I Wasn't Trying to Seduce with the Male Lead - Episode 36

Before he could even reach his detached palace, Sky received a report on Eleanor’s absence. Inside the room where he had stayed with her, he unbuttoned his stuffy imperial formal wear and questioned Zenith.

“So, that woman left as soon as I was gone?” “Yes. That is correct.” “And then she immediately headed to the residence of the Marquis of Weiss?” “Yes.”

Untying the cravat around his neck and freed from the uncomfortable formal wear, Sky slowly approached the window. Beyond the sprawling garden, the area outside the distant Imperial Palace was filled with moving lights, even though it was night.

“So all that commotion was caused by her, too?” “Yes. It’s a search party looking for the Marquis of Weiss’s daughter.”

Thanks to the surveillance he had placed on Eleanor, Sky could be informed of her every move in detail.

“I knew she had some trick up her sleeve when she refused to file a complaint with the Bureau of Protection, but I never imagined she would go and kidnap someone herself.”

Sky clicked his tongue in disbelief. She couldn’t have been unaware of the attention of the Empire on him. It was an excessively bold move for a woman who had experienced a life-threatening incident just recently.

“She headed to the Shancarn Hotel. The Duchess of Floyd was staying there, so she might be dead by now.” “Hmm. I don’t think so.”

The Duchess of Floyd, whom he had met at the assembly, was a woman whose intentions were impossible to read. For some reason, Sky had a feeling that she would not kill Eleanor.

“What do you plan to do with her now?”

In response to Zenith’s question, Sky directed his gaze towards the Shancarn Hotel, which jutted out across the square. The fact that this massive hotel had been sold had already caused an uproar among the financial circles of Felicity. The wealthy individuals who were amassing fortunes to buy that immense property were almost in a state of collapse at the news that the man who had bought it was an unknown young man named ‘Eli Matson.’ Naturally, countless questions were directed at Baron Grizman, the person in charge of the auction house, Rosewood Park. He described ‘Eli Matson’ as follows:

“He was a tall, young man wearing a simple cloak. He had a hood over his head, but his face, which was slightly visible, was delicate and exceptional.”

Considering the key Lian had given Eleanor and the fact that the Duchess of Floyd had headed there as soon as the assembly ended, the identity of ‘Eli Matson’ was clear.

“Since she’s gone back to Lian, I’ll have to watch and see for now.”

Zenith furrowed his brow at Sky’s words and asked, “If you intended to keep her by your side, why did you just hand over the key?”

“The letter said that if it wasn’t delivered to Eleanor properly, Count Calabria would come and deliver it himself.” “It’s hard to believe Your Highness would be swayed by such a threat.”

Zenith, who had lived his life as a behind-the-scenes retainer and was far removed from high society, spoke in a direct, unadorned manner.

“It’s not like Your Highness to send a woman you’re interested in back to a rival so easily.” “A rival. Do you think so?”

Sky smiled, turning to look at Zenith.

“In any case, he can’t have her.”

This wasn’t arrogance but genuine confidence. As long as the Emperor didn’t release him, Lian could not escape his destiny of marrying the Princess.

“So it’s better to send her back and let her stir things up for lian.”

lian, who had always walked the straight and narrow path, had been consistently taking actions that shook his position since meeting her. Sky hoped Eleanor would encourage that.

“Then you’re just going to leave her be?” “I’ll wait and see until she comes to me.”

Although Eleanor had consistently denied it, Sky believed she still had feelings for lian. As expected, when she was in a crisis, she immediately went to lian. Even if he had bound her to his side, the situation wouldn’t have changed much.

“What if that woman doesn’t come to you, Duke?” “She will find me. Soon enough.”

He had already implanted the relationship between Phaedra and Baroness Eleanor in the public’s mind, and a link had been established with her. Sky was filled with certainty, but Zenith didn’t seem to agree. Ignoring him, Sky smiled and cast his gaze out the window again.

The eastern part of the Imperial Palace had various facilities for the Emperor’s entertainment. Among them, the most popular place that outsiders were allowed to enter was the tower of the Eastern Palace, ‘Harbel.’ It was one of the tallest towers not only in the Imperial Palace but in the entire Empire, making it ideal for viewing the beautiful palace scenery.

Minaz sat with Claude in Harbel, looking down. Her eyes were excited, but it wasn’t because she was admiring the beautiful palace landscape.

“They’re increasing? Everyone’s information is so fast.”

The two people’s gazes were focused on the Imperial Chancellery, located opposite Harbel. It wasn’t a place that was rarely visited, but today it was so crowded that a long line of carriages had formed. Most of them were there to submit a petition against Count lian Calabria’s departure for battle.

“With the eyes of the entire Empire on him and him openly preparing for battle, it would be strange if the news didn’t spread.” “Even so, to have this many people in just two days. Our commander-in-chief sure has a lot of influence.”

The opposition to sending the future first Archduke of the Empire to a life-threatening situation was pouring in one after another.

“He’s so blunt and barely interacts with other noble families. If he’d monopolized power to that extent, the nobles would have tried to check him politically, but it’s a mystery that they haven’t.” “That’s because he’s Count Calabria.”

Minaz pouted at Claude’s words.

“Can’t you go a single moment without expressing your love for him?”

Claude, a serious lian admirer, looked a little flustered but then stood his ground.

“You say that, but don’t you agree? Count Calabria is a man worthy of such power.”

This time, it was Minaz who looked flustered.

“Well, he does seem like a man born to be an emperor.”

After admitting it quietly, Minaz immediately leaned forward against the railing.

“Oh, look over there. lian is out.”

lian was walking out of the Knight Commander’s Office, a short distance away. Everyone’s eyes instantly turned toward him, but no one dared to approach.

“Let’s go talk to him.” “Talk about what?” “I don’t know if you care, but I need to know exactly what lian is thinking. It’s best to hear it from him.”

Claude grumbled a little but quietly stood up and followed behind Minaz. The two of them quickly walked through the crowd. Fortunately, they were able to catch up with lian before he disappeared somewhere.

“Count Calabria!”

When Minaz called out loudly, lian turned around. To be precise, not only he but everyone around them looked over.

“Looking at you, it makes me wonder why I ever thought the title of Duke was so noble.” That was a thought Claude also had, who should have been holding Minaz back.

“What is it?” “Ah, well…” “Are you really that fond of Baroness Eleanor?”

While Claude was searching for the right words, Minaz blurted out the question. He was about to reprimand her, but before he could say anything, lian’s answer came back as bold as the question.

“Yes.”

Both of their mouths fell slightly open at the same time. This time, Claude was quicker to ask.

“I’ve heard plenty of rumors that she’s a charming woman, but what exactly has you so smitten?”

It was probably a question everyone in the Empire was curious about. lian frowned a little, as if he had been asked this question by many brave souls before.

“There are many things, but perhaps the biggest is that when I see her, I can’t stand not wanting to hold her.”

lian answered as if he were talking about the weather.

“I want to kiss her, hold her, touch her, and make love to her. I want to lock her in the bedroom all day and have her cling to me all night, looking only at me.”

After speaking calmly, lian raised his handsome chin slightly and concluded.

“I want to marry the person who makes me feel that way.”

Claude fumbled with his words, his face red, and looked at Minaz as if asking her to do something.

“Personally…”

Minaz nodded contentedly and gave a thumbs-up.

“I think a handsome philanderer is the best.”

It was wrong to have had any expectations. Claude let out a deep sigh. If he had given a reason that sounded even remotely rational, he could have tried to persuade him, but with a statement like this, he was at a loss for words. He probably did it on purpose, knowing that.

“So what are you going to do now? Do you really think this can happen? It goes against your destiny.” “No. She is my destiny.”

lian shook his head, stating it as a fact.

“Because I will make it happen.”

Claude was about to say something more, but Minaz tugged on his sleeve, stopping him. He turned to look at her, and she raised her hand to point in front of them. lian’s low voice flowed from his lips as he looked at the same spot.

“Mother.”

The Duchess of Floyd was standing there.

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