I Wasn't Trying to Seduce with the Male Lead - Episode 38

“An idol… you say?”

Eleanor thought she’d misheard, but Biancasta, though shy, spoke with a clear voice.

“I don’t have friends, so I mostly read books at home. I own all of the Baroness’s works. I also buy every dress and hair accessory produced in the Mariche Estate as soon as they come out.”

Of course, Eleanor was used to being admired by many teenage girls.

But she never imagined the original story’s villainess would be a fan.

“I’ve sent fan letters a few times, too. The signed copies I bought at auction are my treasures. If the Baroness doesn’t publish a new book, half the fun in my life will disappear.”

As Biancasta spoke, she seemed to gain confidence, and her words flowed more freely.

“I also enjoyed the new book you published early this year. The male protagonist was so cool that I was completely absorbed in it for a while and didn’t feel bored at all. The setting where the number one fighter in the country and the son of the wealthiest family, along with five handsome knights, formed K5 was truly innovative. And…”

Leaning forward and speaking with an uncharacteristic eagerness, Biancasta seemed to realize Eleanor was stunned and snapped back to reality.

“Ah, I’m sorry, I got so excited…”

“No, I’m happy to meet a fan.”

Eleanor reassured the blushing Biancasta and brought the conversation back on track.

“So you had a positive feeling toward me, but you still followed the Princess’s orders? Does the spell on you have the power to control people?”

If that were the case…

As expected, Biancasta shook her head.

However, she couldn’t explain the reason because of the vow.

In that case, Eleanor had no choice but to keep asking questions until she found the right answer.

“Then, did the Princess threaten you?”

Fortunately, she seemed to have guessed right on the first try.

Biancasta made a strange sound.

“What did she threaten you with? Your family? Did she threaten to kill you? Or someone close to you?”

Biancasta, who hadn’t reacted to the previous guesses, made a strange sound at the last one.

“Who is that person? A friend? Or a lover?”

Biancasta couldn’t nod, but from her flushed face, it seemed to be the latter.

“If so, that’s a big problem. The Princess might have already killed that person.”

Eleanor’s voice was urgent, but Biancasta surprisingly didn’t seem too worried.

Eleanor pressed her, sensing there might be a reason, and since this part didn’t seem to be blocked by the spell, Biancasta soon gave an answer.

“As long as I don’t die first, they’ll be okay.”

“Did the Princess say that?”

Based on the strange sound Biancasta made, it seemed so.

That’s why she was so at ease, but Eleanor was very skeptical.

‘A promise like that can be broken anytime the situation changes.’

It was obvious the Princess would use that person as a hostage to control Biancasta if she couldn’t secure her.

“Can you tell me who it is?”

Biancasta tried to open her mouth but couldn’t answer.

She squirmed for a moment before finally managing to spit out a single phrase.

“I first met the man at the Princess’s birthday celebration.”

After saying that, Biancasta turned as red as a rose.

Knowing that much, Eleanor could probably find the person by asking around.

‘I need to find and protect them.’

The problem was that she couldn’t go outside because of the Duchess.

In that case, she had no choice but to find someone who could help.

“What’s wrong?”

Seeing Eleanor lost in thought, Biancasta asked with a worried voice.

“Huh? Oh, nothing. Just thinking about something.”

After a brief thought, Eleanor decided not to mention this to Biancasta.

Given her personality, she didn’t seem like she would be much help in solving the problem, and Eleanor didn’t want to trouble her mind unnecessarily.

She decided to tell her once things were more certain and subtly changed the subject.

“Is the food to your liking?”

The oatmeal she brought was simple.

Given her current situation, Eleanor couldn’t just order a maid around, so she made it herself.

“Yes. It’s fine.”

It didn’t seem to taste very good.

Of course, Eleanor had never really cooked before, and Biancasta was a high-ranking noble’s daughter who had a picky palate from eating only the best food.

“Even if it’s not to your liking, please eat a little for your health.”

Biancasta obediently nodded.

She ate a little oatmeal, looked at Eleanor, took another bite, and looked at her again, repeating the process.

She seemed hesitant, as if she had something she wanted to say.

“Do you have something you want to ask?”

Eleanor spoke first.

“Um…”

“Yes?”

Biancasta hesitated, unable to speak, and finally managed to ask.

“Can I call you Eleanor, too?”

Eleanor had deliberately stuck to the title ‘Baroness’ to maintain distance from others.

She had been hurt so much before she was established that she closed herself off to succeed.

She guarded against men’s advances and was cautious about getting too close to other women.

But she couldn’t refuse the gesture of a young girl trying to open her heart to the world.

“Yes. Of course.”

As soon as Eleanor gave her answer, Biancasta was so happy she almost jumped.

Eleanor felt a sense of pride, but at the same time, she found it a bit amusing.

‘The first friend I’ll call by my name is the Empire’s greatest villainess.’

When she first arrived in this world, she never would have imagined her life would be threatened by the female lead and that she would end up saving the villainess.

This would surely add fuel to her reputation as a seductress.

‘Well, if it helps her heal even a little…’

Seeing Biancasta cheer up, Eleanor decided nothing else mattered.

She watched her with a fond smile, and her gaze fell on the baggy clothes she was wearing.

“You had to leave so suddenly that you couldn’t pack anything, right? Blane said he’d get some things later, so tell me what you need.”

“Just providing food is enough for me.”

“What? But don’t you need clothes?”

“It doesn’t matter what I wear.”

Biancasta spoke in a tone that was completely unlike a teenage girl.

“Because I’m not pretty like the Baroness.”

In truth, she was so thin and frail that she didn’t give off a beautiful vibe.

But seeing her big eyes and prominent nose, Eleanor thought she would be a real beauty if she gained a little weight and dressed up.

“Biancasta, you are very pretty.”

“What? That’s not true.”

“It is. If you don’t believe me, let me style you.”

Biancasta’s face lit up.

“I-I get to receive the Baroness’s famous styling?”

She seemed incredibly happy at the thought of being styled by Eleanor, the socialite fashion leader.

“Yep. So I’ll go get some things. In return, you eat well and try to relax as much as possible, okay?”

“Yes!”

Hearing Biancasta’s cheerful reply, Eleanor left the room with a sense of pride, pushing a cart.

In her past life, she was an only child, and her family in this life sold her to Baron Mariche and disappeared without a trace.

So she was completely alone, without a single blood relative.

She had always wished she had a younger sister.

‘Even if I can’t go out, it won’t be too boring.’

In any situation, a little bit of joy is necessary.

For the first time since she entered this hotel, Eleanor smiled as she pushed the cart down the hallway.

In the evening, Eleanor, who was organizing her thoughts in her room, heard a knock.

When she opened the door, Blane was standing outside.

His expression was even worse than when she saw him yesterday.

“I heard you were looking for me. Do you need something?”

“I have some things I want to ask you. And I need the Viscount’s help with something.”

Blane reluctantly entered the room.

“What do you want to ask?”

“Is Count Calabria not coming to this mansion?”

Blane’s expression crumpled at the simple question.

“I don’t know what that guy is thinking.”

“What happened?”

“He always makes important decisions on his own!”

Blane paced the room excitedly, spouting off words.

“He makes reckless decisions that lead him into danger! He doesn’t care how much trouble he causes the people left behind, and he shamelessly says things like, ‘Please take care of things from here!’ It’s enough to make my nerves fray in half every day!”

It seemed he was incredibly frustrated that Lian had decided something without him.

She didn’t know the specifics, but she could roughly understand how Blane was feeling.

“You must be very worried about him.”

“Worried? Why would I worry about that stubborn, selfish idiot?”

“The Count will be fine.”

Eleanor smiled, and Blane pursed his lips and then closed them.

Embarrassed that his true feelings had been exposed, he sighed and sat down across from Eleanor.

“Ahem, what is it you need help with?”

“I must meet Duke Sky Phaedra.”

Blaine’s expression, which had slightly relaxed, crumpled again.

“I want to go myself, but the Duchess won’t let me leave. So I have no choice but to summon him here.”

“Ugh. I’m sorry, but I won’t be delivering another letter to the Duke.”

“Please, just do it for me. Right now, I have no one else to ask for help besides you, Viscount.”

As Eleanor looked at him with an earnest gaze, a bashful look appeared on Blaine’s face.

He wanted to grant her request, but at the same time, he hesitated. “But you won’t die if you just stay put. Why do you keep causing trouble?”

“If I told you the reason, you’d only worry more.”

Blaine raised his chin, signaling for her to speak.

He seemed to be a compassionate and fundamentally good person.

Feeling it would be safe to tell him, Eleanor briefly explained the situation.

“The Princess used a spell…? And she controlled Lady Weiss to try to kill you?”

As expected, Blane looked like he couldn’t believe it.

“I’m sorry, but that young lady has a reputation for being delusional. It’s unlike you to fall for a story like that. You should rather go to the Ministry of Law and…”

“I saw it with my own eyes.”

Eleanor showed him the Stringstone she was wearing and explained its effects and what she had seen.

It took a while, but Blaine finally believed her.

“So that’s why you’re looking for Duke Phaedra.”

Blaine sounded convinced, but he was still reluctant.

“I understand the situation, but in that case, wouldn’t it be better to stay hidden and accept Lian’s protection?”

“If I hide under a blanket and just think about the Festival of the Saint, I might feel at ease. But the reality surrounding me won’t get better on its own just because I step back and leave it to someone else.”

Eleanor said firmly and moved a little closer to Blane.

“I’m going to do what I can. And right now, that means badgering Viscount Canterbury.”

“But I…”

“You’ll do it.”

“Lian still has feelings for someone other than you…”

“You’ll still help me.”

Blaine looked like he wanted to run away.

“For the past five years, I’ve clung to people who ostracized me and refused to let me in until they listened. I can do this kind of pleading and haggling all day.”

Eleanor spoke confidently and smiled charmingly.

“You’ll do it, won’t you?”

Blaine sighed heavily, crumpled his face, and took the letter from Eleanor’s hand.

“You have to pay me back for this!”

“When I’m able to go out, I’ll introduce you to as many of the prettiest ladies in high society as you want.”

At that, Blaine’s attitude softened a bit.

After sending him off, Eleanor sat down at her desk to begin her next plan.

But it wasn’t long before another knock sounded at the door.

“Yes, come in.”

Eleanor, who had answered, thinking Blaine had forgotten something, paused when she saw the person.

“It’s been a while, Eleanor.”

Lian stood outside the door with a beautiful smile on his face.

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