The Sub Male Lead is Burning with Jealousy - Chapter 1 Part 8
Even if it was an exaggeration, if he could maintain a decent relationship with the Emperor, he felt he could manage it. But would that be enough?
“You mean with my daughter?”
“I’ll have to persuade her from now on. I’m counting on the Marquis to support me.”
Seeing the smiling face again, Alexander realized something. The Emperor might have already made up his mind. This put Alexander in an awkward position.
Was it natural for children to listen to their parents? No. His eldest son didn’t always listen, and neither did his second child, Anais. Children seemed to be creatures that simply didn’t heed their parents’ words.
Reflecting on his children’s upbringing, he felt some guilt for not always being there for them. He had been away so often, battling in the north, west, and east due to the commands of the then-reigning Emperor.
He couldn’t even be by his wife’s side during her final moments. Given that, he felt it might be natural to feel somewhat guilty in front of his children.
‘Nevertheless…’
“Your Majesty, please forgive me for saying this.”
Seeing the earnest look on Alexander’s face, Rahil slowly erased the smile from his lips. He was aware of the past actions of the Marquis of Ruol and didn’t expect him to be easily persuaded.
‘I expected this much.’
If a father with such a daughter had easily consented to the marriage, he would have been disappointed. Listening to Alexander explain the reasons that made refusal inevitable, Rahil decided to try a bit of intimidation for now.
* * *
‘My hair will surely thin out more.’
That was the only thought he had as he left the palace. It’d be a lie to say he wasn’t afraid of the Emperor’s threats, but in the end, the same events would unfold as before.
Though he might harbor feelings of wanting to dispose of him, Alexander knew his own worth. He was too valuable to be discarded, a general the Emperor would want on his side.
If he felt irritated by not being able to control him, he’d just vent his anger directly. Alexander was prepared for such consequences.
‘My concern is that Anais might blame me for this situation.’
Alexander had no intention of sharing any part of his conversation with the Emperor with Anais. He felt no need to burden his daughter with worries when he himself could silently bear them.
Being a knight was his dream, and defending his country was his duty. He believed he had lived his life according to his own terms.
Not being there for his wife’s passing was a regret, but if he had been that concerned, he should have resigned long ago and returned to his territory.
He wanted his children to live their lives freely.
‘I’m not sure if that’ll happen.’
He had hoped his eldest would pursue something other than knighthood, but he became a knight nonetheless. Anais, while cynical about romance, did hope for marriage.
Regardless, the image of the Emperor gleaming as if pleased despite his refusal lingered in his mind. It certainly didn’t seem like the demeanor of someone who had given up.
* * *
“It seems you’re pleased.”
“Yes.”
Both the daughter and father were not bad choices. He had always held the Marquis of Ruol in high regard, so the response was as satisfying as he had anticipated.
From the beginning, he was someone who grew up without feeling the warmth of familial ties. Though he never showed it, there was a part of him that yearned for the close-knit bond that families shared.
‘My grandchild’s grandfather should not be a man who’s easily swayed or craven.’
In that respect, Alexander met Rahil’s expectations. He even thought, if such a man were my father…
He understood that he might not have been the best father. But, at the very least, he was a father who garnered respect from his children.
“What do you plan to do now?”
The Marquis of Ruol had refused a marriage proposal from the royal family. He had a stance ready to accept any disadvantages from that refusal. While Rahil was content with such a reaction, it was almost as if he had lost his leverage over Anais.
“Now that I’ve dealt with the father, it’s time to pressure the daughter. Given the Marquis’s nature, he’ll likely stay silent about today’s events. Anais probably didn’t mention yesterday’s events to her father either. The Marquis’s reaction confirms it.”
So… by mixing in some lies, threatening Anais should work. He wasn’t sure how much Anais cared for her father, but he believed it would work. At the very least, she would come to the palace to meet him.
“It might be possible to proceed with the marriage, but is it really necessary to go to such lengths?”
Sion spoke with a stoic expression. He had been tailing the Duke and Duchess of Calix on the Emperor’s orders until a few days ago.
It wasn’t so much tailing; it was more ensuring that Angelica wasn’t separated from the group and placed in danger, or that no harm came to her.
A sort of protective surveillance, even though Duke Theodore Calix could handle things.
Sion had returned this morning after confirming that the security detail of the Duke Calix’s household was impeccable.
“I’ve already explained. She’s the perfect fit to be my empress. I’m certain she’ll get along with Angelica.”
No, is that even possible?
Regardless of who becomes the empress, even if she harbors no feelings for Rahil, being Rahil’s wife would inevitably put her at odds with Angelica.
Of course, she’d feign ignorance, but if the Duchess of Calix were to fall from her horse, wouldn’t she clap her hands and laugh with glee?
Sion thought as much but chose not to voice it. He had learned about the events that transpired during his absence through other aides.
‘He barely mentioned the Duchess of Calix for days?’
Strangely, he didn’t even chastise Sion for returning early. He merely mentioned in passing whether Angelica was doing well. Only those close to Rahil could understand the enormity of this change.
‘His Majesty is clearly…’
Interested in Lady Ruol. He might not be conscious of it, but he’s talked almost exclusively about Lady Ruol in the past few days.
Who on earth considers marriage just because someone glared at them briefly at a friend’s wedding?
‘His Majesty will surely ruin his second romance after the first.’
