Leave the Villainous Second Male Lead Alone - Chapter 1.12

“Yes, you are!” I retorted.

Before I could say more, Callisto turned his gaze toward the banquet hall doors and mumbled under his breath, “You’re the most…” “What?” I tilted my head to catch his words. “Nothing. I didn’t say anything.”

“You did! Stop ignoring me!”

“Be quiet! Andrew, open the doors.” “Yes, Master Callisto.” I wanted to press him further, but Callisto cut me off. With a sigh, I straightened my expression and turned my focus forward. Callisto’s grip on my hand tightened as the footman opened the grand double doors, revealing the banquet hall. The Earl of Winyates was a noble of high rank, with immense wealth inherited through generations of successful businesses.

As such, many nobles sought his favor, and any banquet hosted at the Winyates estate was highly sought after. Unlike typical gatherings that were limited to adults, tonight’s event included children of noble families. It was an opportunity to introduce Callisto to high society and, hopefully, find him some friends.

Taking Callisto’s hand, I began leading him toward the group of young nobles.

Suddenly, I felt his hand tighten around mine. Looking down, I saw him hesitating, his expression conflicted as if struggling to find the right words. I waited patiently.

Finally, after gathering his courage, Callisto looked up at me and asked, “What would you think,  if I were your real brother?”

“Hmm…”

Here it comes. The pivotal moment. In the original story, Callisto never asked Etienne this question. They hadn’t been close enough to have such a conversation. Later, the nobles would start gossiping about Callisto’s origins.

At that point, Etienne would overhear someone say Callisto was her half-brother. Overwhelmed with anger and disgust, she would storm out, leaving Callisto alone to face ridicule and bullying from the other noble children. I glanced toward a group of nobles who were already casting curious and disdainful glances in Callisto’s direction.

Their expressions, a mix of curiosity and contempt, were all too familiar. Avoiding the “death flag” was one thing, but I had no intention of replicating the events of Callisto’s dream. I hated the idea of adults gossiping so openly in front of a child, and I refused to let him be hurt by such petty behavior. After a brief pause, I replied, “I’d love it.

My father is always busy, and this massive estate feels so empty when I’m alone. Having you here is wonderful, and if you were my real brother, I’d be even happier.” Callisto’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Really?” “Of course.” He hesitated for a moment longer before whispering in a timid voice, “Even if… I’m the Earl’s… illegitimate… child?” This time, I was the one momentarily speechless. The nobles hadn’t started gossiping yet, so Callisto must have learned that word from his visions of the future. What kind of vision teaches a child such a thing? I briefly cursed the dream for burdening Callisto with such knowledge. After composing myself, I squinted at him. “You know that word?”

“I do! Don’t treat me like a fool!” Although he snapped at me as usual, I could feel his small body trembling. My heart ached for him. Gently, I reached out and caressed his round cheek. “That’s not your fault, so why wouldn’t it be okay?” Callisto’s eyes widened so much they looked as if they might pop out. Smiling softly, I met his gaze.

“Don’t worry. No matter what your status is, you’re still you. That’s not going to change how I feel about you.” “You’re lying… You’ll hate me.” “I’m not lying. I swear. I really mean it.” “On Elsie’s name?” Not the Earl’s name, but Elsie’s? It was clear that Elsie, his nanny, was the most important person in Callisto’s world. Understanding his attachment, I smiled warmly. “On Elsie’s name, I swear.” At last, some of the tension left Callisto’s face.

His small hand squeezed mine tightly in return. Callisto’s small hand, tightly gripping mine, trembled faintly. I continued speaking nonchalantly. “I wasn’t aware that a mere viscount had the authority to comment on matters concerning the Earl of Winyates’ household.

If you have grievances about the ward, I’d be happy to relay them directly to my father.”

“No… grievances, young master. That wasn’t my intention at all,” the viscount stammered.

“No intention, you say? How curious. Viscount, I suggest you consider more carefully how your words might be perceived by others.” Viscount Camoys’ expression grew darker, and the surrounding nobles looked increasingly uneasy.

I glanced around at the group before turning back to the viscount with a faint smile. “For even a 12-year-old like me to detect such an implication, it might give the impression that you lack a certain sharpness of mind. I say this out of concern for your reputation.”

“…”

I threw his earlier words back at him, and his face turned ashen. “Well then, I hope to see you another time.

For now, I trust you’ll act without inviting any further misunderstandings.” With a polite smile, I turned my back on him. At that moment, I heard a soft chuckle from behind Callisto and me. “Haha…”

Who was that? I quickly turned around, but no familiar face stood out. All I could see were a group of young nobles stealing glances at us. I considered investigating further but lost interest when Callisto tugged at the hem of my clothes.

I leaned down to his level, concerned. “Yes? What is it?”

Although I tried to keep the situation under control, I worried that the incident had hurt him. In the original story, the nobles never welcomed the orphan the Earl had chosen to sponsor.

They would sneer and mock Callisto, speculating about his unknown mother’s beauty and suggesting she must have seduced the Earl to improve her lot in life. This constant gossip followed Callisto throughout the banquet, leaving him deeply scarred and even darker than before. Still worried, I asked again, “Are you upset by what they said? Should I scold them some more?”

But to my surprise, Callisto shook his head. “No, that’s not it.” “Then why?” Callisto looked up at me quietly. His round, chubby cheeks were flushed red. Was he angry? Feeling sorry for him, I gently stroked his puffed-up cheeks.

Then Callisto lowered his gaze and mumbled in a small voice, “…Thank you.” “Huh…” His response caught me off guard. After speaking, his cheeks turned an even deeper shade of red. For a moment, I just stared at him, dumbfounded. Before I came to this world, I had no family—no siblings, no spouse, and of course, no children.

The idea of raising a seven-year-old child like Callisto, especially one who initially resented me, had seemed overwhelming. Yet, every time Callisto expressed gratitude like this, it left me feeling both flustered and inexplicably pleased.

This wasn’t just about avoiding death flags anymore, it felt different. It was starting to feel like Callisto could become real family, like he could genuinely be my little brother. And if Callisto ever came to see me as his older brother, it would truly make me happy.

“It’s nothing. Why are you thanking me? Did you eat something weird?

This doesn’t suit you,” I teased lightly.

“Even when I thank you, you make a fuss,” Callisto muttered, returning to his usual grumpy self. I chuckled and began walking toward the group of noble children with him.

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