I Wasn't Trying to Seduce with the Male Lead - Episode 50

Eleanor stood at the very end of the second-floor hallway of the banquet hall, entertaining guests. She had chosen this spot so she wouldn’t stand out too much while not being completely isolated, but people kept coming to find her.

“So, have you been accepted as a daughter-in-law by the ducal family?”

“I’m merely assisting the Duchess with the banquet.”

To the barrage of questions, Eleanor offered the same answer every time. It was a repetitive conversation that seemed endless. Her mind was elsewhere, yet she smiled so much her cheeks felt like they were twitching as she exchanged pleasantries.

How long had she been there?

Suddenly, a familiar scent made Eleanor instinctively furrow her brow. When she looked up, where a face should have been, she saw a firm chest with a cravat. Eleanor flinched as she raised her gaze.

“What… are you doing here?”

“I couldn’t miss the Empire’s biggest banquet.”

Sky smiled, looking down at her. He was as handsome as ever, but his aura was completely different today.

“What are you wearing?” Eleanor asked, frowning.

Instead of the usual robes of the Kingdom of Phaedra, Sky was wearing the Empire’s formal attire.

“Does it look good on me?”

His confident tone was so annoying she wanted to snap back, but she couldn’t; it suited him so well. It was surprising how perfectly the refined Imperial uniform fit such a free-spirited man. The neatly tailored uniform, and his hair, which he always wore long, was now tied back and draped to the side, making his usual gloomy atmosphere disappear. However, his unique allure was amplified, contrasting with the ascetic clothing.

“It seems I’ll be staying in the Empire for a while.”

“Didn’t you say you were returning soon?”

“Have you forgotten who I said I wanted to return with?”

Sky grinned, and a maid who was absently carrying a slice of cake dropped her tray. There was a slight commotion, but Sky paid it no mind, continuing to speak while looking at Eleanor’s furrowed brow.

“You don’t have to frown so openly.”

“…I don’t recall sending you an invitation.”

“It’s troubling when you act so cold.”

Sky pulled on Eleanor’s hand, which was holding a fan.

“I received a valuable gift that holds my heart.”

Under the fan, Sky toyed with the marking stone he had given her. From the people around them who didn’t know the full story, murmurs arose at their intimate appearance. To avoid causing more of a scene, Eleanor went out to the terrace with Sky.

“I thought you would be reclusive for a while, but you’ve caused another stir.”

Sky questioned her sharply.

“Exposing the process to the outside world and making a big fuss about it must have a reason, right?”

This area was the most populated, so any large-scale construction would surely spread by word of mouth. Nothing helped a party’s success more than building buzz and excitement. Since the order was for this party to befit the Duke of Floyd’s prestige, it was a necessary process for Eleanor.

She knew Sky would understand without her having to explain. Eleanor remained silent, looking out at the terrace.

“Based on the lack of contact, I guess you haven’t thoroughly admired the Count of Calabria’s fine body yet?”

Eleanor bit her lip at Sky’s question. The reason she was so unusually cold today was that seeing Sky made the worries she had buried about Roan rise to the surface.

“The Count hasn’t returned.”

“Didn’t you ask someone who would know?”

“I don’t know who knows what. How could I recklessly ask anyone about that?”

She had debated several times whether to speak to the Duchess. However, she decided to keep silent, not wanting to worry the Duchess prematurely about a matter that wasn’t certain until Roan’s return.

“You’re careful with what you say and don’t say. I’m starting to like you more and more.”

Sky’s lips, as he leaned against the terrace and looked down at her, were turned up in a smile. The golden fireworks outside lit up the area, creating a backlight, but the light streaming over his distinct features was exquisite. Eleanor tilted her head, answering primly, “The more lightly you approach me, the less welcome your interest is.”

“I’m quite serious. Don’t you believe me?”

The heat in Sky’s eyes was completely different from when she first met him. It was a problem to have the conversation turn suggestive in a place where they were alone.

“I didn’t know a serious and honorable nobleman would deliberately spread rumors that he was tied up by me.” Eleanor tried to lighten the mood.

“Did Viscount Canterbury tell you?”

“Yes. Now I’m mistaken for a temptress with a rope fetish. What are you going to do about it?”

“I thought they would take it as a joke, but they’re seriously suspicious. Hmm, did you tie up anyone else besides me?”

Eleanor’s heart skipped a beat. She tried to quickly compose her expression, but Sky’s demonic, sea-colored eyes shone brightly.

“Don’t tell me, the Count of Calabria?”

She tried to avoid his teasing gaze, but it was already too late. Soon, Sky’s loud laughter echoed on the terrace.

“Haha. You are truly a fascinating woman.”

The dangerous allure that always lingered in Sky’s lazy eyes disappeared as they curved gently, making him look like a bright young boy.

“Stop now and go back to the banquet hall. I’m already flustered.”

“Does seeing me fluster you?”

Sky’s tone, as he raised an eyebrow, was suggestive, and Eleanor replied stiffly, “That’s not what I meant!”

“There probably aren’t many men who can stir your emotions, are there?”

His words flowed without hesitation as if they were a pre-written script. The moment she turned her head to retort, Eleanor flinched. Sky’s face was right in front of hers.

“May I kiss you?”

Eleanor’s mouth fell open at the sudden question.

“Huh? Do you think I’d say yes?”

“I can try.”

Sky winked. If any other man had done it, it would have looked like a clumsy move, but it suited him to a horrifying degree.

“You’ll meet the Count of Calabria soon. I need to make a lasting impression.”

His whispering voice seemed to melt into her ear. However, the words “Count of Calabria” caught her attention more than his suggestive remark.

Would Roan really have made a vow? The thought of him was so consuming that all she could do was throw herself into her work. Sky said it would be soon, but a reunion with Roan felt so far away.

“You’re thinking of another man’s face,” Sky murmured softly, then lightly brushed Eleanor’s cheek as she looked down. “Today will probably be a difficult day.”

“It already is.”

At Eleanor’s words, Sky, who had a bitter expression, let out a small laugh.

“Don’t get tired already. It seems two women, who are much stronger than me, have a plot.”

Strong women? The Duchess and the Princess immediately came to mind.

“What plot?”

“I don’t know for sure. It’s just what the rumors say.”

Just as Sky said that, a loud announcement from outside shattered the scene.

“His Imperial Majesty enters!”

The clear voice and cheers made Eleanor tense up, and Sky slightly raised his eyebrows.

“I should go.”

Eleanor nodded with a stiff face. Sky extended his hand as if to escort her, then abruptly grabbed her wrist. His red lips soon touched the back of her hand.

To calm her flushed face, Eleanor stayed on the terrace for a while before using a connecting door to quietly leave in a different direction from Sky. In the secluded part of the second-floor hallway, there was a railing overlooking the hall. Walking over, Eleanor watched the Emperor’s party pass through the garden and enter the mansion. The Emperor was approaching the Duchess to greet her, but Eleanor’s gaze was fixed on one person.

‘The Princess.’

Wearing a light sky-blue dress, the Princess had her usual facade of a delicate and innocent girl. Before facing her like this, Eleanor had once sympathized with her, feeling happy and sad with her, laughing and crying with her.

Eleanor watched the scene below with a dry gaze.

“Should I, the Emperor, ask the star of the banquet for a dance?”

The Emperor’s voice echoed clearly in the quiet room, as if water had been thrown on it. The Duchess, who had completed her curtsy, straightened her posture and, instead of her usual curt tone, replied with a full voice, “Tonight’s banquet is for everyone. It would be better to let the two most beautiful young people here begin the dance rather than me, a clumsy dancer.”

The Duchess’s gaze fell on Princess Eileen and Sky, who stood behind her.

“What do you say, Duke of Phaedra?”

Admiration and envy appeared on the faces of all the women in the banquet hall. When the two took hands and walked to the center of the hall, the music began to play. Soon, people joined the floor, and the banquet hall became a festival of bright, flowing dresses. As the atmosphere matured, Eleanor did not miss the Emperor subtly approaching the Duchess. The two spoke for a moment before disappearing into a hallway leading into the hall.

‘A secret meeting?’

What were the Duchess and the Emperor talking about? She was curious, but there was no way to approach the Duchess and Emperor’s meeting. Eleanor decided to wait and turned her attention back to the floor.

‘The Princess didn’t come here without a motive.’

Considering what she had done to Bianca, she might try to kill someone again. From the lesson of the last party, Eleanor had no intention of eating or drinking anything, but she couldn’t let her guard down. Moreover, considering Sky’s warning…

Eleanor’s face, which had been anxiously watching the Princess, became stiff.

“How did you get here…!”

In the most crowded area, a familiar face appeared. The most horrible person in this world—the Baroness Donat Maryce, Eleanor’s mother-in-law.

‘Has word already reached the Maryce territory?’

The territory was very remote, and Eleanor had deliberately isolated it so outside news wouldn’t reach them easily. For her to have come all the way to the capital on her own without any interference…

‘Did the Princess bring her?’

Seeing Donat speaking to the capital’s formidable noblewomen with a triumphant, queen-like expression, there was no room for doubt. If so, the words pouring from Donat’s mouth were obvious without even having to hear them. As always, she would be belittling Eleanor and maliciously slandering her with ridiculous lies.

‘She knows exactly where to poke to get a reaction. I hate it.’

Eleanor frowned. With an angelic face, how could she so wickedly exploit a person’s weaknesses? She was annoyed by the Princess’s vulgarity. She didn’t want to step into the spotlight, but she couldn’t just let Donat run amok.

As she was about to head downstairs, a strange woman suddenly appeared, blocking Eleanor’s path.

“Hello?”

A young, tall, and voluptuous beauty smiled and greeted her.

“Nice to meet you, Baroness Eleanor.”

Her smiling demeanor was friendly, but her expensive clothing and natural condescension suggested a high social standing.

“You’re as beautiful as they say. It’s a relief you live up to my expectations. I’ve been quite interested in you.”

She looked at Eleanor like a delicious meal, her eyes sparkling. Eleanor tried to pull away, feeling burdened, but the woman’s long arm subtly wrapped around her shoulder.

“Let’s go.”

“Pardon?”

Go? Go where? Eleanor was flustered by the abrupt command. But since the woman seemed formidable, she asked politely, “I’m sorry, but who… are you?”

“Follow me. There’s something I really need to show you.”

The sexy glint in the woman’s winking eyes seemed somehow dangerous.

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