I Found a Husband When I Picked up the Male Lead

Chaser headed out to the market again that day. It was because he wanted to completely finish decorating the room before Raphelion was found.

He believed the child was still alive.

Raphelion was the child of his older brother, Yorne, whom he had cherished and loved the most. He was like his guardian and close friend.

Although him and the child had never met before, Chaser wanted to raise Raphelion correctly. He wanted to give his all, filling him with as much love as he had received from his brother.

Because to him, Yorne had been a replacement for their father.

The reason he was visiting the market today was because his brother said that Raphelion liked looking at the stars. His brother told him that it would warm his heart when he saw Raphelion’s big, red eyes looking up at the stars. He wanted to protect that small and precious child.

Whenever he thought of that, he would go to the market to buy star shaped items if he had the time. Stars were drawn on the ceiling wallpaper with fluorescent magic paint, and everything, including star blankets, star shaped picture frames and star shaped toys were present in the room meant for the child.

Raphelion’s room was already saturated with star shaped objects, but it never seemed like it was enough. Maybe this was just another way for Chaser to express his longing for his older brother. As Chaser looked around the store, he found a snow globe with a large star inside and stretched out his large hand. The sparkling snow globe was definitely something the child would enjoy.

However, what he touched was not a snow globe, but a small, pale and warm hand.

He quickly raised his head and looked to his side. Wilhazelle stood there with a frown that made you think she might have stepped on something gross. Although Chaser was quite unhappy with the current situation, her expression was unpleasant.

“What’s with that expression?”

“I found it first.”

She now looked shocked. It seemed as though her emotions were all coming to the surface. She grabbed the snow globe and pulled it toward her. However, Chaser also tightened his grip as if he had no intention of giving up. They both became tense.

“You two have excellent insight. It’s a snow globe made with magic, when you press the switch on the bottom, it lights up.”

It was something that Raphelion would like. The sparkling and shiny objects would capture the child’s attention for sure. Lizelle narrowed her eyes and silently pressured Chaser to let go first, however, it was a threat that did not work on him, who was like a rock.

“This is the last one in stock!”

At the shop owners’ words, the two people’s eyes lit up and they both became even more desperate to obtain the snow globe.

“Duke, I saw it first. Please let go.”

“We got here at the same time. Just give in.”

The two were like cats with fur raised, hissing at each other. The owner looked confused, wondering what to do about the situation, but also was unable to hide his growing satisfaction.

“I guess you have a hobby of collecting cute things.”

It was a huge man and a noble lady fighting because they were both unable to give up the small snow globe.

“Mom, look at that! It’s grown adults fighting over a toy!”

A child who was passing through the market, holding hands with his mother, shouted when he saw Chaser and Lizelle.

“Shh! You shouldn’t say that out loud!”

The mother, who noticed the two people were nobles based on their clothing, quickly left the scene, keeping her child from speaking any further. Other people passed by, chuckling inwardly as they looked at the two, but they didn’t care at all. Rather, Wilhazelle hoped that Chaser, who valued his reputation, would be unable to endure the situation and he’d let go first.

“No matter.”

However, the man didn’t care what the people around him thought. Wilhazelle admired his tenacity, but at the same time, couldn’t understand why he was being so stubborn.

‘What is he planning to use this little toy for? Does he really have a hobby of collecting these things?’

“Huh? What is the butler doing here too?”

Wilhazelle, who refused to lose, pretended to be surprised and looked behind Chaser.

“What…”

Since he had come alone, there was no way Rohan should be there as well… It was at the moment that Chaser’s head turned away, wondering what was going on, that Wilhazelle pulled hard.

“How much is it?”

She was also the winner again today.

She paid the owner with the snow globe in hand. Chaser looked down at his empty hands with an ugly look on his face.

To fall for such a shallow trick… His red eyes slightly wavered at the absurdity of the situation.

Wilhazelle took the wrapped snow globe and smiled brightly at the dumbfounded Duke. Her sly smile displayed her satisfaction at having won todays battle as well.

“Aren’t you going to leave?”

Her steps, full of grace and elegance, moved forward, light as a feather.

“Ha…”

Chaser laughed, bewildered, as he watched Wilhazelle walk away first, smiling. For some reason, he didn’t feel as irritated or deflated as he felt the day before.  Her smile, soft and bright as the sun, was like a child’s. He wondered when the last time he had seen such a sincere smile was. All of the people around him were constantly hiding their emotions, faking their smiles. Hiding their true intentions. How could she laugh so innocently, just because of a small toy? She was a strange woman.

‘No, no.’

He shook his head and suppressed the smile that had been trying to make its way out without him realizing it. What could a scammer not accomplish? Couldn’t they make anyone believe anything at any time? Chaser followed her with his long strides, thinking that Wilhazelle was a much more complicated person than he thought, he would need to be very careful. There was nothing else at the market that had caught his eye beside the snow globe, he might as well follow her and keep a close eye on her.

“Hehehe~.”

Wilhazelle was leaving the market, humming in satisfaction. She was happily thinking about how much Raphel would like the snow globe. Even more so since she had defeated the Duke to obtain it. Maybe it was because her first impression of him was bad, but she never wanted to lose to him.

‘I should go back quickly. Raphel is probably waiting for me.’

Wilhazelle walked back to the carriage, quickening her pace.

“I’m passing through!”

Someone shouted as a rattling sound behind her grew louder. When Lizelle turned her head, a cart carrying a large load was rushing toward her direction. It was so close, there was no way she would be able to avoid it. She though it was going to hit her so she closed her eyes in response. Her body then tilted to the side and when she opened her eyes again, everything was upside down.

“Ouch…”

The tip of her nose that had been impacted stung. Lizelle rubbed her nose and lifted her head, then saw Chaser underneath her. Their bodies were tightly pressed together, leaving no gaps.

“Are you alright?”

Their gazes collided. A voice as strong as the arm wrapped around her waist penetrated her ears.

It seems he had saved her from almost being hit by the cart.

“Yes, I’m okay.”

Wilhazelle pushed against his chest that was hard as stone. She quickly escaped from his embrace, trying her best not to show any signs of embarrassment. Chaser also stood up, brushing off the dirt from his clothes. The warmth he had felt in his arms for a moment quickly disappeared.

“Sorry. I’m really sorry. My Lord…”

The cart owner knelt on the ground in front of Chaser and pleaded. After all, he had almost injured the nobleman, so even if he was charged with a crime here, he would have nothing he could say.

“Be more careful.”

However, contrary to his expectations, Chaser spoke to the owner with a dull expression and then simply picked up the fallen items from the cart.

“Sorry, sorry. Yes, I will do that!”

The owner repeatedly bowed as he continued to apologize. Chaser continued picking up the items placing them into the cart. Wilhazelle, who couldn’t just watch, rolled up her sleeves and went to help. As there were many hands helping, the work was completed quickly.

“Sorry. Thank you.”

The owner repeatedly waved goodbye and then disappeared into the distance with the cart. Chaser straightened his messily tangled black hair with his hands. Wilhazelle’s gaze followed his movements. When she had fallen with his arms wrapped around her, he had gotten scraped and the skin was peeling on his hand.

“Your hands are scratched.”

The expressionless red eyes looked at the wound and responded.

“Don’t worry about it.”

Even if he said not to worry…

Wilhazelle grumbled at his back. Unable to argue. As she was expressing her dissatisfaction, Chaser turned around and when their eyes met, she smiled at him like she was innocent. It was an impressive change in expressions.

“Thank you for your help.”

In any case, it was true that he had saved her, she couldn’t let it go without thanking him.

“Let’s go.”

Chaser stared at Lizelle’s smiling face then turned around.

‘That was a surprise.’

She knew that nobles valued their face and prestige, but contrary to expectations, he had not scolded or reprimanded the cart owner or her.  But was that all? What had she really expected?

Wilhazelle followed Chaser, who was moving forward quickly. After a while, a black figure who had been watching the two walk away appeared. The figures black eyes looked eerie as they watched the two leave the market.