What Happens When The Second Male Lead Powers Up [EN]: Chapter 91

#091 He Has a Secret (2)

Did everyone know? Was I the only one in the dark?

“Prince… Would you like some more Tarte Normande [apple tart from Normandy]?”

Ganael asked, watching me carefully. I was quiet for a moment, then suddenly looked up at the boy.

“Huh? No, I’m okay. I’m full.”

“But you’ve only had one slice…”

The boy had been watching my expression closely since last night.

Benjamin, usually so composed, seemed particularly cheerful today. I forced a smile and shook my head.

Right. It’s possible they didn’t tell me.

Ganael and Lady Elisabeth are quite far apart in age, and since neither of them mentioned it to me first, it’s not strange that I didn’t notice.

It’s their private life, and I don’t necessarily need to know.

Surely the people involved and their families will sort it out.

-Clink

…No, really. I put down my fork.

“Ganael.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

The boy, who had been serving dessert, straightened up. I stared at Ganael.

“Are you happy? Is your… fiancé treating you well?”

“Yes? Yes, I’m very happy. Every day this year has been joyful.”

The honey-colored eyes curved gently.

‘Of course, I wasn’t happy when you collapsed, Your Highness, or during the ‘Great Demon Subjugation’,’ was what he didn’t say.

Why only say you’re happy? I also asked if your fiancé is treating you well.

I nodded, suppressing the sudden surge of anxiety.

After hearing Sir Michel’s talk about a ‘prospective son-in-law’ yesterday, I barely remembered washing up and falling asleep at the mansion.

When I came to my senses, breakfast was already over.

Let’s get over the shock quickly, I quietly encouraged myself.

I was supposed to go heal Sir Haynes soon, and we also needed to discuss Eva’s battle for the title of Junior Duchess.

I didn’t need to worry about Ganael.

Lady Elisabeth is a wonderful and mature person, so she’ll be a good partner and protector.

-Knock knock

“Come in.”

I answered the knock. Lady Elisabeth appeared from beyond the door.

A person who is more than a noble…

“Did you sleep well, Your Highness?”

“Good morning, Lady Elisabeth. Thank you for your hospitality. I’m sorry to impose.”

“Not at all. It’s an honor for the Count’s family. And…”

She smiled brightly and opened the door wide. Then, a very welcome sound came.

-Squeak!

Demi and the three lesser pandas rushed into the room.

Even in my surprise, I picked up the ones climbing onto my lap and held them in my arms.

Rea is timid and Perry is shy, so it was amazing how they got here.

Demi stood up, pressing against my chest. He seemed to have a complaint.

-Kieeerrrrr!

“Oh, sorry. I stayed out without saying anything. Right.”

-Kiee, Kieeee!

“I’m so sorry. And I didn’t give Demi a midnight snack.”

-Kuurrrurrrut

“As a sign of repentance, should I stay with Demi all day?”

The little one’s expression was clear.

I took Demi’s paw and shook it in apology, then diligently rubbed the tails and backs of the three of them.

Lady Elisabeth laughed out loud.

“A royal priest is different. Priest Sant suffered quite a bit, I hear. Dduksoomi is in Princess Christel’s room.”

“You brought the children from the Imperial Palace all the way to the Count’s mansion?”

My eyes widened slightly.

They were all named and tamed by me, so even if Sant released his aether [magical energy], it wouldn’t have been easy to lead them.

We’ll be returning to the palace soon, so why bring them all the way here?

“‘Since you’re out, stay with each other for a few days. It’s nice and quiet in the Imperial Palace.’ That’s His Majesty’s message.”

“Yes?”

I asked back, wondering what this meant. She approached the table and handed me a luxurious golden card.

The Emperor’s seal was stamped on the outside with cherry-colored sealing wax.

I repeatedly read the card with Lady Elisabeth’s message written on it.

The handwriting was rough and free-spirited. Could this be…

“Am I being kicked out?”

“Quite the opposite, Your Highness.”

Benjamin, who had been smiling faintly, explained.

He didn’t forget to refill my half-empty cup with pine needle tea.

“It seems His Majesty trusts you enough to give you some free time. And His Highness the Prince is by your side.”

Free time for a hostage. It seemed like a contradictory statement.

I wondered if I could be happy about it, but on the other hand, I thought, ‘I’m a homebody, so I don’t have anything to do outside.’

I’d be happy if they finally realized I have no ambition.

“You can think of it as a reward for catching the demons at the opera house.”

Lady Elisabeth said. This seemed more plausible.

I nodded, and she gave a neat bow, saying she would take her leave.

Then, she gave Ganael a short smile.

Wait a minute.

“Lady Elisabeth Mutte.”

I called her.

“Yes?”

“Come and sit down.”

I couldn’t stand it any longer. I tapped the empty chair. Ganael’s face turned white.

*

“Your Highness. That is…”

“You be quiet, Ganael.”

At my words, the boy shut his mouth.

I silently stared at Lady Elisabeth, who was sitting across from me with a very uncomfortable expression.

Two attendants were at my sides.

It seemed that only Benjamin was relaxed, enjoying a cup of coffee.

“That… I’m sorry for calling you trash last time.”

I opened my mouth.

I had certainly said such a thing while trying to persuade Eva at the Imperial Palace temple.

That thinking of marrying a sixteen-year-old at twenty-four was trashy.

At that time, I didn’t know Lady Elisabeth’s circumstances, and I didn’t say it to target her, but I didn’t want to hurt her due to cultural differences.

Then, her cat-like gray eyes widened.

“Yes? Ah, no. It’s okay. I think it’s understandable that such words would come out.”

Lady Elisabeth smiled bitterly and waved her hand.

I could feel Ganael fidgeting on my right. The young count calmly continued.

“Ganael turned sixteen last February. As Your Highness thinks, it’s not common in the Empire to get engaged as soon as you become an adult. I also know that Ganael is young,”

“I confessed!”

Huh? Ganael suddenly interjected. I turned to look at the boy in surprise.

His golden eyes were shining with determination.

The three lesser pandas clung tightly to my shirt like nervous audience members.

“When I was six years old, I proposed to Lady Mutte. Then Lady Mutte said, ‘It’s ten years too early’… So I said it again ten years later.”

Benjamin’s shoulders began to heave up and down.

I stared alternately at Lady Elisabeth and Ganael, dumbfounded.

The young count quickly said,

“But I didn’t think he would really propose again ten years later. Really, Your Highness.”

“Our family, the Calamar Barons, and the Mutte Counts have been interacting for hundreds of years. So I’ve been close to Lady Mutte since I was a child. Count Mutte and Sir Michel opposed it because I was too young… But I was okay. Because I like her!”

My face turned red at the boy’s pure romance-like words.

About 30 minutes later.

I couldn’t say anything and had to take in Ganael’s TMI [Too Much Information] bombardment.

I only knew that the boy liked to chatter, but I didn’t realize he was so logical and eloquent.

Ganael,

1. Has been treated kindly by Lady Elisabeth since he was young, 2. Is smart and has excellent swordsmanship skills, 3. She is his first love, so 4. Following the advice of Marquis François Duhem that a brave man wins a beauty, 5. He formally proposed on his coming-of-age day, and 6. He specifically explained the socio-economic benefits that could be gained from their union.

The beginning, development, turn, and conclusion were so clear that I couldn’t interrupt in the middle.

Why is the Marquis everywhere? Is he like a famous supporting actor in a blockbuster movie?

“…Okay. Congratulations. I hope you have a beautiful love.”

“Thank you so much, Your Highness!”

The boy smiled brightly like a evening primrose. My mental strength was running out.

Lady Elisabeth, who had to go to work soon, already looked exhausted.

She seemed very embarrassed and mortified.

A mother hen. I have to catch a mother hen for Lady Elisabeth…

“Are there any other secrets I should know?”

I asked, rubbing my face wearily. Demi began to doze off in my arms.

Three pairs of eyes focused on me.

“I don’t mean to tell me real secrets. I’m just wondering if there’s anything else I don’t know.”

Then Benjamin finally burst out laughing.

It was rare for him to laugh so heartily, so I just laughed along with him.

*

“So, I want to push my brother aside and become the Duchess of Blancarte.”

-Bbirrrreureureu! Bbip bbip bbip!

Eva grabbed the hem of her dress and finished speaking bravely.

Dduksoomi sat on the prince’s shoulder and added sound effects, and Christel cheered softly.

I was almost swept away by the atmosphere and clapped my hands.

The lesser pandas, who were huddled together on a warm stone, wagged their tails in response.

The ceiling of the Mutte Count’s greenhouse was high and spacious.

The Imperial Palace also has a huge greenhouse, but it’s quite far from the Juliette Palace, so I’ve never been there.

It seemed like I could be satisfied with this place instead.

Sir Haynes decided to stay in his room until today, so it was difficult for him to come out.

I decided to find meaning in having used most of the healing circles I had memorized on him.

“If willpower alone could make you an heir, everyone would have done it.”

Prince Cedrick said, drinking his espresso. Eva’s expression clouded over.

I gently tugged at the prince’s sleeve. He looked at me with a dissatisfied gaze.

“It’s not just willpower. Eva has received the blessing of the sacred object. She even has legitimacy.”

“You’re calling the princess by her name.”

Are you listening to me? I swallowed a small sigh.

Eva said she would accompany Lady Elisabeth on her way to work.

It was to go clean the Imperial Palace temple. She was a responsible and admirable child.

I held onto the young duchess and called the prince and Christel to arrange a meeting like this.

Sir Michel provided the venue, saying, ‘It’s a tea party for young people to promote friendship.’

It wasn’t entirely wrong.

“I think it would be good for all three of you to build a relationship with each other.”

The ends of the orange eyes narrowed at my declaration. Christel tilted her head as if she was interested.

So, in my opinion, the three of them could use each other well…

It sounds a bit harsh, but it was true.

Emperor Frederick and Cardinal Boutier were expecting the downfall of the reckless young duchess.

It seemed that they thought that if the prince helped in the process, he might benefit in the future.

At that time, I just shook my head, saying they were politicians, but looking back, it was also good for the development of ‘Toegye Gong’ [a Korean Confucian scholar, implying strategic foresight].

“If Eva becomes the duchess with the help and support of the two of you, Your Highness will gain a strong ally in the territory bordering the border. Blancarte is a prestigious family of magicians, so it will help Your Highness’s political position.”

If it goes that way, the ‘Shrine of the Gods of Trees and Water’ was as good as in the hands of the two men.

It was an impossible calculation for ordinary people, but it was possible because they were the main characters.

As long as Christel wanted the sacred object, it was natural for the shrine to side with her.

Even if she wasn’t chosen as the owner like during the ‘Ark of Bireom’.

“It would be good for Eva to have the power she’s dreamed of.”

Also, she would be able to rebuild the Blancarte family’s connection to the imperial family in her generation.

I was just a supporting character and a hostage, so it was difficult to give Eva meaningful help.

But I could at least build a bridge.

“What do you think?”

Perhaps the reason I prevented Robert Blancarte’s death at the duel that day was to lay the groundwork for this kind of relationship…

Um. Let’s not go that far. I shouldn’t let my self-consciousness get too big.

I was just trying to make the most of a good opportunity.

In a way that would be advantageous to the two protagonists that Eunseo Jeong cherished.

“…”

“…”

The prince and Christel stared at me silently. Don’t do that, it’s scary.

“Besides, Eva is an excellent priest. She’s already a bishop at sixteen. If necessary, she can fill your aether,”

“So that’s what it was.”

The prince cut me off sharply. Flames seemed to be burning in his irises.

“Are you going to abandon your duty?”

What are you talking about? Why are you suddenly speeding up?

“I don’t know about duty, but Your Highness’s eyes were sparkling. I thought you liked power struggles. Should I become the duchess too?”

Christel rested her chin on her hands and smiled brightly.

Why did you jump to that conclusion again!

“Don’t, don’t fight because of me. I like it, but!”

In the end, Eva cried out with a tearful face. Dduksoomi tilted his whole body.

It’s a total mess.