The Blackened Second Male Lead’s Wife - Chapter 33

Estelle approached me and Carlix then lifted the hem of her skirt to greet him.

“I-I’m sorry, Your Highness. I became aware of your presence just now.”

Estelle looked like a mess. Tangled hair, a face, and an apron covered with blood and stains from treating patients.

And yet she shined more than any other lady.

Carlix didn’t even blink, looked at Estelle, and opened his mouth as if he had just come to his senses.

“Hmph. I’ve never expected such courtesy from the commoners, so you don’t have to…”

No, you bastard! You already forgot everything I taught you yesterday.

“Cough, cough!”

I coughed powerfully and stopped Carlix from speaking.

I turned my head from Estelle and spoke to Carlix silently.

‘Stop that nonsense. Say something nice!’

When he saw my scornful gaze, that was when Carlix realized what he had done.

He said in a hurry with a look that said “oops.”

“You don’t have worry. I came in quietly on purpose to not disturb you.”

Estelle’s big eyes widened. Carlix would’ve normally picked at something about Estelle by now, but he didn’t.

Estelle looked at the strange Carlix and asked.

“But what brings you here?”

“My father praised this place. Many low-class people who didn’t have the money to get proper treatment were saved thanks to this. I couldn’t believe how it’s running so well so I came to see it in person.”

Estelle’s face was colored with shyness caused by his unexpected compliments.

“It’s because of the commendable priests and volunteers who are helping us.”

“You don’t have to give them credit. You’re the one who built this medical center in the middle of a slum where no one was interested in.”

It was as Carlix said.

When she said she was going to build a medical center where the lowest people were, they all protested against Estelle.

She was labelled crazy for wanting to build a medical center in the worst slum of the Empire. There was no way it could survive being surrounded by people who would kill for a loaf of bread.

Even if it barely managed to operate, those people would not have any gratitude for your good will.

The people here were those whose souls were so low that they were unable to appreciate other people’s services.

But they thought wrong.

It’s been three years since Estelle ran the Flower Grass House. It has become the only peaceful space in the violent slums.

It was an achievement made by Estelle.

Carlix continued.

“So, I’m trying to repair the slums by adjusting the imperial budget. Nothing will change much in the beginning, but as I make changes little by little, this place will gradually improve as well.”

How remarkable.

Until now, the slums have been treated like a lump of cancer in the capital.

The imperial family and aristocrats would discuss how to push this terrible place away every time.

But now, he’s saying that he wants to repair this place.

No one else, but the crown prince, who is second after the emperor in this empire.

Estelle looked at Carlix with a look of disbelief. Her blue eyes grew so wide, they looked like they would pop out.

Then, Carlix said to Estelle.

“That’s why I came to see you. I want to see the town in person and hear what you need help with. Can you show me around?”

Even though he was  rash, the male lead was still the male lead.

There couldn’t be a better way to ask Estelle out on a date that fits her taste.

As expected, Estelle nodded, filled with emotion.

───── 〔✿〕─────

That’s how Carlix succeeded in setting up a date with Estelle.

Indeed, he was worthy of being called the male lead.

“Will you come with me, Nia?” 

Estelle asked me, but I refused right away. I don’t want to get in between you two and get attacked by Carlix’s scary eyes.

‘But that doesn’t mean I can just skip this big event.’

I got a hunch of a reader who read hundreds of romance novels.

I could not miss this episode!

The next morning, I left the mansion in a dark hood so no one could feel my presence. This was to follow those two on their date.

Hiding in the driveway of the slum, a moment later, I saw Carlix appear.

The moment I saw Carlix, I groaned a little.

Estelle gave him a piece of advice for today’s meeting.

Since they’re going to look around the slums for today’s meeting, it’ll be better to come dressed as plain as possible so as not to draw attention.

As promised, Carlix left his escort behind and he did not wear his crown prince uniform that he usually did.

It was good up to that point….

Until I could make out his white shirt, a shiny brooch adorning his chest, a wristwatch with the name of the craftsman on it, and shoes that clearly looked like they had never been worn before sparkled under the sun.

‘What the hell was he thinking wearing all those? He’s five million years away from even dressing like someone from the dreary slum!’ 

That’s an outfit you would wear to a city date.

Estelle, who appeared a little later, also stared blankly at Carlix.

Carlix said with a brazen face.

“I got these commoner’s clothes from my servant, how is it?”

How is it, my ass.

He’s dressed like a duke who’s gathered all his energy to woo a female.

Unlike me, who was harsh, Estelle replied with a gentle face.

“It stands out a little, but it’s cool.”

Estelle’s angelic words made Carlix smile.

He must be dying of joy.

He asked, trying to keep his face together.

“So where are you thinking of going?”

“I don’t have a specific place in mind. This town isn’t big, so I think we should just take a tour here and there.”

“All right.”

The two began walking along the street side by side. I followed them with careful steps.

Carlix walked step by step with elegance, completely dressed up head to toe. Estelle walked comfortably in a shabby dress.

They were so different from each other, but the harmony between the two was exquisite.

Like the dark night sky and the sun in the morning.

‘Indeed, they are a couple paired by the author. They give off an entirely different vibe.’ 

But the background surrounding the two beautiful people was not very green.

The slum looked horrendous.

A house half-collapsed due to poor management. The piles of garbage stinked, and the faces of those passing by were all pale and fierce.

‘I was very surprised when I first came here.’

Vaguely knowing how terrible a place was, was one thing, but to actually see it was another.

That was no exception for Carlix.

His face twisted even more.

“I knew the situation here was bad, but I didn’t expect it to be this bad. It looks like the whole town is about to drown.”

Estelle replied bitterly to Carlix’s words.

“It’s not just the shabby scenery. What’s more serious is the crime and illness. There are dozens of murders, assaults, and thefts a day. Disease is also rampant here due to poor hygiene.”

At that, Carlix uttered a little swear word.

At first glance, it was like a rebuke to the hellish sight, but I could see his inner feelings clearly.

What really upsets him was that Estelle was in this danger.

He knew she was helping people out in the rough, but he didn’t expect it to be this.

Carlix said, as if he couldn’t stand it any longer.

“Tomorrow, I’m going to have to get the workers together and do a major overhaul of this place. If we’re short on budget, I’ll spend my entire fortune to make this place a decent place.”

That was a gift that was more to Estelle’s taste than a fancy dress or new shoes.

Estelle’s eyes twinkled as I thought it would.

The moment she opened her mouth with blue eyes sparkling, we heard.

“Heyyy, isn’t the mood here getting nice?”

Huh? What lame and cliche lines to say at this timing.

Those who appeared with chewing gum were ugly gangsters 1, 2, and 3.

I was taken aback by the gangsters’ sudden appearance.

‘Why is this happening all of a sudden?’

Regardless, gangsters 1, 2, and 3 approached Carlix and Estelle in a delinquent-like manner.

Carlix spoke in a low voice, hiding Estelle behind his back.

“What is it?”

Despite Carlix’s serious tone, gangsters 1, 2 and 3 burst out laughing.

The man with a broken lip said, while exuding as much presence as a girl group center.

“Who the hell are you? You smell like money. I don’t think you’re from this neighborhood. Are you here to see how bugs live?”

Then, he raised the corner of his mouth and added a few words.

“You’ll have to pay for it.”

Haha, check out those lines.

The stereotypical gangster lines almost made my hands and feet curl.

I could barely stand their lines, but I couldn’t stand Carlix’s reply even more.

“Hmph. I hate dealing with cockroaches.”

He said.

AAHAHA, he was the male lead afterall!

A male lead who had no shame in saying those kinds of lines!

I covered half of my eyes like a squid and watched the confrontation between Carlix and the thugs.

There were no guards around, and in contrast to Carlix, who was alone, the gangsters had three heads and weapons.

At first glance, Carlix looked  like he had a disadvantage, but I wasn’t worried at all.

‘Cause Carlix had a lot of swordsmanship practice as a male lead would.’ 

These ordinary gangsters wouldn’t be able to  touch a single hair on Carlix’s nose even if dozens of them come.

Of course, the problem was that they didn’t know.

“You son of a bitch! Maybe you don’t know how it is out here because you stay home all day, but there’s no one here to help you!”

“Bastards like him ain’t gonna listen. One of his arms needs to fly. Then he’ll kneel and confess how he was wrong.”

“Beat him up!”

They all rushed at Carlix, with no sense of impartiality.

At that moment, Carlix’s eyes flashed. He glanced at Estelle behind his back and said.

“Don’t be afraid. Wait there and close your eyes for three seconds. It’ll be over when you open your eyes.”

When he was about to teach the gangsters a lesson, Estelle, who was behind Carlix’s back, stuck her head out.

Estelle said with an innocent look that didn’t fit in with this sinister scene.

“Yuba, Khan, Zangbi. Long time no see. How have you been?”