Leave the Villainous Second Male Lead Alone - Chapter 5.4

I wasn’t exactly thrilled by the idea, but Callisto was already gone, completely ignoring my protests.

As promised, lunch ended up being bear steak.

“I’m not saying I want to join every voyage,” I said, attempting to dissuade Callisto. “It just feels like I’m making a big deal out of it in front of officers who are used to sailing.”

But Callisto wasn’t convinced.

“Not tired, really?” he asked, crossing his arms. “Do you think you’re like them? You’re more delicate, prone to seasickness, and could easily fall ill. It’s not the same.”

“I’m not that fragile…” I muttered, more to myself than to him.

I hadn’t experienced seasickness once during the past two weeks, yet Callisto refused to let the topic drop. Not wanting to embarrass him in front of the officers, I kept my voice low and let it slide.

He continued, “And besides, I only came along this time because I had a reason. I don’t plan to join future voyages often. You’ll have to manage without me.”

Now that Callisto had officially reclaimed his position as the Empire’s second prince, he wouldn’t need to personally set sail often, even as admiral of the northern seas. This voyage was an exception.

Despite this, the officers seemed shocked by his declaration. They abandoned their bear steaks—eating them messily with their hands instead of utensils—and started pleading with him.

“What? That’s not fair! You have to join us again!”

“Yeah! You can’t just catch one bear and then leave us!”

“If you’re going to leave us, take the bear back too!”

“Wait, no, don’t take it back! But still! What’s the fun in sailing without you, Admiral?”

“You sail for fun? Should I make it more exciting for you?” Callisto asked, raising an eyebrow.

“It’s fun and thrilling when you’re here!”

“Consort! Consort!” One officer suddenly turned to me, his tone pleading. “Please convince the Admiral to join us more often. We’ll take good care of him!”

Callisto frowned immediately. “Why would you take care of Etty?”

The officer quickly backtracked. “No, no! It’s just… when the Consort is here, the Admiral acts more… human. It’s good for everyone.”

Callisto’s brow twitched. “What are you talking about? When did I ever not act like a human being?”

“Well…” The officer hesitated. “You’re reliable and all, but… not exactly human-like.”

Callisto’s jaw clenched, and the rest of the officers fell silent, exchanging nervous glances. Then Anessa, with her usual cheeky grin, chimed in.

“He’s never acted human! Seriously, who hunts a bear with just a dagger?”

“Exactly!” Kevin added. “That poor bear… What did it even do to deserve that? Don’t you think so, Consort?”

I hesitated, unsure of how to respond.

Watching Callisto hunt the bear, I’d also thought it looked pitiful. But I couldn’t bring myself to admit that, especially not with Callisto looking at me expectantly, clearly hoping for praise.

“Well… the bear tried to attack Callisto first,” I said finally. “So it wasn’t exactly innocent.”

The officers burst into laughter, but Callisto’s golden eyes dimmed. He looked disappointed, like he’d been hoping for something more. His sulking expression was so endearing that I felt a pang of guilt and couldn’t resist adding, “And… it was impressive. Taking down a bear with just a dagger isn’t something anyone could do.”

“Really, brother?” Callisto asked, his gaze narrowing with doubt.

I nodded earnestly. “Of course. It was amazing. I’ve never seen anyone hunt a bear like that, even at a hunting tournament.”

Technically true—hunting tournaments didn’t usually involve bears. Even if a bear did appear, it would be taken down with a rifle, not a dagger. But Callisto seemed pleased by my words, a small smile returning to his lips.

I couldn’t help but wonder how much hardship he’d endured to grow into someone so fierce… and so different from the child I once knew.

Kevin nudged me. “Consort, did you see his eyes when he went after that bear? Still think he’s human?”

“…” I didn’t need to answer.

Beside me, Callisto’s broad shoulders flinched. I glanced up to see his expression falter, his eyes cast downward.

“I only hunted it to make a fur coat for you,” he muttered.

“A bear fur coat?”

“Yes. It’s warmer than smaller animals like foxes or mink.”

Kevin and Anessa snickered.

“The Admiral’s ideas are so… unique,” Anessa teased.

“Right?” Kevin added. “Who thinks of making a bear coat in this weather?”

Callisto, still looking down, murmured, “I thought you seemed cold.”

“Oh… I did?”

I stopped myself from blurting out the truth. The weather had been getting warmer as we sailed north, and I’d been enjoying it.

But seeing Callisto’s thoughtfulness, I couldn’t help but smile. His sulky demeanor as he explained himself was too endearing. Without thinking, I cupped his cheeks and gave them a gentle pat.

“So that’s why you didn’t want anyone to shoot it?”

“Yeah. If the pelt had holes, it wouldn’t look as nice. Not that you wouldn’t look good in anything, but… I wanted it to be perfect for you.”

“Thank you, Callisto. I’ll wear it well. I really appreciate it.”

“Really? You like it?”

“Of course. You made it for me. I’ll wear it all the time—it’ll be my favorite coat.”

“All the time…”

A knife clattered to the ground somewhere nearby, breaking the stunned silence.

The beach grew so quiet that the crashing waves and cries of gulls became the only sounds.

When I looked up, Anessa sighed. “Consort, maybe you should take the Admiral back to your cabin. Some of us have weak hearts.”

“She’s right,” Kevin added. “If we keep watching this, we might develop arrhythmia…”

The officers, clearly exhausted from the voyage and their meal, sprawled out on the sand. They looked ready to stage a mutiny if asked to board the ship again immediately.

Callisto, however, clicked his tongue and barked, “Get up. Now.”

“Admiral… can’t we leave at dawn? The sun’s already setting!”

“Exactly! What’s the difference if we leave now or tomorrow morning?”

Callisto turned to me, concern written all over his face. “Brother, are you tired? Should we rest for the night?”

“Oh, no, I’m fine. I don’t do much on the ship anyway. We should stick to the schedule and leave now,” I replied.

But Callisto shook his head, looking guiltier by the second. “No, it’s too risky. If we board now, you might get seasick.”

“I haven’t gotten seasick once…”

Despite my protests, Callisto’s pleading expression softened my resolve.

“Let’s stay here tonight and leave at dawn,” he said gently. “Please?”

Sighing, I nodded.

“Alright…”

Behind Callisto, the officers gave me bright smiles and polite nods. It seemed like they appreciated the chance for some rest, and considering how exhausting naval life could be, it wasn’t a bad idea for everyone to relax for a while… or so I thought.

Contrary to my expectations, the officers and sailors showed no signs of taking a break. Just moments ago, they had been sprawled across the beach like discarded laundry. But as soon as the order to rest came down, they sprang to life and bolted toward the ships. I watched them disappear in confusion, then turned to Callisto.

“Calli, why is everyone running back to the ships? Weren’t we supposed to camp here for the night?”

“Brother, look at me. I think I might have a fever.”

“…No, you don’t. You’re completely fine.”

But Callisto wasn’t in the mood to answer my question. He pressed a hand to my forehead, then to his own, frowning in concern. Even as I reassured him repeatedly, he ignored me until I raised my voice in exasperation. Only then did he finally drop his hands, looking dejected.

“Sorry… it’s just that you’ve been sick so often since you were little. I can’t help but worry…”

I sighed. His concern wasn’t unfounded—I had collapsed more than once after undergoing the Alpha-induction treatments—but his fussing made me feel guilty. I reached out and gently patted his cheek.

“I understand, Calli. But I’ve been much healthier since my abilities reawakened. I’m completely fine now. Instead of worrying about me, let’s enjoy the moment. We’re on a beautiful island, after all.”

“…You’re right.”

“Good. Tell me, what do you usually do during stops like this? I want to know what your voyages are like. Let’s do what you normally would.”

“You mean… what I usually do?”

“Exactly. When you camp on an island, how do you spend your downtime? Let’s do that together.”

“Just the two of us?”

“…Yes, just us,” I replied, confused by his sudden shyness.

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