Leave the Villainous Second Male Lead Alone - Chapter 4.9

The crybaby I had once carried on my back had grown into this strong, formidable man through unimaginable hardship. I found myself looking at Callisto with newfound admiration.

Callisto, who was reading a book beside me, seemed to sense my gaze. He turned and smiled softly.

“What’s wrong, bro?” he asked, his voice warm.

I wished he could live peacefully and happily from now on, but I knew better. With his identity as the Second Prince revealed, the Empress and Roen wouldn’t stop until they had eliminated him.

The struggle for the throne had begun. Right now, this was merely the calm before the storm.

I hoped Callisto could enjoy this fleeting peace, at least for a while. Shaking my head, I replied, “Nothing… But is it really okay for you to stay here? The Second Prince’s Palace must be busy, too.”

“What’s there for me to do?” Callisto shrugged. “Everyone else is handling it. Right now, I have no official tasks, so I’m free. Consider this a vacation—my first in two years.”

“That’s true,” I admitted with a small nod.

Callisto had chosen to retain his position as Admiral of the North Sea even after being appointed the Second Prince. Roen had opposed it vehemently, but with the navy firmly behind Callisto, there was no justification for stripping him of command.

The empire’s army was weak, comprised mainly of private soldiers owned by the nobility. With no wars in recent memory, their skills were subpar.

The navy, however, was an entirely different story. Surrounded by vast seas, the empire faced constant naval skirmishes in both the Inner Sea and the North Sea. Hardened by real battles, the navy was a far superior force.

By maintaining control of the navy, Callisto held a significant advantage in the struggle for the throne. At this stage, there was no need for him to act rashly. Instead, he could afford to bide his time and see how Roen and the Empress reacted.

In this context, Callisto’s decision to stay at the Winyates Mansion—playing the role of a devoted fiancé—rather than provoking the Empress from the Second Prince’s Palace was a wise one.

“You’ve really grown up,” I thought, pride mingling with a hint of sadness. Callisto no longer needed my guidance. He had become an independent adult who knew exactly what to do without my input.

I mumbled sulkily, “It seems I don’t need to worry about you anymore. Roen will have his hands full.”

“Hyung.”

Callisto suddenly closed his book with a snap, leaning forward slightly. His golden eyes gazed at me, deep and intense.

“Uh?”

“About that title,” he said.

“What title?” I asked, confused.

Callisto furrowed his brow, muttering, “Why do you call the Crown Prince so casually?”

“Huh?” I blinked.

Had I called Roen by his name just now?

“Roen?” I said hesitantly. “A long time ago, he told me to call him that…”

I didn’t understand why Callisto was bringing this up now. “Are you saying I should address him as ‘Your Highness, the Crown Prince’?”

“No, that’s not what I mean.”

Callisto sighed deeply, lowering his head for a moment. When he looked up again, his expression had softened into a gentle smile.

“No, it’s fine,” he said. “Just call me however you feel comfortable.”

I was taken aback. “Why bring it up, then?” I asked, baffled.

Callisto laughed softly.

“What’s so funny?” I asked, frowning.

“Nothing.” He shook his head, his golden eyes curving into crescents as he muttered, “It just feels like my future is very far away.”

Leaning closer, he whispered in a low, sweet voice, “More importantly, bro, it’s late. Can I stay over?”

“It’s not that late,” I replied, glancing out the window.

The sun had just set, and the night air was still calm. For the Admiral of the North Sea, traversing the night road posed no real danger.

But as I turned back to Callisto, I suddenly realized his true intentions.

“No… Is it dangerous?” The thought sent a chill down my spine. The Empress wouldn’t just sit idly by, and I had no way of knowing when or where an assassin might strike. With a grim expression, I nodded.

“That’s true. I was short-sighted. It would be better if you stayed the night.”

“Yeah, right?” Callisto said, his voice laced with satisfaction. “So, hyung…”

He tilted his head to the side, his long black hair swaying gently against his forehead. His white face, as flawless as a marble statue, softened into a lovely smile.

Callisto’s lips curved upward.

“Let’s sleep together like we used to… huh, big brother?”

A sweet, refreshing floral scent brushed against my nose. The luxurious aroma of golden marigolds enveloped me—not oppressive like Roen’s pheromones but gentle, tickling the nape of my neck. I looked up at Callisto with slightly dazed eyes.

The distance between us was too close. Callisto had leaned in toward me, his face just inches away. The once chubby, round cheeks of his childhood had become slender, and his sharp jawline was striking. His skin was so smooth and pale, it was hard to believe he had spent years at sea.

Callisto blinked lazily, his thick, lush lashes casting net-like shadows around his golden eyes whenever they fluttered. His red, plump lips moved gently.

“Uh?” Callisto murmured, his voice low. “Let’s sleep together. Like before.”

The prominent Adam’s apple in his long neck bobbed noticeably as he spoke.

It was a perfectly reasonable suggestion. Callisto had his own bedroom, but he never used it—not even once. Ever since he came to the mansion, he had always slept with me, save for the brief period when he first arrived.

Since it had been such a long time, I naturally wanted to stay up late, talking as we used to, before drifting off to sleep. I was about to agree—

But my heart wouldn’t stop fluttering. It beat irregularly, loud and insistent. I opened my mouth to respond but couldn’t form the words.

As I hesitated, Callisto leaned even closer. I was terrified he might hear the sound of my racing heart. The sweet, intoxicating scent of his pheromones grew stronger, and my cheeks burned as they flushed naturally.

I forced myself to open my mouth. “Baby, that’s—”

“Of course not, Your Highness the Second Prince.”

The tense atmosphere shattered in an instant. Startled, I turned to see Cliff standing by the door, his back straight and his expression as stern as ever.

Callisto glanced sideways at me before chuckling softly and rubbing his forehead. “Cliff is still the same,” he said, sighing. “It’s like time doesn’t touch him.”

“Thanks to Your Majesty’s dedication to the empire,” Cliff replied, his tone as unyielding as ever.

“……”

Callisto’s lower lip jutted out in a pout, and the soft warmth in his voice turned sulky. “Why are you suddenly calling me ‘Your Majesty’? Just call me like you used to.”

“That is not possible, Your Highness,” Cliff said firmly. “You are the Admiral of the North Sea and the Second Prince of the Empire, are you not?”

“Now I’m no longer part of Winyates,” Callisto grumbled. “You don’t have to draw such a clear line—it’s hurtful.”

“Your Highness remains wise, and this old man has no greater wish than to see your success.”

“Who says you’re old? Isn’t time supposed to stand still for Cliff?”

“Thank you for your understanding,” Cliff replied without missing a beat. “It is thanks to Your Highness that the Winyates estate continues to thrive.”

“Alright, alright,” Callisto muttered, waving his hand in defeat.

I remembered how Cliff had initially treated Callisto harshly when he first arrived at the mansion. Back then, I had scolded Cliff, furious at his cold demeanor, but I knew it wasn’t malice. Cliff, as the loyal butler of the Winyates family for generations, had always placed me first. To him, it was only natural for an illegitimate child to be treated differently.

But as I grew to cherish Callisto as my brother, Cliff’s attitude changed too. Slowly, Callisto became someone Cliff also sought to protect. Though he remained stern, his actions spoke volumes. During the fire seven years ago, it was Cliff who saved Callisto first, ensuring his safety before anyone else’s.

Even so, Cliff was still Cliff. His principles wouldn’t allow him to tolerate Callisto, now the Second Prince, sleeping in my room. No amount of begging would change that. I quickly covered my mouth to stifle the laughter bubbling up.

Callisto, meanwhile, sulked. “You’re not seriously telling me to go back now, are you, Cliff? The night road is dangerous, you know.”

Cliff’s gaze swept over Callisto’s broad shoulders and muscular frame. “It doesn’t seem particularly dangerous, Your Highness.”

“What are you talking about?” Callisto exclaimed. “Did you forget the fire from seven years ago? Everyone’s after my neck. I thought I had only a handful of enemies, but—”

“Young Master,” Cliff interrupted sharply. “Such words are not to be spoken lightly.”

Callisto flinched, his brows drooping as he stammered, “N-no, that’s not what I meant… I just meant it’s better not to go out at night.”

He turned to me, seeking backup. “Right, bro? Right, hyung?”

“Uh?” Startled, I quickly nodded. “Yes, you’re right. Cliff, the Empress won’t sit idly by. No matter how skilled Callisto is, it’s better to be cautious.”

Cliff’s stern gaze shifted between us before he finally relented with a slight nod.

Even if he encountered an assassin, Callisto would likely be able to handle it. However, I didn’t want to see Callisto, who had already endured so much, suffer any more. There was a warm bedroom here, so why send him back to the Second Prince’s Palace tonight?

Cliff didn’t say anything, but both Callisto and I could tell that he was wavering. Callisto approached him, tugging at his sleeve and pleading.

“What’s the worry, Cliff? There’s no law saying the prince can’t stay at the count’s house, right? Huh? Let me stay the night, please?”

“…Understood,” Cliff finally relented. “However, sharing a bed with the young master in his bedroom goes against the rules.”

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