How to Tame That Gentle Male Lead - Chapter 4.9
As they waited for His Highness the Crown Prince with the servants, the Duke and Duchess also came out to wait. Just as they were exchanging light small talk and turning their gaze to the main gate, the iron gate opened and a splendid carriage befitting the imperial family’s property entered.
‘I always feel this, but… The Emperor really likes flashy things. And he’s so greedy… As long as he’s alive, he’ll never want to pass the throne to Eldis.’
Even though Eldis was already handling many aspects of state affairs, the Emperor refused to give up even a single bit of his power. Because of this, even when Eldis caught the serial killer Tom Baker, he didn’t make him face the consequences of his crimes for political reasons. Moreover, he showed behavior of postponing the execution date day after day while accepting bribes from Tom Baker’s relatives.
‘And in the midst of all this, the male lead keeps losing the people precious to him one by one. While being kind and gentle to everyone… He doesn’t properly recognize that some people have malicious intent, so he ends up losing the people precious to him…’
No matter what kind of father the Emperor was to Eldis, there was no way to defend how he left Eldis to lose all the good people around him, including the Tom Baker incident. Moreover, when Resena was imprisoned for being an accomplice to murder, he took all the bribes her father offered and then framed her for treason, destroying the family. Just thinking about the Emperor made Resena’s teeth grind.
‘But Eldis is different… When he ascends to the throne, he’ll carry out just and merciful politics. You can tell just by looking at what he’s done so far. That’s why most of the imperial citizens and nobles praise him and hope for him to ascend to the throne quickly.’
However, even he, when most of the people protecting him disappear and he finally loses Lorona, goes berserk. Although he listened to the words of those around him… In the end, if he becomes a tyrant, he’s such a ‘perfect Crown Prince’ who can meticulously overthrow the empire that the empire ends up being completely shattered in his hands.
“Welcome, Your Highness the Crown Prince.”
As the Duke and Duchess stood at the front and bowed their heads first, Eldis, who had just alighted from the carriage, smiled gently.
“It seems about a week has passed since the summer ball ended. Yet it feels like it’s been a long time. It’s good to see you, Duke and Duchess Arnasus.”
“Yes. It’s truly good to see you too. We hurried to prepare when we heard you were visiting the Duke’s residence, but there might be some inadequacies. Please be understanding.”
“Haha. Your welcome alone is more than enough. And Lady Arnasus, it’s been a week. It’s good to see you. Young Duke Arnasus, it’s good to see you too.”
“Welcome, Your Highness the Crown Prince. We’ve been waiting.”
“Welcome, Your Highness the Crown Prince. It’s been a week.”
As Resena courteously lifted her dress skirt and paid her respects, Eldis’s white eye corners curved brightly. The blue eyes sparkling within those eye corners took in Resena fully before scanning the people around her.
“Now I’ll show you to the drawing room. I heard you had business with me and Renard.”
“We’ll excuse ourselves for your comfortable conversation. However, if you need anything, please call us anytime.”
“Haha. I’m well aware that the Duke and Duchess are busy. So let’s end our greetings here. Lady Arnasus, please lead the way.”
“Yes. Please come this way.”
Resena led Eldis to the drawing room. The windows of the drawing room, where the sweet scent of hydrangeas drifted, were wide open. But the hot air couldn’t enter the room, and only cool air circulated inside thanks to the power of the magic stones.
Resena guided the Crown Prince, waited for him to sit, and then took her seat.
“Thank you for the guidance.”
“The honor is mine, Your Highness the Crown Prince.”
Renard sat opposite the Crown Prince, and Resena sat diagonally. White steam rose gently from the teacups that were already prepared.
Eldis lifted the teacup to his lips.
As his crimson lips parted slightly and his eyelids lowered demurely, Resena felt breathless at his beauty. While describing a man as pretty might not suit most, it dramatically fits Eldis. No, it felt like an expression made solely for him.
“……”
Unconsciously, Resena glanced towards Renard. Although Renard was quite a handsome young man himself, he couldn’t compare to Eldis. Resena recalled the rumor the maids had mentioned, ‘Resena has been chosen as the Crown Princess.’ ……While becoming the wife of such a dramatically beautiful person might be happy in its own way, Resena knew her place very well.
‘I’m just an advisor……’
Resena calmly brought the teacup to her lips. After taking a sip and setting it down, she could feel Eldis looking at her with affectionate eyes.
Feeling her cheeks flush, Resena deliberately spoke up.
“It’s an honor to have you visit, Your Highness. But may I ask what business you have with Renard and me that brought you here?”
Eldis spoke to Resena with a gentle expression.
“I mentioned before that the unique perspectives you shared with me piqued my interest.”
“Yes, that’s right, Your Highness.”
A smooth curve appeared on Eldis’s lips. Resena was slightly flustered. His beautiful face wore such a clear smile, as if to seduce the person before him, that it was almost dazzling.
Resena unconsciously gripped her teacup. Then, as if trying to avoid the gaze pouring over her, she took a sip of tea. The rippling red waves seemed to express her heart.
“So I wanted to go around with you and hear your various thoughts. Hmm. To be precise, it would be correct to say I came because I want to date you.”
Cough. Resena choked on her drink without realizing it. Fortunately, she avoided spitting it out dramatically, but as she hurriedly covered her mouth to cough, Eldis asked with a worried expression.
“Are you alright, Lady?”
“Sis, are you okay?”
Resena looked at the two men alternately, covering her mouth with a handkerchief. Only after coughing repeatedly did it subside, and she was able to speak after smoothing her chest.
“Yes, I’m fine. But…… Did you just say you want to date me?”
“Yes, that’s right, Lady. Why? Was it too unexpected?”
As Eldis asked with his eyes curved roundly, Resena found herself at a loss for words. Saying she had never even imagined such a thing seemed like it would be rude to him, so she changed the subject.
“Um…… If you’re curious about my thoughts, wouldn’t it be enough to have a conversation in the library or drawing room? There’s no need to date me specifically.”
“But if you and I just sit alone in the drawing room, wouldn’t strange rumors start again? Even now, there are rumors that I’m considering you as the Crown Princess.”
‘……Was that rumor so uncomfortable for him?’
Resena suddenly realized that Eldis cared about public opinion as much as he was kind to everyone. But what followed overturned Resena’s thoughts.
“Of course, I don’t mind that rumor much. If I were to fall for you, Lady, I would be willing to marry you.”
“……Your Highness.”
“Of course, I’d have to ask for your opinion before that. Marriage isn’t something I can do alone. But Lady, I want to have many conversations with you to that extent. ……I felt like the parts I was lacking were somewhat filled by your words.”
After finishing his words, Eldis smiled slightly. Resena felt dazed for a moment as she looked at him. Unable to hold the teacup any longer, she set it down and reflected on how things had come to this.
“……Even if you say you want to marry me, I don’t love Your Highness yet.”
“……Yes, I know. The way you look at me is slightly far from being in love.”
Renard, who had been listening to their conversation, swallowed the words ‘It’s not just slightly, but quite far’ that was about to burst out. Anyone with eyes could see that Resena’s complexion had turned pale.
Moreover, Resena was momentarily confused about what to say. However, she came to her senses when she saw Eldis reach out to take a snack.
“Don’t worry. Relax, Lady. I’m not asking you to marry me right now.”
“……”
“For now…… At least, I’m just curious about your unique perspective. And I’m sure that perspective will fill in the parts I’m lacking. That’s why you’re a very important person to me.”
“……Then.”
