Leave the Villainous Second Male Lead Alone - Chapter 2.13

Calisto shouted in a trembling voice.

On the floor lay a small glass jewelry box, cracked. Through the open lid, colorful candy beads were spilling out, rolling around.

I couldn’t quite understand the situation at first. I stared at the floor in surprise, then picked up the jewelry box. It seemed like something Susan had made, but the glass wasn’t as clear or sparkling as her usual work, and the finishing was rough, making it obvious this wasn’t her style. Behind me, I heard Calisto sobbing quietly.

I slowly turned around, glancing at Calisto, then at the jewelry box. The box had a long crack near the lid, and the inside was sticky, probably because of the candy beads inside. I carefully spoke up.

“Calisto… Did you make this?”

Calisto flushed bright red and shook his head.

“Hik… No, hic, it’s not mine.”

“Then where did you get it?”

“Su… Susan… hic… made it for me.”

“…”

That didn’t seem right.

Calisto had been visiting Susan’s workshop frequently lately, so perhaps this was why. I looked at Calisto’s face, gauging his reaction, then asked again.

“Is this for me? A birthday gift?”

“….”

It was obvious, but Calisto suddenly dropped his head, remaining silent. Looking down at his round little head, with his jet-black hair scattered, I remembered something Kevin had said earlier.

“I saw Calisto behind us when Lawrence was giving Etienne a gift!”

Lawrence had also given a jewelry box as a gift, but it was an elegant silver box with a purple sapphire inset, far more luxurious than the one Calisto clumsily made.

Moreover, the one inside was a set of amethyst jewels. I could guess how Calisto must have felt seeing that.

I sighed softly and sat on a long bench behind the balcony. Calisto peeked up at me cautiously.

I smiled and reached my arms out to him.

“Come here.”

“Why…?”

“I’ll hug you. Do you not want that?”

“…Well, okay then.”

Calisto quickly approached and sat on my lap. He leaned his cheek against my chest and mumbled.

“I didn’t make it. Really.”

“Really? Then who made it? It’s so pretty.”

“Is it… really pretty?”

“Of course. This glass jewelry box is the only one like it in the world. I’m going to put it in my bedroom display cabinet and look at it every day.”

“But it’s all broken…”

“It’s just a small crack. Since it’s crystal glass, if I ask Susan to touch it up a bit, it’ll be usable.”

“The candy melted and got all sticky.”

“Just clean it up. The candy looked delicious, but it all fell on the floor. What a waste.”

“…Should I give you more?”

“You have more?”

“Yeah.”

Calisto, who had stopped hiccuping by now, nodded and reached into his pocket. He pulled out a handkerchief, wrapping something inside it. I took the handkerchief from him and opened it up.

On the white handkerchief were two candy beads and two violet violets.

I picked up one of the candy beads and popped it into Calisto’s mouth. His cheek puffed up in the shape of the candy. I put the other one in my own mouth, then pointed at the violets with my eyes and asked.

“What are these flowers?”

“These… I saw them on the way from the village.”

“Really? I didn’t know there were flowers like these in the village. They’re so beautiful.”

It was clear Calisto had picked them to give to me, but he pretended otherwise. I gently coaxed him, and as I did, his previously sullen expression softened a bit. Hesitantly, he asked.

“Should I give it to you, bro?”

“Can I have these beautiful flowers?”

“It’s okay… You’re more beautiful.”

“Haha…”

It was so heartwarming that a little child, with skin that smelled like baby powder, could say such sweet things.

Like the small wildflowers that grew in the village, the violets were tiny and beautiful, reminding me of Calisto. As I gazed at the purple flowers, a good idea struck me. I took Calisto’s hand and guided it in front of me.

“Hold your hand out and stay still.”

The child tilted his head.

“Why?”

“I’ll make something pretty for you.”

I carefully used my nails to gently split the stem of the violet into two parts and tied it around Calisto’s fourth finger. In an instant, it became the flower ring I used to play with when I was younger. Calisto, who had probably never seen anything like it, blinked his eyes and stared at the flower ring before looking up at me. I smiled at him.

“It’s a violet ring. Pretty, right?”

“…Is this for me?”

“Yes. It looks so good on you with your pale fingers.”

Calisto was silent for a moment, his big eyes rolling around as he hesitated. Finally, he picked up the remaining violet and split the stem like I did. Then, looking at me, he clearly said.

“Give me your hand too.”

“Huh? Me?”

I extended my hand without thinking, but then realized I was still wearing the amethyst ring Lawrence had given me earlier. I remembered how Calisto had looked upset comparing it to his own gift.

Just as I expected, Calisto looked down at the ring in silence, then asked in a small voice.

“Can… can you take it off? I’ll make you a flower ring instead…”

His little voice became wet with emotion.

“Oh, okay, okay.”

Feeling a pang of guilt, I hurriedly took off the ring and placed it in the jewelry box I had received, then held my hand out again to Calisto. Calisto, still with his head lowered, tied the violet ring around my finger.

“Bro, when I grow up… I’ll make you a really, really beautiful ring.”

“Make it for me” instead of “buy it for me.”

He was so cute, pitiful, and lovable that I couldn’t help but hug Calisto tightly. His little body smelled like soft soap.

“No, I like this ring the most. Really.”

I tightened my arms around Callisto as I thought to myself. I guess I’ll have to start giving him more pocket money from now on…

The next day, I asked my father to make some time for me. Having successfully showcased the crystal chandelier to the nobles, it was time to seriously start the business.

“The chandelier and other crystal glass products are so beautiful. Don’t you think it’s a shame to only use them at the Count’s house, Father?”

“A shame, you say?”

After handing over the New Port to Harrington and taking over Blast Port, I had begun my formal training as a successor. My father always had me attend business meetings, and he listened carefully to my opinions.

This time was no different.

“Are you saying you want to start a business, Etienne?”

I silently looked up at the Count.

In the original story, he deceived everyone, including Callisto, by claiming him to be his illegitimate son. It was a choice he had to make, as it would be difficult to explain the truth without arousing suspicion from the Empress. But Etienne was deeply hurt by this deception. The strained relationship between Etienne and Callisto was partly the Count’s responsibility, but I couldn’t blame him entirely.

Etienne was still a young boy. If he had revealed Callisto’s identity as the crown prince, and Etienne made a mistake in speaking, the Count’s family could have been destroyed. It was natural that the Count couldn’t trust his only 12-year-old son with such a secret.

But now, my father was beginning to trust me. I was no longer just a child, but someone he could discuss business with.

I carefully chose my words and spoke.

“Our domain is fortunately operating smoothly, but we don’t own mines like other families, and the trade we were trying to push through was abandoned because of me.”

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