The Sub Male Lead is Burning with Jealousy - Chapter 1 Part 11
While harming him was a method, he was a sword master. Injuring him with ordinary human strength was a tall order. That’s probably why his aides would probably think, “What’s the harm?”
‘And yet, I am the emperor. These insolent…’
“You seem ready.”
Sion distanced himself from Anais, indicating as much. Anais, with an air of confidence and gleaming eyes, stared at Rahil.
Is she really this excited about it? Though taken aback, Rahil begrudgingly braced for the slap. ‘A single slap wouldn’t hurt…’ he reasoned.
Smack!
The sharp sound echoed as Rahil’s cheek turned ever so slightly. It was hardly more than a tickle, but…
“Ow ow…”
“Young Lady!”
Seeing Anais clutch her hand and wince, the attendants and aides rushed over. It seemed she hurt her own hand with the force of her slap.
“Your Lady, are you alright?”
The one who was slapped is me, you fools!
Though Rahil flinched at Anais’ pain, he looked at them with an exasperated expression, feeling somewhat left out.
“Your Majesty, how could you!”
“What did I do?!”
“You used mana, didn’t you?”
“Why would I need to?”
A slap from Anais hardly warranted wrapping himself in protective mana. The aides called for a healer to ensure Anais’ hand didn’t bruise.
While Rahil seethed, feeling wrongly accused after being slapped, he caught Anais’ eye. Taking advantage of the momentary distraction, she cheekily stuck out her tongue.
Childish.
For a moment, amidst his indignation, Rahil was certain their marital life would be anything but smooth.
* * *
It took some time to calm down and settle back into their seats. Anais’ hand was treated and showed no sign of bruising. With a grouchy face, Rahil had paper and a pen brought over.
“A contract, huh? What are you planning to write?”
“First of all…”
The main issue with this marriage was Rahil’s attitude. He held the power, and the situation would shift according to his actions. It was frustrating and something she didn’t want to acknowledge, but the cold reality was just that.
“I should start ny writing Your Majesty’s demands. You mentioned earlier that you want me to not harm the Duchess of Calix. Please, be specific.”
Rahil, with his arms crossed, regarded Anais suspiciously as he took the pen she offered him.
“My requirements aren’t that extensive. Just don’t harm her.”
“Be specific.”
“Specifically… Do not use the power of the Empress to harm or belittle Angel… the Duchess of Calix.”
“So, even if she harms me, my family, or my children, I must still uphold that?”
At Anais’ retort, Rahil’s eyebrows twitched in irritation. He was clearly annoyed by her repeated probing.
“Angelica isn’t that kind of person.”
“If she isn’t, then it should be okay to document that here. If it’s something that won’t happen, then it shouldn’t be a problem to include it as a precautionary measure, right?”
“Why should I do that? She’s someone I can trust!”
“That might be true for you since you trust the Duchess of Calix, but not for me. I don’t know the kind of person the Duchess is. I can’t blindly trust her just because you tell me to.”
“…”
“Is your trust in the Duchess only worth that much?”
“I mean! Come on. I’ll protect the Empress myself. There’s no need for such specifics in this contract…”
At Rahil’s words, Anais couldn’t help but give a sardonic smile. She looked down coldly at the contract and remarked,
“It’s you, Your Majesty who’s pushing for a marriage with me who dislikes you for a woman who has already married another man. Do you really expect me to rely on your protection? How absurd.”
Even though he was the one initiating all of this, her words felt like cold daggers piercing his thin veneer of conscience.
It was a given that a wife should protect her husband, and vice versa. But from the start, he was marrying to protect Angelica.
There was no way he would protect Anais in the same way.
Without the protection of the greatest shield known as the Emperor, what would become of an Empress in the cold imperial palace?
“I…”
“Let’s leave out the exception clause and move on to the other terms. This time, I’ll make the suggestions.”
Anais transcribed onto the contract exactly what Rahil initially proposed. Then, before noting down her terms, she lifted her head.
Rahil covertly observed her. Her face was composed, revealing a hint of cold determination. For some reason, he felt like he was the one in the wrong.
“In any official or personal setting, don’t ask for special treatment, favors, or consideration for the Duchess of Calix.”
“Why would you think I’d make such demands?”
“Also, if the Duchess of Calix shows any disrespect to the royal family, grant me the right to duly punish her.”
There are many ways to trample on a person. Anais, though she doesn’t employ them, knows she possesses numerous methods at her disposal and knows how to use them skillfully.
“And… I don’t intend to foster a close relationship with Duchess Calix. Do not force intimacy with her upon me.”
“I’m bringing you in as the Empress. The Calix Ducal family is among the most important in the empire. For such a house…”
“I intend to converse with Duke Calix. However, I’m not keen on the Duchess. The entire empire knows of your unrequited love for her. Just by standing beside her, I’d become a laughingstock.”
“That’s preposterous…!”
“Your Majesty.”
Sion stopped Rahil, who was about to protest. Her demands weren’t unreasonable.
“If you believe I’m being paranoid, then we can simply void the proposal. Haven’t I already mentioned? I am not a suitable Empress.”
Rahil bit his lip, staring into Anais’ deep blue eyes. Such a stance would surely make Angelica uncomfortable. After all, she would naturally want to become friends with Rahil’s wife.
Sion stepped closer to the Rahil who was hesitating, leaning in to whisper into his ear.
