How to Tame That Gentle Male Lead - Chapter 3.9
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Although Eldis was kind to everyone, he was strict when it came to handling affairs. Thanks to his fair evaluation of merits based on individual achievements, there were no complaints from either the army or the knighthood.
‘It’s the same this time.’
Eldis seemed to have already considered the method of consecrating Ser territory to prevent monster gates from opening at all, as he tended not to miss even small details in his responses.
The Emperor wanted to praise his son more, but instead, he wanted to reward him with a military medal and substantial wealth.
“At the summer ball, I will also greatly commend the knights who achieved merits with you. Look forward to it.”
“I’m deeply honored, Your Majesty.”
The Emperor cleared his throat with an “Ahem.”
“Didn’t I tell you to call me Father? There’s no one here but you and me. Call me Father like you did when you were young.”
“Yes, Father.”
Eldis wore a faint smile. His father was someone who considered everything about Eldis a blessing. Eldis really liked his way of valuing his strengths more than his weaknesses, even though he was human and had flaws too.
‘But…’
Even while conversing with the Emperor, her words suddenly came to mind.
[Why do you accommodate all those actions?]
[…Princess.]
[At this rate, you won’t be able to do anything properly and will end up stuck between women, unable to protect even the person you really should.]
[…That’s.]
[You need to wake up.]
[…]
[Rather than being kind to everyone, you should become someone who can protect just one person. If not, you will surely regret it someday.]
“…”
“Eldis?”
“Yes, Father.”
The Emperor’s eyes crinkled as he looked at him answering neatly.
“Were you lost in thought for a moment?”
“Something suddenly came to mind.”
“Oh ho.”
The Emperor asked with a beaming smile.
“Is it about a lady?”
Eldis answered calmly.
“Yes. It came to mind even when I was on the battlefield.”
“Oh…”
The Emperor was quite excited. A lady that Eldis had in mind? Isn’t that quite rare?
‘Until now, Eldis hasn’t been involved in any rumors with any lady. He’s just kind to everyone, and most ladies know that his heart isn’t directed towards them. That’s why I know there are many who try to seduce Eldis even more.’
The Emperor said kindly.
“If there’s someone you like rationally, feel free to tell me anytime. I’ll arrange an engagement with anyone for you. I’ll even push for a wedding ceremony in a year without it seeming strange.”
Then Eldis smiled gently.
“It wasn’t that kind of meaning. That lady gave me advice. It was impressive, so it keeps coming to mind.”
“Hmm. What kind of advice was it?”
Eldis answered honestly while smiling.
“Rather than being kind to everyone, I should become someone who can protect just one person. If not, I will surely regret it someday, that’s what she said.”
The Emperor was honestly a bit surprised. This was the first time someone had directly criticized Eldis’s nature of being kind to everyone.
But at the same time, he thought that his son’s strongest advantage could also become his greatest weakness. He wondered if Eldis’s tendency to not pay much attention to things that came at him might make relationships smooth, but at the same time, prevent him from properly distinguishing between the worthy and the unworthy.
“Quite… a sharp piece of advice.”
“Yes. I’m actually pondering a bit on what to do because I feel her words aren’t wrong.”
“Hmm…”
The Emperor stroked his chin and then spoke.
“It would be a shame to break down your strengths based on just one piece of advice from her, Eldis. However, it’s too accurate to completely ignore.”
“Yes. That’s right.”
“Why don’t you take it as advice to think about ways to maintain your nature while not losing the most precious people?”
“…”
Eldis remained silent. The Emperor looked at his son lost in thought and slowly continued.
“Not every statement from every person is correct. Moreover, even if it was accurate, if you rely solely on that one thing while maintaining relationships, the loss would be even greater. So instead of trying to accept all of that advice, it might be enough if you just pay attention to situations that could make your strengths dangerous.”
“…I see.”
“Yes. But it was quite sharp in itself. If you get the chance, it might not be bad to become friends with her. It’s not easy to see people accurately, so that insight might give you the opportunity to distinguish between the worthy and the unworthy.”
Eldis closed his eyes for a moment and then opened them.
His clear sea-colored eyes filled with light as he looked at the Emperor.
“I understand. Thank you for your gracious words.”
“Haha. Eldis. By the way, I’m curious about something.”
“Please tell me, Father.”
The Emperor seemed very pleased with Eldis’s use of ‘Father.’ He leaned forward and gestured for him to come closer.
As Eldis approached, the Emperor asked with a mischievous smile.
“So, who exactly is she?”
“That’s…”
***
“Achoo!”
When Resena sneezed, Del asked worriedly.
“Are you alright, Miss? If you’re cold, I’ll bring a lace shawl for your shoulders.”
“Yes. Even though it’s summer, I guess I feel a bit chilly with my shoulders exposed. Please do.”
“Yes. I’ll bring it right away.”
While Del was gone, Resena stared at the dressing table. Her face, adorned with innocent-looking makeup, was dazzlingly beautiful.
‘Besides, I’ve put in extra effort since it’s right before the ball.’
Beautifully curved eyebrows and a soft-lined nose bridge. Purple eyes set deep in their sockets sparkled like jewels. Moreover, rosy cheeks with pale skin, harmonized with scarlet lips that made one want to touch them at least once.
As she watched the peerless beauty in the mirror, Resena slowly rose from her seat. Renard would be coming to escort her soon.
“You truly are beautiful.”
At the head maid Luna’s words, Resena covered her mouth and smiled.
“Thank you, Luna. I’m quite pleased with the compliment.”
“You’re too kind…”
Luna still couldn’t get used to Resena’s newfound kindness, so different from before.
She had never seen her being gentle to those around her before, having stopped the beatings and verbal abuse.
“Del. Could you tie the pearls on my head more securely?”
“Yes, Miss.”
Moreover, it seemed she was treating Del, her personal maid, without cruelty, making some maids regret not having become the Miss’s personal maid earlier if they had known it would turn out like this.
But regardless, Resena pushed forward with her changes relentlessly.
“Good. I like it.”
The braided hair adorned with pearls on top reached the pinnacle of innocence. The contrast of white pearls against black hair, reminiscent of an angel descended from heaven, made the maids who were dressing her marvel anew.
“Sister. I’m here.”
“Yes. Welcome, Renard. Shall we leave now?”
“Yes. Let’s go, sister.”
