How to Tame That Gentle Male Lead - Chapter 4.11
“But since there’s a possibility that a dark mage really has appeared, I plan to investigate with Renard and fifteen Sword Expert knights. Even a dark mage would find it difficult to face a Sword Master and many Sword Experts, so if they don’t run away, we should be able to capture them easily.”
“There’s an extermination order for dark mages, so the principle is to dispose of them on the spot. Are you not going to do that, Lady?”
Resena tried to soothe him more gently.
“That’s the principle, but I plan to first give them a truth serum to find out why they came to the Arnasus territory. It’s fortunate if only one came to the Arnasus territory, but there are rare cases where dark mages form groups. So, I plan to extract all the information to prepare for that possibility before disposing of them.”
“……”
Eldis quietly looked at Resena’s face before slowly speaking.
“As expected, I think Lady would do well leading an army.”
Renard agreed with that statement.
“Indeed, I think Sis would be good at devising strategies. Because she thinks so meticulously and thoroughly…… If Sis were a knight, she would probably be at least a tactical staff officer by now.”
Resena smiled awkwardly at the praise from both of them. She was just doing what needed to be done, yet these two were excessive in their praise of her.
‘Somehow, it’s both embarrassing and flattering.’
Watching Resena’s expression gradually soften, Eldis began with “Well then.”
“Since it might turn into tracking a dark mage, I suppose it can’t be helped that our date will be delayed. But I can wait that long, Lady.”
“Thank you, Your Highness.”
“It’s nothing. And if it’s alright, I’d like to hear in detail how you conducted that tracking when you return. I think you might use the knights differently from ordinary commanders. And whatever method it is, I think it will be helpful to me.”
Resena examined Eldis’s face as he said this. There was not a hint of hesitation in his kind expression. Moreover, his eyes were brimming with curiosity, as if he wanted to hear more of Resena’s words.
‘Such beautiful eyes indeed……’
While his features were those of unparalleled beauty, his clear blue eyes reminded one of a transparent sea where sunlight reaches deep. The desire to throw oneself into those waters below the surface must be due to the good harmony between his gentle atmosphere and his clear opal-colored eyes.
“Thank you for the compliment, Your Highness.”
“Ahaha. Lady, I’m the one looking forward to our conversation when you return. And I’m eagerly anticipating our date as well. Someone like you, who has presented me with unique perspectives, will surely approach dating differently too. But that’s what I want.”
“Your Highness……”
Eldis didn’t take his eyes off Resena, wearing a gentle smile like a flower blooming under moonlight. That her unique points would pique his interest was something Resena herself hadn’t predicted…… Although she still wasn’t sure how to handle it, she carefully opened her mouth.
“Then, for the date……”
“How about three days after you return? You’ll be busy dealing with work after coming back, after all.”
Eldis’s blue eyes crinkled at the corners as a faint smile played on his lips, his silver hair catching the light. At this, Resena felt her heart flutter with excitement.
‘Really…… Any wariness would be disarmed when faced with such looks……’
“Yes. That’s fine with me.”
‘But, if I get connected with the male lead like this, won’t it twist the plot in an unfavorable direction?’
As a vague anxiety with no clear basis welled up, Resena involuntarily recalled the world-ending scenario caused by the male lead.
She would not create that futile world achieved through Lorona’s sacrifice. Moreover, there’s no guarantee that she would be completely connected with the male lead.
‘If I could just…… be a stepping stone to change the male lead’s tendencies, I’d be satisfied.’
And where her heart truly leans is elsewhere.
‘No matter how beautiful Eldis is, I……’
Vernas.
It’s inevitable that she thinks of him, the knight hiding his identity, even at this moment. To call this feeling love, the connection between them is still shallow. But Resena could clearly recognize the unfamiliarity of this emotion that had never emerged despite her many regressions.
“Well then, Lady. You’ll need to head to the territory soon, so let’s end our chat here for today. But before that, I have a gift for you.”
“A gift for me……?”
As Resena’s eyes widened, Eldis smiled at her with a gentle gaze.
“Yes, Lady. I thought you would really like this item.”
Eldis took out a small box from his ceremonial pocket. Given its elongated shape, it wasn’t a necklace or earrings. What could it be? But the moment he opened the box, Resena exclaimed in admiration.
“It’s a beautiful fountain pen. And it looks thin, so it should be comfortable to hold.”
“It didn’t seem right to come empty-handed. And you’re the heir to the Arnasus family, right? I thought about what would be most necessary for paperwork and chose this.”
Eldis smiled brightly with his eyes beautifully curved. As he handed the box to Resena, she carefully picked up the fountain pen. Holding the box in one hand and the pen in the other, the diamond attached to the top scattered light, boasting its light weight.
“Really….. Thank you. It’s a gift I needed so much.”
“I’m glad you like it, Lady. Haha. And I have a gift for the young duke as well.”
Judging by the flow of the conversation, it was clear that Renard’s gift was an afterthought, but Eldis seemed to have considered him in his own way. As Eldis snapped his fingers, the aide standing behind him handed over a huge box he was holding. Renard received it with a bewildered face and opened it, his eyes widening slightly.
‘It seems Renard also got a gift he really needed.’
“What kind of gift is it, Renard?”
“Ah….. It’s a wooden sword with an iron core. The weight is almost identical to a real sword, so it should be perfect for training.”
At Renard’s words, Resena felt her heart filling with warmth. She didn’t expect Eldis’s consideration for others to feel this good.
‘That’s probably why both good and bad people gather around him indiscriminately.’
If Eldis could improve his ability to judge people a bit more….. Wouldn’t he be able to distinguish those who approach him with hidden malice?
‘If that happens….. Eldis won’t lose the people around him that he could rely on.’
Then, even if he loses just one person like Lorona, he won’t go berserk immediately. Like when he stopped trying to destroy the slums after listening to Alken and Captain of the Guard Daren, he’s a good person who responds to sincere words.
“Thank you, Your Highness. I will make good use of the gift.”
Eldis’s blue eyes curved pleasantly.
“I’m glad you like it. I’ll think carefully and choose the next gift too.”
At those words, a smile also settled on Renard’s lips.
A gentle atmosphere settled among the three. Glancing slightly at the clock, it was clear that it had already become five o’clock. Resena, realizing it was about time to leave to catch the train, was about to speak up.
But then Eldis opened his mouth.
“Well, I’ll be going now. You’ll need to arrive at the train station by seven to catch your train, so you’ll be busy with preparations.”
“Thank you for your understanding, Your Highness. Then, I’ll see you out.”
Eldis wore a gentle smile on his flower-like face.
“Thank you, Lady. I’m happy that you care about me.”
“It was only natural. But thank you very much for your kind words.”
Resena stood up and saw Eldis off. Renard also saw Eldis off instead of leaving, as they had discussed before the Crown Prince arrived. The bright summer sunlight had slightly faded, hinting at the approach of evening.
“Well then, Lady. And young duke. I’ll see you again later.”
“Yes. We’ll see you again later.”
The splendid imperial carriage showed its rear as it moved away. Suddenly, Resena turned to look at Renard standing beside her. Feeling her gaze, Renard turned his head to look at her.
“What is it, Sis?”
“Nothing. By the way, I didn’t expect him to give you a gift too. I thought he’d only bring one for me.”
At that, Renard chuckled.
