I'm The Wife Of The Blackened Second Male Lead - Chapter 1

Episode 1

The novel I read was titled “Saint Estelle.” Being a saint meant she only needed to be holy, but the heroine had too many charms. All the successful men in the novel were captivated by her. Among them was the empire’s greatest knight, Lucian Cardien. I liked Lucian, the sub-male lead, far more than the crown prince, who was the main male lead.

“Ugh. Why does a man who slices through people on the battlefield tremble so much just by meeting the saint? Foolish unrequited love fool!”

He had loved the saint since childhood. However, he couldn’t express his feelings. This was because he was born with red eyes. Red eyes had been referred to as a devil’s curse since ancient times. No matter how much he achieved as the youngest knight or his remarkable achievements on the battlefield, many whispered that he must have borrowed demonic powers. Because of this, Lucian avoided the saint. He thought it was a grave sin for a cursed man like him to admire her. So, he held back his desire to get close to her over and over again, to the point where it was painful for me to read. However, upon learning that the saint became romantically involved with the crown prince, his impenetrable heart crumbled like sand. Desperately suppressed desires burst out.

<I love you.>

However, no matter how passionately he confessed,

<Please, Lady Estelle.>

No matter how tearfully he pleaded, the saint did not accept his feelings. This was because there was already another man in her heart. Lucian was engulfed in deep sorrow and intense jealousy. At that moment, the true power of the devil remarkably appeared to him. He was indeed a being cursed by the devil. He darkened. He no longer held back his desires. He killed those who hindered him, those who hurt him, those who bothered him. Among them was his fiancée, Pernia, who had constantly despised and belittled him.

<You were indeed a devil! Please just die!>

Those were Pernia’s last words.

‘He erased her without a trace.’

I recalled Pernia’s death from the novel as I looked at the man before me. He sipped his tea, his gentle face seeming mismatched with the title of “God of War.” But I knew. He was a ticking time bomb harboring the devil. I wanted to break off the engagement immediately, but that was impossible. It was an engagement arranged by the emperor himself. So, there was no other choice but for me to come here. Today marked the first meeting of Lucian and Pernia after his return from a long war. However, there was no joy of a first meeting between us. No excitement. Just tremendous awkwardness.

‘It’s impossible to speak, thinking the man in front of me is a ticking time bomb.’

I was incredibly cautious with my actions, afraid I might unintentionally provoke him with a careless word. I sipped my tea quietly, minimizing any noise. I glanced at Lucian. I was merely trying to gauge his mood, but I found myself dazed. Flawless skin without a scratch, beautiful lip lines. A straight nose and elegant jawline. Long eyelashes and shining red eyes beneath them. In short, he possessed inhuman beauty.

‘Oh dear, writer, your writing can’t keep up with your character!’

As I meticulously observed him, I let out a small exclamation.

“You’re injured!”

My gaze fell on a small wound stretching across his neck. Lucian quickly covered his neck, looking flustered.

“It’s nothing. Please don’t worry.”

In fact, Lucian had a secret. He possessed a mysterious power to heal his own wounds. Thanks to this ability, despite his long time on the battlefield, he had flawless skin without a single scar.

‘Even with such powers, you can’t just leave a wound untreated like that.’

I rummaged through my bag and took out a medical band-aid. My maid, Anne, had thoughtfully packed it, thinking it might come in handy. ‘Nice one, Anne!’

Praising Anne’s foresight, I swiftly approached him.

“Even a small wound should be properly treated. It could become a painful infection.”

“Ah….”

I placed the band-aid on his neck. Realizing how close I was while checking if it stuck well, I had an epiphany.

‘Oh no. This is way too close.’

For two people who felt awkward just moments ago, this proximity was overwhelming. I wondered if I’d crossed a line on our first meeting, spiraling with nerves when he spoke first.

“Lady Pernia, you’re somewhat different from the rumors.”

“What do the rumors say?”

“I heard you are a straightforward person.”

I bet he heard I was the ill-tempered marquis’s daughter. I knew, even if he left it unsaid. It was true, after all. If the real Pernia were in my place, she would’ve glared at him condescendingly. But not now! Now, I am a devout pacifist and a kind-hearted citizen who sympathizes with the darkening fate of the sub-male lead! I maintained as harmless an expression as possible and said,

“Rumors are just sensational tales made up by those who love gossip. I’m completely different, aren’t I?”

Say I’m different. Beyond 360 degrees, I’m 1440 degrees different. As if he heard something amusing, he squinted and softened his expression.

“Indeed.”

Don’t smile like that. It’s bad for my heart. His bright smile was on a different level from the stiff smile just moments ago. I unwittingly felt my heart thump hard. Anyway, I was relieved. I could sense he had opened up to me more than before.

<The chance of being killed by the darkened sub-male lead has decreased by 0.01%.>

It felt as though such words were visible next to him.

* * *

The conversation with Lucian flowed more smoothly than at the beginning. We didn’t talk about anything significant. Mostly trivial matters like the taste of the café’s tea or favorite desserts. With the atmosphere relaxed, it was time to get to the main point. After taking a sip of my tea, I spoke up.

“You’re aware that our engagement ceremony will take place at my house in two weeks, right?”

“…Of course.”

Our engagement had been arranged two years ago, but the ceremony had yet to take place. This was because Lucian had been living on the battlefield. As soon as the news of victory and the end of the war arrived, my father quickly set the date for the engagement ceremony. That’s in two weeks.

“My father is diligently preparing for it. It will also be Sir Cardien’s first public event attendance after your victory.”

Despite the whispers of a devil’s curse, Lucian was undoubtedly the most renowned knight in the empire. It was natural for numerous guests to take interest in an engagement ceremony featuring such a prominent figure. Enthusiastically, my father spared no expense in decorating the banquet hall, inviting all the notable figures of the empire.

“I hear that all of the empire’s prominent nobles will attend the engagement ceremony. …And the saint will, too.”

At the mention of “saint,” Lucian’s eyes wavered. The polite smile dissolved like sand, leaving a poignant expression that was painful to witness.

‘Hey there. Your feelings are obvious.’

Despite such fervent emotions, Estelle was unaware. Lucian meticulously hid his feelings in front of her. He even went out of his way to avoid crossing paths with her, afraid of revealing his heart.

‘Cowardly unrequited love.’

I found that reluctance bothersome. Suppressing his feelings for her led to his darkening. If he had expressed his feelings, even slightly, he might not have darkened. Therefore, I planned to give him an opportunity.

“Since the saint will be attending, how about asking her for the blessing dance?”

Lucian’s eyes widened. The blessing dance, as its name suggested, involved holding hands and dancing with the saint. It didn’t require her to use her powers for healing but rather a simple dance at a gathering. At engagements, she usually danced with both the fiancé and the fiancée. That’s what I intended.

“It’s okay with you, right, Sir Cardien?”

Until then, Lucian had deliberately avoided contact with Estelle. But this way, he would face her.

‘Not just face her, but make eye contact, hold hands, and even feel each other’s warmth.’

Perhaps this would lead the plot in a direction different from the original novel. Maybe Estelle would realize Lucian’s hidden feelings. It could even serve as a chance for them to connect.

‘Even if not, I’ll earn substantial points with Lucian. This is a brilliant idea.’

Holding back the quickening beat of my heart, I glanced at Lucian.

‘Take the bait! Bite this bait!’

He seemed thoroughly confused by my unexpected suggestion. After a moment, he spoke with a troubled expression.

“Lady, that would be difficult.”