What Happens When The Second Male Lead Powers Up [EN]: Chapter 38

#038 Rolling, Rolling, Rolling (1)

“Yeah, I caused a big accident. Frederick is really angry.”

It wasn’t the people involved who answered me, but Cardinal Boutier.

Now that I looked at her, she didn’t seem to be in a good mood either.

I had a feeling, so I stared straight at Christel.

“When I was interviewing Lady Sarah Belliare, Princess Sarnese was in the next room. Could it be······.”

“His Highness the Prince was also there.”

Christel replied as if recalling a very pleasant event. There was no sign of remorse.

I was dumbfounded and turned to look at the Prince.

He glared at me with his orange eyes as if he would burn me alive. What did he do so well······.

So, the two of them weren’t satisfied with the mess they made at the indoor training ground last time, and now they were having a lovers’ quarrel even in the Imperial Palace.

Even though Christel had awakened as a holy knight, I thought the main couple was being too violent.

I was also worried about what the teenagers reading this would learn.

Even if emotions run high, there’s a limit. Their mother is nearby, and they’re throwing things at each other?

Christel is even using Ether [a magical energy source]?

“This time, you two are definitely at fault. You should get along well.”

I said firmly. Then the Prince clicked his tongue softly.

Christel looked a little embarrassed.

She was desperately talking about Demi, eating, and Demi eating, just to keep Lady Belliare from hearing what was happening in the next room, and it was a stroke of luck.

I didn’t even want to imagine what the article would have been like if it had been known that the Prince and a noble lady had fought in the Emperor’s residence, or how the romance would have gone wrong.

Please, can’t you just date in a normal way?

“The Prince is right. Christel is only nineteen, so it’s understandable that she couldn’t control her temper, but Cedric, you’ll be twenty-five in August.”

Nineteen······. I was taken aback by the protagonist’s age and glanced at Christel.

When I calculated it, it was obvious, but I had never thought about the number in depth.

If she was nineteen in Korean age, she would be the same age as Eunseo.

Even if the person who possessed her was a company employee of my age, it would be impossible to consider someone who looked so young as a dating partner.

Of course, I had no desire to date her from the beginning.

“For the next week, Cedric will not be able to participate in state affairs. Christel will also not be able to take classes as an apprentice holy knight.”

The Cardinal explained to me. The Prince glared at the air with a very dissatisfied look.

He had not yet ascended to the Crown Prince position, but he seemed to be gradually taking care of state affairs.

So, he’s twenty-four in Korean age now.

A guy whose name isn’t even dry on the registry is talking down to his four-year-old brother······.

“That’s not the end of it.”

The beige eyes under the monocle sparkled dangerously.

“You broke the Imperial Palace’s furniture and increased the workload of the servants, so as punishment, you two have to clean the underground portal. Without anyone’s help.”

“Grandma.”

“Ah······.”

The Prince’s voice was so low that it was eerie. Christel let out a groan.

I didn’t know where the underground portal was or what it looked like, but cleaning together sounded like something high school students would do.

Seeing the two men and women openly showing their dislike, a smile crept out.

“The Prince can be the supervisor.”

“Yes?”

The smile disappeared from my lips. My spine chilled at the unexpected attack.

“Why me······.”

“We need someone to watch them so they don’t fight again, and it would be better if it was someone who knows them well, wouldn’t it? If we send someone of low status, they might not listen.”

‘Everyone is busy with their own work,’ she added.

She was elegantly saying, ‘You’re unemployed, so go and take care of the kids.’

But I also had a card to use at times like this.

“I have to go to confession.”

“The two children have committed a wrong against the Emperor of the Empire. Watch them wash away their sins.”

“······.”

My card limit was exceeded. I was overwhelmed.

If these guys are going to fight, they should go far away and fight, but they’re making a fuss at home, so even I, who was just standing still, am getting caught in the crossfire······.

“······.”

“······.”

I struggled to keep the grumbling from coming out and raised my head, and my eyes met Christel’s blue-gray irises.

My teeth automatically grinded at the sight of her eyes, which were already filled with joy.

This time, I turned my gaze to the Prince, who was sitting about 3 meters away from Christel.

I saw him ignoring my gaze and covering his mouth with a gloved hand. Hey, you······.

“Since the moon of the Divine Kingdom is personally suffering, lunch will be provided at the Imperial Palace. A full course without any restrictions on the number of people.”

“······I will serve you properly today.”

I replied. Damn it.

Now that it’s come to this, I’m going to work hard and bring Ganael, Benjamin, and Demi to feast.

*

Cedric, the Prince, Christel, and I were kicked out of the Cardinal’s office right away.

Whether the Cardinal had already told them everything, there were about ten members of the Imperial Guard waiting outside the door.

They bowed politely and immediately began to escort us.

I explained the situation to Benjamin and Ganael and told them to prepare to eat their fill later.

“I didn’t know there was a portal in the Imperial Palace.”

My voice echoed down the stairs leading to the basement.

Before I knew it, we were moving to the darkest part of the Imperial Palace.

A few of the Imperial Guard members in front quickly lit torches in various places.

“It hasn’t been used since the war era.”

I wasn’t expecting an answer, but the Prince replied in a low voice.

I nodded, recalling the contents of the history books I had skimmed through.

Something like that happened, so it makes sense to close the Imperial Palace portal.

But creating a portal in the place where the Emperor resides, and not in any other palace, could only be described as tremendous confidence.

-Thump, thump······

-Click, click······

It was just the sound of footsteps again.

The Imperial Guard members walked forward like robots, and Christel and the Prince, who I thought would be arguing, surprisingly didn’t say a word.

I looked up at the Prince standing next to me and turned to look at Christel, who was following one step behind.

Are they not fighting because I’m really here?

“You’re quiet.”

“Do you want us to fight?”

“No, I hope you get along well.”

The Prince frowned slightly at my answer. Christel didn’t respond either.

I couldn’t figure out what the problem was.

In the original story, they were like enemies at first, but then they grew fond of each other. This time, it seemed that the initial conflict had intensified as Christel gained power.

“We’re getting along well.”

After a long time of heading downwards, Christel suddenly opened her mouth. Jackpot.

“That’s good news.”

“I also learned one of His Highness the Prince’s secrets.”

A few of the embarrassed Imperial Guard members stumbled. On the other hand, my face brightened.

“That’s really great.”

“Great?”

The Prince asked sharply. The young one was full of murderous intent.

No, isn’t making secrets how you get closer? What can’t you say?

“It’s good to have a friend you can confide in.”

“We’re here. This way, Your Highness.”

The Prince seemed like he was going to lash out at me more, but the Imperial Guard member’s report was faster.

We looked up at the huge stone door that filled our vision.

Unlike the ground floor, which was covered with Carrara marble and decorated with fancy materials, the basement looked like a dungeon in a game.

Overall, it was dark and bluish, with high ceilings and musty air.

Still, perhaps because it was inside the Imperial Palace, there were no rats or bugs.

“We will open the door.”

When the Prince nodded once, the Imperial Guard members gathered in unison and pushed the stone door open.

-Krrrr······

The door opened smoothly without much resistance. It didn’t seem to be locked.

Everything was new to me since it was my first time coming to a place like this since I was possessed.

Maybe it was a place that even Eunseo had never read about. Soon, the wide view across the street unfolded.

“Cough, cough!”

“Cough, cough!”

“Ah-choo!”

The Imperial Guard members, who had gone in first to light the torches and check for safety, coughed and sneezed while waving their hands.

Some people were crying and sniffling, probably because they had severe rhinitis [inflammation of the nasal passages].

Following the Prince, who was taking the lead with large strides, Christel and I moved our steps.

“······When are we going to clean all this?”

I muttered.

The hallway was a bit creepy, but it generally felt clean, but the room with the portal looked like a place that no one had entered for a long time.

Spiderwebs that had come down from the ceiling like hammocks were hanging here and there, and the floor was covered in so much dust that you couldn’t see what color it originally was.

The Emperor must be really angry.

Well, since they caused such a mess in the Imperial Palace, the two of them should consider themselves lucky that they weren’t exiled or imprisoned.

I wonder what the Sarnese couple is thinking right now.

“Um, brooms and buckets are prepared here. And rags······.”

“Your Highness, if you’re having a hard time, we can do some of it······.”

“Should we prepare a place to sit first?”

The Imperial Guard members, who had maintained a professional expressionless face until they came here, seemed very embarrassed to leave us alone now that the situation had become like this.

Of course, they wouldn’t leave completely, and I heard that they would be guarding from the hallway to the entrance of the stairs.

But they seemed to be very concerned about leaving the person who would later ascend to the throne, the prince of the neighboring country, and the noble lady of a prestigious family to do hard work and leaving their posts.

“It’s okay. Go and do your work.”

In the end, I stepped in to appease them.

The Prince was just standing there like a real sculpture with a sculpted face, and Christel was being silly from earlier, so I was the only one who could fix things.

“Prince Yeser, still······.”

“Those two have committed a great discourtesy to His Majesty the Emperor and have come to receive punishment. You’re not going to cover that up, are you?”

“N-No, that’s not it!”

The Imperial Guard members shouted quickly. I guess they’re finally coming to their senses.

“Yes, so you can go. Don’t worry. I’ll be watching.”

I smiled and sent them out the door.

The members hesitated and hesitated, but they steadily moved their feet.

I waved my hand at their backs and slowly turned around. Haa······.

“Can you two do it all?”

“There’s no reason why we can’t.”

The Prince replied to my question. A spirit of making it happen even if it doesn’t work, very good.

This instructor doesn’t expect much from you······.

“I’ll do it alone.”

Christel interjected. I was a little surprised and looked down at her.

Then, our protagonist spread her palms wide, and a basketball-sized water droplet appeared with a ‘clang!’

Wow, I didn’t expect it.

“You told me not to receive help, but you didn’t say I couldn’t use my abilities.”

She grinned like a mischievous child. I couldn’t help but let out a hollow laugh.

*

-Splash, splash!

-Swish······

A huge wave reaching the ceiling swirled around the circular room, hitting the walls on all sides.

Under the water, water streams thinner than a pinky finger swept the floor like snakes.

The water that collected old dirt and dust flowed diligently like a stream and fell into the drain outside the door.

That process had been repeated for about 20 minutes.

I stood on the right side of the entrance and opened my mouth loudly.

“Lady, are you okay?”

“Yes, I’m not dizzy yet!”

Christel’s cheerful voice was heard from inside the room.

According to what I read in the book, holy knights really like using divine power.

It seemed that the theory that they feel a sense of liberation and elation due to the manifestation of special Ether was true.

I looked at the Prince, who was leaning against the left side of the entrance.

There was someone who came to mind when I saw his serious profile. The words came out before I thought about it.

“Um, it’ll be okay.”

“······.”

He had a look on his face that he didn’t understand my sentence. I cleared my throat.

“I’m talking about Sadie.”

The Prince’s eyes widened.

“What do you mean,”

“You can come in now!”

Christel shouted cheerfully. The stains on the floor had long since disappeared.

The room I glanced into was completely different from the space we had witnessed 30 minutes ago.

I felt like I had to play the music [a popular reality TV show theme]. Oh my gosh······.