Leave the Villainous Second Male Lead Alone - Chapter 6.3

“Callisto, if our suspicions are correct, this could pose a serious threat to you.”

“If it’s dangerous for me, it’s just as dangerous for Lohengrin,” Callisto replied calmly, gazing out at the rain-streaked window.

Callisto seemed entirely convinced that our assumptions were correct, yet he showed no sign of concern. Perhaps he was only pretending to be composed for my sake.

After days of rain-soaked travel, our carriage finally arrived at a small village. Located on the outskirts of Wynyates territory, this village had once bordered the Camois estate. However, it had recently become part of Harrington’s lands—specifically Gunter Harbor, seized when Lohengrin took Lilibet as his wife.

“Your Highness.”

“…Yes, Your Highness.”

Callisto only handed over the requested provisions after repeatedly demanding that Ivry address him with proper titles and honorifics. It was so petty that I felt embarrassed just watching it unfold. Similarly, Lawrence, who had also come to request provisions and happened to witness the scene, looked completely baffled. Yet Callisto remained unfazed.

What surprised me, though, was that Ivry endured it all, clenching his teeth but ultimately complying. Whether it was because Callisto held leverage over him due to the Lilibet situation or because Ivry had grown more mindful of his people, he had clearly changed. Gone was the impulsive and reckless man who never learned his lesson in the original story. It seemed that his recent conflicts with Harrington had forced him to reflect and mature.

Still, despite the food shortage affecting everyone, Harrington never came to the Wynyates estate for aid.

Around the time the empire-wide famine began to ease, something unexpected happened.

Callisto, who had been tied up with work at the Second Prince’s palace and hadn’t shown his face for days, suddenly paid a visit to Wynyates. While it wasn’t unusual for him to seek me out, the fact that he came late at night, when all the servants were already asleep, was troubling.

I woke to the sound of pebbles striking my window.

Rushing to open it, I was immediately hit by the incessant rain blowing into the room. Below, Callisto stood looking up at my second-floor bedroom, and before I could say anything, he climbed the exterior wall with ease and leaped through the window. Stunned, I could only stare as he pulled me into a tight embrace, planting a quick kiss on my cheek with a sly grin.

“Etienne, were you waiting for me?”

“You woke me up. What on earth is going on at this hour? Why didn’t you come in through the front door?”

“Everyone’s asleep. No need to wake them unnecessarily.”

“And I’m okay to wake?”

Though I spoke with a tone of reproach, concern bubbled inside me. Callisto wouldn’t seek me out like this unless it was something urgent. Gently pushing him away, I cupped his face in my hands and carefully examined him.

“You’re not hurt, are you?”

“No, it’s nothing like that. Sorry for waking you, Etienne. I just wanted to see you before I leave.”

“What? Leave? Where are you going?”

The pouring rain made the idea of travel seem ludicrous, especially in the dead of night. Callisto was no longer a fugitive but the Empire’s Second Prince. If he had to travel, he should do so properly, with the necessary arrangements. A creeping suspicion that he might be heading into danger furrowed my brow.

Sensing my unease, Callisto spoke soothingly.

“Something urgent came up. I’m taking some soldiers to the Camois estate. I’ll be back in a few days, so don’t worry.”

“The Camois estate? Isn’t that too dangerous?”

His response widened my eyes. Although I had crossed paths with Ivry a few times recently due to Lilibet and the food crisis, Callisto’s relationship with the Camois family was far from amicable. If he arrived at the estate with soldiers in tow, the situation could escalate quickly.

“Well… this might sound strange, but I think the Camois estate needs help right now.”

Callisto hesitated, his tone uncertain, which only deepened my concern. I had seen this hesitant demeanor before—when he dreamed of the future.

“Did you have another dream?” I asked cautiously, watching his expression. “Was it about the Camois estate?”

“…Yes.”

Callisto’s dreams often aligned with the events of the original story. However, I couldn’t recall any incidents involving the Camois estate at this point in the timeline.

If anything, the original story had focused on the downfall of Wynyates. In the narrative, I had already died by Callisto’s hands, and my father lost his lands to Harrington and Camois, retreating to a meager estate where he later perished in a flood. The Wynyates family line ended there.

But that wouldn’t happen in this life—not with the changes we had made. Or so I thought until a sudden realization struck me.

“That estate… it’s part of the Camois territory now, isn’t it?”

The Camois estate hadn’t been safe in the original story; the ownership had simply shifted.

If the flood happened again, it might claim the life of Viscount Camois instead of my father.

As if confirming my thoughts, Callisto said, “I dreamed of a dam breaking in the Camois estate. In the dream, it wasn’t their land, but still…”

I drew in a sharp breath and closed my eyes.

Rationally, this was an opportunity to eliminate Viscount Camois, a political adversary. But Callisto, his expression heavy, continued speaking.

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