Chapter 57
Trying to push the female lead onto Herman?
‘The sudden extension of the banquet is suspicious too.’
What reason could there be to keep Herman here so insistently? Unless they were gathering eligible noblewomen from all over to line up new brides for him.
But if that were the case, the male lead was right beside the female lead. How could that even—
“So this is where you were.”
Speak of the devil.
The male lead, Xenon, appeared out of nowhere, flashing a dazzling white smile. Esina realized yet another fundamental problem.
‘This bastard isn’t even sticking by the female lead’s side!’
Instead, he was hovering around me.
Ever since their first encounter a few days ago, Xenon had been stubbornly lingering near Esina.
He never crossed the line enough to be called out for impropriety—just maintaining the respectful demeanor of a man keeping a married lady company. Even if Esina had been openly exchanging flirtatious glances with him, no one would’ve batted an eye.
…Though they did seem deeply invested in whether Herman, now busy entertaining guests, might hit it off with some young lady and start an affair.
“Is the Young Duke finally back to his old ways?”
“At last!”
“Maybe we’ll get our chance too.”
“Though it seems Maria Rezen has the first opportunity for now.”
Remembering the whispers of those noblewomen—who hadn’t realized she could hear—left a bitter taste in her mouth.
Herman himself treated the female lead and the other ladies with strictly formal courtesy, but who knew what happened when she wasn’t looking?
Especially if the female lead was involved.
‘Even if he does have an affair…’
It wasn’t her place to police him anyway. They’d married on the condition that she wouldn’t care about his dalliances. She’d even sworn not to interfere.
‘…And I was satisfied.’
Now that she thought about it, there was nothing she could do if Herman decided to play around again.
But she couldn’t help feeling a little disappointed. Just when she’d started liking Herman…
‘It’s just loneliness. The person who was always by my side is gone now.’
The absence of the man who used to cling to her left her feeling oddly hollow. Maybe that was the real problem.
Lying lazily against the breeze, Esina stifled a sigh.
If this was inevitable, she could only hope Herman would at least have the decency to cheat out of her sight. Yet the thought kept rankling her.
‘Come to think of it…’
If the male lead had just properly stuck by the female lead’s side, none of this would’ve happened. Sure, Herman had caused scandals with married women and those already spoken for—but even he wouldn’t have been able to come between the male and female leads.
‘Why aren’t you keeping the female lead in check?!’
As Xenon approached, Esina masked her irritation with a polite nod. Xenon, however, was as warmly affable as he’d been these past few days.
“I heard. You couldn’t board the boat because of severe dizziness.”
“Yes. Well…”
“You seem to have an upset stomach. Are you alright?”
“How did you—”
“You haven’t taken a single bite of the snacks around you.”
It was all true. Lately, Esina had been feeling bloated and couldn’t even stomach her usual snacks.
Demonstrating the male lead’s signature attentiveness, Xenon smiled warmly and sat beside her—without even waiting for permission.
His movements were so natural that Esina missed her chance to protest. She simply stared at him as he gazed back with a look of concern.
“You should take better care of your health.”
“Frankly, that’s hardly your concern, Lord Elzen.”
“But weren’t you originally supposed to become my sister-in-law?”
“What does that have to—”
“That’s why I can’t help but worry.”
The slightly pointed remark made Esina cough awkwardly.
“…Ahem! How is Baron Elzen these days?”
“He was too busy to come… though I’d say that’s for the best.”
“For the best?”
“Yes. If my brother had seen you…”
Seen me what? Even if he had, she was another man’s wife now—he’d have just exchanged glances and left it at that.
At his odd tone, Esina pursed her lips. Xenon, watching her closely, chuckled lightly, prompting her to mutter in exasperation.
“Aren’t you concerned?”
“About what?”
“Your fiancée is off playing on another man’s boat…”
“Fiancée?”
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