I Abandoned the Male Lead Who Cheated with the Villainess - Chapter 227

As everyone danced, their waltz steps quieting, one man in the corner clutched a lavishly carved marble pillar, pressing firmly against his chest and stomach.

‘Ugh… it feels like there’s a hole inside me…’

The man, pale-faced and struggling to catch his breath, was none other than Herix’s assistant, Johann. And the cause of Johann’s discomfort was, of course, the Emperor and Empress dancing with different partners.

‘What are they all thinking… or do they even have any thoughts at all?’

It was, perhaps, an irreverent thought, but what did it matter? People gossip about the lord when they’re not around, so why not express one’s inner thoughts? Besides, it didn’t matter if anyone found out.

At this point, Johann didn’t care; he felt like he could take anything—kill him, trample him, whatever! His stomach pain was so intense, even after taking medicine that supposedly closed the hole in his stomach, his legs were still shaking.

‘The Empress is such a well-thought-out person, so there must be a reason for her actions…’

Ivonne was someone who always tried to separate work from personal matters, and sometimes, she was so rational that it bordered on a lack of humanity, making her a person from whom one could learn much.

Perhaps she prioritized diplomacy over Herix’s mood, which was the right decision.

‘But the Emperor, whenever he stands before the Empress, becomes a fool.’

It was a harsh statement, but it was the truth.

In fact, it was softened; calling him a fool didn’t even begin to cover it. Tyrant, idiot, dolt, simpleton, jealous husband—countless negative descriptors came to mind, but Johann suppressed them with reason.

The pain in his stomach was now so bad, he felt like he was also suffering from indigestion. As he rubbed his aching stomach, he absentmindedly circled his lower abdomen with his hand.

‘Should I just slip away to the bathroom?’

It was an enticing thought, but Johann shook his head. He didn’t know what kind of trouble Herix might cause without him there. After all, no one but Ivonne could stop Herix, but if he was aware of the situation, he could manage it somehow.

‘I should have taken another pill.’

Regretting it, Johann rested his sweaty forehead against the cold marble pillar.

On the other hand, Ivonne was enjoying herself more than she expected.

“So I caught the thief and said, ‘Look, the silver candlestick is still there.'”

Clive was an incredibly eloquent man. He had a natural ability to steer conversations smoothly, and his storytelling skills were both witty and delightful. His kind appearance and soothing, pleasant voice made it easy for him to capture attention and put people at ease. His thoughts and perspectives, which emerged through the stories, were also very sound.

“The thief stood frozen, as though he realized something, then he dropped the bundle he had been holding. He apologized to me, admitting that he had been terribly wrong and had made a mistake.”

“So did you forgive him?”

“Yes, of course. There was no reason to punish him. Stealing is wrong, but he didn’t leave the house. Right there, he realized his mistake, apologized, and asked for forgiveness—he essentially surrendered. The sin of someone who recognizes their wrong is heavier than that of someone who doesn’t know their mistake, especially when the wrongdoer bears it.”

“That’s right. Even if the minister forgave him, that thief would still live with the guilt of realizing that he had been on the wrong path all along.”

“Exactly. In a way, the most certain punishment and forgiveness I can give him is, indeed, forgiveness itself.”

Clive smiled gently and led Ivonne on. The more Ivonne conversed with him, the more she realized that Clive had some kind of ability to make people completely fall for him. Even if he didn’t have the handsome looks or a great chest like some other men, Clive must have easily won the favor of many people.

‘And probably with ease.’

They say some people have a natural charm, and Clive definitely had that. Such people often had a smooth and unassuming demeanor, which further enhanced their appeal. Perhaps that was why, even though this was their first meeting, Ivonne felt so comfortable around him.

Moreover, his position also played a part in winning people over. The Foreign Minister of the Republic of Ortensia.

‘He looks young, but he’s impressive.’

That position was definitely not easy to attain. In truth, who climbs the ladder of power easily? But Clive’s family, the Eisenwoods, were neither noble nor anyone of notable lineage.