I Wasn't Trying to Seduce with the Male Lead - Episode 70

What are you talking about?” The princess frowned and asked Sky. “I thought you disappeared without a word, and now you’ve suddenly reappeared and say you’ve found the answer.” “I’ll explain soon.” Sky expertly escorted the princess to the center of the drawing room and had her sit down. “Before that, please tell me about your troubles, Your Highness. Each one will be resolved.” Even if Sky hadn’t said so, the princess already looked like she couldn’t bear not to vent. “People are whispering about me everywhere I go. They’re saying I killed Eleanor Maricette, that I’m a woman without a shred of humanity, unlike my appearance!” The princess’s voice trembled with indignation. “I can’t stand being slandered like this. The very people who used to say that a woman like her deserved to die are now blaming me!” Sky inwardly smiled bitterly. Was she unable to bear the criticism that arose from her own actions, even though she had intended to do it? He showed no emotion on the surface. “They’re even blaming me for the mess that Duke Bormia caused! They’re saying the lack of administrative progress is all because the princess has been acting on a whim.” The person she was appealing to was none other than the one who orchestrated it all. Yet, Sky patted her shoulder with an outrageously warm demeanor. “Yes, I understand how you feel, Your Highness. Please calm down and let’s look at the current situation.” Sky poured tea from the teapot on the table and spoke calmly. “People always want to blame something. When Eleanor Maricette was alive, they slandered her, but now that their tasty prey is gone, they need another target. It’s always the good people who suffer.” The princess was far from good; she was usually the one who designated the targets. Yet, the princess nodded as if it were true. Sky continued. “However, we anticipated that you would be misunderstood because of Eleanor Maricette. Wasn’t that why we kept that woman alive for this very moment?” “I wouldn’t be so annoyed if I had just killed her.” Sky placated the pouting princess. “Everything must have a dramatic reversal at a climactic moment for the impact to be significant. It’s best to turn the situation around when the criticism against Your Highness is at its peak.” “Is that possible?” “Yes. We have the weapon of the Oath of Truth.” The princess still looked sullen, but she listened to Sky without refuting him. “Let’s speak to His Majesty the Emperor and gather the imperial nobles at the palace. If you take the oath in front of everyone, the malicious factions who have been slandering Your Highness will be silenced.” “Wouldn’t it be better to do that after the Count arrives?” Lian had already arrived and was likely in hiding somewhere in Filicity. Knowing this, Sky feigned ignorance. “It would seem too contrived to do it in front of him, so it will look better and more selfless if we take care of it before he returns.” The princess seemed to find his explanation plausible, and the fierce demeanor she had when she first entered had softened considerably. “Will things really… work out so well?” “Yes. The misunderstandings will be dispelled by it.” Sky confidently promised. Since he was the one who instigated the rumors, it wouldn’t be difficult to make them subside instantly. “Alright. I’ll do it.” Finally, those words came from the princess’s mouth. Sky seized the opportunity to reveal his true purpose. “And now, a word about what happens next.” “What happens next?” “Yes. Please look at what I’ve been hiding and retrieving for Your Highness.” Sky took a bundle from his pocket and handed it to the princess. Inside was a very old, ancient book. The princess’s eyes widened as she opened it.

Zeppelin stood in a spacious room in the central tower of Eogaenos. In the center of the room was a huge balcony overlooking the palace courtyard. The location was so high that it was clearly visible from the square beyond the palace walls. That was where the emperor would appear to give his New Year’s address or make various major announcements. Today, too, countless nobles were gathered in the courtyard beyond the curtains. It was a charity banquet for the empire’s poor, but the reason for their gathering was entirely different. “Are you sure about this, Aileen?” The emperor asked in a worried voice. “You, my delicate daughter, don’t need to go through with this in front of everyone just because of some worldly misunderstanding.” “It’s alright, Your Majesty. I’m already prepared.” Zeppelin watched the father-daughter conversation with a bitter expression. He had been opposed to the idea of Aileen being exposed to such a dangerous oath from the beginning. This wasn’t because the emperor saw the princess as his delicate daughter, but rather the opposite. The emperor, the master of the palace, couldn’t possibly be unaware that Eleanor Maricette had been taken into the princess’s palace in Sky’s carriage in broad daylight. Knowing this, he was in a state of cognitive dissonance due to the discrepancy between the princess he knew and her actions. ‘Refusing to acknowledge the truth is never a good sign.’ The denial felt more empty than endearing. And that wasn’t the only thing that bothered him. “Please take good care of Eileen.” “Do not worry. I will be sure to guarantee Her Highness’s safety.” The man with the captivating face and a feigned smile. Sky Phaedra’s presence felt very unsettling. Why was this man here? ‘His intentions aren’t pure, I’m sure.’ Such suspicions arose, but he couldn’t break the will of the emperor and the princess. While Zeppelin’s mind was complicated, time flowed and events proceeded like water. The balcony curtains were drawn back, and the emperor and princess stepped outside. Not only nobles but also an enormous number of imperial citizens filled the square. “My beloved imperial citizens. It brings me great joy to see you all.” The emperor’s clear voice began to resonate. It was just the opening speech of an ordinary event, but with the experience of a long-reigning emperor, his short address moved the hearts of his people. Then, the princess stepped forward. “Today, I am here to make an important oath in front of all of you.” Eileen Haskator’s clear voice echoed through the venue.

“This is something I didn’t expect.” Minaz muttered, stirring his teacup with a spoon. “The princess made the Oath of Truth. Did she tamper with it somehow?” “If we trust the retainers who went to observe, it’s best to assume it’s true.” To spy on what the imperial family was up to, the two had sent nearly 30 retainers. Every single one of them unanimously reported seeing the unique red glow that only appears at the moment an oath is fulfilled. If that’s the case, the oath itself must be true. “The content of the oath was clearly, ‘I have never ordered Eleanor Maricette to be killed, have never seen her die, and do not believe she is dead,’ right?” “That’s right. It seems certain that the princess was not involved in her death.” Minaz put his spoon down. “Hmm. The repercussions of this oath will be significant, won’t they?” “The negative public opinion will be largely overturned.” The Duchess of Floyd, who had been silent, spoke instead. “Our public opinion will get even worse.” If the pro-imperial sentiment grew, the dukes who had publicly condemned the imperial family would surely find their position narrowed. Minaz tried to calm him down, and Lowen also settled down. In any case, they held the most crucial card at the moment. Lian Floyd Calabria. He was now in the Line of Abrote. “Only we know that Lian has returned. Since we made contact with him before the imperial family, the most urgent problem is solved.” The imperial guards probably hadn’t noticed him, as he appeared like smoke, so much so that even the person who let him in didn’t know he had entered. “Have you told Count Calabria about this?” At Lowen’s question, the Duchess of Floyd nodded. “He said, ‘I will remain silent until the promised time.’” When Lian first arrived, he left a message saying, “I will move in 6 days,” and then secluded himself in the basement. He didn’t explain the reason, no matter how much they asked. “Sigh. Well, I guess we have no choice but to wait for now.” “Tomorrow is the day Count Calabria spoke of. Something will happen then.” Lowen, who had near-infinite patience when it came to Lian, spoke in his defense. “We’ve waited so long, and yet he’s being so cruel, staying silent and not even showing his face. Just having him here would be a comfort during this boring confinement.” Minaz grumbled and sank deep into his armchair. “Well, there’s no use thinking about it, so let’s just rest and watch what those two are up to.” In reality, a duke’s job was a busy one, contrary to popular perception. Despite the unstable situation, Minaz was composed enough to enjoy the rare moment of leisure. “I’ve got nothing to do. Want to go watch Lian train?” “Isn’t the purpose to see his face, not his swordsmanship?” Lian’s movements, which had reached a master level, were fascinating to watch. Lowen chided him, but he quietly got up and followed. “We’ll be back. If you need us, send word to the basement.” After saying this to the Duchess, Minaz chuckled and left the room with Lowen.

Eleanor drew a line on the soft wall with a small skewer. The lines she had been drawing since her first day had now grown to fill one entire wall. It had been 13 days since she was confined to the basement. It was a dark place where she couldn’t even tell if the sun was rising or setting, so she could only wind the pocket watch Blane had brought with him to check the time. After marking the date, Eleanor slowly sat down at the dilapidated table. She intended to write in her journal, do some reading and writing, and then go to bed. How much time had passed since she had turned up the lamp wick and started writing? She heard a scraping sound from outside. ‘Are they training again?’ Time was the most abundant resource in the basement.

Knock, knock. She heard someone knocking on the door. “Yes, come in.” She answered, but there was no sign of the door opening. “Viscount? Deputy Commander?” She called out to both Blaine and Ilay, but there was no reply. Eleanor put down the book she was reading, got up, and approached the door. “What’s the matt…” She couldn’t finish her question. “It’s been a while, Eleanor.” Lian’s purple eyes looked down at her with a gentle expression.

Support