How to Tame That Gentle Male Lead - Chapter 4.12
“Even though he came to see you, officially he came to see both of us. If he only gave you a gift and didn’t prepare one for me, it would lose its justification. Plus, if only you two had a conversation, I might feel left out, so he probably prepared one for me too.”
“Certainly….. You’re right, Renard. It seems that way. He’s kind to everyone, after all.”
And that point becomes poison, causing him to lose the trustworthy people around him.
“You have a deeply thoughtful expression, Sis. Which part of what I said made you think so deeply?”
“…Hmm….. Actually.”
Resena thought about telling Renard exactly what she had said to Eldis. Renard wouldn’t find her words strange, since he had watched her and Eldis at the ball.
‘Renard knows that Eldis has developed an interest in me.’
And that their relationship is different from when Resena was just chasing after Eldis alone.
“Well….”
As Resena quietly explained what had happened in the garden during the birthday ball, Renard listened attentively. After listening for a few minutes, Renard nodded with a look of understanding.
“It seems your words certainly became an enlightenment for His Highness. Seeing his attitude, it seems he might have developed feelings for you because of those words.”
“Developed feelings?”
“I mean His Highness Eldis might have developed a romantic interest in you.”
Resena’s eyes widened.
Her words weren’t meant to attract romantic interest, and knowing his future, she had said them to prevent catastrophe. But to think that it made Eldis interested in her…..
“Sis. If you had been the same gender as His Highness, such words could have been unnecessary. From a man’s perspective, His Highness is perfect, with nothing that could be considered a flaw.”
“Certainly….. That seems to be the case. Otherwise, people wouldn’t revere His Highness Eldis so much.”
“Exactly. That’s precisely what I meant. And His Highness probably knew to some extent that he was almost flawless and perfect. Whatever flaws he perceives in himself….. He must have clearly known what his strengths were, since he appears perfect even in the Emperor’s eyes.”
“……”
Unable to guess what Renard was going to say, Resena quietly looked up at him. Renard, seeming to understand her inner thoughts, explained in a calm tone.
“But as if knowing his own perfect heart, you pointed out that his flaw was fatal. Until now, he didn’t need to care about what other ladies said. But you, without any romantic interest in His Highness, sharply poked at the part he had unconsciously guessed.”
“…I see.”
Renard nodded.
“That’s why His Highness developed a romantic interest in you instead. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have offered the first dance at the ball. He always smiled and danced the first dance with whoever asked first, regardless of who it was.”
‘Is that why he danced the first dance with Lorona every time? Because she was the first to ask for a dance?’
This wasn’t even mentioned in the novel, was it? Resena marveled at Renard’s deductive skills, clicking her tongue in admiration. For our family’s sleepyhead, he’s quite impressive. Not bad at all.
But his words, which in the past life had said he wouldn’t go anywhere without his sister, were not yet finished.
“But now that’s over too. Since you’ve caught His Highness’s attention, other ladies will be jealous of you and try to befriend you somehow. They’re jealous, but you’ve caught the eye of His Highness who wasn’t attracted to anyone. They’ll be curious about the cause, wondering what you said to make him show such interest.”
“…So that’s why Marchioness Andaril sent me an invitation. Hah… What I said to His Highness is too private to tell anyone else…”
In the past, Resena was rarely invited to tea parties because of her fierce and violent personality. But because she appeared wherever Eldis attended, people in high society were somewhat wary of Resena. She often showed up at tea parties without invitations, to the point where people in high society just accepted it as typical of Resena.
‘But that bad reputation, combined with the attempted murder charge, led to my imprisonment…’
Resena heaved a deep sigh.
She wasn’t unaware of her reputation even among the maids. Although she had told Luna she wouldn’t abandon her whip or use abusive language, the maids who served her still hadn’t completely shaken off their fear of her.
‘Before they could shake off their fear, I even explained why Eldis was showing curiosity towards me…’
Fortunately, she had cut ties with the Tebas Guild and the Assassination Guild, but that didn’t mean her bad reputation had disappeared. While people within the Arnasus Duchy couldn’t gossip about Resena, outside they could freely exchange insults about her.
Because of this, she had to constantly be careful not to end up in prison. Although she had canceled all requests from the Tebas Guild Master, given that the poisoned wine was blatantly present in the warehouse last time, if maids or servants were to testify about her, she would be put in a disadvantageous position.
‘To prevent them from harboring ill feelings towards me, I need to make them realize that the current me is different from the previous Resena.’
“Then Renard, how can I avoid getting romantically involved with His Highness? I want to advise him, not date him.”
“…Hmm. Well… Now that you’ve already caught his attention, His Highness will probably continue to be interested in you… But Sis, do you dislike His Highness?”
Resena slowly shook her head.
“Most people who could dislike him would be those with malice or feelings of inferiority. Or for political reasons.”
“I guess that’s true. But it seems like you don’t want to get involved with His Highness.”
Accurate. Resena gave a bitter smile.
“Actually, there’s someone else I’m interested in right now. If I hadn’t seen that person, His Highness would be no different from a sparkling diamond on an unreachable tree to me.”
“Hmm…”
Renard seemed to ponder over those words a bit. Feeling like she had unintentionally given him a headache, Resena thought it might be better to stop consulting with Renard. But before she could end the conversation, her younger brother spoke up.
“Then Sis, how about clearly stating it to His Highness? If you make it clear that you have no romantic interest at all, wouldn’t you be able to detach before his feelings deepen? If it’s delayed, it might be difficult for His Highness to accept the fact that you no longer have romantic interest in him, considering how much you’ve been chasing after him until now.”
Renard’s words are right. Resena quietly looked up at him, then lowered her gaze and turned back to the front. The main gate was closed so she couldn’t see that splendid carriage, but Renard’s words left a deep impression on her heart.
‘Yes. Even if Eldis comes to love me, I should clearly state that I have no romantic interest in him.’
As the male protagonist of this world, Eldis could receive love from other ladies who like his perfect image anyway.
‘Even if his eye color is exactly the same as Vernas’s…’
Even if she recalls the mysterious sculptor she only saw once while looking at Eldis, those feelings should be directed towards Vernas, not Eldis.
“Thank you, Renard. When I meet His Highness after returning from the territory, I’ll make it clear. If I don’t, it might turn into an unwanted relationship.”
After saying that, Resena clapped her hands.
“By the way, Renard, isn’t it about time? We should start heading to the train station soon, or we might miss the train. I think I need to change my clothes too.”
“Hmm. Your current outfit seems fine, Sis, but is it too fancy for someone about to travel?”
“Yes. Since we have to take the train, I should wear something simpler. Let’s leave as soon as I change clothes.”
“Okay. Got it.”
Resena nodded with a gentle smile.
The sunlight shining through the passing clouds was still hot, but by the time they arrived at the train station, it would be setting, dyeing the ground red and bringing a cool breeze.
“See you in a bit then.”
“Okay, Sis. See you later.”
