The Blackened Second Male Lead’s Wife

“Estelle…” 

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“Your Highness…” 

It felt like I had reached the ending of a novel as I watched them look at each other with faces full of emotion. 

Thank you for reading my work.
The end. 

But of course, life wasn’t easy.

Carlix’s face, which was shining like a jewel, crumpled from the Emperor’s words. 

“That’s a little troublesome….” 

Carlix, who looked like he was soaked in sugar just earlier, growled as if he had drunk poison. 

“Is it because she’s a commoner? Or because she’s the Saintess? Father, I won’t let you separate me from her for any reason.”

“Test me.
I’ll give up the throne and run far away from here.”

He looked like he would actually say that and rebel.

However, the Emperor answered calmly, instead of coming to punch his immature son’s head. 

“Of course not.
If one were to oppose this relationship, it wouldn’t be because of Estelle, it would be because of you.
Foolish son.” 

The Emperor continued to talk to Carlix, who couldn’t refute what he just said. 

“The problem lies elsewhere.” 

“Then, what the hell is the problem?!”

The Emperor glanced at Estelle and said, 

“A few days ago, I got word from the Kingdom of Sebran to admit Estelle to the National Medical Center.” 

I and Carlix’s eyes widened at the unexpected remark.
Carlix said with a puzzled look. 

“W-what do you mean? It’s impossible for foreigners to be admitted to Kingdom Sebran’s National Medical Center.”

“According to the rules, yes.
However, in recognition of my recommendation and Estelle’s medical knowledge, it was approved.
If she goes to the school, she would have to stay there for at least five years.” 

‘Come to think of it…’ 

I thought back to how Estelle’s health has been these days. 

Estelle was frustrated about the lack of medicine available in the empire to treat the patients.
So she began to read a crazy amount of medical books from other countries every night. 

She hadn’t been getting much sleep, so she looked tired everyday.

‘You weren’t just reading those books, you were preparing to enter the school.
Why didn’t you tell me about this?’ 

Estelle wasn’t the type to reveal everything.
But still, I was sad that she didn’t tell me about such a big decision. 

Carlix looked just as surprised as I am. 

Carlix turned to Estelle, looking like he was hit in the back of the head, and asked. 

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“Is this true, Estelle?” 

“Yes.” 

“Then, why didn’t you tell me?”

Estelle couldn’t say anything and clenched her fists tightly.

After a while, she said in a trembling voice. 

“I’m sorry.
I didn’t want to make you or Miss Nia upset.” 

“Why would I be upset? It is your job!” 

Estelle’s shoulders flinched at Carlix’s shout, which was as soft as cotton candy (this kind of shout was exclusive to Estelle). 

The emperor watched the scene and clicked his tongue.

“Son, I’ve told you to fix your temper several times.
I can tell just by looking at the situation.
Estelle must have thought about this a lot.
Because a few days ago, she came to me and said she wanted to cancel her admission.” 

“……!” 

Carlix and I widened our eyes. 

The Emperor mumbled with downcast eyes. 

“I was wondering why you would give up something you desperately worked for, only to find out that it was because of my son.” 

The Emperor looked at Estelle.

“Are you really going to give up this opportunity, Estelle? The National Medical Center of Kingdom Sebran will never give you another chance after you have already backed down.
There will never be another chance to learn about Kingdom Sebran’s medicine which you really wanted to do.” 

“Yes.” 

Determined and firm with her decision, Estelle nodded. 

She probably made that choice for Carlix.

The Kingdom of Sebran was very far from the empire.
It takes more than a month to get there, so she wouldn’t be able to come back and visit very often. 

‘And she would have to stay there for 5 years.’

If Estelle went to the Kingdom of Sebran, the bond between the two may be weakened. 

It would be painful for Estelle to see that happen to her love for him, which had just blossomed.

‘That’s why Estelle made that choice to stay.’ 

It was so like her. 

Estelle, who was full of love, cared  for people, and wouldn’t mind sacrificing herself. 

‘But would she be satisfied with that?’ 

I looked at Carlix. 

Carlix looked at the woman who gave up her dream for his sake…..and did not look happy at all.

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If he was still his selfish former self who had never thought about others, he would have been absolutely delighted. 

He would have just liked the fact that the woman he loved wanted to be with him. 

But he’s not like that now. 

I made eye contact with Carlix and mouthed these words. 

‘Be honest with what you want and say it.’ 

Don’t hold back any positive words to others. 

That was what I told him the day we had the correction class.

Carlix closed his eyes and opened them in agony.
He spoke to Estelle. 

“Go to the Kingdom of Sebran.” 

“Your Highness…” 

“I’ve told you many times.
Don’t hold back your desires.
Do whatever you want to do.
I’ll let you go.” 

“…..”

“Do I have to say it again?” 

Estelle’s blue eyes trembled.

“But…” 

“Don’t worry about the people you took care of.
I’ll take special care of them for you.
By the time you get back, there will be hospitals and schools for the poor throughout the whole empire.” 

“…..” 

“I’ll write you a letter every day.
I’ll go visit you whenever I have a chance.
So…..” 

“…..” 

“So just go.” 

In the original novel, Carlix would’ve told her that it would be a waste of time and that she should come to her senses.

But he’s not like that now. 

He had grown up, and reassured Estelle so she wouldn’t feel hurt for leaving. 

At this moment, he was acting like the perfect male lead of a romance novel. 

Pure and loving. 

Estelle looked at Carlix, feeling all kinds of emotions, and eventually burst into tears. 

She said with a tearful face. 

“Can I really go?” 

“Yes, please.
I would like you to.”

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“Then I’ll go.
I’ll go study and learn about medicine so we can treat the sick people here in this empire.”

Estelle said, caressing Carlix’s face. 

“So please wait for me, Carlix.” 

“Of course.
I’ll wait for you forever, Estelle.” 

This was such a beautiful scene. 

……However, other than those two, everyone else watching felt awkward.

I turned my eyes away from them because my ten fingers kept shriveling up. 

The Emperor leaning on the bed looked at them with hazy eyes. 

The Emperor then opened his mouth with a disgruntled face. 

“So, this means that the plan to go to the National Medical Center will proceed as originally intended, right? 

I answered on behalf of Estelle, who was stuck in her own world. 

“Yes, I think so.” 

“That’s a relief.”

He looked relieved that Estelle would be able to study abroad like she wanted. 

‘The Emperor cares about Estelle more than I thought.’ 

Then, I made eye contact with the Emperor. 

The Emperor’s droopy eyes curved. 

“I almost wrongfully punished an innocent child because of a misunderstanding.
Forgive me.” 

“You had good reason to.
I understand.” 

The Emperor burst out laughing at my answer. 

“You’re pretty amusing.
You’re nothing like what the rumors say.”

I didn’t ask what kind of rumor he was referring to because it was nothing special. 

He heard that I was the haughty, feisty, and foul-mannered noble lady Pernia.
Something like that. 

Instead of saying, “I’m actually pretty alright, right?” I lifted my lips to say something else.

However, I froze as the Emperor said his next words. 

“I see why you like her, Lucian….We’re done talking now, so you may come out.” 

Someone appeared from the curtains behind the Emperor’s bed.
It was Lucian.

───── 〔✿〕─────

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Sunset was setting as we came out of the Imperial Palace. 

I clenched my fist as I looked at the scarlet sunset through a small window in the carriage. 

‘What a cunning Emperor! How could he do that!’ 

The emperor called Lucian before I came and hid him behind his bed.

[If you and Carlix were in a serious relationship, Lucian should be the first one to know.
This kid likes to be certain before believing anything, so I thought it would be better to hear the truth directly from his fiancee.] 

The Emperor tilted his head at me, who was trembling. 

[Is there a problem?] 

Is there a problem?!

It must be a tradition to not think about how others would feel for the imperial family. 

Of course I would feel terrible.

You let a third party listen to a private conversation without telling me.
Why did I have to go through such a terrible situation? 

But the Emperor couldn’t understand my anger. 

[The lady is still very naive.
You thought there would only be just us two in this room?] 

Only then did I realize.

The shadow behind the curtains surrounding the room. 

I thought it was perhaps a knight assigned to protect the emperor or a scribe assigned to record the Emperor’s words in detail.
Or just a servant stationed there in case the Emperor wanted something. 

[There’s always a lot of ears listening into the Emperor’s room.
I didn’t think having one more person listening in would be a big problem.] 

The Emperor said that brightly, but my mood did not brighten up.

Because Lucian found out about everything in the worst way possible. 

‘Damn it!’ 

Lucian didn’t know anything. 

The fact that I delivered letters for Carlix and Estelle, and that they had already become  lovers. 

He knew none of that.

To find out the truth this way.
He must feel very betrayed. 

Lucian sat on the other side of the carriage.
But I couldn’t look at him at all.

I was scared to see what kind of expression he had on his face. 

I kept my eyes on the window and bit my lips.
His silence weighed more and more on my heart as it prolonged. 

‘Please say something.’ 

A long time later, Lucian opened his mouth. 

The first word that came out of his mouth was neither criticism nor disappointment at me.