The Blackened Second Male Lead’s Wife

That was nothing new. 

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Estelle would be the only person he would show this smile to, as no one else believed in him when he was a child. 

‘What is this? Why is my heart…’ 

I put my hand on my beating heart. 

This was the first time I felt something like this.

It felt like my heart was twisting. 

“Nia, what’s wrong? You don’t look good.” 

At that moment, I was about to answer “I’m fine,” until… 

Knock knock. My father entered the room.
I furrowed my eyebrows at my father’s sudden visit. 

“Father, I told you it is rude to enter a lady’s room without permission.” 

“Excuse me, but what the hell did you do, Pernia?”

My father, who always had a smile on his face, had a serious face which made my shoulders flinch. 

What? Did he find out about how I bought Lucian clothes with all my pocket money? 

Did he find out about how I sent Anne on vacation with the money he hid in the books in his study? 

Did he find out how I shared the Caana chocolate I got from Carlix with the maids without telling him? 

My father shouted to me, who gulped as I had committed many sins. 

“Why does the Emperor want to meet with you?!”

Wha- the Emperor?

───── 〔✿〕─────

Just earlier, I was having a merry conversation with Estelle in my room, and now, I am at the imperial castle. 

I was in the deepest part of the palace, in front of the Emperor’s room. 

The servant standing in front of the door said, 

“His Majesty’s body isn’t in good condition, so please understand why we welcome guests in his bedroom instead of the main hall.” 

The main hall or bedroom, it didn’t matter.

I was still overwhelmed either way. 

Fortunately, Estelle came with me. 

But Estelle was blocked by the servant. 

“His Majesty only called for Miss Pernia Lilac.
The Saintess cannot enter.” 

As far as I know, this would be the first time that Estelle had been stopped from entering the Emperor’s room.

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Estelle, using the goddess’s power, was the hero who saved the Emperor’s life when he was close to death. 

Because of that, the Emperor was the greatest fan of Estelle in the empire.
She was even given the right to see the Emperor whenever she wanted. 

So Estelle spoke politely to the servant. 

“I’m worried about the reason why His Majesty wanted to meet with the lady.
Please allow me entrance into his room.” 

The servant shook his head.
He had a determined face. 

I stopped Estelle from asking again.

“It’s okay.
I’ll be back.”

Well, I’m known as Estelle’s best friend, so he’s not gonna do anything to me. 

Estelle said, holding my hand with worried eyes. 

“Don’t worry, Miss Nia.
Nothing serious will happen to you.
His Majesty is a benevolent man.” 

Oh, I think something serious will happen. 

He may be a gentle Emperor to Estelle, but it was a completely different case for others. 

No matter what anyone said, he was the father of an ill-mannered Carlix and the son of a cold-hearted Empress.

Where do you think his blood came from?

For many, the Emperor was nothing but a fearsome tiger. 

Entering the Emperor’s room, I thought, 

‘Why the hell did he call for me?’ 

I, a mere lady of a Marquis, who had no connection with the Emperor.
If I had to think of a connection, it would have to be Lucian, his most beloved knight and my fiance. 

‘Did I do something offensive?’ 

I swallowed my saliva. 

‘That’s a possibility.’

I forgot about it momentarily, but not long ago Lucian ran to the Emperor and told him about what the Empress had done to me. 

The Emperor backed me up to soothe Lucian’s mood, but it wouldn’t have looked good for me since I caused the disturbance. 

‘Besides, my reputation in society is terrible these days.’ 

I’m not fit to be Lucian’s partner in many ways.

‘But Your Majesty, you’re the one who made me Lucian’s fiancee.
If you called me here just to say that you don’t like me, that would be very mean of you.’ 

I stopped breathing, my fist shaking as I felt wronged.

Inside the exuberant room decorated with marble and gold, the Emperor leaned on a huge bed with curtains surrounding it. 

I was surprised. 

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Black hair that stretched down to the waist.
A pale face with no sign of life.
His black eyes sparkled under slightly droopy eyelids.
He was an extremely handsome middle-aged man.

‘This man has a full grown son and still managed to keep this appearance?’ 

Now, I have verified that the male lead’s superior gene was connected to his father. 

‘He looks a little different from what I had in mind.’ 

Maybe it’s an effect from the prolonged illness.
Or was it because he was wearing comfortable indoor clothes, not the Emperor’s uniform? 

Due to him leaning comfortably on the bed, the atmosphere felt languid. 

He was like a gentle and elegant cat.

But the moment we made eye contact, I realized that I was mistaken.

The Emperor had an immense presence. 

He was different from Carlix, the male lead, and Lucian, the second male lead.
He held the dignity of a man who kept the golden crown for many years. 

I barely managed to move my trembling hand to grab the skirt of my dress. 

“I greet the great Emperor of the Empire.
I am Pernia, daughter of Marquis Lilac.”

The Emperor looked at me with his eyes and opened his mouth. 

“This is the first time we’ve seen each other face to face.
First of all, I have to apologize.
I’m sorry I couldn’t attend your engagement ceremony.” 

“You couldn’t come because of your illness.
I understand that.” 

“Thank you for saying that.” 

The Emperor smiled gently and said, 

“I hear you and Lucian have a pretty good relationship.” 

“That is true.”

“I didn’t expect much because it was a forced engagement, but I was surprised to hear that Lucian held a favorable opinion of you.
You’re also a close friend of Estelle.
I thought you were just a beautiful noble lady, but I guess you had a charm that I didn’t know of.” 

Contrary to my expectations, I was complimented which made me even more nervous. 

Why was he saying all this about me? 

After a while, the Emperor spoke again. 

With a stern look that’s completely different from before.

“With all that said, wouldn’t it make your situation even more difficult if you got involved in a scandal with the Crown Prince?” 

“…..!” 

I opened my eyes wide at the unexpected remark.
With my mouth hung open from surprise, the Emperor said to me, 

“I have been informed that you and the Crown Prince regularly meet in private places where there are no people.
Is that true?”

I could feel that he really wanted me to deny it from the look in his eyes. 

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‘But it’s true that I am meeting with Carlix.’

To suspect that there was something between him and I was a huge misunderstanding. 

The Emperor’s face was visibly distorted when I hesitated to answer.
The Emperor said with a puzzled face. 

“So it’s true.” 

“But it’s definitely not what Your Majesty thinks it is.” 

“Is there another reason why a young man and woman meet alone in a place where there’s no public eye every other few days?” 

“Well….”

The emperor liked Estelle very much.
He felt immense gratitude and affection towards her who saved his life. 

But will he welcome her as his son’s partner? 

That, I didn’t know. 

In the novel, the Emperor died before the two of them got together. 

So at this moment, I wasn’t sure if I could tell the emperor about their relationship. 

My eyes shook as my face became troubled.The Emperor waited for my answer with a serene face.

‘What should I do?’ 

He wriggled his fingers as the stifling silence went on. 

Then, the door opened and Carlix and Estelle appeared.

The two who came to my side at the same time nodded in the Emperor’s direction. 

Carlix said. 

“Father, forgive me for coming in without permission.
We came in like this because we judged that you were discussing an urgent matter.
You called Lady Pernia for something related to me, right?” 

“So you knew.”

“Because the guys you arranged to watch me have loose mouths.” 

“Those idiots, they got caught again.” 

The Emperor sighed. 

And he gazed at Carlix with a troubled look and said, 

“Okay, since you’re here now, answer me.
What the hell is your relationship with Pernia? Are you two dating?” 

“Please don’t say such a terrible thing!” 

“Please don’t say such a terrible thing!”

Carlix and I shouted at the same time.

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“Then, were you two having an affair?” 

“No!” 

“No!” 

Again, we denied it at the same time. 

The Emperor tilted his head. 

“Then what else would a youthful man and woman do when they meet in secret?” 

Carlix replied with a displeased expression.

“I just asked her to deliver letters to Estelle for me.”

Estelle, who was standing next to me, also confessed with her eyebrows down. 

“And she also delivers my letter to His Highness.
Miss Nia has done nothing but suffer for the both of us, Your Majesty.” 

The Emperor’s eyes grew bigger. 

The Emperor looked back and forth at Carlix and Estelle and said with a face filled with glee. 

“Really? You two were exchanging letters?”

“Yes.” 

Hearing their answer, the Emperor burst into laughter. 

Fortunately, the Emperor did not seem to think negatively of the relation between the Crown Prince and Estelle. 

He didn’t stare at Estelle with a threatening glare or pour water on her. 

Noting this detail, Carlix quickly told the Emperor. 

“Father, I and Estelle are developing special feelings for each other.”

“Are you talking about friendship?” 

“No, I’m talking about love.” 

I was really surprised. 

Carlix, the ill-mannered and tsundere Carlix, actually said such a thing so bluntly. 

The Emperor must have been surprised to see Carlix like this. 

The Emperor, who looked very shocked, directed his widened eyes to Estelle.

“Do you feel the same way, Estelle?” 

“Yes.”

Estelle put her hands together and answered slowly with a nod. 

She admitted her feelings for Carlix, too! 

At that moment, Carlix’s face was filled with joy.
He felt happy as if he just obtained everything in the world.