Leave the Villainous Second Male Lead Alone - Chapter 5.10

“Kids on the estate? Why?”

His voice had a foreboding tone that caught me off guard. What could I say? They were children, so I called them “baby”…?

But Callisto’s piercing glare left me scrambling for an answer, and I blurted something out without thinking.

“No, I haven’t. You’re the only one I call that.”

“…Really?”

His narrowed eyes scrutinized me as if I were a suspect being interrogated. Feeling flustered, I placed my hand on his knee and spoke gently.

“Really. If you don’t like it, I won’t call anyone else that—not even kids.”

Though his expression remained doubtful, he finally nodded, seemingly satisfied. Yet he didn’t let it go entirely, adding with finality, “From now on, it has to be only me. Promise me.”

“Uh… I promise.”

Reluctantly, I raised my hand and muttered an oath. Only then did Callisto seem content, his eyes crinkling as he smiled sweetly.

His smile was so beautiful, like a delicate painting, that I couldn’t help but feel disarmed. He had been this way since childhood—constantly making me promise this and that. It seemed some things never changed.

As we chatted idly, the scenery outside the window shifted. The coastal city gave way to endless plains covered in vivid, unnamed flowers. With every gust of wind, their red petals rippled like waves of blood. Above them, the sun burned a matching hue.

The view was stunning yet strangely melancholy, carrying an air of quiet desolation. I asked Callisto, “I’ve never seen petals this red. Do you know what kind of flowers they are?”

“No, this is my first time seeing them too…” He gazed out the window and murmured to himself, “But they feel familiar, somehow. Like I’ve seen them in a dream.”

At that moment, our local guide, who hadn’t fled with the naval officers due to the language barrier, leaned toward the window and began explaining something to Callisto. Callisto nodded after a brief exchange.

“They’re a type of poisonous plant unique to the north.”

“Poisonous? They’re growing so abundantly, though?”

“The toxins cause severe hallucinations if ingested, but the plant also reacts to specific poisons and can be used as a treatment. It was apparently used as a remedy for endemic diseases here.”

“Interesting…”

A poison that could also be a cure piqued my curiosity. While the northern endemic diseases were unlikely to spread to the empire, the increasing trade between regions meant it wasn’t impossible. Having a remedy prepared could be useful.

As if trying to comfort me, Callisto spoke warmly, and I couldn’t help but smile as I replied. My gratitude must have pleased the naval officers nearby, as they chimed in with cheerful expressions. Yet their voices came unexpectedly from above my head.

“Why are you protecting Eti?” Callisto asked, his tone tinged with irritation.

“Pardon?”

I wasn’t the only one caught off guard by his abrupt question. The officers exchanged awkward glances, stumbling over their words.

“Well… it’s our duty to protect…”

“Admiral, you’re really… oh, no, sir! I misspoke!”

“You’re just so close. The empire’s future looks very bright because of you two…”

“But perhaps not so much for the consort’s future…”

At their awkward excuses, Callisto clicked his tongue in annoyance. His dark brows furrowed, and the officers quickly stepped back, pretending to busy themselves elsewhere.

“Enough. Keeping Eti safe is my responsibility. You all stay far away and get some sleep.”

“So… does this mean we don’t have to stand watch?”

“What if wild animals appear? You’ll stay up all night on your own?”

“Are you sure you’re okay with no sleep? Then again, it’s not like the admiral can’t handle it…”

“Are we really leaving, sir? You’re not going to call us back?”

Despite their persistent chatter, Callisto waved them off dismissively, his brows still drawn together. Delighted by the rare chance to rest, the officers quickly disappeared into the distance.

A common cliché sprang to mind—one that had persisted since time immemorial, though its predictability had rendered it rare in recent stories. For example, when the protagonist finds themselves on an isolated island with only one room left to share…

Or, like now, when there’s only one sleeping bag for two people.

Wrapped tightly in the sleeping bag, the blanket pulled up to my chin, I reflected on the situation. Callisto had sent all the officers away, leaving just the two of us in the campsite.

The tent he set up was small but cozy and warm. Buried deep in the sleeping bag, I felt I could fall asleep easily. Yet, sleep wouldn’t come. The sheer weight of the cliché hung over me.

Outside, the crackling warmth of the campfire could be felt, the flames audibly popping and sparking in the night.

Callisto was out there. The faint trembling in my chest began to grow. I tossed and turned a few times before finally murmuring under my breath.

“Calli.”

As if hearing the sound, Callisto’s quiet voice responded from outside the tent.

“Hyung, get some rest. We have a long journey tomorrow, and you’ll need your strength.”

He heard that? Embarrassed, I hesitated before replying, “Aren’t you going to sleep?”

“I’m fine. I can go a few days without sleep.”

No one could go several days without rest and be fine. Torn between concern for him and the ridiculousness of the situation, I sighed and called out again.

“Come in and rest, even just for a bit.”

“Hyung, this isn’t the empire; it’s the northern continent. There’s no telling what dangers might arise. I can’t leave my post, not even for a moment.”

“Oh… I see…”

His tone was gentle yet resolute. He clearly had no intention of indulging in any clichés. Feeling awkward, I burrowed deeper into the sleeping bag with a sheepish smile.

Sometime later, just as I had begun to doze off, a loud noise jolted me awake. Outside, thunder roared violently. Torrential rain battered the tent, which quivered under the relentless downpour.

Alarmed, I sat up abruptly and crawled out of the sleeping bag. The temperature had dropped significantly from earlier in the night, sending a chill down my spine and raising goosebumps on my skin.

But my discomfort wasn’t the issue. Hastily pulling on my coat, I scrambled out of the tent.

“Calli!”

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