Leave the Villainous Second Male Lead Alone - Chapter 3.8 (END OF VOLUME 1)

The fire near the garden had subsided somewhat, leaving charred remnants of the once-beautiful lawn and scorched rose vines swaying in the smoke. Old trees, stripped of their leaves, stood like blackened skeletons. I searched frantically, my heart pounding. But there was no sign of life.

Then, amid the haze, a sharp, acrid smell reached my nose.

“Oil…”

I crouched down and touched the damp grass. The ground was soaked with oil—this fire had been no accident. My stomach churned as dread spread through me. The fire, started while my father and I were away at the Empress’s invitation, had been deliberately set. Its purpose was clear: to eliminate Callisto.

The Empress had likely planned this from the start, knowing we wouldn’t give Callisto to her. The fire was no mere message—it was meant to ensure no possibility remained. I clenched my fists, trembling.

If assassins had been sent as well, and Callisto hadn’t been found yet, it could only mean…

No. That can’t be. Callisto is skilled with a sword…

I shook my head fiercely, trying to push away the ominous thoughts. She must be hiding somewhere in the garden, I told myself. The fire here had died down; she could still be alive. She had to be alive.

“Callisto…?”

But as if mocking my desperate hope, I spotted a small figure slumped behind a charred rose bush, dressed in Callisto’s clothes.

“Callisto, baby!”

My voice cracked as I called out to her, running forward. But she didn’t move. Her black hair fluttered in the wind, but there was no response. Kneeling beside her, I gently turned her over—and gasped.

Half of her body and face were burned beyond recognition. The soft, round features of her face were gone, replaced by blackened flesh. A scream tore from my throat as tears streamed down my face.

“No! Callisto!”

Despair crushed me, and I held the lifeless body close. My world blurred and darkened, and I lost consciousness.

Awakening to a Nightmare

When I opened my eyes, the room was quiet. The ceiling above me was unfamiliar, as was the decor. Panic gripped me as I sat up, the memory of flames consuming the mansion rushing back.

“Callisto…!”

“Your Majesty, please calm down!”

Elsie, the nanny who had been at my side, hurried over. I clutched the hem of her dress, forcing out a hoarse voice.

“Elsie… Callisto… Is she really gone?”

Before Elsie could respond, another voice, cold and detached, interrupted.

“That’s what happened. Such a shame, Etienne.”

My trembling shoulders froze. Slowly, I turned to see the speaker. Roen stood there, his golden hair gleaming under the light, his icy blue eyes watching me with a cruel smirk.

“…Your Highness Lohengrin?” My voice was unsteady, my fingers trembling as I tried to steady them behind my back. My heart raced, each beat a sharp pain in my chest. I was in no state to face Roen, but I couldn’t stop the bitter words from spilling out.

“Callisto couldn’t have died…”

Roen let out a mocking laugh. “You want to believe that. But I just returned from seeing the body myself.”

“You… confirmed the body?” My voice shook as I asked, even though I dreaded the answer.

Roen’s smile widened. “Yes. The face and body were too damaged to recognize, but the child had black hair and was the same size. And the servants confirmed the clothes were hers.”

“That’s not possible…” My voice faltered. “That can’t be true.”

“Believe what you want,” Roen said with a shrug, his tone indifferent. “But it won’t change the fact that the child is gone.”

His cold arrogance was unbearable. I lowered my gaze, unable to look at him any longer. “I’m unwell, Your Highness. I cannot see you any longer today.”

“Of course.” Roen’s smile didn’t falter. He bowed slightly and left the room, his footsteps echoing down the hall.

A Faint Glimmer of Hope

I stayed at the Wynyeates villa, as the mansion was too damaged to return to. The villa, once vibrant in summer, now felt cold and lifeless. The servants moved about in hushed tones, their faces heavy with grief. I stayed in bed, unable to summon the courage to confirm the body for myself.

That night, alone in my room, I finally let my tears flow freely. I wept for Callisto, for the life she should have had, and for the guilt weighing heavily on my heart.

“Callisto… I’m sorry… I’m so sorry…”

Suddenly, a sound broke through my sorrow—the sharp tap of something hitting the window. At first, I thought I was imagining it, but the noise came again and again. I sat up, my tears forgotten, and rushed to the window.

Peering outside, I saw a small shadow.

“Callisto…?” I whispered, hope flaring.

I threw the window open, and the shadow leapt up, landing gracefully in my arms. My legs wobbled as I caught the figure, but I steadied myself quickly. Holding the child’s soot-covered face in my hands, I looked into her eyes.

“Callisto!” I cried, tears spilling anew.

“…Brother.”

Her voice was soft, but it was hers. She was alive. I pulled her close, sobbing uncontrollably. “You’re alive… That’s all that matters.”

Callisto remained quiet in my arms, and when my cries subsided, she spoke in a low voice. “I’m sorry, hyung. The Empress and Roen were after me. Because of me, Wynyeates is in danger.”

“It’s not your fault. None of this is your fault. You’re safe now, baby. That’s all that matters.”

“No, hyung,” she said firmly, stepping back. Her amber eyes were dark, filled with guilt and pain. “Tommy is dead. It’s my fault.”

“Tommy?” I asked, confused.

“The village boy who was supposed to go to the Academy with me,” she explained. “The assassins mistook him for me…”

Her voice broke, and I held her close again, my heart shattering at her guilt. “It’s not your fault, Callisto. None of this is your fault.”

But Callisto shook her head, her small hands clenched into fists. “I need to get stronger, hyung. I need to protect you, Father, and everyone else. I can’t stay here anymore.”

“No… don’t go,” I pleaded. “Please, we’ll find another way.”

But her resolve was clear. “I’ll join the Navy. I’ll come back stronger. And when I do, I’ll protect you.”

Her words left me breathless, tears streaming as I placed the purple diamond ring on her finger. “Come back safe, Callisto. I’ll be waiting.”

As she disappeared into the night with the Gilros siblings, I stood at the window, unable to stop the tears that fell long after she was gone.

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