I Don’t Want To Be The Protagonist of a Romance Novel – Chapter 52

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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: FusionX
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Eileen could see the entire situation as soon as she entered.

Separate from the fact that Lassiel, whom she personally disliked, was present, or that Arwen and Sylphia, who had made baseless accusations against her not too long ago, were there.

In any case, wasn’t this gathering meant to save Rudrick from the clutches of Elena, who had become their common enemy?

It was not too difficult to imagine the situation where, even though they needed to join forces, they had been repeating the same thing like a hamster on a wheel until Eileen arrived, without making any significant progress due to their long-standing emotions towards each other.

‘How stupid.’

It was a sight that made Eileen’s brows furrow unconsciously.

It seemed that the other three, excluding her, had not properly grasped how serious this matter was.

Although they didn’t seem very reliable, what could she do?

Even if they were just allies in name, gathered under the logic that the enemy of an enemy is a friend, they were still allies for now.

“You’re mistaken if you think we have the leisure to waste time checking each other.”

“…Ah, well. I don’t quite like what this person is saying, but it’s true.”

Lassiel spoke up with a playful tone.

Her finger, which had been raised at some point, was pointing upwards.

“I was idling at the training grounds and suddenly entered the separate palace? And this Grand Duchess also got startled and rushed from the Nord Duchy to the capital? And immediately entered the separate palace and headed to the research lab when Rudrick was off duty after finishing his dispatch?”

Lassiel, who had recited the current facts without exaggeration, grinned.

“It’s game set right there. I don’t know for sure, but I bet my right wrist that a report will reach Her Highness the Princess within thirty minutes at the latest.”

“…Although the Admiral’s words are crude, they’re not wrong.”

Eileen frowned but accepted those words.

To be precise, she was the Grand Duchess of the Nord “Duchy” under the Esgelant Empire, but as a collateral member of the imperial family and given the nature of not being a simple vassal state of the empire but half-treated as the empire’s territory, she was well aware of how the empire worked and its inner workings.

Even the fact that she could frequently come and go to the capital using the teleportation magic circle was only possible because of her status as the Nord Grand Duchess.

Even so, the management of the teleportation magic circle was strict to the point of recording each person’s movements.

She, who knew well how strict the management was and how quickly reports were made to higher-ups when there were any unusual circumstances, felt that every minute and second was precious.

Those gathered here were not keenly aware of it, but this matter was so urgent that it would not be surprising if it reached Elena’s ears at any moment.

“If it’s a matter that suddenly brings the four of us together like this… Yes, it’s obvious.”

“That’s right. Anyone who’s not a fool would immediately realize it.”

Arwen and Sylphia also chimed in, seemingly having recognized the seriousness of the situation.

At this point, it was obvious why these four noteworthy individuals would gather in one place.

Anyone who wasn’t a fool would normally notice it right away, and it was merely a naive hope to optimistically expect that the princess wouldn’t find out about this fact.

“…Have you tried putting yourself in your cousin’s shoes?”

“Who are you calling whose cousin? It may be true, but… Well, although Elena’s course of action is obvious.”

Eileen, who had gracefully glanced at Arwen’s question, muttered while trailing off.

No matter how much of a hated rival she was, since she was a member of the imperial family, she was still her cousin, and whether she liked it or not, they had grown up together when they were young, so Eileen could predict to some extent how Elena would move.

However,

“…It will be difficult.”

Eileen grumbled.

As the Grand Duchess who guarded the empire’s frontline, Eileen held nearly the greatest military power in the empire.

Even though she had not cooperated, she had no choice but to acknowledge Elena’s capabilities, who had eventually ascended to the throne by starting a civil war.

Elena had scheming abilities that Eileen didn’t want to acknowledge.

Moreover, in a situation where even time was not on her side, it was extremely difficult to shake up the advantageous position Elena had already secured.

Furthermore, to be honest, even if she had to engage in a battle of wits with Elena, it was the truth that she didn’t want to do it because it would exhaust and tire her out.

But she couldn’t just stand by and watch with her eyes open, so…

“Why are you thinking so complicatedly, Your Grace the Grand Duchess? It’s unlike you.”

“…Admiral. The commander of a nation’s navy is too frivolous in speech and conduct.”

“You’re the one who knows best that I’m usually like this, so why are you suddenly bringing it up?”

Although Lassiel was someone she personally didn’t get along with at all, when Lassiel smiled with a peculiar glint in her eyes, Eileen’s eyes also sparkled.

Her teeth, which were revealed brightly when she grinned, contrasted with her tanned, sun-kissed skin.

And Eileen knew well that when she had this expression, it meant she had something up her sleeve.

“Do you have some brilliant plan, Admiral?”

“If we can’t shake the board, isn’t it natural to break it?”

Lassiel shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly.

Elena had already secured an advantageous position, and they were in a difficult situation with a time limit on their side.

If it was difficult to effectively shake the board, and if Elena had already secured an advantageous position…

The best course of action would be to break that board altogether and forcefully bring Elena down.

“Break the board…?”

“There’s only one person who can break that board. Someone we all know well, a person named Rudrick Weiss. Although he’s a wicked person who unintentionally seduces women without being aware of it, judging by his actions, in times like this, we need to borrow even a villain’s hand.”

Eileen’s gaze turned to the numerous medals hanging on Lassiel’s chest.

The many medals attached to the naval admiral’s uniform were proof that Lassiel was by no means an incompetent person.

If she were truly incompetent, she wouldn’t have been able to reach such a position at a young age, coming from a humble military family.

“…What are you planning to do by going to Rudrick?”

As soon as Sylphia asked with a doubtful expression to confirm, Lassiel responded as if she had been waiting for it.

“If Her Highness the Princess suddenly forces Rudrick to be her ball partner, what do you think he’ll say based on his personality?”

“…Well, he’ll initially try to refuse, but he’ll eventually agree because he has no choice. Rudrick has a kind nature.”

“That’s right. Then all we need to do now is go and give Rudrick a little push.”

“How…?”

“Tell him not to do what he doesn’t want to do.”

Lassiel grinned with a look of satisfaction.

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It was reminiscent of a spy movie Rudrick had seen before his reincarnation.

Time was on Elena’s side, and it would be a noticeable movement for the four of them to recklessly gather and move together in the separate palace, where there were already fewer people compared to the main palace.

If any suspicious movements were detected, it could lead to an unfortunate situation where the already limited time would be further reduced.

Meow.

Woof woof.

With the usual awkward cries, a cat and a dog crossed the corridor.

Although that sight caught the attention of some servants working inside the Imperial Palace, they simply regarded them as pets raised by someone of high status and didn’t pay much attention.

Not only did they have a fancy appearance, but it didn’t make sense for animals to enter the heavily guarded Imperial Palace in the first place.

“Why do I have to move around like a guilty person…?”

“Shh. Instead of chattering, move quickly, Your Grace.”

“I feel strangely unpleasant whenever you address me as Your Grace. It feels like a form of address you’re reluctantly using.”

“That’s all in your head. If Rudrick had heard that, he would have said you have a passive-aggressive skill.”

“…What does that mean?”

“I’ve often heard Rudrick say this…”

And following the two animals that had passed by earlier, Eileen and Lassiel were quietly moving behind them.

Even during the covert operation that required secrecy, they were bickering like rivals who hated each other, but still, Eileen, as the strongest swordswoman in the North and the Black Lion of the Empire, was able to reach the front of Rudrick’s room while avoiding the eyes of others.

Lassiel was also able to avoid the eyes of servants scattered everywhere without difficulty, thanks to her experience of rolling around on the battlefield.

And so, in front of Rudrick’s room, where two animals… no, two non-humans disguised as animals, and the Nord Grand Duchess and the Admiral of the Empire’s Southern Navy had gathered.

Gulp.

The sound of someone swallowing out of nervousness broke the silence.

It was a tense moment for everyone.

The tension gripped them all, knowing that if they couldn’t somehow persuade Rudrick to break the board in this one confrontation, they would have to watch the sight of Rudrick laughing and having a good time as Elena’s partner at the ball.

And it was everyone’s honest feeling that they would rather die than see that sight.

Arwen and Sylphia, who had transformed back into human form at some point, along with the others, exchanged glances.

…From a distance, it was a scene where four adult women were gathered in front of a man’s room, exchanging tense looks, which would be impossible to explain away any strange misunderstandings.

‘Then.’

‘Are you ready?’

‘Of course.’

‘Let’s open it and start first.’

Everyone exchanged glances with one heart and mind amidst the tension, and in a situation where no one readily put their hand on the doorknob first, Lassiel grabbed the doorknob.

A tense moment.

“Hah!”

As if pulling out an ox’s horn in one go, Lassiel swung the door open without knocking.

“Huh?”

“……”

Rudrick looked towards the door with a startled expression, and everyone fell silent.

The moment Rudrick’s gaze, who was changing into comfortable sleepwear before going to bed, met the gazes of the four of them was almost simultaneous.

And then,

Drip.

The moment they saw something visible through the thin fabric of his garment, blood dripped from Eileen’s nose.

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