The Obsessive Male Leads Want to Eat Me Alive - Chapter 135

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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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Chapter 135
“If I become Crown Prince and can only ever be Emperor of this nation―”
“….”
“Then I promise the descendants of Valentigo will reign over the Mage Tower for generations to come.”
Belesak’s eyes ignited at Gerard’s words, which struck precisely at his desires.
He had abandoned a pregnant woman and even the child in her womb, yet Belesak Valentigo had never abandoned his pride as a mage—but now he had to admit it.
In this moment, he had forsaken even that pride.
At last, he felt unburdened.
Now that he had resolved to defeat an opponent he could not overcome through skill with the corrupted power of authority.
That opponent was my own son, whom I had abandoned—Heinrich—and I knew full well how nauseating this situation appeared to others.
Yet I could not afford to fail.
I had to become Mage Tower Master, and I desperately wanted to make my son, who had drawn the dice roll of ‘1’, the next Mage Tower Master by any means necessary.
I had to prove that my choice was right.
Belesak swallowed hard, and as if steeling his resolve, finally lowered the medicine bottle from his grip.
The crimson vial gleamed softly, as though flaunting the terrible deeds he was capable of.
“Your Highness, this paralysis toxin was crafted from a very special ‘blood’.”
“…Blood as the material?”
Behind Gerard’s mask, his grotesquely twisted crimson eyes glinted.
‘The material is quite extraordinary.’
There were typically two methods for crafting standard paralysis toxins.
Either using toxic plants, or casting curse magic upon fast-acting liquid pharmaceuticals.
But blood?
“It was manufactured by mixing the blood of Valentigo with the blood of Lamosa.”
Lamosa—that was the family of Valentigo’s wife. An ancient marquessate of considerable renown.
It was a lineage with deep roots in the magical arts across generations.
Mage blood carried mana within it, and each family possessed unique characteristics.
I could make rough guesses, but even Gerard could not fathom the method of its creation.
How had he possibly concocted such a monstrous toxin?
“A poison from blood… How on earth did you create it?”
When Gerard finally asked, driven by curiosity, Belesak’s eyes curved subtly in secrecy.
“I cannot disclose that, Your Highness.”
Even to the one whose hand he was grasping, it remained a secret.
“However, I can tell you that recently, someone has been reduced to nothing more than a breathing doll by this very toxin.”
A breathing doll!
That was precisely what Gerard desired for Anette. And simultaneously, ‘someone’ came to mind.
The Mage Tower Master who, without any particular reason, had lost consciousness not long ago and become nothing more than a breathing doll.
Though he was advanced in years, he had been a healthy man—yet he collapsed in an instant.
Gerard laughed softly, as though he had grasped the implication.
‘…The paralysis toxin’s efficacy is undeniable.’
The fact that they still had not identified the culprit who had done this to the Mage Tower Master was quite encouraging.
Isn’t the very absence of any trace the evidence of this poison’s existence?
“This toxin is absolutely lethal to every living being who does not carry the bloodline of Valentigo and Lamosa.”
“…You’ve created something monstrous.”
A poison that could preserve only his children and their descendants while annihilating everything else.
Even Gerard, for all his ruthlessness, found himself frowning at such malevolence.
He had long heard that Belesak harbored an intense desire to lead the Valentigo house well as its patriarch….
A poison that would harm everyone except his own bloodline?
“The effect will be instantaneous, yet leave no trace.”
Belesak’s gaze sharpened as he looked at Zian.
“Either have the target ingest this poison.”
His voice grew heavy with intent.
“Or coat it upon a secret blade or dagger and pierce them with it, Your Highness.”
“….”
“Then you will surely achieve the result you desire, Your Highness.”
“…Yes.”
Gerard’s lips split into a grin.
“The thought of watching that woman and the Crown Prince crumble—it’s exhilarating!”
This time, surely!
I could feel it. If this ‘regression’ failed, there would be no next time. My body was already dying, bit by bit.
The beginning of this grand scheme was Anette’s downfall.
“From now on, we of Valentigo shall remain your steadfast allies for all our lives, Your Highness.”
―And with a formidable Archmage as our ally besides.
‘I have no doubt.’
…No doubt of failure!
“Hahahaha!”
Gerard’s frenzied laughter tore through the air like a blade.
* * *
The eve of the Founding Festival.
With the Founding Festival—Eldorado’s grandest state celebration—drawing near, the Imperial Palace hosted a magnificent banquet.
“…It’s been such a long time since a banquet this splendid.”
In fact, it felt like the first one since the banquet held in the Imperial Palace over a decade ago, when I underwent ‘socialization training’.
‘The entire nation has become a great jewel.’
Among the beautiful fountains and decorations, the elaborately adorned nobility passed by.
The Imperial Palace felt like a diamond being adorned by smaller jewels.
―It strangely lifts one’s spirits.
“The eve of the Founding Festival is special, after all.”
Victoria, dressed in an elegant gown, looked particularly beautiful today.
“With ‘masks’ concealing one’s identity, both the Imperial Family and nobility mingle freely.”
She whispered softly into my ear.
“Since no one knows each other’s true identities, young ladies and gentlemen often forget their stations and fall into romantic love.”
Oh my, how romantic.
“At the last Foundation Day banquet, the young lady and young lord of two rival houses fell in love, causing quite the scandal.”
“…!”
Like Romeo and Juliet?
“They eloped together but were caught and brought back.”
Wow, the nobility of Eldorado are quite passionate.
I found myself absorbed in the story and asked.
“So what happened to them?”
Victoria smiled softly, her eyes crinkling with warmth.
“Can one stand against a love so passionate they would abandon everything? …In the end, the heads of both houses signed a peace accord.”
“How wonderful!”
Eldorado’s Romeo and Juliet didn’t end in tragedy.
Happy endings are always delightful.
‘Can one stand against a love so passionate they would abandon everything?’
―That question lingered in my heart a moment longer than it should have.
By the time Victoria and I finished our idle chat, we had arrived at the Banquet Hall.
“Inside the Banquet Hall, I cannot attend to you. I must also search for a man to match my passion this evening.”
“…Victoria.”
I laughed at her words. But I already knew the rules of this gathering.
First, do not bring personal attendants.
Second, wear a mask.
Victoria and I donned our masks according to the second rule.
I felt oddly exhilarated.
‘To be free and unbound by anyone.’
In here, there was no duty as Duchess Valienne, no Anette.
Finally, as I pushed open the golden doors and stepped inside, the doorkeeper announced loudly.
“―An anonymous, beautiful young lady has arrived!”
In an instant, all eyes turned toward me.
A tense moment.
…But soon, everyone’s gaze naturally scattered away.
Had they known I was Duchess Valienne, those eyes would have lingered much longer.
‘They really don’t recognize me.’
Hehe, then I have something I must do.
‘―Eat lots of bread!’
I hadn’t eaten much delicious bread at the banquets while playing the dignified duchess.
I’d heard the Imperial Court’s bakery was extraordinary.
It was just as this bread enthusiast was formulating her grand plan.
“…?”
I felt a gaze from somewhere. Following it, I discovered a masked man standing by a distant pillar.
The man with silver hair as beautiful and delicate as moonlight wore a mask crafted with the same exquisite precision as glass.
The eyes behind that mask were…
A sharp, deep violet—like the bitter chill of a winter dawn.
My heart plummeted in an instant.
‘Heinrich.’
Despite the mask concealing his face, I could recognize him.
Because,
‘―Heinrich, it’s you.’
Even if you were hidden among countless glittering stars, I would always be able to recognize you.
In my eyes, you’ve always shone the brightest.
From the moment I first possessed this body in this world, among all those people, I saw only you.
“….”
Unable to close the distance between us, we could only gaze at each other.
My heart throbbed with an aching pain, and I placed my hand against my chest.
That was the moment—a group of elaborately adorned noblewomen passed by, obscuring my view.
And in the next instant.
“…!”
Heinrich vanished from my sight.
Like a phantom, without a trace.
‘Where did he go?’
It was precisely as I took a step forward, glancing around in search.
A man with a sturdy build appeared before me.
He had jet-black hair and beautiful blue eyes.
Though his face was concealed by a mask, it could not hide his refined beauty.
‘I don’t know this person…’
He bowed with restrained grace and proper etiquette, extending his hand.
“My lady.”
“….”
“Would you grant me the honor of the first dance?”
“Ah.”
A new waltz had begun playing, and people were gathering in the dance hall.
I wanted to refuse, but declining the “first dance” violated Imperial Palace protocol.
Acceptance was mandatory.
Besides, tonight must have been thrilling for him as well.
I didn’t wish to spoil this harmless man’s evening.
“…Very well.”
I took his hand reluctantly.
“A waltz, how fitting, my lady.”
The man smiled gently, yet with that smile belying his actions, he pulled me close with his thick hands in one swift motion.
‘…He’s quite a passionate dancer.’
It was enough to make me slightly tense.
‘But isn’t that rather forward?’
Holding a lady’s waist like that.
I placed my hand firmly on his solid chest with a soft thud.
I felt him stiffen slightly.
The magnificent muscles of his chest tensed rigid beneath my touch.
I gazed at him brazenly with an expression that said, ‘Why, you did the same thing,’ though my mask prevented my indignation from fully showing through.
He drew me closer around the waist and whispered.
“I would love to dance with you all night long.”
I pressed harder with the hand gripping his muscle.
“So would I.”
―Who the hell is this madman?
Yet something felt strangely familiar about him.
…This scent, too.
And his manner seemed so natural.
I danced to the lively waltz melody and asked him.
“Do you happen to know me?”
“Yes.”
…A man I know?
But the only men I know are Sisrain, Heinrich, and Kyle.
This man was none of the three.
‘I must have been mistaken.’
He must have confused me with another woman and decided to play this prank.
I spoke.
“You’re mistaken. My social circle is quite narrow—I only know three men.”
Then he slowly lowered me, lifted me again, and whispered near my ear.
His voice was low enough to make my heart race.
“I am one of those three.”
“…?!”

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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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