The Sub Male Lead is Burning with Jealousy - Chapter 2 Part 7
Left alone in the dimly lit room, Rahil stared blankly at the space she’d vacated.
* * *
‘Why is she angry?’
From the wedding ceremony to the procession, he retraced their interactions several times and couldn’t find any fault in his behavior. Anais hadn’t shown any signs of anger on the way back, so the issue had to have arisen after the ceremony.
What on earth did I do wrong?
Her sleepy demeanor made him allow her to rest on his shoulder, and upon arrival at the palace, he’d carried her to her room without waking her. He even arranged for her to rest her head on his thigh…
“……”
As Rahil prepared to attend the post-wedding ball led by the attendants, he felt the latter might be the real issue. It had been an impulsive act to let her sleep with her head on his knee, but it was a bit much.
‘Did that really warrant such anger?’
Rahil furrowed his brows, having expected Anais to blush endearingly in embarrassment. His intention had been a light tease. He wanted to see a side of Anais that wasn’t always stern, perhaps even a little flustered.
‘But why was there no ceremonial kiss? I even mentally prepared for it…’
Although he disliked the idea of kissing any woman other than Angelica, he had made up his mind to have children with Anais. He convinced himself that a mere kiss could be endured.
Yet, whether due to an oversight by the master of ceremonies or some other error, the wedding ended without the expected ritual.
Tonight… was their first night together. Thus, Rahil wanted to avoid upsetting her as much as possible. After all, they would have to spend the night together. But he felt as though he kept making blunders around her.
‘At this rate, will she forever resent me?’
Choosing a woman who wouldn’t fall for him seemed perfect, and Anais fit the bill. No matter what he did, it was like oil and water; she always seemed to disapprove.
“Your Majesty.”
As they were in the final stages of getting ready, with attendants applying the last touches, Sion approached from behind. With a grave expression, he said,
“I believe you might already suspect, but no matter what transpires at the ball tonight, you must not dance with the Duchess of Calix.”
“Why?”
It wasn’t like he didn’t know. Many hoped that Rahil’s unrequited love wouldn’t end as just that and would instead disrupt his friendship with Theodore. In essence, they feared the Emperor might wield his power to make the Duchess of Calix his mistress.
“Aren’t you aware? Any such action tonight would hurt three individuals.”
The first would be his wife, Anais. The second, Theodore. And the third would be Angelica, causing them all pain.
Rahil frowned, seemingly annoyed by the unsolicited advice.
“Angelica and I are not in that kind of relationship. You know that, don’t you?”
“Of course, I’m aware. However, others might not see it that way. Given that today was your wedding and the subsequent ball, if you don’t tread carefully, there will be ample gossip.”
Sion chose his words with care, trying not to provoke Rahil. But Rahil’s expression was already sullen.
“Am I, an emperor, to bow down to mere rumors?”
“You are indeed strong, Your Majesty, but please consider that among the three potentially hurt by such rumors, two are women. Cruel gossip tends to wound hearts.”
“…”
Angelica wouldn’t be one to buckle under such rumors. She’d likely argue for maintaining dignity in the face of such talk. But Anais…
‘What about her?’
During the months of wedding preparations, Rahil had met Anais several times, but those encounters had been brief, perhaps an hour or so once or twice a month. Still, he felt he knew a little about her.
‘I’m not sure. I can’t predict how she’ll react.’
Honestly, he couldn’t even comprehend why she had been angry earlier. Being upset over the knee-pillow was one thing, but her level of anger was unexpected.
Why? What did I do that was so wrong?
‘As an emperor, does she not even consider my feelings? Such audacity!’
The thought boiled his anger further. It also crossed his mind whether the marriage was unjust to her. After all, she wasn’t originally looking for a marriage of convenience.
‘It’s not like I have an illegitimate child.’
The contract they signed that day even stipulated matters regarding succession. According to it, both Anais and Rahil were prohibited from having children with anyone else.
Though a standard clause, Rahil felt it was unfair of Anais to treat him in this manner. It was unjust and… deeply aggrieving!
‘If she intends to remain angry, then let her be.’
He had his thoughts too. Whether Anais got angrier or threw a tantrum after seeing it, he considered it reaping what one sows.
* * *
Having finished her preparations and stepping into the hallway, Anais’s mood had settled into a calm, distinct from earlier. Surrounded by her maids, she was reminded of the dream she had while resting on Rahil’s lap.
‘It was me who insisted on having two children. Rahil seemed indifferent, content with just one.’
So, there’s no way they’d have three. The dream was pure fantasy, unrelated to reality. Yet, she felt irritated because they appeared so happy in the dream.
Was that truly what I desired? Rahil’s expression in the dream… looked like a man in love.
‘That can’t be. I despise the thought. It won’t turn out like that.’
It wasn’t that it wouldn’t, but it couldn’t. He loved Angelica. If he was playing the lover’s game with the empress, it was merely a fleeting loneliness. Those pining for unrequited love are inevitably lonely.
In their loneliness, if they briefly feign a relationship with someone else, it’s rare for them to genuinely fall for that person. They ultimately part ways.
Just as a womanizer doesn’t turn into a one-woman man for you, men with unrequited love eventually return to their initial object of affection.
‘I don’t wish for Rahil to like me.’
It was just too pitiful.
