Leave the Villainous Second Male Lead Alone - Chapter 2.5

I couldn’t bring up disasters that hadn’t happened yet or accuse the Viscount of embezzlement he hadn’t committed. Instead, I needed to appeal to my father’s emotions. Looking as pitiful as possible, I gazed up at him.

“Father… are you still planning to work with Viscount Camois?”

“I’m considering it. The Viscount believes the children’s disputes and business matters are separate.”

Of course, the Viscount was clinging on. Without the Count’s financial backing, he couldn’t proceed with the port project. I wanted to scream at the absurdity of working with someone like him, but instead, I let my head drop weakly.

“The Viscount is right… I can’t let my issues ruin such an important project. But if you continue this partnership, I’ll have to keep facing Yves. I’m scared to see him again.”

The Count’s face darkened noticeably. Even Callisto flinched, squeezing my hand tightly. Meanwhile, I struggled to conjure a single tear, finding it impossible. Acting pathetic was harder than I’d anticipated, so I simply lowered my head.

“I know it’s unreasonable. But please… can you end this partnership, Father? It’s my only wish.”

The Count hesitated for a long moment before finally speaking, his voice heavy.

“You’re right, Etienne. As long as we’re involved with the Viscount, you and Yves will inevitably cross paths again. I don’t know who that child takes after to be so violent.”

Who else but the Viscount himself? Though he wore a mask of civility before my father, his true nature was clear.

As I silently smirked to myself, the Count continued.

“Don’t worry. We’ll withdraw from the port project.”

“Really, Father?”

I looked up quickly, my voice betraying my excitement, before hurriedly lowering my gaze. Thankfully, the Count didn’t seem to notice.

“Yes… The Viscount may be disappointed, but I’ll help him find a suitable partner to continue the project.”

“A partner?”

“The Viscount has invested too much effort to abandon the project entirely. Introducing him to a capable partner is the least I can do.”

My eyes sparkled. While I had only aimed to end the Count’s involvement, finding the Viscount a new partner was an unexpected bonus. And who better to inherit the disaster than a willing collaborator?

Feigning caution, I suggested, “How about the Harrington Dukedom? They’re wealthy and interested in Eastern trade. The Viscount would surely be grateful if you facilitated a partnership.”

“The Harrington Dukedom… That’s an excellent idea. They’d certainly be interested. You’re quite insightful, Etienne. You’ve grown so much.”

The Count patted my head affectionately. I accepted the gesture, hiding a sly smile.

Harrington was the perfect choice. In the original story, Harrington and Camois had been ideal partners. This time, their partnership would merely begin a little earlier.

With the timeline moved forward, all destinies were bound to change.

The Duke of Harrington—he was the man who brutally murdered Callisto’s mother, Empress Marie Louise, drove Callisto to the slums, and relentlessly tried to kill him. Moreover, he was the right hand and younger brother of Jeanne, the empress who orchestrated all those events from the shadows.

A perfect target. This was the best plan to remove my death flags.

After the Count left the room, I leaned back against the headboard of the bed, letting my body relax. Unexpectedly, I had managed to rope the Duke of Harrington into this, alongside Camois. It felt like a bonus win.

In the original story, Callisto rises as crown prince after successfully leading a rebellion. He not only defeats the empress but also eliminates her supporters, including the Duke of Harrington. While Callisto was destined to triumph in the end, the path to victory was fraught with suffering.

The rebellion’s success stemmed from Callisto enlisting in the navy at a young age and building his power there. However, the navy in this world was notorious as the most dangerous and grueling of all military branches. Pirates roamed freely, and naval battles with neighboring kingdoms were constant. The navy was perpetually understaffed, accepting anyone who volunteered without even verifying their identity. As a result, its ranks were filled with outlaws and destitute individuals, the kind of people who had no other choice.

Callisto’s decision to join the navy at the tender age of thirteen stemmed from Etienne’s relentless abuse. The original Etienne had driven him to such despair that even the navy seemed like a preferable escape. Once enlisted, Callisto endured years of harrowing experiences.

But in this life, I had no intention of sending Callisto to the navy, especially not at thirteen.

Instead, by expanding the influence of the Count’s family and undermining the empress, Harrington, and Camois, I could secure Callisto’s position without bloodshed. There was no need for him to walk such a perilous path. All I wanted was for Callisto to grow up safely and happily, just as he was now.

Today’s events had significantly advanced that goal. All I could do now was hope that the Count would successfully pass the burden of the port project onto Harrington.

Lost in these thoughts, I noticed Callisto fidgeting before scooting closer and looking up at me. Only then did it occur to me that he must have been bored while I was talking to the Count. Smiling, I pulled him into a hug.

“Sorry. My talk with Father went on a bit long. How are you feeling? Want me to blow on your bruises again?”

“No… I’m fine. Really.”

“Really?”

Surprisingly, Callisto shook his head. Considering how much he enjoyed having me blow on his bruises earlier, his refusal was unexpected. With his small face set in a serious expression, he seemed to be deep in thought about something.

“What’s wrong? Are you in pain?”

I cupped Callisto’s bruised cheek and examined him. His face was still half-covered in dark purple bruises. Thinking about Camois and Harrington’s schemes wasn’t enough to quell my anger. I needed to come up with something more decisive.

Then Callisto, after a moment of hesitation, looked up at me with a determined expression and spoke in a reassuring tone.

“Don’t worry. I’ll protect you.”

“Huh?”

Out of nowhere?

His sudden declaration left me bewildered. Protect me? From what? As I struggled to process his words, Callisto frowned, his small face scrunching up like an angry kitten.

“Don’t be scared. Even if we meet that guy again, I’ll protect you.”

“Oh…”

He must have taken my act in front of the Count seriously, believing I was genuinely terrified of Yves. The image of Yves’ towering figure came to mind—twice the size of Callisto and far more menacing. In a fight, Yves could send Callisto flying with a single shove. In fact, that had already happened.

The idea of this tiny boy protecting me was laughable, but I suppressed my amusement and nodded quietly.

“Sure… Of course.”

“You can count on me. You don’t have to worry about anything.”

“Yes, I know…”

I didn’t know what else to say. Sensing my lukewarm response, Callisto widened his bright eyes and pressed me insistently.

“You don’t believe me? Brother, don’t you trust me? Why not? Huh?”

He looked ready to burst into tears if I said no.

Resigned, I put on my most earnest tone and reassured him.

“What are you talking about, sweetheart? Of course, I believe you. I’m counting on you to protect me, okay?”

Satisfied with my response, Callisto nodded solemnly before tapping my arm with his tiny hands. Then, with his eyes tightly shut, he made his next request.

“Then blow on my bruises again.”

“…Alright.”

How reliable. I couldn’t help but laugh at his adorable contradiction.

Instead of blowing on his cheek, I leaned in and kissed it. Callisto remained seated, eyes closed, quietly accepting the kiss.

With Yves now excluded from the group lessons, his usual companions had also withdrawn. The Count seemed inclined to cancel the group lessons entirely. After all, the lessons had been initiated by Viscount Camois to foster a connection between Yves and me, so there was no reason to continue them.

But I had a different perspective.

Callisto’s status as the Count’s illegitimate child meant there was a significant gap between him and someone like Lawrence, the heir to a dukedom. They rarely had opportunities to meet. In the original story, the group lessons had been their only point of contact. Their relationship was already diverging from the original narrative, and without the lessons, it might become impossible for them to develop romantic feelings.

Somehow, I needed to convince the Count to keep the lessons going.

Just as I was pondering how to approach him, Elsie entered the room and helped me sit up.

“Young Master, a guest has arrived. Shall I show them in?”

“A guest? Who is it?”

“The heir of Duke Armagnac has come to visit. Shall I let him in?”

“Lawrence?”

I was caught off guard. I had only met Lawrence twice, and the last meeting had ended in chaos. His visit was certainly unexpected.

Elsie seemed delighted, likely thinking I had finally made a friend. She began singing Lawrence’s praises.

“Yes, he seemed very worried about you. For someone so young, he’s incredibly kind and composed—unlike Callisto, who still acts like a little child.”

It was true that Lawrence was mature for his age. Compared to Callisto, who often behaved like a four-year-old, the difference was stark. Just last night, despite having his own room across the hall, Callisto had crawled into my bed, claiming he was too scared to sleep alone. Perhaps it was my fault for indulging him.

Still, I didn’t appreciate Callisto being compared to Lawrence. Pouting slightly, I replied.

“Callisto is still a child. It’s normal for children to act like children.”

“Oh my, are you defending him?”

“I’m not defending anyone. Children are adorable when they act their age.”

“Of course, Young Master. Anyone would think you were all grown up.”

“Of course, I am grown up. Now stop teasing me and let Lawrence in. And go fetch Callisto too.”

Elsie chuckled as she left to find Callisto. The boy had been at my side all morning, diligently caring for me, but he must have dozed off in his room. Though I didn’t want to wake him, I knew it was important for him to see Lawrence again.

Shortly after, Elsie returned with Lawrence in tow. Dressed impeccably, his light brown hair brushed neatly back to reveal his forehead, Lawrence greeted me with a bright, gentle smile. His demeanor was especially kind today, befitting the image of the “compassionate hero.”

“Etienne, are you feeling better?”

“Thanks for visiting, Lawrence. I’m much better now.”

Hiding my bewilderment, I returned Lawrence’s greeting. Though I still found it curious that he had visited the Count’s estate, it occurred to me that perhaps he was here to see Callisto. While the two of them were still distant, they were the main couple in the original story—perhaps there was some kind of destined pull between them. If so, that meant they would inevitably become lovers…

If Callisto doesn’t change his attitude, this is definitely going to end up as a tragedy.

The thought of Callisto’s unruly behavior every time he encountered Lawrence made my head throb.

“Etienne, here. I picked these from the garden because the flowers were so pretty.”

“…Flowers? Oh, thank you.”

Lawrence suddenly pulled out a bouquet he had been hiding behind his back. It was an elegant bunch of white lisianthus flowers with purple-tinted edges. Startled, I accepted the bouquet and looked up at him. Was it normal in this world for children to bring bouquets when visiting a friend’s house? I had never received flowers before—not even from a romantic partner in my previous life.

Lawrence seemed pleased as he alternated his gaze between me and the flowers.

“I thought they’d match your eyes perfectly, Etienne.”

“Oh…”

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