s accomplishments, you can proceed directly to memorizing Imperial history and genealogy.”

“Ah… genealogy?”

I nearly lost control of my expression as my mood suddenly soured.

“That’s right.”

Following the Empress’s nod, the Maid Manager who had been waiting behind placed a thick book on the table.

‘Good heavens, that’s supposed to be a genealogy?’

Even a main family house that holds ancestral rites twelve times a year wouldn’t ask you to memorize the genealogy!

“It cannot be taken outside the Imperial Palace. So you’ll enter the palace twice a week to study. My Maid Manager will assist you.”

“I shall serve Your Highness the prospective Princess with utmost sincerity.”

I hadn’t even agreed yet, but the Maid Manager bowed to me respectfully.

I couldn’t very well argue with someone old enough to be my grandmother, nor could I throw a childish tantrum.

What choice did I have?

“Yes. I’ll work hard.”

For now, I had to answer politely.

“Then you may withdraw for today.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. Please rest comfortably.”

After bowing politely and leaving the Empress’s Palace, I walked with a gentle smile on my lips, not knowing where watching eyes might be.

‘This crazy Imperial Palace!’

While cursing harshly in my mind.

‘What kind of bridal lesson is this! It’s just harassment!’

I was annoyed by the obvious intention to break my spirit before bringing me into the Imperial Family, but I wasn’t worried.

I had a separate method to easily pass that impossible test.

‘First, let me accomplish what I came here for.’

After completely leaving the front courtyard of the Empress’s Palace, I spoke to the attendant who was leading the way for me.

“Excuse me, we’re heading to the Carriage Waiting Area now, right? I’d like to see the Second Prince before going home.”

“The Second Prince, you say? …Ah, yes. I’ll guide you there.”

The attendant, who had responded with a slightly surprised expression, soon nodded as he realized I was his fiancée.

“However, you’ll need to take a carriage first. It’s quite far.”

“Is that so? I understand.”

The Second Prince’s Palace was far enough from the Empress’s Palace to require a carriage…

‘The First Prince’s Palace is right next to the Empress’s Palace.’

Was this arrangement also intentional, or was it coincidental?

Knowing all about Lionel’s circumstances made me worry about even trivial details.

‘If only the Emperor and Empress had conducted themselves properly, I wouldn’t need to worry about such things.’

Having only two children and favoring just one—how could the other child not be heartbroken and resentful?

‘Though he himself seems to act as if he’s detached from everything.’

Still, perhaps he wasn’t completely uninterested in his fiancée, as Lionel agreed to meet me right away even though I’d visited without notice.

Thus, my second meeting with Lionel came to pass.

He did limit it to exactly 30 minutes, but even that was something.

“I heard you’ll be receiving bridal lessons starting today. It seems you’re coming from the Empress’s Palace.”

After sending away the advisors he’d been working with and instructing an attendant to bring refreshments, Lionel sat with his back perfectly straight without a hint of slouching—he was truly doll-like in many ways today as well.

Thinking that the version I’d seen in the novel seemed more human than this, I gave him a bright smile.

“Yes. I’m coming after receiving lots of praise from the teachers Her Majesty the Empress arranged. Isn’t that good?”

“You mean for me?”

“Yes. Aren’t you pleased? Your future wife is pretty, from a good family, and smart too.”

“Is that something I should be pleased about?”

Look at this guy?

I was about to get really annoyed, but he seemed genuinely curious, which deflated my anger.

I couldn’t read any emotion or intention from his doll-like delicate face. At this point, I was curious about how the Empress had raised this man.

‘How did she raise him? With discrimination, of course.’

Perhaps this man’s later descent into darkness and kidnapping me was because he’d never experienced normal affection and didn’t know any other way.

‘Wait a minute. Then what if…’

If I taught this man what proper emotional expression and healthy love looked like, couldn’t I prevent his fall into darkness?

‘Good! A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step!’

“Of course it’s something to be pleased about. I’m happy about it. My future husband is handsome and smart. Oh right, I heard from Sister that you’re also excellent at swordsmanship.”

I started by flattering him a bit, but Lionel didn’t cutely blush at the ears or anything—he just nodded.

“Sir Bellows’s thrusts are lightning-fast yet possess the precision to never miss a vital point by even an inch. Among the Imperial Knights, hardly anyone can match that speed.”

“Right! My sister is really amazing, isn’t she? And her movements are so graceful too! Honestly, watching other knights spar is boring because you can’t follow the sword movements, but when Sister spars, I always go watch. She’s so cool!”

After going on about Sister’s praises for a while, I belatedly came to my senses.

‘Wait, how did the conversation flow in this direction?’

In the meantime, the head butler had arranged refreshments on the table.

The Second Prince’s fiancée visiting the Second Prince’s Palace. Even the youngest daughter of Roheim.

Since this was a situation of entertaining such a distinguished guest, the person serving beside us must surely be the head butler of the Second Prince’s Palace, but he was quite young for such a position.

‘Usually they would appoint someone who has built up experience and connections to manage countless people below them as head butler.’

Even this seemed to have the Empress’s influence behind it, making me sigh involuntarily.

Though I didn’t like how the head butler flinched and watched my expression from just that alone, I pushed away my teacup, pretending the mint tea wasn’t to my taste.

“Next time I come, brew rose tea for me. Uni.”

At my call, Eunice, who had been standing quietly, handed the head butler a can containing dried rose petals.

Then the young head butler looked at the can with an admiring expression.

“This must be made from roses grown by the Duchess of Roheim! I heard it’s precious tea that money can’t buy, but I never thought I’d see the real thing…”

Was that tea precious enough for him to admire it so much? I wouldn’t know since I drink it all the time at home.

‘Since it’s come to this, should I be a little generous?’

Just as I was about to speak with a smile on my lips.

“Will you be coming here often?”

This bastard is doing it again!

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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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