Male Lead, Don’t Follow Me! - Chapter 18

***

How did things end up like this?

I entered the banquet hall escorted by Bishwaltz.

All eyes were on us, and even Ephelia was covering her mouth with a fan, cheering me on.

This is driving me crazy.

“Do we have to go this far?”

“Shouldn’t we show everyone?”

He had a point. Bishwaltz had never had a single scandal before and had never properly given attention to any woman.

“Be honest. You’re interested in Ephelia, aren’t you?”

“I’m not.”

“I hope it stays that way.”

Bishwaltz stopped in his tracks at my sincere voice. He looked me over with a gaze that showed he didn’t understand, and said,

“Why do you dislike me so much?”

“Is there any reason I should like you?”

Who would like someone who might kill them?

Hmph. I turned my head and muttered inwardly.

Our entrance became good gossip material for everyone. It’s fine to get this much attention since I’ll be leaving for the Kaibern region anyway.

“So? Have you heard what people are saying?”

I sat down next to Ephelia, looking tired.

People were hovering around me as if timing their approach.

“Nothing much to report. Instead, some people are insisting that you’re his hidden woman.”

“Why are they spreading lies that will all be exposed soon?”

I said indifferently while taking a crunchy bite of a cookie.

After all, that hidden woman doesn’t even exist.

“Lady Lowell, what’s going on? I saw you come in with the Duke.”

Lady Erin approached and asked.

That’s right. How did I end up like this?

“I wonder where that lady he shared such passionate love with has gone?”

“I heard the Duke even issued a nationwide search warrant to find her.”

…Nationwide?

To go that far just to catch one person.

I was going crazy knowing that even Crown Prince Liandore was helping him.

‘I might end up with no way out at this rate.’

This is maddening.

I gulped down the wine. My insides were burning, and I was worried about my future.

“…Kiara.”

As I tilted my head back and let out a sigh, I met someone’s gaze.

“Oh, Serhin?”

“Why are you playing the role of Bishwaltz’s lover?”

“Shh, shh!”

I hurriedly covered his mouth.

Looking around, I saw Ephelia was briefly chatting with another lady.

I grabbed Serhin’s hand and quickly headed for the terrace.

“What brings you here?”

“Is this a place I’m not allowed to come?”

Serhin furrowed his brow.

Not only did he suddenly appear and interfere, but why was he making such a sullen face?

“So this is the method that bastard came up with.”

“That’s right.”

“Is there any reason you need to hide that you’re that woman?”

I rolled my eyes at his words.

“He’ll kill me if he catches me, won’t he?”

“He’s not that cruel… Well, maybe he could be. Why did you provoke him in the first place?”

“Who knew he would hear? You laughed too!”

I had no reservations with Serhin, who already knew everything.

“…Are you going to tell the Duke that I’m the woman he’s looking for?”

Serhin shook his head.

“For whose benefit? This time, I don’t want to lose you, so I plan to keep you hidden away.”

Seeing Serhin’s face break into a broad smile, I slowly backed away.

“My, Kiara. If someone sees you alone here with a man, they might seriously misunderstand.”

I frowned at the creepy low voice and the cringeworthy line.

There was only one person who would say such things.

“You seem quite devoted to your role.”

I glared at Bishwaltz while shaking off the chilling arm.

“I didn’t know your taste was the same as mine, Bishwaltz.”

“…Don’t tell me the woman you mentioned back then was Lady Lowell.”

Serhin nodded with his arms crossed. He probably didn’t expect me to participate in this absurd plan.

‘Well, it is funny considering I cursed him out in front of him.’

But is Serhin really interested in me?

It was a point I really couldn’t understand.

I thought about why he became interested in me, not Ephelia.

It probably started from the Forbidden Forest.

But if he saw me ranting so harshly about Bishwaltz, wouldn’t it be normal to get angry?

Thinking about it, it was strange.

This seems to be going in a weird direction…

“Serhin, you seem to be misunderstanding something.”

At Bishwaltz’s words, Serhin sneered. With an expression that said no explanation was necessary, he approached me.

“It’s just fake anyway, right?”

“…Yes, it’s just a trap.”

Serhin smiled brightly at Bishwaltz’s answer.

It’s amazing how this guy’s emotions change moment by moment.

“But I’m a bit hurt. You didn’t come when I invited you to the banquet, but now you’re here.”

“You’ve started an interesting event.”

As I quietly listened to their conversation, I felt strange being caught in the middle.

‘Wait, why am I doing this?’

For a moment, I realized that if Bishwaltz was here, it meant Ephelia was alone.

I can’t leave her alone in a den of wolves.

“It seems you have a lot to catch up on after not seeing each other for a while. Well then, I’ll take my leave.”

I passed by Serhin and Bishwaltz, heading towards the banquet hall.

Serhin spoke in a voice just loud enough for only me to hear.

“This looks like it’ll be an interesting game of hide-and-seek.”

“Wouldn’t it be boring with just the two of you?”

I patted Serhin’s shoulder and left the terrace.

***

Ephelia, whom I thought would be talking with others in the banquet hall, was nowhere to be seen.

Exhausted, I plopped down on a chair and started observing people.

‘I avoided Bishwaltz, only for Serhin to appear.’

My mind was in such a jumble that I felt like I was going crazy.

Fortunately, it didn’t seem like Ephelia and Bishwaltz’s relationship had developed into romantic feelings.

Ironically, the more I struggled, the more I felt like I was sinking into quicksand.

“Where has Ephelia gone off to now?”

If only I knew how to use spirit powers, I could ask them to guide me to where she is.

At times like this, I regret not having powers.

‘Really, this is too much. Even if I’m not the protagonist, shouldn’t I at least be able to use some spirit powers?’

As I was grumbling to myself, I saw Erin hurrying towards me.

Judging by her excited expression, she must have heard some new gossip.

“Lady Lowell!”

“Erin, catch your breath before speaking. You look like you’re about to pass out.”

I handed her some water with a nonchalant attitude. Erin, seemingly in a great hurry, composed herself and whispered to me.

“They say another voice was heard this time!”

“What do you mean?”

“In the Forbidden Forest!”

A voice heard in the Forbidden Forest…? But I’m right here?

“They say someone proclaimed their love for Duke Bishwaltz!”

“W-Who?”

“We don’t know. Could it be the Duke’s hidden lover who’s now disappeared?”

Erin melted into a girlish expression.

She had a content smile on her face as if watching someone else’s love story.

“…Does everyone know about this?”

“Of course! It’s like the love story of the century. Oh, how heart-wrenching!”

My hand holding the wine glass trembled. Who on earth would say such a thing?

“And it’s not just once, these stories have been circulating recently. They say it was a passionate love, and the cries of never forgetting still echo in their ears.”

This is insane…? Wait, I could use this to my advantage.

Suddenly struck by a good idea, I hugged Erin and expressed my gratitude.

‘I can resolve this easily now.’