I Wasn't Trying to Seduce with the Male Lead - Episode 108

Minaz’s horrified voice echoed through the office. “A recommendation? This isn’t some dorm election!”

“We’re talking about the Emperor of the Empire,” she said.

Calmly, Lyan responded to the shocked Minaz. “Your current line of succession is much higher than mine.”

“Th-that’s… that’s true, but…!” Since Lian hadn’t yet inherited the title of grand duke, he was a count. In principle, it was true that Minaz, a duchess, had a higher rank.

“Don’t treat the world’s most powerful position like a game of hot potato,” she said.

“That’s not it. I believed you were the right person,” the Duchess Floyd said, nodding in agreement with Lian. “You were the only Duke to speak out against the unjust alliance between the Emperor and the ducal families. You stood against the Emperor’s tyranny, strove to protect the people of the Empire, and have excellent political sense from your long life at court.”

Minaz prided herself on being capable, but hearing those words from the duchess honestly made her happy. The duchess smiled at the sight of Minaz’s expression softening.

“Your integrity. And your pride is more than enough to lead the Empire. It’s a difficult path, but please accept it, Duke Abrott, for everyone’s sake.”

Two pairs of violet eyes gazed at her with expectation.

“I need time to think…”

“As you said, we don’t have much time.” The sun outside had risen high, now slowly entering the afternoon. They had to announce the Emperor’s abdication before sunset, when he was to leave Aogainos.

Minaz went out to the balcony alone, deep in thought.

‘I thought he might refuse.’ She had thought there was a possibility, but surely he wouldn’t. She had overlooked the fact that this was the man who had done all the things she thought he wouldn’t.

‘To decline the position of Emperor and remain a knight…’

It was such a great decision that she couldn’t speak, but when she thought about it, it might be better for Lian.

‘The Grand Duke of the Empire and the strongest knight in history.’ He wasn’t just a simple grand duke. Since Minaz was pushing a bill to prohibit the marriage of dukes, a grand duke would never be born from the union of two ducal families again. The Grand Duchy of Phedra was a separate duchy, even though it branched from the Empire. Grand Duke Robert Phedra and Sky were the rulers of the duchy, not the grand dukes of the Empire. He would be the first and last unique Grand Duke in the history of the Empire.

‘If he becomes Emperor, he won’t be able to go into battle.’

Becoming Emperor would naturally impose restrictions on his actions and reduce what he could do. Even for a simple hunt, he would have to follow strict rules and choose the right time. There were also countless national events and diplomatic duties he would have to attend. Given Lian’s personality, he wouldn’t want that. The world’s strongest knight not being able to go to war or fight was a waste of talent and a national loss.

Minaz looked back into the room from the balcony with a complex gaze. Lian’s elegant profile, lost in thought, showed no hesitation. Was he so confident because his decision was right?

‘What would Eleanor say?’ For some reason, she felt that Eleanor wouldn’t want to be empress even if she didn’t ask. Although Lian seemed to not think much, he always saw the heart of the matter. He would do anything Eleanor wanted. If he made this choice, it must be the right one.

In fact, she was a woman too valuable to be confined to a side palace. But it was also true that she was excited about the prospect of the Empire led by these two.

‘If it’s not now, but a little later…’

They were both only twenty. Lian, who had a clear mastery of the sword, was entering his physical prime. He could write countless legends as a knight. Since he was a count, there were no restrictions even if his wife was a commoner. In that position, Eleanor could work freely without restrictions and spread her talents throughout the Empire.

‘I can buy them time until they’re more ready.’

When she came to this conclusion, the weight on Minaz’s heart lifted a little. She had become a duchess at the young age of twenty and had built her standing in the rough political landscape of the Empire. Honestly, she was confident that she was second to none in taking over and stabilizing the chaotic political situation.

When the path became clear, she didn’t hesitate with her decision. Minaz opened the balcony door and returned to the room.

“Okay. I’ll accept.”

A look of joy appeared in Lyan’s violet eyes, and the duchess smiled broadly. Before they could say anything, Minaz quickly added, “I have conditions, though.”

“What are they?” Lyan asked.

Minaz held up a finger. “Let me designate the heir.”

Lyan’s forehead, like marble, furrowed slightly in a look of dismay. “Is that… me?”

“Yes,” Minaz answered coolly and continued, “Eleanor will surely receive a title for her future activities. When that time comes, there will be no problem making her Empress.” Although her contributions this time were more than enough for a title, they decided not to exchange rewards among the main perpetrators.

“But won’t it be a problem if your successor is born?”

The possibility of anyone born being better than Lyan, one of the most talented individuals in the history of the Empire, was low. She planned to step down without hesitation once Lyan was ready, because the more capable person should be Emperor. But instead of saying that, Minaz urged Lyan on.

“We don’t have time to negotiate. Will you accept it or not?”

Since she had already made a concession, he wouldn’t be able to back out completely. As expected, Lyan reluctantly nodded. “Very well.”

“Don’t show such obvious displeasure when I’m making you the heir to the throne.” Minaz gave a slight scolding and then held up another finger. “Also, if I become Empress, can I speak informally to you?”

“Is that a condition?”

“Yep. I get fidgety if I can’t speak comfortably.” It was a joke, but half-sincere. “If you keep speaking politely, I might even see a younger man as a man.”

“Informal speech is fine.”

At Lyan’s blunt answer, Minaz clicked her tongue. He was like a fortress.

“That’s the end of my conditions. I’ll accept becoming the Empress.”

At Minaz’s cool decision, the duchess stood up. “I’ll go prepare the succession announcement.”

Since she needed a little time to prepare mentally, she gladly accepted the duchess’s consideration.

When the two were alone, Lyan formally expressed his gratitude to Minaz. “Thank you for accepting my unreasonable request.”

“I don’t think it’s unreasonable. It’s not a bad thing for me anyway.” She was a woman with such a strong sense of duty that she chose not to marry to protect her ducal title. Ascending to the throne was a new challenge and an honor. She was flustered because she hadn’t expected it, but a pleasant thrill and anticipation began to well up in her chest.

“May I give you my first order as Empress?”

“You may say whatever you like.” Minaz’s heart pounded at Lyan’s response. She felt she understood a little why the Emperor had been so obsessed with Lyan. There was a satisfying pride in being protected by this amazing man, something she never wanted to give up.

“For the quick stabilization of the Empire, we need an opportunity to calm the public and resolve the chaos, don’t we?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“So, first, let’s hold a festival.”

Minaz’s words made Lyan raise an eyebrow slightly.

“Let’s hold a memorial service for the victims and give the people of the Empire the joy of a new era. The people of Filicity, who have suffered so much, deserve to have some fun, too.”

Lian looked convinced by her reasoning. “As the Captain of the Imperial Knights, you’ll contribute to the success of the festival, won’t you?”

“If there’s something I need to do, I’ll take responsibility and complete it.”

Minaz’s lips curled up at Lian’s answer. “Then let’s go on a date.”

Seeing the look of bewilderment in his purple eyes, she narrowed her own.

“Don’t be so surprised, I didn’t say with me.” Although she secretly wanted to, she suppressed her true feelings and spoke again. “Go on a date with Eleanor. The new Empress won’t interfere this time.”

“…Is that my duty as the Captain of the Knights?”

“You’ve turned the Empire upside down, so it’s about time you gave everyone the answer they’ve been waiting for. It sounds like you two haven’t even had a proper date, have you?”

Their relationship was a matter of great interest to the Empire. It would be cleaner to make it a public fact before all sorts of rumors flooded in.

“If you say something like, ‘I’m sorry, but we broke up,’ after throwing the Empire into this much chaos, I won’t forgive you!”

A smile appeared on Lyan’s handsome face at Minaz’s words. “You won’t have to worry about that.”

His calm response was thick with unwavering affection. He looked so beautiful that it seemed even uninterested women would be swayed just by looking at him. Thinking that she should designate that face as a cultural heritage when she became Empress, Minaz patted Lian on the shoulder.

“Now go. You have something to say.”

Lyan nodded and bowed to Minaz. As he was about to leave, she patted his back with pride and said playfully, “Yes, yes. While you’re at it, put in some effort. You should have at least two kids.”

She spoke as if it were a joke, but she was serious. The most ideal form for the Empire was to separate the Calabria and Floyd ducal families again and have the five great dukes of the Empire protect it without encroaching on each other’s territories.

“You can give one kid who looks like you to Calabria and one who looks like Eleanor to Floyd. If you only have one, I’ll confiscate the titles, so you better work hard.”

“On that… you don’t have to worry.”

Confidence overflowed from Lyan’s smiling face. When he left, Minaz melted and collapsed into a chair.

“Haa, is there another womanizer like that?” she muttered, and then remembered Claude, whom she had temporarily forgotten because of the huge situation.

‘I don’t have high hopes for that guy in that regard.’

Despite thinking that, Minaz’s face flushed slightly. She remembered his grown height and his rather handsome face, and the meaningful words he had said at the end.

“Why am I blushing over a kid?” She shook her head to push the thought away and slowly got up from her seat. She then looked around the office of Aogainos. That meant this place was now her castle. An indescribable feeling enveloped her whole body.

“First, let’s raise a toast.” She took an excellent bottle of wine from the wall and poured it into a glass. The wine was warm, but it held the deepest flavor in the world.

In the distance, the bell of the temple was ringing.

Eleanor sat in the tower overlooking the square, a place she was now quite familiar with. It was the ceremony to announce the Emperor’s abdication. Everyone except her, a commoner, had left the count’s mansion to attend, so she was alone in the tower. Of course, she wasn’t technically alone.

[I’m going to see the prince from the fairytale become king,] Beatrice said, chuckling.

Eleanor looked down at the square with mixed feelings. A huge crowd. All of them must have gathered to celebrate and rejoice in Lian’s ascension. The feeling was so overwhelming that she just wanted to run away.

‘What do I do now?’ With a heavy heart, the ceremony continued. Soon, the bell would ring to announce the era of the twenty-second Emperor of the Empire. It was while she was watching it with a heavy heart that it happened.

“Huh?” A surprised voice escaped her as her vision suddenly went dark. Someone had covered her eyes. Was Sky back to play a prank? Or had Blaine or Biancasta come back to check on her?

“What are you doing? Who’s playing a trick?” When she scolded him and pulled his hand away, Eleanor’s heart plummeted. The beautiful face that filled her vision made her lose her breath. Why was this man always by her side when she least expected it? That night, the day he found her, and now.

“Why are you here again?” Eleanor muttered softly.

“Because I want to be with you.” Her eyes began to feel hot.

“Did Deneb rise again?”

“Then will you spend the night with me again?” Eleanor couldn’t answer Lian’s teasing question.

He caressed her flushed cheeks and pulled her toward him.

“I’m ready,” his soft, sweet voice whispered to her. “Please officially start a relationship with me.”

Along with Lian’s voice, the bell announcing the Emperor’s ascension rang.

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