I Wasn't Trying to Seduce with the Male Lead - Episode 46

In the middle of a vast, flat grassland, where the horizon stretched endlessly in every direction, a procession of knights on horseback galloped at a furious pace, kicking up clouds of dust. It had been two weeks since they set out from Felicity. After traveling with only minimal rest, the foothills of a mountain range finally began to appear. It was the Molkana Mountains, the border that separated the central and southern parts of the empire.

At the head of the formation, Lian narrowed his eyes, gazing at the low-lying, sunken-looking mountain at the center of the range. That was where Hakmersia was said to live.

“Commander.”

Lost in thought, Lian turned his head at the call from his subordinate.

“Count Idelce is requesting an audience.”

Lian frowned slightly. Count Idelce was a court noble who had been sent along as both a liaison and a monitor. Traveling alone in a carriage, he was weak-willed like a scholar and unaccustomed to long-distance travel. He complained of his ordeal several times a day, holding back the group.

“What should I tell him?”

Lian usually ignored him, but this time, he slowed his horse. His white steed slowly veered away from the formation and approached the carriage, which was far behind. When he was close enough, Liane expertly flicked his whip, lightly tapping on the window.

The curtain soon opened, and a man with a pale complexion appeared.

“Is it true that we’ve finally reached the south?”

“Yes, it is.”

Lian’s answer to the listless count was curt. Count Idelce then clung desperately to the window, his voice full of pleading.

“Then how about we start traveling a little more leisurely? At this rate, the knight order will collapse before we even meet Hakmersia.”

“The Imperial Knights are not so weak as to be exhausted by a march of this .”

Lian’s pitiless reply made Count Idelce look as though he had been asked to kiss Hakmersia.

“Then can’t we at least rest for a little while?”

“The sun is high in the sky; we don’t need a rest just yet.”

To the wilting Count Idelce, Liane added words as precious as gold.

“Instead, we’ll reach a city before nightfall.”

He answered.

“Who is in charge of that place?”

“A viscount named Ota-Jur Yunis is currently governing it.”

This area was all part of the Yunis countdom, so a collateral branch of that family was in charge.

“Should we set our course for the city?”

A typical expedition would usually involve entering a city to rest, formulating a strategy, and then moving on.

“You, take Count Idelce and head into the city. Deliver this letter to Viscount Ota-Jur Yunis.”

Lian took a letter from his pocket and handed it over, saying, “Tell him to follow the instructions inside. It is the command of Liane Floyd Calabria, Commander of the Imperial Knights.”

“Yes, I understand,” his deputy, Michel, said, then immediately asked, “Aren’t you coming with us, Commander?”

“The Central Knight Order and the Second Knight Order will move with me and camp at the foot of the mountain, laying siege to it.”

To go straight to the mountain range from right in front of the city. It was a considerable forced march.

“Will there be no resupply before the subjugation?”

“It won’t be necessary,” Liane said flatly. “I’ll be going into the mountain alone.”

Michel momentarily doubted his own ears.

The Princess’s Palace, Rosagrande, where the cheerful sound of laughter always filled the gardens, was desolate despite the sunny weather. This was because its owner had been in a state of melancholy and remained secluded inside. The visitors and employees who came and went were genuinely concerned for her and were also tinged with her gloom.

The steps of Rosagrande’s head lady-in-waiting were especially heavy. Her face, too, was shadowed as she gave a heavy knock on the door of mahogany wood, which was carved with elegant sculptures.

“The Duchess sent me an invitation?”

The princess’s eyes lit up, even though she looked haggard from not eating well recently. At her expression, the lady-in-waiting felt even more awkward and bowed her head deeply.

“Yes, she did, but…” She hesitated, unable to speak at once, before finally getting the words out. “It seems the rumors are true.”

The smile that had appeared on the princess’s face after so long vanished in an instant.

The Shankarn Hotel, evolving day by day in the heart of Felicity, was the new talk of the town. While maintaining the beauty of a classical building, its roof and terrace had been renovated with a modern sensibility. The vast mansion was being transformed as if by magic, with an elegant garden and a fence being organized section by section, all with a refined sense of style. Everyone who saw the sight beyond the clear fence was impressed. Naturally, their interest shifted to the banquet that would be held with the opening of the mansion.

“So that woman really…”

“I went and asked the owner of the shopping district, and he confirmed it was true.”

This meant that the rumor that the banquet hosted by the Duchess, who was currently sweeping up the Palamblico Avenue, was being organized by the missing Eleanor Mariche was indeed true.

The princess was shocked and had a blank expression. Despite her dazed face, her fists under the desk were trembling and tightly clenched.

“Are you alright, Your Highness?”

When the princess remained silent for a long time, the lady-in-waiting asked with concern.

“Yes. I’m just… thinking about what kind of gift I should bring.” The princess’s voice was hoarse and shaky.

The lady-in-waiting, with a pained expression, tried to dissuade her. “A gift is out of the question. I know your angelic heart, but even the Duchess cannot make such a rude invitation.”

“No. It was I who suggested the banquet to the Duchess. I must attend.” The princess gave a weak smile and added in a whisper, “She has been away from the capital for so long, so she might have trouble deciding who to invite. I should help her.”

She then raised her lowered gaze and looked out the window.

“I have something to think about, so please leave me alone.”

“It’s not good for you to be alone right now. I’ll stay with you, Your Highness.”

“No, it’s alright.”

Despite the princess’s refusal, the lady-in-waiting continued to earnestly insist and did not leave. As the conversation dragged on, a sharp voice came from the princess.

“That’s enough. If you have time, go find Biancasta.”

The lady-in-waiting stiffened in shock at the princess’s irritable words. The princess let out a long breath and added softly, “I’m sorry. My mind is so unstable right now.”

“It’s only natural for you to feel that way. Shall I prepare some tea to help you calm down?”

The princess shook her head at the lady-in-waiting’s suggestion.

“No. Instead, help me with something.”

“Yes. Just say the word.”

“I’ve thought of a gift. I want to prepare and wrap it myself, so please prepare a metal box about this size.”

The lady-in-waiting nodded as the princess spread her palms to indicate the size.

“I understand, Your Highness.”

The lady-in-waiting left the room. Left alone, the princess’s drooping eyes narrowed.

‘She’s like a tick. Why is she so clueless when I told her to leave?’

She was already annoyed, and this just made it worse. The princess got up from the chair roughly and walked toward the wall, her footsteps thudding loudly. There was a huge bookshelf with various books, but her purpose was not reading.

“Dabitus.”

As she softly uttered the activation word, the heavy bookshelf, like something out of a classic novel, began to shake and then moved on its own. A large hole appeared where the bookshelf had been, revealing a staircase leading downwards. To prepare for a crisis in the royal family, every royal’s room was connected to an underground passage. This was one of several entrances in the princess’s room.

Instead of going straight down the stairs, the princess approached a closet on the right. She then fit the unique pendant hanging around her neck into a hole in the closet.

Screeeech—

The closet opened with a creaking sound. Inside were several miscellaneous items. The princess, with practiced hands, took out a hood and a small leather bag, then closed the closet. After putting them on, she began to descend the stairs.

Following the alchemist’s undying light, she spiraled down until a long hallway appeared. The princess navigated the winding passage with familiarity.

“Your Highness.”

Guards stationed at the iron bars that blocked the passage at intervals saluted her. The underground passage, which extended to every corner of the vast palace, required a lot of manpower to manage, so the number of people working there was not small. Thus, its existence was quite well-known, but because each section was strictly controlled, very few people knew the layout of the entire place.

After walking for a long time, the princess reached a black iron door. Unlike the iron bars guarded by soldiers, two knights in proper armor stood in front of this door.

“Open the door.”

When the princess gave the command, the knights bowed their heads, opened the door, and stepped aside. Inside was a hallway that was somewhat brighter than the corridor. This area was a restricted zone. Entry was strictly prohibited for anyone other than a member of the royal family.

“You’ve come again.”

As soon as the door closed, a gloomy voice echoed. The princess glanced in the direction the sound came from.

“I see you often these days.”

A pair of gray eyes watched from a dark corner. After discovering her, the princess had pulled her out of the sealed prison and brought her to this restricted area.

“Coming so often, you must have some wicked scheme up your sleeve.”

Beatrice moved her wrinkled lips and laughed. Her grotesquely distorted face from the side effects of sorcery was terrifying, but the princess paid her no mind.

“Shut up.”

“Have you been well?”

The man inside the cage flinched when she spoke to him. With his noticeably haggard face and frightened green eyes, he was none other than the missing Adrian Eunice.

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