Instead of the Heroine, I Married the Male Lead

 

 

Nadia quickly linked her arms with Philome.

Then, resting her head slightly on Philome’s shoulder, she looked up at her with sparkling eyes.

“Hmm? We’re going to be late. Let’s hurry.”

“……”

“If you don’t go, I’ll go by myself. Okay?”

“Hah.”

Philome turned her head and let out a small smile, then burst into laughter.

“Haha!”

“Philome?”

Philome looked back at Nadia, her face still showing traces of amusement.

“Yeah, let’s go together. I can at least do that much for you.”

“Right? You’re the best, Philome!”

Nadia, who had been a bit nervous, broke into a bright smile.

As expected, it was just like Philome to wish for her happiness.

Nadia smiled sweetly and clung to Philome, then they both got into the carriage.

After taking a seat, Nadia blushed slightly and said,

“Ah, I’m so excited. I’ve always wanted to meet Countess Pesain.”

Nadia couldn’t contain her trembling excitement.

“But what would you have done if I hadn’t come out?”

Suddenly, a thought occurred to her, and she narrowed her eyes.

“Tsk, were you planning to go alone without me? That’s so mean.”

Philome, who had been fiddling with the hem of her dress with her eyes downcast, looked up.

Nadia flinched the moment her eyes met hers. Philome had an expression Nadia had never seen before.

Feeling uneasy under her gaze, Nadia awkwardly tried to change the subject.

“…Oh, right! And this dress. I think it suits me better. Don’t you think it was a good idea to let me borrow it?”

“Nadia.”

“Hm?”

“Did you know that Countess Pesain is aligned with the Third Prince?”

“Of course, I know. She was his nanny, after all.”

Nadia immediately responded, lifting her chin as if to say, ‘Do you think I wouldn’t know that?’

She felt a little offended.

Before she could say anything to express her irritation, Philome continued speaking.

“Really? Then you must also know that the Duke of Wintbell supports the Crown Prince.”

“…What?”

Nadia blinked in surprise.

‘Is the Duke of Wintbell really aligned with the Crown Prince?’

Nadia had never paid much attention to politics, thinking it was a world far removed from her own.

She only knew that Countess Pesain was the Third Prince’s nanny because it was a well-known fact.

“Has the Count of Alice joined the Crown Prince’s faction too?”

Even though Nadia was quite ignorant of politics, she knew that what Philome was saying now was quite dangerous.

So she deliberately avoided making eye contact with Philome.

“Wh-What are you talking about, Philome? I have no idea what you mean. I just admire Countess Pesain…”

“Is it personal admiration? Then you’re a supporter of the Third Prince?”

“Phi-Philome! Why are you doing this to me? Is it because the dress looks better on me?”

Nadia bit her lip tightly.

“Then what about you? Why are you accepting Countess Pasain’s invitation when you’re engaged to the Duke of Wintbell?”

“Nadia.”

Philome sighed deeply.

“I’m going because I’m the Duke of Wintbell’s fiancée. The Emperor is still in good health, and the Crown Prince’s position is secure. In this situation, if I, a central figure among the nobles who support the Crown Prince, were to refuse an invitation from Countess Pesain, who supports the Third Prince, it would cause a major stir.”

Nadia couldn’t make sense of what Philome was saying.

She understood the gist of it but couldn’t grasp why it led to such a conclusion.

As Nadia blinked in confusion, Philome clicked her tongue softly.

“In short, I have a reason to attend Countess Pesain’s tea party, but you don’t. You’re not part of the Third Prince’s faction, so to them, you’re just…”

Philome looked Nadia up and down.

“…nothing more than an insignificant guest.”

“I-I just…”

“Yes, you probably just wanted to meet Countess Pesain. But this is not an official event; it’s a private tea party, Nadia.”

Philome explained each point calmly.

“Do you understand now how reckless your actions are?”

Nadia pressed her lips together.

Her face felt hot, and her heart was racing.

She could feel cold sweat trickling down her back, and her palms were already damp. Every time she glanced at Philome, her calm gaze made Nadia feel smaller and more intimidated.

Nadia bit her lip repeatedly before finally managing to speak.

“…So, are you telling me to go back?”

Tears welled up in her eyes.

“Did you… did you ask me to come with you just to humiliate me like this?”

“Nadia, just in case you’ve forgotten, you were the one who asked to come along.”

“But still!”

Philome, who had been looking at Nadia indifferently, finally smiled.

“Don’t worry. When did I ever tell you to go back?”

“So… does that mean I can go with you?”

Philome nodded and then asked,

“Why, do you not want to?”

“…Forget it. I won’t say anything more.”

Nadia pouted, unable to shake the feeling that Philome was toying with her.

‘Then why did she even ask? She wasn’t going to send me back anyway.’

Could it be…?

‘Was she trying to put me in my place?’

Trying to make me feel small?

Nadia, shocked, glanced at Philome, who was staring out the window.

‘Oh my, Philome. Have we really become this kind of people…?’

The feeling of growing distant from a once-close friend was heartbreaking. No matter how many times it happened, she knew she’d never get used to it.

‘But I have to endure this to meet my destiny. I have no choice.’

For Kaien’s sake, Nadia eventually shut her eyes tightly.

 

☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓 ☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓

 

Countess Pesain stared into the mirror.

Despite her advanced age, she saw her own reflection with her brown hair, not a single white strand, tied up loosely. While she examined herself in the mirror, her maids stood behind her, bowing their heads in tense silence.

It was only after Countess Pesain nodded in approval, having confirmed that not a single stray hair was out of place, that they could finally breathe a sigh of relief.

When Countess Pesain made a slight gesture with her hand, the head maid approached.

“Is everything ready?”

“Yes, it is.”

“What about Philome Bonita?”

She was the most important person at today’s tea party.

Countess Pesain had sent Philome an invitation, fully expecting her to decline. She had even planned accordingly in advance, but to her surprise, Philome had accepted the invitation.

Upon receiving Philome’s letter of acceptance, Countess Pesain immediately recognized that Philome was not someone to be underestimated.

“She has just arrived,” the maid reported.

At this, the countess checked the time and frowned.

Traditionally, the host of a tea party is expected to greet their guests. However, as a figure of considerable influence in society, Countess Pesain didn’t concern herself with following that rule.

In fact, unless someone of higher status than herself was attending, she preferred to make her entrance last.

Although Philome was from a relatively minor count’s family, she was nonetheless the fiancée of the Duke of Wintbell. So she might be offended by the countess’s absence.

“Did she follow willingly?”

“Yes.”

Upon hearing that Philome had followed obediently, receiving the maid’s hospitality, Countess Pesain narrowed her eyes.

‘She must have some flaw.’

“But Lady Philome was accompanied by another young lady.”

“Who is it?”

“Someone named Nadia Alice.”

It was a name she didn’t recall.

The head maid briefly explained that Nadia was the daughter of a count on the verge of bankruptcy and that she and Philome were acquaintances.

And Nadia was the young lady from ‘that’ rumor.

“The one who ran off with Lady Philome’s former fiancé?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“Excellent. She’s brought me the perfect flaw to exploit.”

With a satisfied smile, Countess Pesain made her way to the garden where the tea party was being held.

The tea party was small, with only a select few guests in attendance.

As Countess Pesain approached, she noticed two unfamiliar figures from behind and tried to guess which one was Philome.

The taller woman was dressed modestly in a green dress, with her hair neatly tied back. Her light brown hair, almost blonde, was particularly striking.

On the other hand, the shorter woman was adorned in such a flamboyant manner that it made her eyes sting just looking at her. Given that everyone else at the tea party was dressed modestly, her appearance stood out even more.

Her bright blue dress was so vivid that it wouldn’t look out of place at a royal ball. Her hair was also let down in loose curls, so even the slightest movement made it sway dramatically, attracting attention.

Countess Pesain immediately recognized the latter as Philome.

‘Ah, she’s truly foolish—perhaps it’s because of her sudden rise in status.’

But if she were that foolish, it would only work to the countess’s advantage.