I Wasn't Trying to Seduce with the Male Lead - Episode 1

“You asked for me, Your Grace?”

Vito Zeppelin bowed respectfully at the waist. The dignified old Duke, with his imposing build, nodded his solemn face in greeting.

“Thank you for coming, Count Zeppelin. Please, have a seat over there.”

Zeppelin was a middle-aged noble, the Court Count of the Haskator Empire, known for his deep knowledge in various fields and his extensive connections. His reputation as a wise advisor meant that those who sought him out often had their own unique problems. Today seemed to be just such a situation. A deep shadow was cast across the Duke’s clear, piercing eyes.

“Your expression is quite somber. Do you have something on your mind?” Zeppelin asked politely.

“My son is giving me a headache,” the Duke said with a sigh.

The Count gave a bitter smile at this complaint, as it was one of the most difficult he’d ever heard to empathize with. The Duke was one of the most powerful men in the Empire, and at the same time, the most envied father.

Lian Floyd Calabria.

The youngest Knight Commander in Haskator history. A man who was entrusted with a major position at a young age, recognized for his martial prowess and intellect, he was also famous for his appearance, which was said to be blessed by the gods. Furthermore, as the sole heir to both the paternal Calabria ducal family and the maternal Floyd ducal family, he was certain to become a Grand Duke. He was considered the best man on the continent in terms of both civil and military arts, beauty, and lineage.

‘Is this perhaps sarcasm?’

Count Zeppelin harbored a reasonable suspicion. It was a common thing for doting parents to brag about their children under the guise of worry. However, the Duke’s expression was very serious.

“The boy is over twenty this year. Yet, he has shown absolutely no interest in women. What am I to do?”

It was then that Zeppelin somewhat agreed. Countless maidens had fallen for Lian, but since there was no one he had ever given a second glance to, he was commonly called ‘Stellaria.’

Zeppelin couldn’t help but laugh when he first heard the nickname. Stellaria was a mythical flower that only bloomed on cliffs close to the stars. A beautiful flower on a cliff that no one could pick. It was a fitting description for the indifferent man.

“If he were suffering from delirium, or had some sort of affliction, it would be one thing. But for a perfectly fine man to not even have a single scandal… these days, there are even rumors that he might be interested in men.”

The Duke clicked his tongue. Indeed, such rumors were quietly circulating in the court, but they were nothing more than a mixture of the resentment of rejected women and the jealousy of other noble men. No one took them seriously, so it was not something the Duke needed to worry about.

“Surely not. He probably just hasn’t met the right match yet.”

“I think it’s time to start looking for a woman to be by his side.”

The quick-witted Zeppelin didn’t miss the subtext of the Duke’s words.

“Do you have a woman in mind for your son?”

“Well, of course.”

The Duke raised an eyebrow and lifted his chin.

“There’s no need for me to say it out loud.”

Realizing his intentions, Zeppelin gave a bitter smile. There was only one woman on par with Lian Calabria: the Imperial Princess, Eileen Haskator.

“Don’t worry, wouldn’t a marriage proposal be coming soon?”

It was a well-known fact that Princess Eileen had feelings for Lian.

“That side cannot make the first move. We absolutely must be the ones to propose.”

Lian’s existence, born from the union of two ducal families, was already a threat to the imperial power. The Emperor, who valued his prestige, would find it difficult to accept a situation where the princess was the one to eagerly approach.

“This is a marriage I absolutely cannot let slip, but the boy is stubbornly refusing, saying he has no intention of getting married.”

“Wouldn’t the Viscount’s opinion change once he meets the Princess?”

“It would. The Princess is a very intelligent, beautiful, and dignified person.”

The Duke shook his head as if in frustration.

“However, he refuses even a private meeting with the Princess.”

Another sigh escaped the Duke’s lips.

“How can I make this stubborn boy change his mind and propose to the Princess?”

Now, the Duke’s problem was clear. Count Zeppelin thought for a moment, then gave his usual thoughtful advice.

“I would very much like to help. However, I am unfortunately not well-versed in such matters.”

He had remained a bachelor well into his forties.

“Can you introduce me to someone who might be of help?”

He had anticipated this turn of events from the beginning. Zeppelin spoke fluently, as if he had prepared in advance.

“It is said that if you want political advice, Viscount Wellington is the best; for economic problems, Count Yonsen; and if there is a curse on your house, Priest Mikhail. But, in matters between a man and a woman, it is, without a doubt, Baroness Eleanor.”

“Baroness Eleanor?”

The Duke’s question was filled with more displeasure than surprise. Judging by his reaction, it seemed even this gruff Duke knew the name of a mere Baroness.

“Would Lian really listen to the words of a socialite clown who only spreads gossip?”

“It’s up to her to make him listen. What do you have to lose?”

The Duke was silent for a while.

“You’re right about that.”

It was a reluctant tone, but for the finicky Duke, it was a considerable endorsement.

“I will obtain her card and send it to your butler.”

Zeppelin bowed respectfully, just as he had when he entered, and left the Duke’s study.

“…And so, the love they shared will take flight on the wings of eternity.”

When Viscountess Sarang-tte finished her reading, applause echoed through the large hall.

“What a wonderful love story.”

“Viscountess, you truly are a spring of endless stories.”

Viscountess Sarang-tte crossed the hall, receiving praise from her followers. At the end of her steps was a young woman. A slender body with skin as white as jade. Pale blue eyes that matched her luscious brown hair. A beautiful woman, barely out of her teens, around twenty years old, was writing something with a quill pen.

“It’s your turn now, Baroness Eleanor.”

Viscountess Sarang-tte’s arrogant voice rang out.

Baroness Eleanor slowly raised her beautiful eyes and looked at her.

“What are you writing so diligently?”

Instead of answering, Baroness Eleanor discreetly rolled up the three sheets of paper on the table and held them in her hand. Viscountess Sarang-tte raised her proud nose even higher.

“Surely you’re not revising your reading based on my story… Eek!”

A loud noise of a teacup shattering was followed by the Viscountess’s shriek. The tea table between her and Baroness Eleanor had toppled over. The Viscountess screamed, looking at her dress, which was now a mess from the spilled tea.

“What have you done! Do you know how much this dress costs?”

A servant ran over at the Viscountess’s piercing shriek and bowed his head.

“I apologize, my lady. I will clean it up right away.”

A sharp-eyed person might have noticed Baroness Eleanor’s dress moving, pushing the table. But no one in the hall seemed to have noticed. Viscountess Sarang-tte, perhaps feeling the judging eyes, made a sour face and left.

As she moved away, Baroness Eleanor stood up.

“The carpet has gotten dirty. I will help as well.”

As she knelt beside the servant, the young noblemen who had been standing around rushed forward.

“The porcelain pieces are sharp, it’s very dangerous.”

“I will do it instead. Please, have a seat, Baroness.”

The attitude of those who had just been standing by idly had changed dramatically.

“You are truly kind gentlemen.”

Eleanor smiled elegantly and then stepped onto the podium. She patiently waited until the floor was completely cleaned, then spoke softly.

“I am terribly sorry, but my reading contains intimate details meant only for women. I will see the gentlemen again at the evening banquet.”

At Eleanor’s words, the men left, half disappointed and half pleased to be excused. The women’s eyes sparkled with heightened anticipation. How extraordinary must the Baroness’s story be if she would dismiss the men, especially given her reputation for sensual content.

Eleanor looked around the quiet room and raised her hand high.

“Before I begin my reading, I would like to show you the contents of the paper that Viscountess Sarang-tte was so curious about.”

The papers she held in her hand were unfolded one by one.

When you accidentally break a teacup

If the only person who comes to you with a handkerchief is a servant

You have no right to discuss romance in front of an audience.

When the last sheet was unfolded, a loud burst of laughter erupted in the hall. Viscountess Sarang-tte’s face, now the subject of ridicule, flushed red.

“You’re the one who knocked it over! This is a trap!”

However, the people who were laughing no longer seemed to care whether it was a trap or not.

“Sometimes, the simple things are the easiest to convey.”

The Baroness smiled elegantly. The Viscountess bit her lip, stood up, and left the hall.

“Now, I will tell the real love story to the people gathered here.”

An emotionally rich voice filled the hall. The eyes of every woman who looked at the Baroness were filled with nothing but admiration.

“You finished splendidly again today.”

As they left the hall amidst a thunderous applause, Miss Graham, her assistant, spoke to Baroness Eleanor. The mountain of books that had been piled next to her before she entered were nowhere to be found.

“They have no customers over there.”

Miss Graham gestured with her chin to the other side. There, Viscountess Sarang-tte’s book, [Love is Eternal], was still piled high.

“There’s a limit to how well you can imitate someone else.”

Eleanor said in a calm tone. After her success, many imitators had emerged. Some of them even made a name for themselves for a time, but none of them lasted long. This was because, in the narrow social circle, one was bound to encounter the ‘real deal’.

“I can’t let them grow. This is my livelihood.”

The two walked past the Marquess’s elegant staircase and returned to a room on the second floor. It was a very luxurious room, befitting one provided by her ardent patron, the Marchioness.

“I’m going to rest for a bit. Could you check the mail?”

“Yes, Baroness.”

It was when Eleanor was untying her braided hair and taking off her corset, placing it on the bed bench.

“Gasp! Baroness!”

Miss Graham almost convulsed as she rushed into the room.

“What’s wrong?”

She couldn’t speak properly and held out a letter in her hand. The letter was stamped with the most famous family crest in the Empire.

“The Calabria ducal family?”

A spark of light flashed in Eleanor’s indifferent blue eyes.

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