The Sub Male Lead is Burning with Jealousy - Chapter 2 Part 1
Rahil, based on Anais’s recommendation, entrusted the matters of their marriage to the Duchess of Odesa, who was close to her. The Duchess of Odesa felt honored to be handed the royal event and gleamed with the determination to prepare it even more splendidly than the wedding of Duke Calix.
Anais was relieved that the Duchess of Odesa took charge. It would have been the worst situation if Angelica, upon hearing the news of their marriage, had abandoned her honeymoon and returned.
‘A wedding styled after the tastes of the woman my husband pines for… Even if I held no affection for Rahil, I wouldn’t want such an event.’
The Duchess of Odesa was well-connected and had a wealth of experience in many areas. Despite the tight schedule for the royal wedding, she efficiently managed the preparations and kept things running smoothly.
In the meantime, Anais made her wedding preparations. Rahil had told her all she needed to do was enter the palace, but a wedding was more than that.
Moreover, she had to console her strangely dispirited father and brother. In particular, her brother fervently tried to persuade Anais, asserting that if it was an unwanted marriage, she shouldn’t go through with it.
However, Anais’s mind was already made up. There were mountains of reasons she didn’t want to marry Rahil, but she couldn’t let this issue trouble the two families.
‘I had a peaceful childhood, adequately sheltered by the grace of the Ruol Family.’
Regardless of how the marriage with the royal family concluded, it would benefit the House of the Ruol. She would ensure it.
As she settled her feelings and focused on the wedding preparations, time swiftly passed. The wedding dress was completed, and every aspect of the wedding was perfectly prepared.
During those few months, Anais hardly met Rahil. For essential matters, she consulted with Sion, thinking there was no need to approach the emperor directly.
Of course, a part of her also just found Rahil utterly distasteful.
‘Did she even see me once last month?’
The cold winds of the north might not be as cold as her. Rahil grew melancholic, recalling Anais’s cold gaze and her turning away sharply.
Initially, he vented his frustration to his aides, to which Sion was the first to respond.
“Your Majesty, you are marrying without even an engagement ceremony, and all for another woman. It’s understandable that you don’t appear favorable in her eyes.”
Seeing Anais’s attitude had already irked Rahil, and Sion’s words now ruthlessly pricked at his conscience. Despite his complaints, stating, “It’s a wedding we’re bound to have; what good will come from us being on bad terms?”, Sion retorted.
“But, Your Majesty, if the Duchess Calix and Lady Ruol clash, you would naturally side with another, wouldn’t you?”
“Why would Angelica be considered ‘another’?” Rahil countered. But Sion didn’t back down, insisting that since Angelica had become another man’s wife, she naturally counted as ‘another’. Rahil glared at Sion as if he could kill him for that comment.
Rahil was well aware that his close aides didn’t think highly of Angelica. Previously, they had been more favorable towards her, considering the possibility that she might end up with their lord. But now, things were different.
Of course, while they may voice such opinions, they wouldn’t dare harm Angelica, especially given Theodore was on her side, but…
‘Why is it that I have no one on my side when it comes to matters involving Anais?’
Had they been mere sycophants, he would have either cut off their heads or sent them far away. He tolerated their smooth words only because they were helpful, but their eloquence sometimes hurt too much.
Am I that terrible? Have I done something wrong to Anais?
While he wasn’t entirely oblivious, he believed he could make amends in other ways. After all, hadn’t she mentioned keeping consorts?
‘Consorts, really…’
While it was a common thing for married noblewomen, hearing it from the concerned party was shocking. He realized he had never even imagined his wife keeping a consort. Although such practices were prevalent among the high nobility, he always thought it had nothing to do with him.
‘Damn it.’
It was unfair and base for him to openly admit his affections for another woman and then expect his wife not to keep a consort. He knew that.
That’s why he couldn’t rebuke Anais when she boldly declared she’d have as many as five consorts in his presence. But that didn’t mean he felt fine about it.
‘Why do I feel this way? Anais is nothing special to me.’
He should be able to let her meet any man and do whatever, feeling nothing more than a friend’s indifference. What he wanted from the empress was a sense of camaraderie or friendship.
While conversing with Anais, he was confident that they could have such a relationship. But as the wedding preparations progressed, that confidence seemed to waver.
His belief in her suitability as an empress remained unwavering, so he had no thoughts of calling off the marriage. His only concern was whether Anais could get along with Angelica.
‘For now, I need to appease her at least until the wedding…’
Even though the news of the Emperor’s wedding had already been reported in the newspapers, no messenger had arrived. Rahil assumed that Theodore had sensed his intentions and pretended to be oblivious.
He had always known that his close friend was quick-witted and often a step ahead in thinking. He expected Theodore to respond shrewdly to the situation this time as well.
The problem was Angelica. No matter how much Theodore might try to hide the news, it would eventually reach her ears. It would be unlikely for her to entirely miss the Emperor’s wedding, so there was a strong possibility she would return in time for it.
“Angelica…”
Repeating a name that had now become difficult for him to utter, Rahil was enveloped in deep contemplation.
* * *
It was the first time she’d seen her father and brother, who weren’t expressive with their emotions, look so downcast. Though by downcast, their eyelids were merely a bit wet, and their faces were furrowed. But having seen them in that state at a funeral before, Anais knew that it was the face of wanting to cry.
‘It’s not like I’m going to my death.’
