I Wasn't Trying to Seduce with the Male Lead - Episode 109

The streets of Felicity rang with the sound of music. Emperor Minaz Abrot, the 22nd ruler to ascend the throne, announced the dawn of a new era with a festival. While the princess’s birthday had been a lavish affair for the nobility, today’s atmosphere was far more common. In every alleyway of Felicity, alchemists’ lanterns shone brightly, and the sweet smell of baking bread filled the air.

“Take as much as you like! There’s plenty!”

Smiling officials generously handed out bread and cookies to passersby. Casks full of wine and beer were stacked in every district, allowing anyone and everyone to quench their thirst freely. In the wide central plaza, a band played instruments while young men and women in their finest clothes danced to a fast rhythm.

All this extravagance was possible thanks to the immense wealth of the House of Floyd. The Duchess had opened her coffers wide for the new emperor.

“Long live the new Emperor!”

“Long live the true unity of the Abrot Imperial House and the Five Great Ducal Houses!”

Cheers erupted from the crowd at every opportunity. No one seemed to long for the previous imperial family. The true, two-faced nature of the former princess, exposed to the public, and the lingering image of the imperial army trampling its own citizens were enough to brand her as a tyrant. The public’s disappointment with the old imperial family transformed into a full-throated welcome for the new emperor.

The atmosphere at the Count of Calabria’s mansion, at the very heart of the celebration, was at its peak. A massive crowd of well-wishers surrounded the estate.

“The first gate is open. Enjoy yourselves freely!”

Lian had opened the entire garden to the citizens. It was an exceptionally bold decision, considering how recently the military conflict had occurred. The presence of the Behind Knights, whose eyes gleamed around the perimeter of the mansion, had the effect of making everyone’s behavior more reserved. As a result, everyone enjoyed a night of celebration without incident inside the beautiful estate.

But where there is light, a shadow always exists somewhere. In the annex of the count’s mansion, there was a window with a drawn curtain. It was the room where the Duke of Calabria was recuperating.

Amid the silence, the Duke sat by the window, reading a book. He had been there for a long time, but the number of pages he had read had barely changed.

When the intensity of the light coming through the curtain shifted, someone opened the door to his room. It was probably time for a meal.

Thinking it was a maid, the Duke sat impassively, but then a familiar voice reached his ears.

“Are you going to keep ignoring this?”

The Duke flinched and raised his head. Even in the dim room, a pair of distinct purple eyes shone, staring at him. A face full of grace despite its small frame. It was the Duchess of Floyd.

“It must be comfortable to lock yourself in a room, stubbornly refusing to admit you were wrong.”

The Duchess’s voice was frigid. The old him would have bristled and snapped back at the Duchess’s sarcastic remark. However, sorrow changes a person. The Duke simply replied in a blunt tone.

“I’m not trying to spoil your success.”

“Then are you finally reflecting on things?”

“Reflecting?”

“On what you did to my son.”

The resentment over his having forced Lian to make the Vow of Subordination seemed to remain strong. In truth, the Duke had never felt completely justified in that matter.

“I couldn’t turn back,” the Duke said in a low voice, turning his gaze to the side. “Even though I felt it was the wrong path, I had no choice but to push forward.”

He believed that admitting a mistake was a sign of weakness, so he kept going. If he started to doubt himself, he would be negating the entire life he had lived. He wanted to believe that he hadn’t made his son unhappy.

The Duchess, who had been standing in silence for a moment, slowly approached and sat down opposite the Duke.

“No words can justify what you did.”

She’s right.

The Duke brought up the answer he had prepared, anticipating her accusation. “I will hand over the ducal title to Lian and leave.”

At his solemn words, the Duchess bit her perfectly shaped lips. He had been so obsessed with protecting that title, he thought she would understand. But to his surprise, a sharp voice came back.

“Then what are you going to do afterward?”

“Afterward?”

The Duke was a little flustered, having not expected such a question. “Well, I suppose I’ll move to some suitable province and live out my days quietly.”

His answer didn’t seem wrong, but the Duchess’s expression grew even worse. What’s the problem? As he was sweating internally, the Duchess spoke again.

“You still have no intention of discussing anything with me.”

“What is there to discuss?” he replied bluntly. Then he immediately felt he had made a mistake. “What right do I have to discuss anything with you?” The Duke corrected himself, adding softly, “I failed on the path I chose, and I have no intention of dragging you down with me. Don’t mind me, just enjoy your victory.”

He had said it with care, but the Duchess’s expression turned even colder. She didn’t say a word, but the atmosphere was more terrifying than when she had mentioned his forcing the Vow of Subordination.

“If you have something to say to me, say it. Don’t just glare,” the Duke said, unable to bear her murderous gaze any longer.

The Duchess’s voice emerged from between teeth she was clenching so hard they might grind. “I regretted it greatly when I was in the North.”

The Duke maintained a composed expression as he listened, but inside, a corner of his heart felt very bitter. He knew she must have regretted their marriage, but hearing it directly was still unsettling.

“The moment we got married, you were the worst husband, offering no gentle words, only listing your ambitions. I was a fool to think that your desperate attempts to produce an heir were a form of passion.”

With nothing to say to her harsh words, the Duke quietly lowered his gaze. His eyes fell on her two hands resting on her lap. Her hands were clenched in a fist from anger, but on her finger was still the wedding ring he had given her.

She’s still wearing it. He felt a pang of bitterness as he looked at it, and the Duchess’s words continued.

“When I left you, I should have at least asked why I was leaving, what I disliked about your actions, and if you had any intention of changing for me. I wonder why I just gave up and left without a word, without even trying.”

The Duke, who had been listening, slowly raised his head. “That means…” He trailed off, unsure of his thought. After a moment, as he studied her expression, he cautiously asked again, “You didn’t regret marrying me, but rather, you regretted not trying to make it work?”

“Don’t get ahead of yourself,” she snapped back. The Duke flinched and fell silent again.

Silence hung between them once more.

“What are you going to do after this?” the Duke asked bluntly. “Are you going to stay in the capital?”

“I’m returning to the North,” she replied without hesitation, though there was a strange opening in her tone. He couldn’t explain it, but it seemed she was expecting something.

Am I thinking this correctly? The Duke looked at the Duchess with a mix of belief and doubt. He was surprised to realize that she hadn’t changed much from how she used to be. The Duchess was still elegant, noble, and capable.

Looking at her, his old question resurfaced. Why did a woman like this marry me, anyway?

At first, he thought she wouldn’t give him the time of day. Although he was the heir to a ducal house, he was considered a failure because he hadn’t become the commander of the Knights, a position that was rightfully a Calabria’s. On the other hand, she was so capable and brilliant that she was called the hope of the House of Floyd. She was beautiful, every noble wanted to be close to her, and there were even rumors of a marriage proposal from the emperor. So when she accepted his proposal, he felt like he had won the world.

‘She must have had her own ambition, which is why she accepted me,’ he thought. What other reason could she possibly have to meet him? Even if it was a political marriage, he wanted to live up to her expectations. So he was desperate to quickly produce an heir and make a secret pact with the emperor to make his family prosper.

But the Duchess’s gaze toward him grew colder each day. When she left for the North, leaving him only with a look of disappointment, he felt as pathetic as an insect.

‘Even when I revived the family, she didn’t look back.’

As Lian grew up, the House of Calabria regained its former fame and glory. But there was no reaction from her. And yet…

‘Why is she making that face?’

He had failed and lost everything. Yet, the Duchess, who should have looked down on him like an insect more than ever, was sitting in front of him. He didn’t know the reason, and he understood her intentions even less. But he knew there was something he had to say now.

“Would you…?” The words felt so shameless he could feel his face burning. “Would you be willing to try again… with me?”

“No,” came the answer, as sharp as a blade and utterly deflating. He had guessed wrong, but he didn’t regret asking.

I guess it’s impossible. Just as he was sighing softly with this thought, she spoke again.

“Not right now, anyway.”

Her voice was so low he wondered if he had heard her wrong. Not right now? Did that mean things could change in the future? He couldn’t bring himself to ask that directly.

The Duke spoke in an even more hesitant tone than before. “After I hand over the title to Lian… about a place to go…”

“What about a place to go?”

“Can… I go to the North, too?” The question was punctuated by a cough.

“Well, it’s a big place, so do as you please,” the Duchess said, adding sternly, with a cough of her own. “But you can’t just freeload on my land.”

“Do you want me to chop firewood?”

“Didn’t you learn how to use a sword and a bow? Learn to hunt.”

The two of them talked while looking at paintings on opposite walls, as if they were avoiding eye contact.

“I’m not very confident.”

“Just try. I’ll teach you.”

The Duchess had always loved roaming the forests and raising hawks since her time in the capital. The Duke had actually mastered a high level of martial arts, so he had a deep understanding of horsemanship and archery.

“I’ll try.”

Upon hearing his words, the Duchess fidgeted with her hands awkwardly and then stood up abruptly.

“Where are you going?” The Duke called out to her, feeling a sense of loss.

“I have to attend the festival.”

“You always hated those kinds of gatherings.”

“I did, but for as long as I’m with Lian, I want to act as a parent.”

He didn’t miss the subtext of the word “parent” instead of “mother.”

“Hmm. If you don’t have anyone to escort you this evening…” he said, still not looking at her. The Duchess seemed to be looking away as well.

“Pick me up at four.”

With that brief reply, the Duchess left the room.

The Duke, who had been sitting impassively, immediately jumped up and rushed to the bathroom the moment the door closed.

It was his second date in his life. He couldn’t afford to mess it up.

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