The Sub Male Lead is Burning with Jealousy - Chapter 4 Part 15
‘Should we ask about His Majesty?’
‘Better not bring him up yet.’
It was easy to say that her husband was feeling sorry and watching from outside after a fight. But bringing up the Emperor in front of the Empress now seemed like it would bring disaster.
As they were assigned to the empress, excluding those Anais brought with her, meant they were all quick witted people and avoided talking about the emperor around her.
Fortunately, the emperor hadn’t ordered the maids to soothe her anger or to improve their relationship.
Though Anais appeared calm and collected, it didn’t mean her heart had softened. Underneath that composed exterior could be seething anger, ready to erupt at any moment.
“Did the rain stop before last evening? Is the ground dry?”
“Yes. The puddles have dried up completely, so carriages can pass without splashing water.”
Mary’s spirits lifted slightly, seeing Anais’s mood seem to lighten, and she eagerly reported. Naturally, Anais asked to prepare for going out. While worrisome, it was better than staying cooped up in the room.
The maids discreetly informed the emperor and busied themselves with Anais’s outing preparations.
* * *
“How can I make Anais forgive me?”
Rahil asked seriously, sitting in front of his office desk. Sion, as if waiting for this, responded crisply.
“Explain from start to finish without hiding anything, including the reasons and feelings that led you to your actions. And beg for forgiveness.”
Profusely.
Rahil’s face flushed at Sion’s answer.
“I can’t say something like that!”
The fact that he couldn’t even beg for forgiveness suggested he was aware of his significant wrongdoing. Sion spoke calmly.
“Then are you prepared to be hated forever? The empress might eventually calm down, but she won’t forgive or come to like you.”
It wasn’t just about stealing a first kiss. Even if his intentions were different, Rahil had insulted Anais with deceit.
She was a proud woman from the Ruol family, now the empress. No matter if the offender was the emperor, it wouldn’t be easy for Anais’s heart to soften. She wasn’t the type to quickly explode in anger and then forgive; she was more likely to harbor her anger until it overwhelmed her.
Such a person might seem calm on the outside but would hold onto their resentment for a long time.
“You rejected her when she opened up to you. You hurt her because you didn’t want to hurt yourself.”
“How was that opening up?”
Rahil had no choice but to open up to Sion about the strained relationship with Anais, fearing that her reaction yesterday meant he would be hated for life.
Sion, asking Rahil to discuss his conversation with the empress openly, received a reluctant response, but Rahil recounted as best as he could remember. Hearing their exchange, Sion almost suggested Rahil give up on this love.
Yet, Rahil, who had harbored a one-sided love for his first crush for over a decade despite liking her less than Anais, wouldn’t easily give up, especially after marrying Anais, whom he cherished more.
“Her Majesty the Empress’s pride has already been wounded by her marriage to Your Majesty.”
“Why would that be? I’m not the worst man out there.”
“You may be flawless in terms of capabilities, appearance, and wealth, Your Majesty, but did you not confess to her face that you love another woman?”
“That… that was…”
“The worst of the worst. Furthermore, Your Majesty mentioned marrying for the sake of Duchess Calix, telling the Empress, ‘I’m marrying you because you wouldn’t like me.'”
“Ugh.”
“It’s a statement that cuts off any sprout of a good relationship before it can even begin. If Her Majesty began to feel any affection for you, she would interpret it as a warning that you would chastise her.”
“I didn’t mean to go that far…!”
He wanted to deny it, but that was indeed his mindset at the moment. Indeed, Anais had looked at Rahil with eyes filled with disdain.
“Given Her Majesty’s nature, she must have been perplexed. She must have been annoyed, thinking, ‘Why does he keep crossing the line after he told me not to like him?’“
“…”
“Her Majesty the Empress must have been struggling, enduring and enduring again. As Your Majesty is her husband, she couldn’t refuse you, thinking that your relationship must not turn sour. Finally, she gathered the courage to ask you.”
Given what Rahil had previously said, it was possible Anais could have been blamed in return. ‘I was just trying to be nice as we’re married; why are you misunderstanding?’ In a way, she had exposed her vulnerability.
“Her Highness, revealing her sensitive side, asked Your Majesty, but after the kiss, you denied it. How do you think Her Majesty must have felt?”
Anais didn’t say much. She just drove Rahil out of the room and didn’t let anyone in for a day.
“I suppose Her Majesty felt severe humiliation and betrayal. Now, she might never trust Your Majesty again.”
“She must… hate me.”
Rahil muttered despondently, his gaze dropping. Sion glanced at the emperor and responded as if pronouncing a verdict.
“Hate you? After trampling on her pride so thoroughly, she will dislike even the sight of you. She probably hates anything that resembles Your Majesty.”
“…”
“She will never reveal her true feelings again and will despise you. No matter what you say, she won’t take it at face value.”
“Your Majesty.”
A servant approached, informing that the Empress was preparing to go out. Rahil’s face turned anxious, and Sion gestured for him to calm down.
“She won’t want to see Your Majesty’s face right now, so start with gifts and a letter.”
“A gift is one thing, but a letter?”
“Isn’t it all because of miscommunication that this mess happened? Fortunately, Your Majesty has not done much wrong in actions…”
As Sion pondered Rahil’s deeds, he found it hard to say there were none at fault. Thus, he averted his eyes and continued.
“Ahem. Anyway, it’s not entirely hopeless. She might be reluctant to listen, so start with sending a letter.”
No woman dislikes reading love letters. This was a precious insight Sion had gained from years of romantic experiences.
