What Happens When The Second Male Lead Powers Up [EN]: Chapter 257

#257

“Do you trust me, Hyung?” (1)

I had heard about Berenice’s appearance beforehand.

I heard she wears glasses when reading, but today she wasn’t.

I handed her the bag, raising the corners of my lips awkwardly.

“Here you go.”

It felt strange having lipstick on.

Earlier, Christel had taken out a small jar, dabbed the cosmetic on her ring finger, and patted it on my lips.

That alone was enough to take my breath away, and then she offered me a napkin to my lips.

With a flushed face, I blinked blankly.

‘Bite it once, please.’ ‘Won’t it come off then?’ ‘Oh, trust me and bite.’

So, I bit it again. It was better to listen when the protagonist emphasized it.

“I, I…”

I quickly shook off the memory. The young lady looked quite flustered at me.

Her eyes and cheeks were red as if she were about to cry, and she couldn’t even form a simple sentence.

She seemed intimidated by my appearance in full archbishop attire, complete with a mitre [a tall, pointed hat worn by bishops].

I felt sorry, wondering if I should have dressed more casually. Even the Crown Prince took my side for once.

“I apologize, Your Highness. This is Lady Berenice, the second daughter of the Mendy Duchy. She is very shy…”

A man who seemed to be the representative of the gathering bowed, smiling awkwardly.

Only then did Berenice stammer a greeting to me.

Starting with the two of them, the members introduced themselves one by one.

I’m usually slow to connect faces and names, but I decided to do my best today.

Just as their greetings were ending,

-Good entrance. ‘Juliet’, if you can hear my voice, please raise your right arm.

Christel’s clear voice came from the earring-shaped magic tool.

I didn’t have my ears pierced, so I needed a clip-on type of accessory, and Marquis François happened to help.

I naturally scratched the back of my head with my right hand, creaking slightly.

Then, Christel suddenly blurted out ‘Roger that’ in English in my ear. I struggled to hold back a laugh.

If I showed that I understood, no, from the start, I couldn’t let them know that I was listening to someone else.

My code name became Juliet because the prince’s name started with J.

For reference, Christel was ‘Charlie.’

She had watched so many Hollywood movies that she knew the NATO phonetic alphabet by heart.

-You’ve been doing so well without instructions so far. Let’s keep going like this. Over.

-Kyah

Demi (code name ‘Delta’) seemed to be next to Christel.

I bit my lip to avoid giggling.

Finally, Eva (code name ‘Echo’), who accompanied me, paid her respects.

The child was as lovely as ever, dressed in a fluffy satin dress with snow-like fur.

“I am Eva Blanquer. The youngest of the Blanquer Duchy. I came as a friend of the Prince.”

“Wow.”

Exclamations erupted from the members.

Eva strategically volunteered, saying that adults would make the atmosphere difficult, and the reaction was better than expected.

I chuckled and gestured.

“Please, sit down. It is an honor to meet the troubadours of Liester.”

“Ah…”

When I said that, everyone’s faces hardened this time.

I bit my tongue right away. Did I make a mistake? But I did some homework.

According to , no noble who enjoys literature in the Empire dislikes the nickname troubadour [a medieval lyric poet singing in Occitan in southern France].

Moreover, I heard that they are constantly engaged in creative activities at the reading club ‘Courtly Romance.’

So, aren’t they bards?

“…It is we who are overwhelmed by the invitation of such a noble person. We will consider it an honor to our family.”

The chairman, who said that, bowed to me repeatedly.

Everyone followed, smiling and saying, ‘Thank you,’ ‘Thank you.’

Eva looked up at me and nodded her chin. It meant there were no problems.

I guess they’re nervous because my status is high?

“May the Lord rejoice in your lives.”

I offered a greeting during the Great Feast period to ease the atmosphere.

“Goodness, may He rejoice.”

“We are deeply grateful.”

Then the members covered their mouths with handkerchiefs and rejoiced.

I was relieved that their faces finally brightened.

Since I dressed up so sacredly and intensely, it seemed okay to take this route.

I pulled out a chair for Eva and slowly sat down with the help of Benjamin (code name ‘Bravo’) who followed.

The middle-aged man meticulously smoothed out the wrinkles in my cassock [a close-fitting, ankle-length garment worn by clergy] and gown before stepping back.

The strong scent of pansy tea on the table tickled the tip of my nose.

Yellow flower petals floated like golden stars in the purple tea.

Faint cello sounds could be heard from the next room. I guess this group shares musical hobbies.

“Hmm.”

…What do I say now? I wasn’t good at getting close to people I didn’t know quickly.

I could feel Berenice in the side seat staring at me.

Then our little duchess quickly stepped forward.

“I’m curious about what kind of books you enjoy reading. Do you have a different book as a theme every week?”

Whose daughter is she? She’s so smart!

“Yes. I also enjoy reading, so I wanted to meet you all. If it’s not a rude question.”

When I added a word, everyone shook their heads at once, groaning that ‘it’s not rude at all,’ ‘I’m really happy now.’

It seemed like they were unwell somewhere, but it was fortunate that they said they were okay.

I was so proud of Eva for saying such wonderful things that I served the child the largest piece of gâteau mocha [mocha-flavored cake] on her plate.

The cake with plenty of rose-shaped mocha cream was exactly Eva’s taste.

The little duchess wiggled her legs and grinned.

“…”

The members exchanged confused glances for a moment.

One of the young ladies spoke in a barely audible voice.

“We mainly… deal with romance novels.”

“I like romance novels too.”

I answered right away. You can’t react late to words like this.

“My friends enjoy reading them too. I’m rereading these days.”

“Oh!”

“The Crown Prince doesn’t seem interested, but he knows all the character names. He might be reading it secretly by himself.”

When I joked lightly, the audience burst into laughter.

‘It’s a masterpiece, of course.’ ‘The weekly serialization was amazing.’ Even active answers poured out.

Berenice smiled slightly too. I guess I’m less scary now.

Christel cleared her throat in my ear.

-You have a talent for this? The duchess also has a good expression. Over.

Come to think of it, she’s even checking her face. What on earth did François make?

It was the grace of the Lord that this man wasn’t a spy.

“Who does the Prince like the most in ?”

The duchess, who looked much more mature than me, asked.

Benjamin was listening too, so I had to choose my words carefully.

A favorite character. I hadn’t really thought about it while reading.

“Well. The content is so interesting and suspenseful that I haven’t been able to pick out the characters individually. I was on Jane’s side when the three main characters were in a big conflict. Maybe Jane?”

“Ah…”

“You like Jane. Jane is in .” Berenice muttered in a small voice. Everyone in ‘Courtly Romance’ became calm again.

I made eye contact with the young lady.

“What about the Duchess?”

“Your Highness.”

“Yes?”

“Heok.”

She hurriedly covered her mouth with both hands. It seemed like I had asked the question strangely.

The duchess also frowned and her cheeks turned red.

A ripple spread among the members.

I was about to ask again to give her a chance to correct herself, but this time, the voice of Elizabeth rang in my ear.

-Juliet, respond. This is ‘Mike.’

How do I respond! I don’t care if she’s a soldier, but how can she adapt so well?

-You must move on without asking any more questions. Smile nicely.

No, the child is embarrassed and about to cry… If I smile here, won’t I be the only bad guy?

-Leave the next one to Echo. Confirmation.

“I like too. I get so angry when I see Grand Duke Heathcliff, but Christel said that’s what makes it a well-written story. ‘Aggro’? That’s great. Anyway, I came here because there was a better opportunity today.”

Eva, who had received a separate signal, suddenly intervened.

It seemed that Ms. Gain had taught the little one a strange word again.

All eyes were on the child’s young and clear remarks.

I had no choice but to smile at Berenice and take my eyes off her. A sigh that seemed to fade away followed.

The little duchess put down the fork she was stabbing the cake with, wiped her mouth with a napkin, and continued firmly.

“I heard that Courtly Romance writes and shares articles every week and gives each other advice.”

“…That’s right.”

The chairman’s voice sounded somehow somber.

“There are wonderful heroic poems dealing with the adventures of the people of the Empire, and you also create love poems.”

“Heroic poem…”

“If you don’t mind, can you tell us about it?”

Then the atmosphere became very heavy. Soon, a young master who looked young raised his hand.

His expression was more serious than necessary.

“There is such content. Duchess Mendy’s is a great adventure story. Once you hear it, you’ll be thinking about it for a week,”

“No!”

He flinched. Berenice grabbed her bag tightly, terrified.

She looked desperate, as if she was about to jump up from her seat.

It seemed that the manuscript was in the luggage she had dropped earlier.

I shook my head to reassure the young lady.

“I don’t want to see it by force. Don’t worry.”

“…”

“By the way, the title of the work is very nice.”

I added as gently as possible.

Even if I don’t know, if it is produced as a five-season drama, it will be a big hit.

The young lady stared at me with a sleepy, dazed expression. At that time,

“If the Prince allows it… I dare to read my lacking writing.”

“Chairman!”

“Oh, Lord.”

“Since you have brought us to such a bright place, I think we must repay your grace.”

The chairman declared with a very determined face.

Anyone who saw him would think he was taking the blame for the group alone and going up to Golgotha [the site of Jesus’ crucifixion].

I nodded blankly, looking at the young man who had jumped up.

What does it mean to be brought out into the light? Was the original meeting place a bit dark?

Everyone must be children from rich families…

“The title is . It deals with the love affair between Princess Enid, who has the power of water… and Emperor Erek, an excellent swordsman.”

-Crazy.

-Pfft!

-Kkii?

The surroundings became chaotic in an instant. I opened my mouth in surprise.

“For reference, the two are not blood-related family members in the story. Keu… This is because Enid was switched with the real princess as soon as she was born.”

“Wow.”

A forbidden love intertwined with the secret of birth. I squeezed the teacup tightly, shining my eyes.

This was a hopeless love triangle, but now it was as spicy as , with a difference in status added.

The plot was so interesting that my eyes went to the chairman more than Berenice.

The faces of the members who heard the introduction brightened again. I guess they were worried about how I would react.

“Then… I will start reading from Chapter 1.”

“Yes. Please do. I’m looking forward to it.”

I smiled brightly and nodded. Eva, who met my eyes, was horrified.

Well, it was too stimulating material for a sixteen-year-old. Should I send her out now?

“‘This is the story of two beings that shone in silver and shattered into droplets.’”

Oh, oh. There’s an atmosphere. An intro that predicts a tragic ending…

-Your Highness.

Christel called me seriously. Just a moment. Just listen to this.

-Yes, Your Highness.

Berenice is also concentrating now. This is all part of the process of getting closer.

-Golf entry.

He flinched. That was Cedric’s low voice.

I opened my eyes wide and turned around in a hurry.

The moment Benjamin, who was waiting at the entrance, took a step towards me,

“Your Highness.”

“Sir Johann?”

Code name ‘Golf’.

The Cardinal of Air, appeared in the Passion Palace salon without a sound.

As usual, he wore a luxurious jade coat and a neat white cravat [a neckcloth] around his neck.

I had heard the announcement, but the sudden appearance was still embarrassing.

All the members of the palace let out long sighs and groans when they saw him.

Some even took out fans from their bags. Berenice was now as quiet as a mouse.

“What’s wrong? The atmosphere is fine now…”

When I whispered, the paladin bowed softly.

A few strands of white hair flowed down gracefully.

” has issued an emergency extra edition. It’s news about the Shrine of the Boundary.”

‘His Majesty and my informant have double-checked it.’ The low whisper contained the scent of the snowstorm outside.

He must have come here as soon as he heard the news.

Something more important than postponing the Crown Prince’s marriage. Information I need to know right away.

“The Papal Legate wants to mediate between the two countries. He has formally invited the Liester royal family.”

In an instant, lightning struck in my head!

This was a truly unexpected development, and in some ways, great news.

I looked at the Grand Preceptor with trembling eyes. His mint-colored eyes darkened to teal.

“It’s a proposal to swear peace in front of the ‘Holy Grail of Wishes.’”

…Wait. Can I enter the Holy Chamber of the Grail?