Instead of the Heroine, I Married the Male Lead

“Fortunately, it’s just a mutated animal.”

Kaien finally let out the breath he had been holding and relaxed.

He had been worried that it might be a monster, so he was relieved it wasn’t.

“However, the previous duke has requested that you come earlier than usual.”

Kaien usually went to the North every year to spend the winter, as it was the time when monsters were most active and he needed to be prepared for any unforeseen events.

“Earlier than usual? How much earlier?”

“Before winter begins.”

Kaien calculated the dates.

To arrive before winter starts, there is barely a month left.

He reviewed his schedule to see if there were any urgent tasks to complete and nodded.

“Proceed with that.”

“Then I will prepare for the miss to accompany you as well.”

“Sebastian.”

Kaien sighed and called his name.

But Sebastian did not step back.

“Duke, we don’t know what might happen. Naturally, the miss who is a suitable match should accompany you. What will you do if you find yourself in a crisis? Will you seek help from the Crown Prince’s suitable match again?”

Kaien had never been very concerned about finding a suitable match. Sebastian had always been worried about this.

But miraculously, a suitable candidate for Kaien had appeared.

The matching rate between the former duke and his wife was 65%. The matching rate between Kaien and Philome exceeded that, meaning Philome could provide significant assistance to Kaien.

Kaien frowned.

“I’ll return those words right back to you. Does it make any sense to take Philome, who can’t even protect herself, to a place where anything could happen?”

“Duke.”

“Sebastian.”

Kaien interrupted Sebastian’s forthcoming words.

“I’ll say it again: I have no intention of taking Philome to the North. So don’t bring it up in front of me again. This is your last chance.”

“… Yes, understood. I’m sorry.”

Without even looking at Sebastian, Kaien waved his hand dismissively.

Sebastian bowed deeply and quietly left the room.

As the door closed, Kaien pressed his throbbing temples and leaned back in his chair.

“Hah…”

He understood Sebastian’s feelings.

It was just that the North was an extremely dangerous place.

After realizing that Philome was a suitable match, his feelings had changed.

Even if he went berserk, he no longer feared it, knowing that someone could suppress him. In fact, simply being in the same residence as Philome provided a sense of security.

Maybe that’s why.

He both wanted to go to the North with Philome and wished to leave her behind. He didn’t want to be separated for long, but he also didn’t want to put her in danger.

Such a conflicted heart.

Kaien squeezed his eyes shut, trying to suppress his own selfish desires.

‘I wonder what Philome is doing right now.’

He tried to clear his mind by thinking of something else.

Speaking of which, tomorrow was the day of the tea party hosted by Countess Pesain, as mentioned yesterday.

He had considered helping with the preparations, but Philome had declined, saying she had it under control.

Kaien found himself smiling without realizing it.

He recalled the image of Philome, smiling confidently.

Philome always had a way of making Kaien look forward to her.

Without even realizing he was smiling, Kaien continued to think about Philome for a while.

 

☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓 ☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓

 

“Hmm.”

Nadia frowned at the noise coming from outside the room.

The Wintbell estate was usually very quiet, so this level of noise was unusual.

To make matters worse, her rest was being disturbed when she was already feeling unwell. Nadia furrowed her brow and got up.

Irritated, she tugged at the bell rope, and as soon as the maid entered, she asked immediately.

“What’s going on?”

“It’s the day of the tea party the Miss was invited into. Since it’s the first tea party after her engagement with the Duke, it seems the maids are putting extra effort into her attire.”

Since Nadia did not show any signs of going back to sleep, the maid continued as she pulled back the curtains.

“Whose tea party is it?”

“From what I’ve heard, it’s Countess Pesain’s tea party.”

“What? Countess Pesain?”

Nadia’s eyes widened in surprise.

Her remaining drowsiness vanished instantly.

Countess Pesain was the 3rd prince’s former nanny and an influential old lady in the social world. Although she had long since stepped down from the spotlight of society, her influence remained significant.

As the representative of the Empress, catching the Countess’s eye meant becoming a prominent young lady of the year in high society.

Nadia was somewhat hopeful since she knew her appearance stood out, but despite several years since her debut in high society, she had never had the chance to meet Countess Pesain.

As the daughter of a relatively minor noble family, Nadia wasn’t someone who could easily meet the Countess of Pesain.

“Philome received an invitation from Countess Pesain…”

Nadia couldn’t understand it at all.

Just a few months ago, Philome was in the same situation as her.

No, she was in a worse position since she had a less attractive face. Yet now, their circumstances had completely reversed.

The only thing that had changed during the months she had been absent was this:

Her engagement to the Duke of Wintbell.

‘…This is so unfair.’

Nadia thought blankly.

Why? I’m prettier! Why does Philome have better luck than me? She’s less attractive—why?

If Philome can have it, shouldn’t I be able to have it too?

“My qualifications are more than enough.”

“Pardon?”

Nadia turned to look at the maid.

“Come on, hurry up, and help me get ready.”

“Where are you going? You’re still not fully recovered.”

The maid’s reluctance made Nadia’s anger flare up.

“I’m fine! Hurry up and get me ready!”

As Nadia urged, the maid quickly started preparing.

After finishing her bath, Nadia chose her clothes before applying makeup. Although there were outfits prepared for guests, none of them seemed suitable to her.

She recalled what happened yesterday.

Yesterday, someone from the Beauté Salon came by.

Nadia had seen them carrying beautiful clothes, so she signaled to the maid.

“Which dress will you choose?”

“There aren’t any clothes that suit me. Go ask Philome instead.”

“The Miss?”

“Yes, ask her to lend me some clothes.”

“…Pardon?”

As the maid repeatedly questioned, Nadia’s face contorted with irritation.

“Can’t you understand when I say something once? Go to Philome and ask her to lend me some clothes. I saw that Beauté Salon sent someone yesterday. They must have a lot of clothes, so surely you can borrow one.”

Nadia pushed the maid out of the room, adding,

“Oh, and ask for the most extravagant one! I have fairer skin than Philome, so fancy ones suit me better.”

After sending the maid off, Nadia hummed a tune, waiting for her return.

The door opened shortly after, and Nadia turned around with a bright smile.

The maid, with a bewildered expression, held up a deep blue dress.

“Just as I thought! Philome is my friend!”

“…the Miss even gave you some accessories.”

“Oh my, they go so well with the dress!”

Nadia couldn’t hide her smile as she examined the accessories. Each one looked much more valuable compared to what she usually wore.

Nadia held one of the sapphire earrings up to her ear and looked in the mirror.

The sapphire earrings seemed to fit Nadia perfectly.

“Indeed, it suits me better.”

Philome must have known that and thus gave them to me so naturally.

Muttering to herself, Nadia urged the maid to finish her make up. After changing into the dress, Nadia couldn’t tear her eyes away from her reflection in the mirror.

It was the first time she had dressed so extravagantly. Though it seemed a bit excessive, it was fine. Her beauty shone even more.

“…I look most beautiful like this.”

In the Wintbell mansion, dressed in the most elaborate way.

“…The position of the Wintbell Duchess should be mine.”

How could she be this beautiful otherwise?

“Fate has abandoned me again…”

Why is her fated one always the fiancé of Philome?

Nadia couldn’t hide her bitterness and muttered to herself. Then, seeing Philome heading out through the window, she jolted into action.

“Quickly, go and stop Philome!”

“Pardon?”

“Hurry up!”

After urgently sending the maid off, Nadia carefully descended the stairs to avoid ruining her appearance.

“Explain why you’re holding our Miss back.”

A maid with fluffy hair, standing next to Philome, was scolding Nadia’s maid with her arms crossed.

At that moment, Nadia turned towards Philome with a bright smile and waved her hand.

“Philome!”

Philome turned her head towards Nadia.

In that moment, Nadia almost burst into laughter.

Philome was wearing a green dress that matched the color of her eyes. The high-quality chiffon fabric made her look mature for her age.

To put it nicely, it made Philome’s skin look slightly whiter, but to be blunt, it looked like a dress for an elderly woman.

And the accessories were just as plain. The jewelry was simple and small, and the makeup was very light. It was dull enough to be mistaken for a funeral outfit rather than a tea party.

“Philome, what’s that dress? Did your grandmother hand it down to you?”

Nadia checked Philome’s expression, then slightly closed her mouth before continuing.

“Let’s go.”

“Wait, Nadia. Where are we going?”

Philome asked calmly.

“Where else? To Countess Pesain’s tea party.”

“Did you get an invitation too?”

Nadia shook her head.

“No. But I’m going with you.”