The Blackened Second Male Lead’s Wife - Chapter 41

That was a few days ago.

Lucian was back again. But this time, he looked like he didn’t want anything from his lord.

Lucian looked at the Emperor after presenting a brief report.

Looking at Lucian waiting for the Emperor’s decree, the Emperor was lost in thought.

The Emperor called Lucian today not only to hear of a report of his work on knight training.

He actually had another reason.

It was because he was informed that Carlix and Pernia had been meeting in secret.

‘Does Lucian know about it?’ 

The Emperor guessed that he did not know.

Lucian couldn’t have looked so serene if he knew about those two meeting in secret.

Not this Lucian, who got very angry that the Empress dowager harassed his fiancee.

‘I should tell him about it. I’ll be troubled if Lucian loses to Carlix.’

No matter how much of a headache Carlix was, he was a valued successor. It wouldn’t do any good if his relationship with Lucian, who played a big role for the empire, soured.

So the Emperor carefully brought it up.

“Lucian, I was told that you and your fiance, Lady Pernia, are very close. Is that true?”

As soon as the name “Pernia” came out, Lucian’s calm gaze faltered.

Lucian nodded slowly.

“That’s right.”

Lucian’s face was still expressionless, but his ears were slightly red.

The Emperor noticed it and continued with a soft smile.

“It was a political engagement I arranged, so I’m glad you like your partner. I wonder what kind of woman managed to capture your heart?”

Since this was the first time the Emperor asked him about his fiancee, Lucian was a little taken back.

Lucian thought about his answer for a while.

Then, he opened his mouth with a very serious face.

“She’s a woman who’s like a grape in the middle of summer.”

“….”

“The dark purple skin looks colorful and fluffy, but most of all, there is a soft, transparent substance hidden within it.” (Note: He’s describing a grape.)

Behind her haughty and arrogant image, there was a soft heart hidden.

Lucian liked her for that reason.

Her clumsiness. How she would hide everything in her small head, but would end up revealing her true feelings anyway.

Her foolishness. How she was considerate of others and would brazenly take the blame for them.

Her innocence. How she would be happy for every little thing.

All of that.

The Emperor let out a little sigh as he looked at Lucian.

‘I’m glad I’m the only one who can see Lucian’s face at this moment.’

Lucian was a beautiful man, but people weren’t as charmed by his looks as they should’ve been.

Because there was no emotion in his eyes.

Like a soulless work of art or a scentless flower.

But looking at Lucian now, no one can help but fall for him.

Lucian’s red eyes were shining like jewels.

It even made the Emperor, who had experienced everything in the world, feel strange.

But now was not the time to get drunk on the face of a beautiful man in love.

The Emperor pulled himself together and continued.

“Hm, so that’s how much she means to you. Anyways, I heard something about her.”

Lucian’s eyes got bigger at those words.

The Emperor looked Lucian in the eyes and asked.

“Do you want to know?”

“Of course.”

“It’s not something difficult for me to reveal, but there’s one condition.”

Lucian frowned, hearing the word “condition.”

Lucian knew the Emperor well. The Emperor was gentle and gave mercy to many people, but he was by no means a soft-hearted man.

The Emperor never fails to get what he wants.

Even more so when he had conditions he wanted.

“Even if what I’m about to tell you is infuriating, don’t act on it. Don’t do anything to her, or to anyone.”

Lucian’s eyes shook.

What was he going to tell him?

Seeing him be that serious about it, Lucian didn’t think it was anything good.

“Can you swear on that?”

Nevertheless, Lucian had no choice but to take the Emperor’s bait.

It wasn’t just about anyone. It was about Pernia.

“I swear.”

Only then did the Emperor’s face relax.

The reason he wanted to bring this, which had not been properly confirmed, up to Lucian was to let him know.

Lucian was never not serious about his oaths.

After making such an oath, he would never do anything to Carlix.

Even if Carlix and Pernia were found to be in a secret relationship.

‘I can tell him, now that Carlix’s life is guaranteed.’ 

The Emperor opened his mouth.

“I heard that Carlix and Pernia have been meeting in secret.”

“….!”

At that moment, Lucian’s face was visibly twisted.

“Of course, it’s not clear why the two are meeting. How many of those meetings were simply coincidences, or what were their intentions?”

“….”

Lucian didn’t say anything.

Nevertheless, there was a very intimidating and threatening expression on his beautiful face.

If the man in front of Lucian wasn’t the Emperor, he would have fallen to the ground.

The Emperor continued in a calm voice.

“Pernia will be here in a little while to confirm the facts. I’m sure she’ll tell us the truth.”

The servant opened the door just in time.

“Your Majesty, Miss Pernia Lilac has arrived.”

The Emperor looked at Lucian.

“Do you want to hear the truth in front of your fiancee or hide somewhere? Do as you please.”

Lucian looked at the Emperor with a resentful face.

He couldn’t believe he said such a thing.

It was despicable to eavesdrop on others. And he couldn’t do that to Pernia.

However, he could not leave the room, which would be a violation of the Emperor’s order.

Though, he wasn’t hesitating just because of his loyalty to the Emperor.

It was also because he was curious about the scary truth.

Eventually Lucian stepped back, feeling contempt for himself.

Then, he was completely hidden behind the curtain.

The Emperor caught a glimpse of his face.

Lucian’s face looked like it was on the day he went to a war that seemed impossible to win.

A mixture of fear and anger.

Side Story Fin.

───── 〔✿〕─────

Anne shouted with a flushed face.

“Lady, Sir Kardien sent you a present today as well.”

In addition to Anne, every maid and servant of the mansion gathered.

They screamed as they looked at the items constantly entering the room.

“Wow! That’s the new bag from Louis Vuirong, right? The bag that’s embroidered with golden thread.” (Louis Vuitton)

“Looks like it!”

“Look! That’s a dress from Chanel. There was a rumor that it was hard to even look at it because of the 50,000 diamonds attached inside the skirt. I think I’m going blind!”

“If I could have that dress, I wouldn’t mind going blind for the rest of my life.”

As could be seen from what they said, Lucian’s items were all very luxurious.

Bags, dresses, shoes, necklaces, earrings, bracelets. You could tell from their name, everything was from high-end brands.

Anne applauded and cheered.

“He’s amazing for being able to send you such a gift every day. The best groom in the Empire!”

Not long ago, Lucian was nicknamed the best groom in the Empire’s most famous article.

This was because a diamond mine was found in his small estate gifted by the Emperor.

And well, he hit the jackpot.

Thanks to this, he was now considered one of the richest people.

“Hahaha, Lord Kardien, you shouldn’t waste the diamond mine like this. Sending such expensive gifts everyday. You send so much that this old mansion is about to explode!”

Father grinned as he said that.

But he wasn’t joking.

Pretty much every room in this mansion is filled with the gifts he had sent over the past few days.

‘At this rate, everything will be taken over and even the sleeping area will be gone.’

I said to my father with a coy face.

“Don’t worry, Father. I’ll send all of these back to Lord Kardien.”

My father’s face, which looked really excited, depressed like a deflated balloon.

“Do you have to, Pernia? These are gifts for his fiancee. It’s courtesy to accept his gifts.”

“It depends on the gift, but this is way too much.”

“But….Then, let’s just keep this Lawrence watch.”

“Put that back.”

“At least a Louis Vuirong bag.”

“Put that back.”

“Then at least this diamond button.”

“Oh, come on!”

I fiercely glared at my father and he placed the big diamond button back where it was. Then he lamented with a tearful face.

“Pernia, maybe you won’t be so cold-hearted if you hear about my entanglement with diamond buttons. It happened to my debutante when I was just debuting in society. It was my official social debut day, so I was dressed up from head to toe and went out to the banquet hall. Everything was perfect. But Sylvia, the top button of her jacket fell into her long hair. She didn’t see it roll anywhere. Sylvia told me about her lost button in despair. I had an extra button. It was a diamond button, so it was a little heavy, but it looked good on h….”

“Anne, close the door.”

“Yes.”