I Wasn't Trying to Seduce with the Male Lead - Episode 16

Eleanor, who had been in a deep sleep, woke up to the morning sun. A quick glance at the clock told her the sun was high in the sky. Since she had fallen asleep yesterday before the sun had even set, she had been asleep for a full day. Even after all that rest, she still felt tired, but there were countless tasks she couldn’t postpone. She got up and pulled the bell cord, and a maid hurried in, peeking her head through the door.

“Please call Miss Graham.”

“Yes, Baroness.”

The maid’s eyes seemed to sparkle more than usual. By the time Eleanor finished getting ready, her assistant, Graham, arrived.

“Baroness!”

Her face looked as though she was about to cry as she entered the room. Seeing Eleanor seated in an armchair, she rushed over and grabbed her hand.

“Do you know how worried I was? What happened? How could you disappear without leaving me a single word?”

“I’m sorry. Something came up.”

Miss Graham’s expression was a mix of a million questions. Before the floodgates could open, Eleanor spoke first.

“Before all that, why don’t you tell me what happened while I was away?”

She asked, hoping that the incident with Liam might have just quietly blown over. However, Eleanor’s hopes were dashed.

“All of Palicity is buzzing with stories about the Count and the Baroness!” Miss Graham’s excited voice echoed. “People are going crazy over the rumor that the Count suddenly appeared at a party and took the Baroness away! There are all sorts of rumors—that the two of you are secret lovers, or that you were once a couple who broke up, or that you’re actually the Duke’s illegitimate child!”

It would have been a big problem if only the true story had spread, but false rumors were also running rampant. Eleanor, looking troubled, massaged her forehead and asked, “Has it reached the Mariche territory yet?”

“Not yet, but at this rate, it’s only a matter of time.”

Being a rural territory in a corner of the empire, she had a little time. But once the news broke, it would cause a huge commotion, so she needed to resolve everything quickly before her mother-in-law started bothering her.

“What’s the general public opinion like?”

Graham cautiously answered Eleanor’s question. “Well, at first, there was sympathy for the Princess, with people saying she was pitiful.”

It was only natural, as the entire empire had expected Liam and the Princess to end up together.

“And Duke Calabria was said to be absolutely furious.”

“So? Did he impose any sanctions on me?”

“He announced that he would not associate with any family that invites the Baroness to a party.”

It was within the realm of her expectations, but she couldn’t help but feel dispirited. The credibility she had built over a lifetime had collapsed in an instant. Though she felt a sense of futility, she quickly tried to steel her resolve.

‘I’ve overcome tougher situations. I endured when I was a nobody and the wife of a criminal. For now, there’s nothing I can do, but if I lie low for a while, time will heal everything.’

“I guess I’ll have to stay cooped up in the mansion for a while and focus on my writing.”

At Eleanor’s muttering, Graham puffed out her cheeks in disappointment. “You’re really going to do that?”

“Well, I have no choice, do I? No one is calling for me.”

Miss Graham’s round eyes widened. “No one is calling for you?!”

She waved her arms and walked over to a table near the door, pointing to a huge stack of letters piled there.

“This is just what arrived this morning!”

Eleanor’s mouth dropped open in surprise. She usually received many letters, but this was at least three times the usual amount.

“And this isn’t all of them. There are still more!”

Eleanor stared at the pile of letters in a daze, then tried to confirm the facts. “But you just said that Duke Calabria wouldn’t associate with anyone who invites me…”

“Oh, who cares about that? Those old military families who only care about their swords—did they ever even come to parties anyway? And even when they do go, it’s only to gatherings with other high-ranking officials.”

Graham’s point was very valid, but Eleanor still couldn’t believe it. “So, everyone just ignored the Duke’s words?”

“At first, everyone was cautious. But once one lady started sending invitations, everyone else started doing it too. They figured that no matter how powerful the ducal family is, they can’t afford to be enemies with everyone.”

“Even so…”

“Besides, the Duke’s reputation isn’t so good right now because he had his private soldiers storm and cause a scene at the Marchioness of Norverstein’s party. People are saying he only cares about the Princess and no one else.”

That much she could understand. Nobles needed justification for their actions, and the Duke’s behavior was an excessive act of rudeness.

“There are many people who side with the Princess, but there are also many who don’t. Although Count Calabria will eventually marry the Princess, they’re not even officially dating yet, let alone engaged, so acting like it’s an affair is a bit much.”

After rattling off her words quickly, Graham gave her a wink. “Remember what you said? ‘People love gossip.’”

This was what Eleanor had told Graham when she had started this business, full of confidence that she would succeed.

“You, Baroness, are the star of this year’s birthday festival. Everyone is dying to hear your story.”

A bitter smile finally appeared on Eleanor’s face. After all, for onlookers, as long as it was entertaining, that was all that mattered. A tumultuous relationship with the empire’s most sought-after couple was much more interesting than a smooth one.

“Why don’t you go to a party?”

As Eleanor’s expression softened, Graham subtly made her suggestion. “If you just share a little of your romance story with Count Calabria, people will flock to you and pay a lot of money.”

Eleanor shook her head at Graham’s suggestion. “I’m afraid I can’t tell a romance story.”

“What? Why not?”

“Because Count Calabria and I are nothing to each other.”

“What?! You’re nothing to each other?”

She wanted to pretend it never happened, but the situation had become too big. There were probably many people who had overheard the conversation at the Marchioness of Norverstein’s party, so it would be hard to deny the relationship entirely. Eleanor quickly racked her brain and decided to partially admit it.

“Yes, it’s over. It was just a one-night fling.”

Graham’s eyes widened, but then she bit her lip. “I see.”

A long silence followed. For some reason, Graham seemed much more disappointed than Eleanor.

“Don’t worry about it. I’m fine.”

Eleanor patted Graham’s shoulder, who had become sullen. She sighed, then smiled again. “Yes. Even being noticed by the Count for just one night is a huge thing.”

Graham, seemingly determined to cheer Eleanor up, changed the subject with a bright voice. “So, what should we do now? Should I help you get ready to write?”

Eleanor was lost in thought for a moment before walking toward the pile of letters. As she began to browse through the invitations, Graham excitedly picked up a letter and said, “Look at this. This one is from the Marchioness of Ritrael. Isn’t that amazing?”

The Marchioness of Ritrael was the grand dame of high society. Her parties were famous for attracting big spenders, and Eleanor had always wanted to attend but had never been invited before.

“Ha. What a great opportunity. It’s a shame I have to stay at the mansion.”

Graham only seemed a little disappointed, but Eleanor’s expression grew serious. For such a powerful figure to show interest was not a good sign. It would have been easier to get through this crisis if everyone were still watching the Duke’s every move.

“I can’t just sit still.”

“Huh? What did you say?”

Eleanor decided to change her plan of lying low until the Princess and the Duke’s anger subsided. With the situation this heated, her staying quiet would only lead to more rumors. Given Liam’s personality, he wouldn’t blab about what had happened between them.

‘I need to take the initiative and announce everywhere that our relationship is over.’

Otherwise, her life might be in danger. Since there was no need to tell Graham about such a dangerous situation, Eleanor subtly changed her words. “I said that when the tide is high, you have to row.”

Graham’s face immediately brightened. “Then you’ll go?”

“Yes. There’s no need to sit and watch this opportunity pass by.”

Eleanor nodded and, as if she had planned it all in advance, gave her instructions expertly. “Contact the bookbinder and tell them they need to work overtime starting today. I’ll pay them double, so they should print twice as many books.”

“Yes!”

Miss Graham excitedly ran out. As she disappeared, Eleanor sank into a cushion and sighed.

‘I need to be careful with how I act from now on.’

Since she had rejected Liam, there was no one to protect her now. To stay alive, she needed to be among people and appease the Princess’s anger until the Princess and Liam were safely married. Fortunately, the Princess was known to be much kinder and more angelic than she was in the novel. Since they weren’t even engaged yet and a young noble’s escapade was a common thing, she could probably save her life if she explained things well.

‘I guess I’ll never see him again.’

It was her own decision, and she would make the same choice if she could go back in time. But she couldn’t help but feel a sense of regret when she thought of Liam.

‘Stop thinking about this.’

Eleanor decided to focus on more practical worries first. Although she had gotten caught up in it all a bit, she had made her own decisions, so she had to take responsibility for them herself.

‘But a crisis is always an opportunity.’

It was sad that there was so much fuss because she had gotten involved with the wrong man, but one thing was certain: she was going to make a lot of money. People would pay any amount of money to hear the story with Lian. Of course, she had no intention of telling the truth. But she had a brilliant talent for turning this kind of attention into profit. She would sell books and do readings, consuming the gossip herself. After navigating through the dangerous moments carefully, all that would be left was money. Popularity, attention, love, and men came and went. But diamonds are forever.

‘I will never get involved with a man again.’

Playing a dangerous game with someone she couldn’t be with was enough for one lifetime. Even if her daily life became dull, she wouldn’t have to deal with any more trouble if she built a wall around herself. She would go back to her old life and focus on her work. With that resolve, Eleanor found the strength to get up.

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