The Sub Male Lead is Burning with Jealousy - Chapter 3 Part 10
“Would it be difficult to make a detour through Mirzuka?”
This suggestion emerged during a review of their travel itinerary. The capital was still celebrating, and they were scheduled to depart not today, but tomorrow.
Today, the emperor and empress were leaving for their honeymoon, adding to the festive commotion. Thus, they decided to stay in the capital for one more day before proceeding with their original travel plans.
Mirzuka was the destination of the emperor and empress’ honeymoon, which caused Theodore’s expression to darken.
“Angelica.”
“It’s just a suggestion. Stopping by for a chat wouldn’t be bad. I didn’t get a proper chance to know Her Majesty the Empress at the wedding banquet.”
“She is the one His Majesty chose. Even though we are his friends, we must not forget that we are ultimately his subjects.”
Angelica’s comment risked being perceived as audacious for a duchess to assess the empress.
Theodore understood why she said it. They had been friends for a long time, and Angelica had wanted to look after Rahil like a younger brother.
Back then, the crown prince was alive, and Rahil was in a perilous situation without understanding why. Not to mention Empress Euphira’s role in isolating and mentally draining him.
But now, the situation has changed. Rahil was no longer the isolated child without allies, and he had managed to form a relationship with a woman and others without Angelica’s help.
“That’s what I’m saying. What if His Majesty is being deceived? She might have discovered his weakness or something…”
“He didn’t had that kind of expression.”
If Rahil had been forced to pretend to be in love due to some leverage over him, it would have been noticeable. Rahil wasn’t one to hide his feelings well. Having been born as the second child of a powerful empress, he never understood why he should be cautious or watchful.
Theodore suspected that Rahil might be cluelessly making mistakes without knowing his own feelings. Rahil had a tendency to be oblivious to his own feelings and was insensitive emotions. Rahil also had a tendency to charge ahead once he made a decision, often not considering the consequences, which had caused headaches for Sion.
‘If Sion hadn’t intervened at that time…’
The nobles of the capital would probably have been gossiping about the dance between the emperor and Duchess Calix, discussing what expression Her Majesty the Empress had worn at that moment.
Rahil’s snubbing of Angelica had caused some gossip, but in hindsight, it seemed fortunate compared to what could have happened.
‘The best scenario would have been a simple greeting and then parting. But Angelica has a rebellious streak.’
Her boldness and audacity were part of her charm. When Theodore decided to marry her, he was prepared that she wouldn’t be a demure duchess.
“You can’t change someone’s wife just because your friend’s wife doesn’t take a liking to you, Angelica.”
They were alone in the room, and Theodore had taken precautions to make eavesdropping impossible, allowing them to speak openly.
Angelica pouted and grumbled.
“Why is it only me? Since you’re my husband, Her Majesty the Empress might not take a liking to you either!”
“That’s something we don’t know yet.”
Theodore spoke with a relaxed expression, confident that the Empress would not show any particular hostility towards him. The House of Ruol, his family, had historically maintained a neutral stance in politics, and antagonizing Duke Calix would be unwise.
Even if the Empress disliked Angelica, she would likely show leniency towards him, unless there was a specific reason not to. To outsiders, both he and the Empress could be seen as victims in this situation.
“Accept that it’s a matter we can’t influence. You want Rahil to be happy, don’t you? Or do you think His Majesty should divorce for your sake?”
“Of course not! I just thought… if Rahil is going to get hurt, it’s better to realize it before his feelings get deeper.”
She was Rahil’s friend and had rejected his advances several times. She could pledge loyalty to him as a subject, but love was a different matter altogether.
The man Angelica loved was someone else, a fact known for a long time, and she believed she had been as single-minded in her pursuit as Rahil had been.
“It’s Rahil’s decision to make. It’s not something you or I can interfere with. Also, I was going to say…”
He hesitated to mention that Rahil seemed to have a crush on the Empress. He wasn’t sure whether disclosing this to Angelica would be beneficial for Rahil.
Angelica was more like the sun than a ray of sunshine. It was easy to get swept up in her presence. The Empress, on the other hand, seemed like a cold moon.
‘But in reality, their positions are reversed.’
In the social circles, it was the Empress who held a position akin to the sun. Even if there were other influential women, their prominence was only possible with the Empress’s tacit consent or recognition. To rival the Empress and become the sun of the social world, one needed the Emperor’s favor.
Angelica might have been the object of Rahil’s unrequited love… but whether he still harbored those feelings was uncertain, especially after his behavior at the reception ball.
‘Besides, the Empress’s temperament doesn’t seem like she would allow Angelica to become the sun.’
She might tolerate another woman rising as the queen of society, but considering how she maneuvered Rahil, she seemed formidable.
Of course, it wasn’t likely that Angelica would play such a role in society anyway, given her personality.
“What is it? Don’t hold back, speak clearly.”
Prodded by Angelica, Theodore smiled wryly.
“I’m saying we need to maintain boundaries. Spouses pour their everything into each other. Their lives are intertwined. We’re just friends.”
Did she understand the difference? While spouses were a united fate, friends were merely companions. Friends might hold an important place in one’s life, but ultimately, they walk separate paths.
“We haven’t poured our entire lives into His Majesty. We offer loyalty as subjects and care as friends, but that’s temporary. It’s the Empress who will be intertwined in all His Majesty’s moments.”
Therefore, they needed to respect that. The Emperor would be with the Empress even in moments unknown to them. The extent of a friend’s intervention was worrying and advising to avoid difficult paths.
The choice is Rahil’s to make.
“…So, we’re definitely not going to Mirzuka?”
“Absolutely not. Don’t ruin my honeymoon.”
“Whyyy, it’s just one week out of a half-year!”
Despite Angelica’s insistence, Theodore chose to ignore it, knowing that mentioning rumors in high society would only lead to her rebelling more. Besides, he thought:
‘We can’t ruin Rahil and the Empress’s one-week honeymoon.’
