I Wasn't Trying to Seduce with the Male Lead - Episode 28

Grand Duke Phaedra paced around the library in a frenzy, passionately making his case.

“That boy has met countless women, and now his standards are impossibly high! He insists that he won’t give his heart to any woman unless she is intelligent, beautiful, skilled in archery, and capable of surviving alone in the wilderness! I honestly doubt such a woman even exists in the world!”

So much pent-up frustration had accumulated that he spoke his resentful words without even taking a breath.

“I can’t stand to see him just messing around with women anymore! I want grandchildren soon, no matter who the mother is!”

It seemed Grand Duke Phaedra was having the exact opposite problem as the Duke of Calabria.

“After the ducal conference tomorrow, he’ll probably try to return to the duchy. I have to find a way to make something happen before then.”

A single word from his rambling mutterings caught Eleanor’s ear.

“A conference?”

“Yes, tomorrow! If it weren’t for the conference with the Emperor, he might have already left the Empire.”

A conference with the Emperor. It felt like something she could use.

“What kind of conference is it?”

“Just a gathering of all the direct heirs of the ducal families to discuss the future of the Empire… No, that’s not important!”

Grand Duke Phaedra said, annoyed that the topic had changed.

“Listen to me carefully.”

Grand Duke Phaedra leaned his distinctively-featured face uncomfortably close.

“If he has a child, he’ll settle down just like I did. So, hurry up and have an heir. Just give him one child, and I’ll ensure you live in wealth and splendor for the rest of your life.”

“But… I am a widow, completely unsuitable for His Grace the Duke…”

“Well, you can’t be the official duchess, but you could be a high-ranking concubine. I’ll handle all that, you just focus on seducing him.”

After making his point firmly, Grand Duke Phaedra stared intently at Eleanor.

“Since he’s keeping you close, he must like you, and you’re this beautiful, so it’s only a matter of time.”

He smiled with satisfaction and patted Eleanor’s shoulder.

“Just do as I say. If my son comes to his senses, even if he marries an official wife later, I’ll take your side.”

Grand Duke Phaedra came to this conclusion on his own. Feeling that this would become a foregone conclusion if she just stayed silent, Eleanor quickly opened her mouth.

“Wait, that’s difficult…”

But before she could say anything properly, another voice echoed in the library.

“What are you doing here?”

This time, Skye was walking in with a frown. He looked at Grand Duke Phaedra with great suspicion.

“Father, what brings you to the library?”

“Do you think I don’t read?”

Grand Duke Phaedra retorted with dignity, but even to Eleanor, who had just met him, he didn’t look like he had any familiarity with a library.

“Ahem. Well, I have a banquet, so I’ll be leaving now.”

Embarrassed even to himself, Grand Duke Phaedra quietly slipped away.

“What did my father talk to you about?”

“It was nothing much.”

Eleanor shook her head. She didn’t want to create an embarrassing atmosphere by mentioning that his father had been encouraging her to have an heir, especially with the suggestive looks Skye was already giving her.

“More importantly, what are you doing in the library, Your Grace?”

“I have a gift for you.”

“A gift?”

Skye pulled out a pristine white envelope and handed it to her, a smirk on his face.

“A letter from the Prince.”

When she took the heavy envelope, a fresh scent that felt somehow familiar wafted from it. The moment she saw the signature “[R. Calabria],” her heart sank.

“Did the Count… come in person?”

“No. His proxy came.”

Skye encouraged Eleanor, who was just holding the envelope.

“You can open it.”

She felt a bit self-conscious with Sky watching her reaction, but since he must have already seen the contents, there was nothing to hide. Inside the envelope were a silk-wrapped package and a single card.

[I must see you. I will be waiting.]

A short, simple sentence. It was nothing special, but hearing it in what felt like Rian’s voice made a corner of her heart ache.

“Good-looking men write letters that make hearts flutter, don’t they?”

Sky said with a teasing tone from beside her. Feeling as if her thoughts had been read, Eleanor retorted with a sassy tone.

“You must have terrible handwriting then, Your Grace.”

“No, that’s not true.”

While Skye was giving a dignified response to her backhanded insult, Eleanor opened the package. It contained a gold key with a leather tag attached. On the tag, an address was written.

‘Central district of Felicity, 7th Street.’

Eleanor tried to pinpoint the location and tilted her head.

‘Near the Shankarn Hotel? Was there a mansion in that area?’

The hotel grounds were so vast that she couldn’t be sure, but there weren’t even townhouses, let alone mansions, in that vicinity.

‘Then is this a hotel key? Did he reserve a room?’

She had heard it was for sale, but it seemed to still be in operation.

“He said to go there and give your name, and they’d take care of you,” Sky added, seeing Eleanor lost in thought. “He said you don’t need to feel pressured and to use it whenever you want, as he won’t go unless you call him.”

He was probably being considerate, knowing she might feel uncomfortable staying with Skye despite their separation. But what would be the point of meeting him now? Unable to read Rian’s true intentions, her mind was in turmoil.

“Are you going to see him?”

Eleanor was lost in thought but snapped out of it at the sound of Sky’s voice.

“I don’t know. I’m not sure why he’s looking for me.”

Eleanor put the card and key back into the envelope, trying to sound nonchalant.

“And I don’t know why you’re delivering this to me, either.”

“I had a letter inside it, too.”

“What did it say?”

Sky just shrugged, offering no answer.

Eleanor and Sky left the library together.

“Are you feeling a bit better now?” Sky asked as they walked down the corridor.

“Yes. I haven’t coughed up blood once today.”

As Sky had warned, she had been coughing up blood intermittently for a few days. Each time, her stomach would turn, and she would feel dizzy, but it was a relatively mild reaction for someone who had been poisoned.

During their short conversation, the two of them arrived at Eleanor’s room.

“Do you have no intention of coming to my room tonight?” Skye’s subtle question came.

Eleanor nodded as if it were obvious.

“That’s harsh. I might not come back tomorrow after being struck by the Count of Calabria’s sword.”

“If you come back as a corpse, I’ll go to your room that night and mourn all night.”

Sky laughed out loud at Eleanor’s words.

“Why are you so stubborn? Do you dislike me that much?”

His eyes, up close, were softer than when she first saw them. He was a man she couldn’t let her guard down around because he seemed dangerous, but she couldn’t deny that he was incredibly charming. Eleanor, trying not to show her wavering heart, turned her head and said stubbornly,

“My mother told me never to trust a man who tries to lure you into bed before asking for a relationship.”

“You have a wise mother.”

Skye chuckled and looked down at Eleanor as she opened her door and stepped inside.

“Does that apply to the Count of Calabria as well?”

“Good night.”

Eleanor deliberately pretended not to hear his last words and closed the door.

‘A discussion about the future of the Empire.’

Eleanor focused on the story the Grand Duke had let slip. Such a grand discussion seemed to have nothing to do with a commoner like herself. But there was one part that caught her attention.

‘Skye will be away from the (separate palace) tomorrow.’

The Empire’s attention would also be focused on that conference tomorrow. This meant tomorrow was her chance. Eleanor toyed with the string stone as she headed to the bathroom.

The Rosagrande Princess’s Palace.

Per the Emperor’s wish to keep the Princess close, her palace had a direct view of the Emperor’s palace, Eogainos. To enjoy this beautiful view, the Princess’s tea parties were often held on the terrace.

“It really feels like stepping into a fairy tale, it’s so beautiful.”

Today was no different, with a tea party for young ladies on the terrace. The ladies, gathered around a table lavishly decorated with real flowers as if a rose garden had been moved indoors, chattered without a moment’s rest.

“Grand Duke Phaedra is too much. How could he bring a woman like that into the Imperial Palace?”

“I’m sure the Count saw right through her frivolous nature, which is why he dumped her so quickly. They say men get bored of flighty women like that easily.”

The gossip about Baroness Eleanor, which had been a hot topic since the birthday celebration, continued nonstop.

“I think people are finally coming to their senses. My mother even told me not to read the Baroness’s book.”

“My governess also criticized the writing as being crude and vulgar. She said her commoner origins are glaringly obvious after reading just one page.”

Despite their words, the fact remained that the entire Empire was clamoring to get their hands on the Baroness’s book, and even the maids were constantly lurking around the separate palace, desperate for a glimpse of Grand Duke Phaedra and Eleanor.

The Princess was tired of the predictable conversation but forced herself to stay and smile. She was waiting for someone.

“Ah! She’s here!”

The Princess, who had been anxiously watching the entrance, shot up from her seat.

“Duchess Floyd!”

The young ladies’ eyes widened at the Princess’s shout. Duchess Floyd had used her health as an excuse to delegate her duties at the birthday celebration and various state meetings to the Duke of Calabria and hadn’t set foot in the capital. Her participation in this conference was a secret, and the capital knew nothing about it.

With the young ladies’ admiring gazes upon her, the Princess approached the Duchess.

“When did you arrive in the capital?”

“Just now.”

The Princess courteously led her to a seat on the terrace.

“I was so happy to hear that His Majesty had called for you. I’ve missed you so much.”

“I also wanted to see you, Your Highness, which is why I came here first,” Duchess Floyd said with a warm smile. The Princess was one of the few people who could bring a smile to the Duchess’s stern face. As a child who had a crush on Lian, the Princess would pester the Emperor to create excuses to follow him to the northern territories. However, since Lian was always practicing with his sword and never properly spent time with her, she ended up spending much more time with the Duchess. The Duchess, who had always wanted a daughter, was very fond of the affectionate and friendly Princess.

“You were the only thing I missed from the capital. I’ll be staying here for a while, so we’ll see each other often.”

The usually reserved Duchess smiled a rare smile. The faces of the surrounding young ladies were full of admiration, but the Princess monopolized the Duchess, not giving them a chance to speak.

However, before long, Count Zeppelin came to greet her.

“Duchess. It’s time to go.”

“Oh. Where should I go?”

“I’ll escort you!”

The Princess jumped up and followed her. The Emperor’s palace was right in front of them, but she needed to at least hint at her intentions.

“Duchess. I heard that something very important will be decided today. Perhaps…”

She didn’t need to finish her sentence; the intelligent Duchess would understand her meaning.

“All things will fall into place as they should.”

The Duchess gently patted the earnest Princess’s shoulder and smiled softly. Watching her disappear into the conference hall, the Princess’s expression was tense, but inwardly, she wore a knowing smile.

Yes, as they should. No matter what obstacles get in the way, the world always returns to its proper course.

“Your Highness, look over there! Count of Calabria is entering the palace!”

At the flustered voice of a young lady, the Princess, with a bashful look, approached the balcony railing.

Lian Floyd Calabria was walking towards Eogainos in the full uniform of the Imperial Knights. The moment she saw him, the resentment and hatred that had built up inside her melted away. Even after committing a mistake no one else would have been forgiven for, he was still perfect. The more she saw him, the more she realized how much she wanted and loved him.

‘In the end, you have no choice but to be mine.’

Being with him was her destiny. After today, that man would be by her side. As she gazed at him, the Princess’s light blue eyes shone with a sense of triumph.

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