I Wasn't Trying to Seduce with the Male Lead - Episode 73

Zeppelin slightly parted the curtains to peer out of the carriage. Even in the early morning, Felicity’s main street was bustling with people. Word had reached them that the Imperial Knights were approaching Felicity. To welcome the heroes who had achieved a feat worthy of being recorded in the history of the Empire—the subjugation of Hakmersia—a welcoming crowd had already lined the road from the gates of Felicity to the Imperial Palace. Zeppelin passed by the procession and went outside the walls of Felicity. After driving for a while, Zeppelin arrived at the encampment outside the city gates.

“Welcome, Count Palatine.”

Michelle, the-commander of the Imperial Knights, greeted him. The Emperor had intentionally stopped the Imperial Knights at the encampment so close to Felicity for a grand triumphal parade. It was to widely publicize this rare achievement and enhance the authority of the Imperial Family. Zeppelin had come all the way here to ensure that no failures would occur. Of course, he had a more important purpose.

“Where is Count Calabria?”

He was the main character of the triumphal parade and the man everyone in Felicity had been waiting for. The Emperor was eager to confirm his current status. However, unable to come himself, he sent Zeppelin. Michelle blinked without a direct answer. A foreboding feeling arose from his expression.

“We reported to the capital that the Count departed alone and did not return with us.”

“I know that. But word came from Count Calabria that he would join us near the castle…”

“This is the first I’ve heard of it. We were ordered to proceed with the parade as planned.”

What he had hoped would not happen was unfolding in reality. Zeppelin’s vision went dark, and he immediately got back into his carriage. Without a proper explanation, he raced back to the Imperial Palace as fast as the wheels would spin. Arriving with incredible speed, Zeppelin went to the Eagainos and reported the facts he had just confirmed to the Emperor. A roar of fury erupted from the Emperor’s mouth.

“Then where has Count Calabria disappeared to?”

“For now, we have secured all of Felicity and the places he might go. We have also sent people to Count Calabria’s territory.”

Even as he said this, Zeppelin felt a sense of futility. No matter how much they prepared, there was no way to stop Lian Calabria if he intended to infiltrate.

That’s why I tried so hard to not let any suspicious signs show.

The Imperial Family and others in the capital had been somewhat complacent because there was no way for them to contact Lian Calabria. They had captured every single instance of his trusted followers secretly coming and going from the Line of Abrote. They meticulously monitored them to see if they were connected to Lian, but there were no other movements besides the schemes of the dukes.

It’s impossible unless he made an appointment to meet them before leaving the castle.

And that possibility seemed unlikely. The current situation in the capital had rapidly changed due to a series of events that occurred after he left Felicity. Lian had accepted the expedition to resolve his relationship with the Imperial Family on his own terms. If he had foreseen that things would turn into such a mess, he would have never left the capital rather than arranging an uncertain meeting.

“He wouldn’t have just gone into hiding instead of returning to the capital, would he?”

Zeppelin shook his head at the Emperor’s question. Among Lian Calabria’s unpredictable and baffling actions, one thing was clear: he wanted to keep Eleanor Mariche by his side no matter what. Although her exact location was unknown, it was certain that she was in the capital. As long as she was here, Lian would also return to the capital.

“I think there’s a high possibility he’s already entered the capital and is in hiding. In that case…”

Zeppelin trailed off, carefully choosing his words.

“We need to take custody of Eleanor Mariche from Her Royal Highness, the Princess, and handle her ourselves.”

He had pretended not to know because the Princess seemed to want to keep it a secret, but in the face of a major crisis for the Empire, they couldn’t just cater to her whims. This time, the Emperor did not take his daughter’s side.

“Yes. That child is too kind. It seems she couldn’t even deal with her rival and let her live. It’s better for us to take her.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. That is correct.”

Zeppelin agreed appropriately, then offered a suggestion.

“At this point, we must consider the only option to be subjugating Count Calabria as soon as we see him. Even if it’s dangerous, we must have Her Royal Highness, the Princess, with us at all times.”

“Rian’s absence alone will shock the Princess, so I will go and tell her myself.”

The Emperor rose from his chair and commanded, “Immediately contact Duke Calabria’s residence. And send people to the Line of Abrote and Count Calabria’s residence to focus on locating Lian.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I will obey your command.”

After dismissing Zeppelin, the Emperor left the Eagaino. As he entered the Rosagrande, a desperate shriek, like the cry of a beast, echoed through the halls. The Emperor, realizing it was his daughter’s voice, turned pale and stumbled inside. When he opened the Princess’s door, he was astonished. Her room, decorated with the most precious ornaments and crafts in the world, was completely ravaged as if trampled by bandits. In the center of the room, the Princess was thrashing on the bed, unable to control herself, screaming.

“Eileen! Calm down!”

The Emperor approached, grabbed her arm, and tried to soothe her. At first, she thrashed violently and tried to push him away, but then she seemed to realize he was her father, and her movements subsided. She clung to the Emperor’s neck and burst into tears.

“It’s gone! It’s completely, completely gone!”

“Gone? What’s gone?”

The Princess’s clothes were stretched and tattered. Her fair neck, exposed in the mess, was bright red from how much she had scratched it. She pointed to it, her voice choked with sobs.

“The, the Seal… the Seal is gone!”

The Emperor’s mouth fell open at the Princess’s words. There was only one seal that could cause such despair.

Rian’s… the Oath of Subjugation has been broken.

The thread of hope he had been desperately holding onto was snapped. The Emperor, utterly bewildered, sank onto the bed.

“I am sorry, but you cannot see the master today either.”

The butler of the Calabria family bowed his head to Eleanor. His attitude was polite, but his refusal was firm. Still, reluctant to turn away, Eleanor pleaded one more time.

“I just want to make sure he’s okay. I won’t talk to him, I’ll just look at him quietly and leave.”

“The Count said he does not wish to see you right now.”

Eleanor’s expression hardened. Inside the door, Elai made eye contact with her and nodded apologetically. It wasn’t his fault, so Eleanor exchanged a silent greeting with him and left Lian’s door. As she walked down the hallway, her heart felt heavy and her stomach ached.

When will I be able to see him?

It had been three days since she escaped from the underground. When Eleanor opened her eyes, she was already in her own room at the Calabria manor. She immediately looked for Lian, but he had firmly locked his door and refused all visitors. She had never been denied a meeting with him before when he was so close, only when he was away, which made her even more worried.

Is he really safe?

It seemed he wasn’t dead, but the serious atmosphere around the house suggested his condition was critical. His perfect body, without a single flaw. How was she supposed to face him, now that it had suffered an irreversible blow?

“Sigh.”

Eleanor returned to her room and slumped onto a stool. She felt listless from worry and didn’t even want to sleep. For two consecutive days, she had only seen Rian’s face bleeding in her dreams and woken up feeling exhausted no matter how much she slept. As she sat in a daze, the sun began to set, and it was time for dinner. On the hour, a maid’s knock was heard as usual.

“Your meal is ready.”

The maid came in pushing a trolley, set the table for Eleanor, and left the room. There was a warm stew of new meat, tomato soup, a salad, and delicious, sweet dessert. The food was excellent, and the maid’s demeanor was impeccably polite. But there was an indescribable coldness in the air. Not just her, but most of the employees at the Calabria manor had a similar attitude. It was close to mistreatment, but Eleanor did not complain.

It’s only natural for them to hate me.

She had heard that all of the employees had served Lian since he was a child. Lian may not have been a warm or gentle master, but he must have been a source of pride for all of them. She had no appetite and put down her spoon after only a few bites. The nausea that had plagued her in the basement was gone, but the sharp, stabbing pain in her stomach persisted. Feeling too embarrassed to call someone to clear the dishes, Eleanor took the trolley herself and went out into the hallway. On her way to the kitchen, she ran into Blaine.

“Viscount Canterbury.”

She was glad to see a familiar face and spoke to him. But as soon as Blaine saw her, he covered his mouth, bowed his head, and turned away.

Is even the Viscount angry with me?

Blaine was also Rian’s closest friend and had originally been against Eleanor. It wouldn’t be strange for him to resent her again after seeing Rian hurt. Eleanor continued to walk, pulling the trolley that felt even heavier now. At the end of the hallway, a massive door came into view. Inside was the bedroom where the Duchess of Floyd was staying. She had left the Line of Abrote late last night and arrived here. Eleanor had gone to greet her right away, but she had also refused to see her.

The Duchess must be the one who resents me the most right now.

Eleanor liked the Duchess—not for her gentleness, but for her charisma and dignity. She was also incredibly happy to have earned her approval. To lose the trust she had worked so hard to gain… A feeling of unease washed over her, wondering if everything was okay.

It’s a relief that the Imperial Palace is quiet, at least.

The Princess must have realized by now that Eleanor had escaped. She could also easily figure out that Lian was at the mansion. Yet there was no movement. Everything felt like the calm before the storm. The feeling of anxiety made her stomach hurt again, a sharp, jabbing pain. Her stomach had been aching since morning.

Why is this happening?

As she thought about it, Eleanor suddenly realized that this stomachache felt familiar. And then, she became aware of a strange sensation in her lower body. Eleanor hurriedly rushed down the hallway toward the restroom.

It’s started.

It was her period, which had been late and had caused her so much turmoil. She had been honest with herself and wondered if she was pregnant, since it had stopped after her relationship with Rian.

Maybe it was just late because of stress?

It was ironic. So much had happened, but she had never felt so depressed as she did now. For it to start at this particular moment was cruel. It felt as if the world, which had seemed to be doing everything to keep her by his side, was now sending her a signal to leave his side.

I can’t be impatient.

There was nothing more foolish than coming to a conclusion alone. This was a time to wait. With a determined mind, Eleanor returned to her room.

Late at night.

Biancasta carefully crossed the hallway of the Calabria manor, trying not to make a sound. Like Eleanor in the daytime, she was pushing a trolley. The difference was that hers was filled with homemade food, medicinal broth, and a wet towel. She came to a corner room far from the kitchen and carefully opened the door. It was the third day she had snuck in like this. Just like the previous two days, the room was dark and no movement could be felt.

He’s asleep.

Biancasta did not turn on the light and slowly moved into the room, relying on the small glow of an alchemist’s lantern. When she reached the bed and shined the light on it, a surprised gasp escaped her lips.

“Huh?”

The person who was supposed to be lying down was not there, and the bed was empty. As she turned to leave in a panic, a voice spoke.

“Why are you sneaking in like this?”

From the shadows of the room, Adrian was looking at her.

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