The Sub Male Lead is Burning with Jealousy - Chapter 1 Part 10
And, unless he was currently seeing someone, Sion usually didn’t refuse any romantic overtures. Whenever news spread that he had ended a relationship, there would often be a race of noblewomen near his workplace or home.
‘And then he thinks he’s not popular.’
Since, every woman he dates ends up leaving him, so perhaps that’s not entirely unjustified.
Tap, tap
The sound of tapping on the table made Anais turn her head. Rahil, looking displeased, was across from her.
“What are you looking at when I’m right in front of you?”
“I was pondering the summons you sent. I made my feelings clear that day, yet I fail to understand why you’re insisting on this.”
The sun shone brightly through the reception room windows of the palace where guests were entertained. Seeing the blue-tinted sheen in Rahil’s black hair shimmer, Anais realized anew that apart from his family, he had so much going for him.
It was conceivable why he’d arrogantly assume that all the women in the world would love him. He was exceptionally handsome. Had she not witnessed his confession, even Anais might have been smitten by his beauty.
But that didn’t give him the right to force marriage on someone else. It seemed like a marriage that would benefit neither party.
“There’s no one else but you. Someone who can stand by my side without wavering… Someone who can skillfully perform the role of a wise Empress.”
“No way. I’m a person filled with jealousy and desires. I don’t know what you’re thinking, but you’ve definitely seen me wrong.”
“That can’t be.”
He became intrigued by Anais Ruol and ordered a detailed investigation into her broken engagement with Jeremy Noer. She had personally witnessed Jeremy’s affair and illegitimate child yet responded with absolute rationality.
Her response was well-received in high society, and she earned the admiration of several noblewomen. Despite the unfairness she faced, she retained her dignity and nobility.
She acted in such a manner even with Jeremy, whom she had emotional ties with. So, Rahil assumed that she’d act even more rationally when it came to his and Angelica’s affairs.
“You are an exceedingly cold and rational person. Someone who knows how to act by separating emotions and reason. And at the same time…”
True to the nature of the Ruol family, he believed they possessed innate kindness. One of the reasons the successive emperors couldn’t obliterate the Ruol lineage was not just their exceptional abilities but also their consistent virtue.
Even with a reason to kill, ending the life of a benevolent person would leave a bitter aftertaste. Especially when, depending on the situation, that individual could serve as a beneficial tool, there was no need for execution.
“She is also a memeber of the Ruol family who represent the neutrality in politics.”
Apart from his personal reasons, Anais Ruol was a suitable candidate for a political marriage. The military strength of the Ruol family was too precious to be left unattended.
Although the Ruol family maintained neutrality, her father and brother weren’t so heartless as to feign ignorance toward the daughter and sister they loved.
“I want you as my empress. If you accept my proposal, I will grant you everything within my power to give.”
“……”
“But if you refuse this proposal…”
Anais clenched her teeth at Rahil’s chilling gaze. In his letter, he had insinuated that he could send her father and brother to capture dragons on a neighboring continent. It may have been written in jest, but the problem was that it was written by the emperor.
She couldn’t take it lightly, as she had no real personal rapport with him. Moreover, it had become almost a tradition for each new emperor to torment the Ruol lineage.
Most emperors made the head of the non-aligned Ruol family suffer by dispatching them on challenging assignments.
‘But dragons, of all things…’
Anais was aware of the formidable skills of her father and brother. However, that prowess was only relative to dealing with humans. Facing dragons was out of the question.
While Rahil seemed to be taking her lightly now, if the continuous rejections accumulated resentment and annoyance, there would come a moment when he’d turn his back on her.
He might genuinely issue such an order to her father and brother.
‘Is it because he’s not the male lead?… How can he be so despicable and petty!’
Rahil observed Anais as she agonized over her thoughts. She clenched her teeth and glared at him.
It was inevitable.
‘Indeed, as the emperor, he might be the best strategic marriage partner.’
But still, it was so infuriating.
“Let’s draft a contract. But before that… please allow me to slap you just once.”
“What?”
The request for a contract was within his expectations. However, the desire to slap him was unforeseen. Rahil looked at Anais with a startled expression, but she was utterly serious. Sion approached and whispered to Rahil.
“Grant her this, Your Majesty. This is an opportunity to display your magnanimity.”
“What does magnanimity have to do with this!”
He retorted heatedly, but Sion remained impassive as he responded.
“…It could be an opportunity to assert that you are a man she can feel secure with. Trust is the most significant element in a marriage.”
Rahil might have thought Sion was being presumptuous, given that he himself wasn’t married. However, in most cases, Sion was right. With a disgruntled look, Rahil stared at Anais before speaking.
“So, one slap will settle it?”
She was a unique woman in many ways.
* * *
Servants and aides looked apprehensively at the two individuals standing side by side in an empty space usually occupied by a sofa. Facing Anais, Rahil bore an expression of incredulity.
‘Why on earth should I be slapped?’
Of course, he recognized that his approach might have been wrong. But wasn’t he the emperor?
Across from her, Sion stood beside Anais, instructing her on how to deliver the slap properly. It was an irksome sight to behold.
‘What next? Will he teach her how to assassinate an emperor?’
