Leave the Villainous Second Male Lead Alone - Chapter 3.7

It’ll be okay. This will be a good experience for her, I told myself as the Wynyeates family’s carriage rolled to a stop at the gates of the Empress’s palace.

The Empress, Jeanne, greeted us in the reception room with a poised smile. Her blue eyes, cold as ice, raked over me.

“Etienne Wynyeates,” she said, her lips curving into a chilling smile. “You’re as lovely as I’ve heard. Shall we see each other often?”

Her tone was polite, but the sharpness in her gaze hinted at her true intentions.

“Among all the portraits, I particularly liked the one of Empress Marie Louise, who passed away long ago. Since you’ve come to the Empress’s Palace, I’d like to show it to the Count and Young-sik.”

“… … .”

I instinctively clenched my fists under the table, my nails digging into my palms. My heart sank, but I lowered my gaze, determined not to betray my emotions under the Empress’s sharp scrutiny.

“Blair, open the curtains so Sir Wynyeates and Young-sik can see the portrait of the Empress.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

At the Empress’s command, her chief maid pulled on the curtain cord, unveiling a massive portrait. The painting revealed a strikingly beautiful woman with long, jet-black hair cascading down her chest and luminous golden eyes. She smiled serenely, her regal beauty almost otherworldly.

It was Empress Marie Louise—Callisto’s mother. My breath caught, and I barely managed to suppress a groan.

“I was very close to the Empress when she was alive,” the Empress began in a wistful tone. “Unfortunately, she passed away during childbirth.”

But that wasn’t true. Empress Marie Louise hadn’t died from childbirth complications. She had been assassinated by agents sent by Jeanne. Despite her injuries from labor, she had fought to protect Callisto, ensuring the baby escaped with a nurse and the help of loyal guards.

“But what a wicked nurse,” Jeanne continued with a click of her tongue, her voice filled with feigned pity. “She must have been so greedy to run off with the blind prince. His Majesty the Emperor, even in his poor health, continues to search for the Second Prince. He adored the late Empress. But I wonder, is the boy even alive?”

Jeanne sighed as though she were mourning the loss, but her eyes never left me. Her penetrating gaze sent a chill down my spine. I forced a trembling smile, willing my lips to stop quivering.

Her tone turned colder as she continued, “I had the Empress’s portrait painted for a reason. I thought it might help us identify the Second Prince, who may resemble her. Curiously, when Roen saw this painting, he said something odd. He claimed, ‘The Empress’s face looks familiar—it reminds me of a child I met at the Count’s house.’”

The blood drained from my face. Now I understood why Roen, who couldn’t possibly remember Empress Marie Louise, had been suspicious of Callisto.

I had to ensure Roen never saw Callisto again. The thought of my carelessness putting her in danger made my stomach twist.

“Your Majesty,” my father’s calm voice cut through the tension. “That child is my second child. Their resemblance to the Empress is coincidental, but it explains why the Prince might think so.”

His composed demeanor gave me a moment to catch my breath. The Empress turned her attention to my father, her sharp gaze softening slightly.

“My apologies,” he continued with a gentle smile. “I must admit, it was my mistake during Etienne’s mother’s lifetime. The child takes after her—a woman of the estate with black hair and amber eyes.”

The Empress raised a delicate eyebrow. “What became of this woman? I’ve never heard of the Count taking in a concubine’s child. It’s unlike you to leave the mother behind.”

“It was only much later that I learned of the child,” my father explained smoothly. “The woman raised the child alone until she contacted me, saying she was about to marry. The groom didn’t want the child, so she asked me to take responsibility.”

“So, the mother is still alive?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I haven’t seen her since bringing the child home, but I send her living expenses monthly. If Your Majesty wishes, I can arrange for you to meet her.”

“Oh, there’s no need for that.” Jeanne chuckled, her laugh as delicate as glass beads. “I only asked out of curiosity. I thought perhaps you were raising a child of unknown status out of goodwill and might help us locate the Second Prince.”

“Of course, Your Majesty,” my father replied, emphasizing Your Majesty the Emperor in his response, subtly reinforcing that it was the Emperor, not the Empress, who held authority in this matter.

Jeanne paused, her smile shifting into something more sinister. “Then, naturally, that child wouldn’t have the Prince’s Mark, would they, Count?”

A Dark Return

The carriage ride back to Wynyeates was shrouded in silence. My father wore a deeply worried expression, while I stared out the window, lost in thought.

Eventually, I broke the silence. “…You’ve made sure the Empress won’t see Callisto’s token, haven’t you?”

My father let out a long sigh. “I covered it long ago. Even if the Empress were to inspect Callisto personally, she wouldn’t notice it.”

In this world, all emperors bore a unique Prince’s Mark, which appeared on different parts of their bodies. Callisto’s mark was hidden on the inside of her waist and was only visible in direct sunlight. It was impossible to see without removing her clothing. To be extra cautious, my father had long since concealed the mark with a tattoo-like overlay matching her skin tone. Removing it would require a lengthy and complex process.

The Empress didn’t know the mark’s location, so it was unlikely she’d uncover it. My father had denied her question outright, and she quickly moved on to another topic, ending tea time without further incident.

But the fact that she had even asked about the token filled me with unease.

“Why do I feel so anxious? These ominous thoughts keep haunting me…”

My father leaned back against the carriage cushion, his exhaustion evident. “I share your unease. We need to act quickly. We’ll send Callisto to the Academy tomorrow.”

“…You’re right.” My voice was bitter as I nodded in agreement.

As the carriage neared Wynyeates, a thick, black column of smoke appeared on the horizon. My heart dropped when I saw flames engulfing the mansion.

“Callisto!” I screamed, panic surging through me.

The fire roared violently, consuming the Count’s house. Thick gray smoke billowed into the night sky as flames licked at the crumbling structure. The air was filled with piercing screams and the deafening crash of collapsing walls.

Firefighters scrambled to douse the inferno, but the front of the mansion burned fiercely, refusing to yield. My father jumped out of the carriage, shouting orders, while I sat frozen in shock.

“It’s dangerous. Stay here,” he said firmly before running toward the flames.

“No… Father, I’m coming too!” I stumbled after him, my legs trembling.

Terrified servants emerged from the flames, coughing and injured. Among them was Cliff, his face blackened with soot and his voice hoarse.

“Cliff! Where’s Callisto? Where is she?” I demanded.

Cliff’s eyes widened in alarm. “She… she didn’t come out yet?”

Terror gripped me as I stared at the blazing mansion.

“Yes? You said she escaped first when the fire started… but she hasn’t come out yet?”

Cliff’s usually composed expression faltered, his eyes widening in shock. He frantically scanned the area, but all that surrounded us were servants, some groaning, others sitting in dazed confusion. Callisto was nowhere to be found. My father’s face hardened.

“She escaped first? When did you see that?”

“As soon as the flames broke out, I searched for Lady Callisto. I saw her heading toward the garden and made sure she was safe before returning to help the others. I thought she had already gotten out, but why isn’t she here…? Your Majesty!”

There was no need to hear more. Something must have happened to Callisto after she fled to the garden. Without waiting for my father’s startled shout, I turned and sprinted into the blazing mansion.

The scene inside was hellish. Flames roared around me, reducing everything to ash, and thick, acrid smoke stung my eyes and choked my lungs. Covering my nose and mouth with my sleeve, I pushed forward, heading for the back garden as Cliff had described.

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