The Sub Male Lead is Burning with Jealousy - Chapter 6 Part 1
It was a soft whisper, but it seemed everyone around had heard it. Anais couldn’t bring herself to look around and just glared at Rahil.
Rahil’s question didn’t seem to expect Anais’s permission. His expression and eyes seemed prepared for rejection.
‘…I can’t refuse here anyway.’
It was clear that Anais had to spend the night with Rahil and have a child. Regardless of her displeasure, Anais was still unsure if it was okay to break this marriage. Divorcing the emperor was not an easy task.
“We can’t do this here. Later, in the room….”
When Anais responded this way, those pretending not to notice seemed relieved. Rumors of discord between the imperial couple had resurfaced due to their early return from the honeymoon.
‘So that’s how it is.’
‘The Emperor is so devoted, how could they be on bad terms!’
The courtiers who followed the Emperor to the ball felt reassured by the Empress’s response. They wondered if the Emperor’s recent efforts had been worthwhile since she didn’t coldly refuse.
‘The Empress must have acted that way conscious of the rumors.’
Sion thought this as he dealt with the approaching people. The Emperor, as usual, probably acted without much thought.
Considering the rumors, one might think to be more cautious, but the current imperial authority was not so weak as to be concerned about every single rumor. In fact, many saw the Emperor’s disregard for minor things as natural.
‘A ruler must show a confident demeanor.’
It was a task that seemed easy yet difficult. Rahil didn’t need to be specifically asked about that part; a natural sense of authority emanated from him. However, it softened considerably when he was with the Empress.
‘It wasn’t like this with Lady Angelica.’
Sion felt a deep unease about that. Even though he liked her more, he kept making mistakes and stumbling. If things didn’t work out, and the Emperor reacted more violently, the prospect of everything going wrong was terrifying.
Francis, standing not too far away, shared similar yet distinct thoughts from Sion. He too was observing Rahil but was considering something different.
‘He seems so smitten with Anais… Why can’t he just please my sister?’
If Anais had been a difficult child, that would be one thing, but she wasn’t. She was happy with even the simplest things. She was a good child who appreciated the effort behind even the worst gifts, and Francis blamed the Emperor for upsetting his sister.
‘Anais… doesn’t seem particularly upset, though.’
The fact that her husband’s displays of affection were met with silence indicated there must be something wrong with Rahil’s usual behavior.
‘Could he be tormenting Anais behind the scenes while acting the part in public?’
If that were the case, I’d really kill him. The stability of the Empire doesn’t fu*king matter; after killing him, I would just take Anais and move to another continent to live.
Though Francis knew Anais would prevent him from actually following through, he fervently wished he could.
“You don’t need to worry, it’ll be alright Captain.”
“There are rumors that His Majesty can’t even move without the Empress’s permission, after all.”
Whether they had read something ominous in Francis’s gaze or not, the knights under him hurried to reassure him. Francis didn’t respond but turned his gaze toward his sister.
“…Her Majesty remains as beautiful as ever.”
Someone murmured in admiration. Just as they were about to nod in agreement, they froze under Francis’s terrifying glare.
“Y-Yes, she still carries herself with great dignity!”
“Th-That’s right!”
“……”
Francis’s love for his sister was nothing new. He was the man who had told every suitor that they couldn’t propose to her unless they could defeat him.
The reduction of more than 80% in marriage proposals sent to Anais was due to this man’s interference, a fact only known by the knights and some nobles.
A certain knight, having been defeated 18 times by Francis and unable to even speak to Anais, had vented his frustration upon hearing of Anais’s marriage, but understood when he found out the groom was the Emperor.
An Emperor could certainly compete and win against Marquis’s heir. After all he was a Sword Master.
‘Although Captain might be formidable to some extent… Officially, he’s not a Sword Master.’
That’s why it was rumored that Francis, despite his grinding frustrations, had not been able to oppose the marriage.
“After the Harvest Festival and when the punitive force returns, there are rumors of reinforcements joining Her Majesty’s royal guard… Is that true?”
“So what if it is?”
Francis’s response was sharp, and the knight who broached the topic awkwardly smiled and averted his eyes. If the news were true, he knew of about fifty knights who would want to apply.
When the first knights were drafted to form the royal guard, they didn’t know why and were merely anxious. Later, when the marriage was announced, they were either devastated or delighted.
“I-I was just curious…”
He knew better than to say he wanted to inform those who would be happy hearing the news; it would inevitably lead to being pressed about who they were. So, he hedged, and Francis snorted and turned away.
Francis’s long-time friend, Klaus, was also curious about the rumor. Of course, due to his status, he knew it would be difficult to become a royal guard for the Empress.
‘But there’s no harm in trying.’
Klaus glanced at Anais while avoiding Francis’s gaze. She was his long-unrequited love, akin to a dream unfulfilled. Born a noble’s illegitimate son, he was practically a commoner as an unrecognized bastard and had only ever watched her from afar.
Now, he had earned his knighthood and risen to the status of a Baron, likely the highest rank he could achieve.
If he were as skilled in swordsmanship as Francis or Damian, perhaps he could aim higher, but Klaus knew that was beyond his reach.
If he could protect Anais with his own hands, that would be enough. Recalling the smile that had shaken his young heart, Klaus quietly resolved himself.
