What Happens When The Second Male Lead Powers Up [EN]: Chapter 266

Sub-Male Lead’s Strike – Episode 266

#266

The Kidnapping of the Ice-Cold Young Master (5)

I’ve successfully escaped Romero Palace!

“Ugh.”

-Rustle, rustle!

I made a strange noise as I tumbled onto the soft straw.

Luckily, I fell on my back, so Demi and Tete, tied to my stomach, weren’t crushed.

My wings, Ttuksimi, quickly transformed into a wren and burrowed into my arms.

The pile of straw smelled of the generous and welcoming Aitz Village.

I stroked my precious burdens and chuckled.

You guys really did a great job. Thanks for helping me.

“Then I’ll be on my way. As you saw, there’s a painting to deliver to the Imperial Palace! It’s a Great Festival gift, so it needs to be delivered early.”

“Uh, okay.”

Joan’s peculiar voice came from the driver’s seat. The Romero guards saw her off.

I don’t know what kind of painting she drew, but everyone who saw under the white cloth was speechless.

I bit my lip to suppress my laughter.

‘Creak, thud!’ Lying on the roof of the vehicle, the sound of the cargo hold closing echoed through my body.

The carriage set off with great momentum.

The dark dawn sky in front of me slowly began to move sideways.

I suddenly checked beside me. At the same time, Christel looked at me.

“Hehehe.”

“Haha.”

She was laughing, her pink hair spread out like a blanket.

Even though we hadn’t passed through the Imperial Palace gate yet, I felt like we had overcome a major obstacle, and I felt cheerful.

‘Shh.’ Sir Johan, who had flown in silently, put his finger to his lips.

He and the red pandas also looked happy.

Now, all we had to do was safely move on to the next stage. I immediately turned to the other side.

-Clatter, clatter

“······.”

The Crown Prince was asleep like a tragic work of art.

His shoulders buried in the yellow straw and his sculpted jawline caught my eye.

I felt sorry for making him do this in the cold.

I stealthily rolled over and rummaged through his bag.

Seeing that he had a handkerchief and a regular towel separately, it seemed like David had really packed it for him.

I took out a long coat from inside and covered him, and piled straw on his abs because I was worried he would be cold.

I know he’s fire attribute, but I had to do my duty.

If I kidnapped someone else’s precious son and made him catch a cold, I wouldn’t be able to face his parents.

“I wish it was dead······.”

“Pardon?”

A terrifying murmur came from behind me, and I was horrified. Christel, who met my eyes, smiled brightly.

“I was just thinking it would have been warmer if the clothes were leather.”

“Ah, yes. That’s right.”

I nodded and turned back to Cedric.

Anyway, he’s sound asleep. Was he tired? Wasn’t he usually very sensitive?

I thought he would have woken up if I carried him, so Christel must have been more comfortable.

-Chirp chirp chirp, chirp!

“Umm.”

It had been a long time since I had such a morning.

Frederica Riestar woke up, enjoying the long sunlight and cheerful birdsong.

The body of a Sword Master who had slept soundly was literally light as a feather.

In the next room, the sounds of servants preparing coffee and a simple breakfast were clear.

She stretched languidly and straightened her back.

The smell of freshly baked bread mingled with the morning air, creating a relaxed atmosphere.

It was different from weekdays when she woke up in the dark dawn and received state reports before meals.

The vast bedroom, visible beyond the curtains, was decorated with gold and purple.

On the side table were a vase of purple tulips and a Great Festival card basket.

A smile broke out. This year’s God’s Descent Great Festival was quite to my liking.

“Laura.”

-Ting-a-ling······

The Emperor swept back her silver hair and rang the bell. She left her loose pajamas as they were.

It seemed to be past 9 o’clock, so even on a holiday, she had to listen to basic reports.

After receiving morning attendance and finishing her meal, the morning would be gone in a flash.

After that, she thought she would greet the little ones of the bloodline in commemoration of the Great Festival, give them plenty of pocket money, and read a book for the first time in a while.

It would be nice to have a cozy meal with her son in the evening.

Maybe she could talk about a partner.

-Knock knock

“Come in.”

She commanded in a husky voice.

Soon, a familiar silhouette opened the door and approached, drawing back the curtains.

Clatter! Frederica reflexively frowned. For a moment, she wondered if she was still not fully awake.

“······I called the chamberlain.”

“Don’t you like me?”

Orelly Boutier, dressed neatly, sat on the bed.

As if she had come with a purpose, she was holding the Emperor’s plain clothes and towels in her arms.

Behind her, a cart showed a gold washbasin and various toiletries.

Frederica was dumbfounded and let out a sigh.

It wasn’t the first Great Festival this year, but her religious partner had been acting particularly sweet since yesterday.

There was no reason to dislike being served with the most sacred care in the Empire.

However, she felt uneasy. While the Cardinal was helping her wash her face, the Emperor kept grumbling.

“I won’t get angry, so tell me honestly.”

“What?”

“You’ve been hiding something since yesterday.”

“I don’t want to tell you because you’ll find out soon.”

Orelly laughed, covering her entire face with a towel.

The Emperor frowned with her handsome eyebrows and shook off the cloth.

The wet hair smelled of lily of the valley.

Even while undressing, the Cardinal only smiled mysteriously and didn’t say anything of substance.

Frederica snapped as she put on her shirt roughly.

“Are you going to assassinate me like this?”

“Oh my, how scary.”

“If you keep acting like this, I don’t know what will happen to me. You’ve been closing your soul all along.”

“Please bear with me. Even children will come today.”

Whether it was curiosity or interest, Frederica was not one to endure for long.

It was natural since she had lived for nearly 50 years in an environment where there was no need to do so.

Any curiosity was soon resolved in front of her, and the late Empress Celine Riestar taught that it was right.

So, the only reason she was enduring now was because the other person was ‘Adan’.

If she had only followed the impulse of her blood, she would have tied her partner to the bedpost long ago.

-Knock knock, click

“Laura?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. Did you have a peaceful night? Where would you like me to serve breakfast?”

Only then did the loyal chamberlain appear.

She naturally paid her respects without being surprised to see Orelly. The Emperor gestured with her chin.

“Good morning. I’ll have it here today. What about you?”

“I’ve already eaten. Just coffee, please.”

The Cardinal replied softly.

‘As you command.’ At Laura’s words, the Imperial Palace servants silently entered and prepared the meal.

The scent of warm soup, fresh vegetables, and refreshing fruit spread in turn.

Some helped to draw the tall curtains and briefly ventilate the room.

As the two sat down at the table, Laura poured coffee and opened her mouth politely.

“Baron Joan de As, who is staying at the Juliette Palace, has presented a painting to Your Majesty in celebration of the Great Festival. I received news that a carriage visited early in the morning.”

“Oh ho.”

Frederica, who was about to pick up her utensils, showed interest.

When she asked to see it immediately, two or so servants appeared carrying a large canvas wrapped in white cloth.

The hands that were placing the dishes glanced up.

The genius painter, once called ‘Hader O. Jansen,’ was now even more famous by her real name.

Recently, the Imperial social circles were enthusiastically consuming Joan’s tragic family history, unique attire, and surprising ignorance.

It seemed that anything became attractive when the title of artist was attached.

The connection with the troublemakers was also exaggerated and spread.

In order to commission a painting from Joan, one had to wait at least a year even with a waiting list, and even the great nobles were no exception.

This was because her first priority was always Prince Yeser Fenetian.

To be exact, her ‘main job’ was to paint in the places he designated.

Even though she had regained her noble status and been pardoned for her past sins, Joan did not give up her stubbornness.

So, this was definitely an unexpected gift.

It wasn’t that she had hoped for a reward when she restored the As family······.

“Correcting mistakes brings good things in many ways.”

“Hahahaha.”

The audience laughed quietly at the Emperor’s joke.

Orelly was quietly savoring her coffee.

When Laura gestured, a servant stepped forward and quickly removed the cloth. Swish!

“Wow!”

Exclamations poured out at once. Clapping! Small applause also broke out.

“Wonderful, Your Majesty. You have obtained a portrait of your precious son.”

“Congratulations. May the Lord be pleased with Your Majesty’s life.”

“Oh my goodness. It really feels like being in the desert.”

The attendants who wanted to see the painting more closely fidgeted.

The chamberlain also seemed pleased.

There were also those who were offering Great Festival greetings to the Emperor at the right time.

Frederica quietly stared at the painting in all that noise.

A miraculous harmony of rough brushstrokes and feather-like delicacy.

“······.”

It was a vivid work that made the hot heat and the smell of sand hit the bottom of her nose.

The background was a desert at sunset.

Her son Cedric, riding a camel, was embarking on an adventure somewhere, wearing colorful gowns and turbans.

Prince Yeser and the Waterdrop Kid in similar attire were also with him.

Not only the Comet Sword and whip of Mars, but also a bow and spear were tied to the saddle.

The prince’s fingertips were pointing to a distant mirage, but the young Waterdrop looked like he was asking if they should try a different path.

It felt like she could hear their voices right away.

However, it was someone else’s voice that rang in her head.

‘Looking back, I don’t think the trouble we caused was all that bad.’

Her Adan. A thrilling sensation ran up her spine in an instant.

‘Wouldn’t it be okay if the Crown Prince and we went instead?’

The realization spread quickly like dye spilled on a canvas.

“······Orelly.”

“Yes.”

The Emperor turned her red gaze to look at her partner.

The Cardinal was giving her a sweet smile.

Looking at him, she suddenly felt hungry and the back of her neck throbbed.

The chilling sensation that resembled pleasure was something she hadn’t felt in a very long time.

She knew it was nothing to laugh about, but her lips instinctively turned up.

Frederica’s eyes gleamed like a beast about to pounce.

Orelly had long indulged in this gaze of her partner.

She gradually unlocked the soul’s latch.

Very slowly, so that her only mate would be desperate for thirst.

“Where is my son?”

“Where his heart is.”

The Cardinal answered as if singing,

-Crash!

“Your Majesty.”

“How dare you!”

The Emperor immediately rose to her feet. The chair fell over and the silverware crashed.

Laura quickly lowered her waist and waited for the Emperor’s command.

The bewildered attendants fell to the floor in a heap and held their breath.

Suddenly, what was going on······.

“As of this moment, confine the Cardinal to my bedroom and search for the Crown Prince. Send thirty of the finest warhorses and Erbe Dwiem towards the border. Be sure to capture the Prince and the Waterdrop Kid alive. I won’t need meal service.”

“As you command.”

“Also, bring the chief stewards of Romero and Juliette. I need to know the location of Francois Dwiem and the Grand Preceptor.”

“Yes, yes, Your Majesty!”

Laura responded calmly, and the rest, pale-faced, backed out of the room.

Before the door could even close, the Emperor turned to look at the Cardinal.

Only then did a bitter smile return.

“I’m sorry, Eve. But the children must have their own thoughts······.”

“Silence.”

It was a sign that she would not listen anymore. She lunged like a beast off its leash.

Orelly’s body was instantly lifted up.

Inside the dark cargo carriage.

“There will be an inspection!”

“Everyone, open the cargo hold to the Imperial Guards······.”

“Your Highness.”

Someone whispered kindly, shaking my shoulder.

Harsh voices echoed loudly beyond the thin wall.

Ugh. I groaned faintly and opened my eyes.

I had been working hard all dawn to get out of the Imperial Palace, and I had stayed awake even after successfully running away, but I didn’t know when I had fallen asleep.

By the time I raised myself in the pile of straw, my heart sank at my own carelessness.

I can’t fall asleep until I meet the Rambouillet Caravan, no, until I cross into the neutral zone.

“I’m sorry. I dozed off for a moment.”

“It’s okay, Sir Christel and the Divine Beasts also closed their eyes. But the situation is a little bad.”

-Beep boop

It was Sir Johan and Ttuksimi who woke me up.

The Crown Prince, lying straight, was visible over the Holy Knight’s shoulder.

Christel was crawling towards this side with drowsy eyes.

Seeing her, the memories of a few hours ago came back to me clearly.

After leaving Romero Palace, we infiltrated the Imperial Palace as planned, and there we unloaded the luggage (Joan’s painting) once again, and then came out through the side door with other vehicles.

There were several crises, but we got through them all without any problems.

Thanks to the acting of the driver Joan, the whirlwind of Sir Johan, and sometimes the puppy sound imitation of Tete.

There was even a moment when we almost took the wrong road and went to the Western Metropolitan Portal······.

Let’s not think about it, because it was really dizzying at that time.

“Has the carriage stopped? Have we arrived at the Eastern Metropolitan Portal?”

I asked in a whisper.

Our plan was to arrive at the portal, steal an empty carriage from the public garage, and move to the border.

We were going to let Joan, who had worked hard all night, rest, and then take turns driving the carriage from then on.

That’s what we were going to do. Everything was going smoothly until I dozed off.

“To be exact, it’s near the portal. The Imperial Guards are conducting random inspections of all carriages, so the road is blocked. It seems like they’re looking for us.”

“Pardon?”

Christel’s jaw dropped. The sleepiness disappeared from her eyes.

I was so shocked that I gaped like a goldfish.

Only the Divine Beasts clinging to the warm Crown Prince were sleeping without knowing the world.

Sir Johan smiled bitterly and continued.

“It seems like it took too long to get our bearings. I guess Her Majesty noticed.”

“Oh my goodness.”

“Then is Sir Erbe here?”

I asked urgently. He was the only one I could think of right now.

Then Sir Johan scolded me with a serious face.

“Yes. But Your Highness, we can’t put that burden on him. Sir Elizabeth already gave us a lot of help in the morning.”

“······That’s right. I was short-sighted.”