I Wasn't Trying to Seduce with the Male Lead - Episode 88

While Zenith recovered her bound limbs and had a light meal, Eleanor left the annex and entered the main hall. She had to deliver an important message before they departed. As she walked swiftly down the corridor, she found the person she was looking for before she even reached her destination. Rian was in conversation with Herhon, another sub-commander of the Behind Knights.

“…Go and tell them that.” “Yes, understood.”

Just as their conversation ended and Herhon turned to leave, Eleanor called out to Rian in a loud voice.

“Count Calabria!”

Hearing her voice, Lian turned around. As always when he saw her, his handsome face was particularly bright.

“I was looking for you.” “I was looking for you, too.”

Lian was about to say something, but Eleanor cut him off.

“Just a moment. This is important, so please listen to me first.”

Lian blinked once, then seemed to realize something, biting his handsome lip.

“I’m ready. Tell me what you need to.”

He had a strangely solemn demeanor. Eleanor was puzzled but set the feeling aside and began to tell him about Sky. When Lian heard that Sky had made a pledge of subordination, he looked very surprised.

“I understand. He’s done me a favor, so I must repay him.”

Lian’s expression was complex, but he said this without hesitation.

“Yes. So I’ll be right back.” “Are you going alone?”

Eleanor nodded, and Rian immediately objected.

“I can’t let you go alone.”

‘Does that mean he’s coming with me?’

Eleanor thought about it for a moment. Had she, Lian, and Sky ever met all at the same time? She tried to remember but couldn’t recall such a time. She felt a certain awkwardness rise within her.

‘Well, it should be fine.’

Sky had released Rian from his oath, and Rian had accepted Sky’s proposal, so their relationship shouldn’t be bad. And since they didn’t know what situation they might encounter, going with the powerful Lian would be a great help.

“Then let’s go together.”

Lian nodded, and the two of them started walking up to the second floor to get Lian’s sword. But after only a few steps, Rian stopped suddenly as if something had just occurred to him.

“No. On second thought, I think it would be better for me to go alone.” “Pardon? Why?” “Because you need to rest right now.”

Eleanor pouted slightly. She appreciated his concern, but for him to tell her to just sit back and rest during such an emergency?

“You still don’t know me, do you? Do I look like the kind of person who leaves work to others and just waits around?” “Not at all, but we have to be careful right now.” “Careful?”

Eleanor blinked.

‘Is he worried because the princess is targeting me?’

If so, it would be safer to go with the Count.

“It’s my first time, so I’m not sure, but I know we must be very careful.”

‘What is he talking about being his first time?’

“Ah, and I apologize for what happened earlier. There’s something I absolutely must do, and it felt like hypocrisy to speak to you then while on my way to do it…”

‘What is this nonsensical talk now?’

She needed to leave quickly, but Lian kept spouting these incomprehensible things. Question marks filled the space beside Eleanor’s face, but Rian didn’t seem to notice.

“It’s sudden and a little fast, but I’m so happy, Eleanor.”

His cheeks were slightly flushed, and his purple eyes were filled with genuine joy. His excited face was beautifully enchanting, but Eleanor was bewildered, unable to understand a thing.

“I’m not perfect, but I’ll try my best to be a good father.”

At his words, Eleanor’s mouth dropped open. Only then did the pregnancy misunderstanding, which had been pushed out of her mind by Zenith’s appearance and Sky’s pledge, come rushing back.

“I’d like to teach sword fighting, but what do you think? This area is too bustling, so maybe it’s a good idea to buy another mansion in the suburbs.”

Lian seemed to have already prepared to move for the sake of a good school district. To stop him from going even further off track, Eleanor hurriedly spoke.

“No, no. Count.”

She was so rushed to deny it that her words came out all jumbled.

“I’m sorry, but you’re wrong. You won’t be a father, Count.”

Hearing this, the radiant Lian flinched.

“What did you say?”

His expression hardened and slowly turned dark. Watching the life in his eyes fade as if it was being consumed by darkness, Eleanor was flustered. Did he like children that much? To be so deeply disappointed? She was carefully choosing her words for the seemingly heartbroken Rian.

“Then… it’s not my child?”

‘Why is the conversation going in that direction?!’

“Is it perhaps the child of Duke Phaedra?”

As his words fell, a gasp was heard from somewhere. She hadn’t noticed, but maids had gathered in the corners of the corridor and behind the pillars, eavesdropping on their conversation. She couldn’t have such a sensitive topic as pregnancy discussed here. Eleanor grabbed Lian’s wrist and pulled him into the first random room she could open.

Lian was so shocked that he was dragged inside without any resistance.

“Of course, you and I were nothing to each other, and I have no right to interfere with whatever you do, but…”

Lian’s purple eyes lost their composure and trembled. While Eleanor was closing the door, his thoughts had already drifted far away again.

“To be honest, right now… I just can’t… But no matter the reason, I can’t lose you.”

How much was this man trying to understand? She had known it since he proposed to a widow, but he was truly more honest with his heart than anything else. Eleanor opened her mouth before Rian could get lost in his thoughts again.

“Phew. It’s not like that. I was never pregnant in the first place.”

Lian’s beautiful eyes blinked wide once.

“I was never pregnant. My assistant and the Duchess misunderstood.”

Lian was frozen in place like a still image. It seemed he had gone so far off track that it would take some time for him to return. Eleanor hesitated for a moment, then quietly added.

“And… he couldn’t be a father either.”

Her voice trailed off shyly, but since she had started, she decided to see it through.

“Nothing ever happened in the first place.”

As soon as those words came out, Rian let out a long breath, like a prince released from a spell.

“Ha…”

He let out a short, hollow laugh and pressed his broad hand against his straight forehead.

“I was trying desperately not to show it, but…”

He paused for a moment, then bent his body towards Eleanor and whispered into her ear.

“I was about to go mad with jealousy.”

Warmth spread from where his breath touched her, covering her entire face. Lian gently pulled the blushing Eleanor into his arms.

“I’ll hold you for a moment. Just until my heart settles down.”

They didn’t have much time, but since Rian’s hand was truly trembling, Eleanor decided to wait. However, being held after a long time, while her heart settled, another part of her began to stir. A strange, tingling sensation rose from where their bodies touched. Eleanor tried to distract herself by making conversation.

“Did you really think it would be okay if I were pregnant?”

Lian paused for a moment before answering seriously.

“To be honest, I had never thought about it, so I was very surprised. But as time went on, a sense of joy came over me.”

The look in Lian’s eyes earlier was clearly sincere. Feeling a little embarrassed, she bit her lip, and this time, Lian asked her a question.

“Do you like children?”

She had always liked them, so Eleanor nodded honestly.

“Is that so?”

Lian’s eyes moved slightly, then he narrowed them and brought his face closer.

“If you want to, we can try anytime. Just tell me.” “Pardon?”

Seeing Eleanor’s confused expression, Lian’s red lips lifted in a subtle smirk.

“Often, a lot, always, anywhere. I’m fine with it.”

His low voice sent a tremor through her, making her feel as hot as if a flame had ignited within her.

“What are you talking about? I have no intention of having a child right now.”

She narrowed her eyes and cut him off firmly. Lian tilted his head slightly.

“Hmm, then it’s fine if we have one slowly.” “What is that supposed to mean? You’re going back and forth.”

Eleanor retorted petulantly, then lightly pushed Lian’s chest.

“It seems you’ve calmed down, so go get ready. I’ll go and wait with Mr. Zenith.”

The two left the room together. Just before they parted ways at the stairs, Lian spoke as if something had just occurred to him.

“I told someone else, but I forgot to tell you.” “What?”

Lian said in a serious tone.

“I am a licentious man.”

‘What on earth is he confessing with that handsome face?!’

Eleanor chuckled to herself and grumbled as she watched Rian, who quickly disappeared up to the second floor.

A desolate wind, unsuited for the season, swept through, rattling an old wooden sign. The sign, which read ‘Cobbler’s House,’ creaked as if it had been hanging there for at least 50 years. As she carefully pushed open the latticed door below it, a interior completely unsuited to the sign was revealed. There was no cobbler, no needles, and no spools of thread. The place was filled with drunks, tables laden with food, and barrels of alcohol. Eleanor stepped slowly inside, walking on an unexpectedly cozy red carpet.

‘The Duke Phaedra is in a place like this?’

It was a commoner’s establishment that didn’t suit Sky’s aura, a man who looked like he had his golden umbilical cord cut with diamond scissors at birth. She figured that’s precisely why such a thorough man would choose it as a safe hiding place. Eleanor thought this as she looked around the interior.

“I’m going to go talk to the master.”

Zenith pointed to a weary-looking man behind the counter and walked away. Eleanor felt awkward standing in the middle of the aisle, so she found a secluded table near a pillar and sat down. Immediately, a waiter approached and offered a tray full of beer.

‘Is this for me to drink?’

She had no intention of drinking, but to avoid a fuss, she took a glass and placed a coin down, as others were doing. As she was sipping her beer, she felt the eyes of the entire establishment focused on her. Although she was wearing a large hooded cloak, she couldn’t help but look out of place. It was best not to show any signs of discomfort, so Eleanor pretended not to notice and took another sip of beer. It was when she set her half-empty glass down on the table.

“A pretty lady shouldn’t come to a dangerous place like this alone.”

The voice was nonchalant but familiar. Her face brightened, and she turned around quickly, but there was no one there. She looked around, feeling as if she had been bewitched, and slowly turned back to the table, where she flinched.

“Did you come here looking for a man?”

Sky, hooded, was sitting across from her, a grin on his face.

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