The Sub Male Lead is Burning with Jealousy - Chapter 4 Part 8
‘Looks like it might rain tomorrow.’
Although the sky had only a few clouds at sunset, it soon turned overcast, obscuring the moon. Anais wondered if this was symbolic of the future of her marriage.
If it rained, they would have to cancel their sightseeing plans. She regretted the idea of wasting one of their precious week-long honeymoon days.
Dinner was a quiet affair at the hotel, without any outings. Anais had the opportunity to rest while Rahil dealt with the situation involving Emilio.
Anais thought about her meal with Rahil. Seeing Rahil appear happy to be sitting across from her and eating, she couldn’t help but harbor doubts once again.
What is he really up to? Does he have no ulterior motive? If he doesn’t, then why does being with me make him happy?
Anais was not someone who was insensitive to people’s emotions. Her father and brother were not expressive with their feelings, so she had to deduce a lot from just a few words and subtle actions.
There was no reason for Rahil to pretend to love her. Perhaps in front of other nobles, but certainly not when they were alone.
But then, why did he seem to show it?
“It doesn’t make sense.”
Anais vividly remembered Rahil’s vow of eternal love to Angelica. It hadn’t been a year since that day.
Yet, he loves me now? It seemed like an overblown fantasy.
It was impossible. It made more sense to assume Rahil had some ulterior motive for his convincing act.
But if that were true, it would be a despicable scheme. To trap her with the pretense of love, knowing she didn’t love him, was contemptible.
Too vile to attribute even to a sub male lead character in a novel.
Anais was torn. Should she directly confront the issue? Even asking might seem like she was admitting to being swayed by his kindness.
What if she accused Rahil of acting like he was seducing her and he retorted that he was merely being kind as her husband? How should she respond?
‘So frustrating.’
Anais frowned, finding the hypothetical conversation with Rahil irritating, even though it was all in her imagination. Her mood soured.
It wasn’t an impossible scenario. There were plenty of men who peak ill of women, claiming that they merely treated them well because they are women, and then these women think they are being treated specially and become clingy.
Feelings could change even after confessions of affection. To Anais, leaving room for ambiguity without clearly defining feelings seemed cowardly, especially when one has clearly defined their affection for someone else.
If Rahil’s behavior was intended to make Anais dislike him, it seemed to be working well.
“Considering it’s your honeymoon, using separate rooms might lead to gossip.”
A maid cautiously made this suggestion in response to Anais’s request for separate rooms. There was no fault in her logic, and considering Rahil’s actions at the banquet, they agreed to share a room.
So, Anais waited for Rahil to finish bathing, feeling increasingly twisted inside. Whether it was due to their marriage of convenience or because it might rain tomorrow she couldn’t tell.
Regardless, she resented Rahil.
‘I wish I had a man. I need a lover!’
Though she had resolved to take concubines after having their first child to avoid any backlash, she wondered how meaningful any romance could be, given her current state of heightened sensitivity due to the potential pregnancy.
‘Why must I strive for perfection? I should just endure the gossip.’
Once they returned to the capital and a few weeks passed, Duke Calix and his wife would be back. Including the recently arrived Emilio, Anais found the whole situation displeasing.
She wasn’t foolish. She knew why Emilio had come, likely for Angelica’s sake.
Acts done for someone else can be noble, but they become a nuisance when they disregard others. Emilio’s actions today would have been bothersome had Anais harbored any affection for Rahil.
It’s none of my business who you like or what you do, but don’t drag me in there!
Caught in contemplation, Anais decided while gazing at the gloomy sky. Resting her chin on her hand, she looked out the window and made up her mind.
The bed had only one set of blankets, but there were pillows and cushions for two. Anais took her share of the pillows and made a spot for herself on the spacious sofa, then instructed Mary to bring an extra blanket. Mary complied, though she looked puzzled.
“Your Majesty, is something the matter?”
“It’s nothing. Don’t worry about it.”
Anais dismissed Mary, sending her out of the bedroom. Rahil, likely hearing the entire conversation from the bathroom, was confused.
‘Why the blanket?’
He had bathed after sending Emilio away, and bathed again before bed to ensure cleanliness, because he was planning to do it with Anais. He worried he hadn’t washed thoroughly enough in his haste earlier.
As the bedroom door closed, Rahil stood at the bathroom door, sensing Anais moving away from the bed.
He felt foolish for his actions but silently opened the door and left the bathroom. Anais was preparing the sofa with the blanket.
Why, exactly?!
Rahil looked at her, his face involuntarily showing his dismay.
“Anais, what are you doing?”
She seemed more startled by his presence than caught. Her gaze turned cold as she looked back at him, causing a chill to run through Rahil despite no wrongdoing on his part.
“We’re supposed to share a room to avoid gossip. I can manage that, but sharing a bed with Your Majesty for several days is uncomfortable.”
“It-It’s not uncomfortable. The bed is large enough…”
“You keep pulling me into your arms.”
Despite Anais’s criticism, Rahil couldn’t simply promise not to embrace her. How could he not, with Anais so close?
“Do you dislike me holding you?”
He blurted out the question reflexively. However, Anais’s response was more cutting than he expected.
“Am I supposed to like it?”
