The Sub Male Lead is Burning with Jealousy - Chapter 4 Part 3
* * *
Mirzuka was once renowned for its beautiful coastal resort but had faced decline due to the invasion of demonic beasts. Five years ago, a breakthrough occurred when a knight discovered and destroyed a core in a coastal cave that was attracting demonic beasts, gradually restoring the city’s former glory.
In the last two years, hot springs drawn by seawater had become famous, making it an appealing destination even as autumn approached.
It was a place just on the cusp of becoming well-known among the nobility.
The hotel where the imperial couple planned to stay during their honeymoon was about to open. The entire building was rented out to the royal couple before its official opening.
The plan was to promote it later as the place where the imperial couple stayed during their honeymoon, and the manager was making every effort to ensure they were well received.
“It’s taller than I expected?”
It was a remarkable eight stories high. Although higher towers existed, it was unusual for a residence or hotel, making it a curiosity.
‘Although it can’t compare to the buildings I saw in my previous life…’
The view from high places always had a special allure. The eighth floor, being the floor for the royal couple, was reserved for very important guests, as the manager explained with a calm demeanor.
Rahil felt his mood lift seeing Anais pleased. No matter how much the manager boasted about the building’s features, it couldn’t compare to the palace, but it was decent enough.
‘The ceilings are lower than in the palace… but it seems to be on the level of a noble’s residence.’
The time Anais and Rahil would spend here was only a week. During that time, Rahil had something important to do: to scrutinize his own feelings!
‘It SHOULD be impossible that I-I like Anais!’
Despite his actions thus far, he wanted to believe he was just being swept along. If he truly developed feelings for Anais, it would be a disaster.
He would have to find various ways to prevent her from bringing in any concubines and also devise a method to confess to Anais without being dumped.
If Rahil were to confess his feelings now, Anais might become angry. Worse yet, she could even demand a divorce.
‘It’s a good thing… the contract didn’t include a clause about not falling for me!’
He planned to dissolve the contract eventually, but the problem was that he didn’t know which noble had received the last copy from Anais.
‘That contract can’t be kept! Or is it that I won’t? There’s no way Anais would accept me now if I say I like her!’
Without Anais by his side, Rahil felt an overwhelming urge to roll around on the elaborately patterned carpet beneath him.
It was problematic that he had developed feelings for Anais, especially after he had committed countless foolish acts, and his heart was moving on its own accord.
After sending the servants out of the room, Rahil watched Anais as she explored the room. She was beautiful, and he wanted to touch her.
‘Damn it… If only I had met you before making that oath!’
But fate wasn’t on his side, and he was already deep in the mire. Torn by his indecision, Rahil shook his head in denial of his feelings.
“Your Majesty?”
Noticing Rahil’s odd behavior, Anais approached him. Rahil felt his heart start to race, realizing the reason for it.
‘Am I a beast?’
He wanted to make up for what he hadn’t done yesterday, especially now that they were alone.
The journey to Mirzuka was smoother than the day before. The road was relatively short, which made the carriage ride more comfortable, and the travel time was brief.
They had arrived not long after lunch, proving the journey was short. It was too early to go out and too early for dinner.
‘What’s worth doing at a time like this…’
Rahil’s face flushed with unbidden thoughts of heading to the bed. When he was unaware of his feelings, he could give in to his instincts, but acknowledging them made things more complicated.
‘How could I have touched Anais before? Even now I could touch her if I want, but…’
Rahil’s heart raced so much at the thought of touching Anais that he felt like he might stop breathing. Yet, he couldn’t suppress the desire to be close to her.
“Shall we bathe together?”
“No.”
Anais’s light response sank Rahil’s heated emotions. He tried not to sound desperate as he insisted.
“Let’s bathe together.”
“No I don’t want to, why do you keep saying that?”
“Well, because…”
His awkwardness was evident when pressed for a reason after brazenly suggesting they bathe together. Anais wondered what he was up to.
“Because I want to touch you?”
“…”
Anais glared at him. Rahil, sensing a repeat of the morning’s events, hastily added more to his explanation.
“Because you look beautiful undressed!! Ah, no, you’re beautiful now too!”
‘What is he trying to do?’
Anais was puzzled, wondering if Rahil had suddenly become interested in pursuing physical intimacy, especially given how pleasant their previous encounter had been…
‘Isn’t this reaction odd for a sub male lead character? It’s unheard of for a sub male lead character to fall so deeply for a woman other than the protagonist after being intimate.’
The conclusion ‘Rahil might like me’ kept emerging, making Anais uncomfortable. His pleading looks and awkwardness spoke volumes.
Considering Rahil’s lack of tact, it wasn’t an act.
‘…Is he trying to ensure we conceive during this honeymoon so there’s no need for further intimacy?’
They were not in the capital. With the emperor’s wedding concluded, Duke Calix and his wife would have returned to their honeymoon schedule.
If they aimed to be a formal couple by the time they returned, perhaps it was best to ensure a pregnancy now.
“Your Majesty.”
Rahil was startled at the call from outside. Anais simply looked towards the door with curiosity. A servant cautiously informed them from the doorway.
“Master Emilio from the Mage Tower has come to visit.”
* * *
