I Wasn't Trying to Seduce with the Male Lead - Episode 86

The Eunice territory in the southern part of the Empire.

The Eunice family, a traditional count family that had existed since the beginning of the Haskator Empire, had countless cadet branches established throughout the southern region. Although they had a low profile in Felicity, their power, which had become entrenched and prosperous in each area, was considered much greater than that of most ducal families.

The enormous castle, befitting their scale, was holding a meeting that had been convened since early morning.

“I can’t believe this bolt from the blue.”

The news from the imperial capital had turned the Eunice family upside down. Following the lament of the family’s head, Count Shugel Eunice, a torrent of words erupted from the cadet nobles who filled the meeting hall.

“Adrian, who went missing, was captured by Her Highness the Princess… Isn’t she known as the Angel of the Empire? There must have been a misunderstanding.”

“Exactly. And to sue the Imperial Family? What does that even mean?”

“Indeed, I’ve lived a long time, but I’ve never heard of such a thing.”

Due to the distance from the capital, the Eunice territory had only received a brief message conveyed by a flare. As a result, the Eunice nobles were losing their hair trying to come to a wise conclusion with the limited information.

“What should we do now? His Majesty the Emperor is pressuring us to drop the lawsuit immediately.”

“How can we, in the south, stop what Adrian did in the capital?” a young noble said impatiently.

“He testified that the Count of Calabria saved him, didn’t he? But isn’t that count currently refusing to marry the Princess and opposing the Imperial Family?”

“What about it?”

“Could Adrian be colluding with that count to defame the Imperial Family?”

“No, why would Adrian do that?”

“Perhaps he was given a sweet promise. After all, why would the Imperial Family need to kidnap Adrian?”

It was a plausible line of reasoning. The atmosphere in the room was on the verge of being swayed by the young noble when a deep voice countered the prevailing opinion.

“No, that’s impossible.”

The owner of the voice frowned, making his already rough appearance even more intimidating.

“The Count of Calabria is not the kind of person to plot such a petty conspiracy. He also has no reason to falsely make himself a hero.”

He was Otajur Eunice, who had become the official mayor of Basel thanks to Lian. The memory of being deeply impressed by Lian during the subjugation of Hakmersia was still vivid. He tried to clear up the misunderstanding about Lian by sharing what he had seen and heard.

“He really didn’t seem interested in gaining achievements. You can trust me on this.”

Since Otajur had a good reputation within the family, the tide began to turn. The young noble, displeased that his opinion had been contradicted, said in a resentful tone, “Even if your story is true, it’s just a hand, he didn’t lose his life. Shouldn’t we go to the capital and stop Adrian?”

“What are you talking about!” Otajur slammed his hand on the table with a loud thud. When the intimidating man glared at him, the young noble flinched and looked away.

“This isn’t about the extent of the injury; the problem is that the Imperial Family arbitrarily imprisoned a vassal and subjected him to cruel torture. And a future successor who will lead our family, no less!”

Adrian was a legitimate and beloved successor. Being so accustomed to peace and not having seen Adrian’s injury firsthand, they spoke carelessly. If they had actually seen it, they would all have been filled with rage and risen up.

“If we let this slide, we’ll have to keep our mouths shut if the same thing happens again in the future. We must fight when we need to, to prevent that from happening.”

After his strong assertion, the meeting hall became as quiet as if water had been poured over it.

“Count, please make a decision.”

Ultimately, the decision fell to the head of the Eunice family, Count Eunice, who commanded a large number of followers. After a long moment of contemplation, he slowly gave his order.

“Let’s buy some time by informing the Imperial Family that I will go to the capital myself to resolve the matter.”

“Are you really going to send someone to the capital?”

Count Eunice nodded and looked at Otajur.

“Basel has stabilized now that Hakmersia is gone, so you should go yourself. I will entrust the family’s decision to you.”

“I will obey your command.” Otajur bowed deeply.

The Duke of Calabria slowly entered the massive doors. The red-decorated interior beneath a dome-shaped roof soon came into view. There were rows of seats, lighting from an alchemist filling the ceiling, and velvet curtains hanging from the high ceiling to the floor.

It was the theater where operas were once held, during the heyday of the Shankarn Hotel. The Duke scanned the surroundings and then looked forward. On the stage beyond the empty seats stood a man with a more elegant silhouette than any actor who had ever graced this place.

“Why a duel?”

The first words from Lian on the stage were a question.

“If you were to punish me, Father, it would be most profitable to simply bring the largest horses and siege weapons and tear down this entire mansion from a distance.”

“This is the heart of Felicity. Doing that would scorch the area and cause immense damage.”

“Do you think you can subdue me with less damage?”

It was an arrogant statement, but there was no sneer. This was a son who, after realizing that knowing yourself and your enemy ensures victory, had never stopped trying to understand himself. The question came from pure curiosity, not from a bluff or arrogance.

“I didn’t do all this to give you a scorched-earth imperial hegemony.”

That was his sincere feeling. To not harm Felicity. To prevent a great power from falling into the hands of those who desire war because of a poorly made pact. The Duke of Calabria had to show his loyalty in another way.

“I have never wanted any form of hegemony.”

His tone was dry, and it was impossible to tell if his sincerity had been conveyed.

“I didn’t come here to argue with you. We already know that we can’t communicate with words.” The Duke cut off the conversation with a cold tone. “Let’s just decide on the rules for the duel.”

Imperial duels usually had detailed restrictions on the type of weapon and martial arts to be used. If the weapon was a sword, they had to agree on whether it was a rapier, a longsword, or a broadsword. However, this time, Lian was the one to cut off the conversation.

“Anything is fine.”

“Anything is fine?” The Duke’s mouth, with his beard, twisted. “Are you saying you can win no matter what?”

Lian did not deny the Duke’s scolding.

“It is said that the victor of a duel is decided by heaven.”

“Then that must mean there is a chance for me to win as well.”

“I am right, so I will surely win. Be it with a sword, a bow, on horseback, or even games of chance like a game of trump or a coin toss. I will win them all and prove it.”

It sounded plausible, but the basis of his logic was weak. The reason it felt so intimidating was because the one saying it was Lian.

“Feel free to choose. I will face you in everything.”

His pale face was unwavering with self-belief, and his violet eyes were straight and clear. The Duke couldn’t remember the last time he had such an expression on his own face.

“If you are so confident, promise me this. If you lose to me, you will follow my will entirely.”

“Very well.” His reply was so clean it felt refreshing. “In return, if you lose, you will follow my will.”

The Duke of Calabria nodded without hesitation. He wouldn’t have to follow his will anyway.

“If I win, there is someone you must let go of from your side.”

“If I win, there are people you must accept, Father.”

“People, not a person?” Something about his words bothered him.

“There are people you must take responsibility for. I will soon come to understand a father’s heart.”

The Duke couldn’t grasp the meaning behind Lian’s words. He was puzzled, but he soon shook off the thought and focused on his sword.

‘It will be over quickly anyway…’

He would not be able to win. But he had no choice but to fight. The Duke of Calabria drew his sword and, without hesitation, lunged at Lian.

Clang!

With a loud noise, their swords clashed. His wrist was numb from the impact, and he could no longer hold his sword, but Lian was already preparing for a second attack. However, the Duke’s movements were fluid and without hesitation. He threw his body forward, as he had planned.

It felt like a flash of light piercing his body.

And the next moment, the Duke fell to the floor.

“In the end… I have to yield my will.”

Meanwhile, Eleanor was having a meal in the dining room. The menu wasn’t bad, but she couldn’t tell if the food was going into her mouth or her nose, thanks to the Duke’s wife staring at her.

‘Ugh. She still hasn’t given up her suspicions.’

Eleanor had done her best to explain, but the Duchess was reluctant to believe her. It was an established fact throughout the empire that the two of them had a one-night fling. The Duchess used the fact that the Duke of Calabria had an “unfailing hit rate” as a basis, claiming that Lian must have inherited it.

‘How can I clear up this misunderstanding?’

Eleanor tried to act like a person who wasn’t pregnant, but since she had never been pregnant, she didn’t know how to appear that way. Instead, her self-consciousness made her actions unnatural, only backfiring.

It was Elai who saved Eleanor from her uncomfortable position.

“Duchess.” Elai entered the dining room with a serious face and reported, “I apologize for interrupting your meal, but we have caught someone who attempted to infiltrate the mansion. We detected him hiding in the main building.”

“He got into the main building?”

The mansion, guarded by the Behind Knights, the empire’s elite knight order, was more secure than the Imperial Palace. For someone to break through and approach the main building was a testament to their incredible skill.

“What did Lian say? What did he do?”

“Sir Lian… is currently away on important business.” Elai said in a slightly evasive tone, which was unlike him.

“Then we will lock him up until he returns and discuss it later.” The Duchess said, but Eli looked at Eleanor instead of leaving.

“I think you might know the reason.”

“Me?” Eleanor, nominated out of the blue, widened her eyes in confusion.

“I saw him when I was escorting you. He is that man’s confidant.”

Elai’s voice was curt when he said “that man.” Eleanor immediately realized who he was referring to without having to rack her brain.

“You mean the Duke of Phaedra’s confidant?”

Elai nodded.

Eleanor was already concerned about Sky, who had disappeared in a strange manner. And now, the infiltration of his confidant? Something was definitely afoot.

“Let me meet him now!” Feeling that something was amiss, Eleanor immediately stood up and followed Elai.

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