Leave the Villainous Second Male Lead Alone - Chapter 1.7

It was hard to reconcile this fragile, clingy child with the obsessive, twisted male lead he would eventually become.

If nothing else, it was a testament to how crucial early attachment was in shaping a person’s character.

The fact that he would one day outmaneuver the Empress and rise to become the Crown Prince was nothing short of incredible. Crown Prince, Crown Princess, I don’t care what you become, just spare me.

Dragging the reluctant Callisto to the bed, I sat him down and began drying his hair with a towel. As I worked, my thoughts drifted to my next steps. Mending my relationship with Callisto and ensuring my survival was priority number one.

However, there was another looming issue: the inevitable downfall of the Winyeates family. By the time Etienne reached adulthood, the family’s wealth would be completely gone.

After dealing with Callisto, I need to figure out a way to make money. There’s no point surviving if I’m going to starve later.

I need to live well.

Lost in thought, I accidentally pressed too hard while drying Callisto’s hair, causing him to yelp. “Ow! What are you doing? That hurts!” “Oops, sorry. I didn’t mean to.” It was an honest mistake, but Callisto, ever the dramatic one, immediately accused me of wrongdoing. “I’m going to tell Elsie!” “Go ahead! Who do you think she’ll side with—me or you?

She’s my nanny, you little brat!”

“Elsie would never side with a villain like you!”

“Oh, really? Keep it up, and you’ll end up running around in just your underwear!”

“Waaah! Elsie!” Once again, I had fallen for his provocations and ended up making him cry.

My head throbbed with regret.

The situation finally calmed down when Elsie returned. Callisto sat sulking as she gently dressed him. If I’d tried to dress him, he would’ve caused another scene.

“All done, Callisto,” Elsie said kindly.

“Thank you, Elsie,” Callisto replied quietly, his eyes downcast. At moments like this, he looked like an angel. Of course, I knew better now—it was all an act. As I watched his baby-fox-like demeanor, I couldn’t help but think, Why can’t you act like this with me?

If you did, we could both avoid so much trouble, you’d be loved, and I wouldn’t end up dead. Despite my internal frustration, I smiled sweetly at Callisto.

My face hurt from the effort. Callisto glanced at me suspiciously.

“What’s with that face? Did you eat something bad?”

“N-no… It’s just… you’re so adorable, Callisto…”

I barely managed to stop myself from snapping back.

The clothes Elsie brought were ones I’d worn as a child, but they were far too big for Callisto. The sleeves covered his hands, and the pants dragged on the floor. Clicking my tongue, I rolled up the sleeves.

“Are these from when I was about seven? Don’t we have anything smaller, Elsie?” “I think the smaller ones were discarded. I thought these would fit, but they’re a bit large.”

Though Callisto was seven, his small frame made him look more like a four- or five-year-old. The sight of him awkwardly dressed in oversized clothes was both endearing and pitiful. When I reached out to pat his head, he flinched and tried to dodge, only to stumble and fall with a loud thud. Startled, I rushed to his side. “Callisto, are you okay?

See, this is what happens when you run around. Let me see—your palms are all scraped up.”

“Ouch… Leave me alone! I told you not to touch me!”

“I’m not going to eat you. I swear.”

“How can I believe that?”

Though Callisto shot back sharply, it was clear he was in pain. The scrape was deep enough for blood to show, likely from how hard he’d fallen.

Elsie quickly left to fetch some ointment, leaving me to handle the situation. When I gently blew on the wound, Callisto’s eyes widened in surprise.

He kept glancing at me, clearly unsure how to react. His inner conflict was written all over his face, and I couldn’t help but smile to myself. He was still just a kid.

“Does it hurt a lot? Just hang in there. It’ll feel better once we put some ointment on.”

“It doesn’t hurt at all,” Callisto retorted with a pout, then quickly added, “This is nothing. Don’t think I’m weak!”

“Who said you’re weak? Any kid would cry if they got hurt.” “I’m not a kid!”

For some reason, that set him off. Callisto’s small face twisted in anger as he glared up at me. “I’m fine! I’ll be an adult soon! I’ll grow up and protect the nanny and…” His voice, which had been rising in frustration, suddenly cut off.

I stared at him, at a loss for words. Callisto lowered his head, his expression hardening. Before coming to the Count’s estate, Callisto had risked his life to escape the imperial palace with the help of his nanny.

She had cared for him until her death, which the original story implied was orchestrated by the Empress’s agents. The details were vague, but it was clear that her death had been a traumatic experience for Callisto.

Did he witness it happen right in front of him? Looking at his pale face and slumped shoulders, I couldn’t help but wonder. Callisto’s inability to open his heart, even to his future lover, seemed to stem from more than just Etienne’s abuse.

If he had watched the person he loved most be killed before his eyes, the emotional scars would run deep. And after her death, he wandered the streets alone. For a moment, my irritation with Callisto faded, replaced by sympathy.

I wanted to comfort this hurt child.

“Yeah, you’re going to grow up soon. Eat well, sleep well, and you’ll grow tall in no time.”

“…Do you really think so?”

“Of course. You’ll grow taller than me and become a really impressive adult. I guarantee it.”

“What? Obviously, I’ll be taller than you! Then I’ll get my revenge!”

“What revenge? What have I even done to you?”

“You’ll hit me and torture me and—!”

“I told you, I’m not going to do any of that! Stop accusing me of things!”

The momentary warmth between us vanished in an instant. I regretted feeling sorry for him even for a second. Still, it was a relief to see him perk up again.

I felt slightly reassured as I continued bickering with Callisto until Elsie returned with the ointment.

Thankfully, the scrape wasn’t too severe. After a scolding from Elsie, I applied the ointment to Callisto’s hand and carefully wrapped it with a clean cloth.

“Thanks…” Callisto muttered.

“What? I didn’t hear you.”

Support Leave the Villainous Second Male Lead Alone