The Blackened Second Male Lead’s Wife - Chapter 57

At that time, the emperor was weak and could not properly protect Lucian. 

As a result, Lucian only received the title ‘Lord Kardien’ and a small land for his achievements. 

The emperor cared about him all along. 

“If you go back to the war zone and clean up the fuss, I will give you the status and position I couldn’t give you then. This time, you will receive the reward you deserve.” 

Previously, there was no person in power to counter the nobles, but now, there is. 

This opportunity would allow the emperor to give Lucian a lot of things he had wanted to give him. 

This order is meant for Lucian. 

Lucian knew the emperor’s true intention. He was doing this for his most beloved knight. 

‘But…’

Lucian could not readily accept the emperor’s order.

The war zone is very far away. No matter how fast the horse runs, it takes more than a week to get there. 

In addition, there’s no guarantee that the conflict will be resolved quickly as the emperor thought it would.

‘I’ll be away from her for too long.’

Looking at Lucian thinking with pressed lips, the emperor said with a face of surprise. 

“Are you thinking of disobeying my order?” 

Lucian replied with a perplexed look. 

“Please give me some time to think about it.” 

“Why? If Pernia told you not to go, would you feign illness and refuse my order?” 

“……..” 

In response to Lucian’s silence, the emperor clicked his tongue and muttered. 

“My son’s in love and now this guy’s also in love…” 

He thought about his son who said he would come back, but hasn’t even shown the tip of his nose.

However, the emperor did not scold Lucian as he did to Calix. 

Because he was familiar with how annoying a young man blinded by love is. 

Even if he insists strongly, the backlash will only intensify. Rather, it would be more effective to bait the woman he is into. 

“Fine, talk to Pernia. If the child says she doesn’t want you to go, tell me. If you want, she can go with you. It’ll be easier to choose that way, right?” 

The emperor’s proposal was a shocking one. Rather than being angry at his subordinate who did not obey his order, he was rather considerate. 

That’s how much the emperor cared about Lucian. 

Lucian bowed his head with a puzzled face.

* * * 

Lucian left the Imperial City and headed for Pernia’s shop on a horse. 

Today was a very important day for her. He would be a little late, but he wanted to hurry up and congratulate her. 

He thought while running with a bouquet of flowers prepared in advance. 

‘I’m sorry, Your Majesty, but I won’t go if she doesn’t want me to.’ 

As the emperor said, he knew well that it was an important opportunity for him. It was an opportunity for him to gain the power he deserved with the emperor‘s backing, but Lucian was not greedy for such a thing. 

All he wanted was to be with Pernia. 

“Ha, haa…” 

Sweat dripped down on his forehead since he did not stop the horse even for a millisecond. 

Lucian wiped off his sweat, got off the horse, and headed for the store. 

The glamorously decorated shop was already crowded with many people. 

Lucian stopped walking without realizing it. 

He spotted Pernia through a large window. 

She was smiling with a bright face, and there were countless people beside her. 

Pernia looked happy. 

He wasn’t aware she can look like that with people other than him.

At that moment, he felt like his heart had stopped. 

‘Come to think of it, has she ever paid full attention to me?’

She became more and more busy as she became famous among the noble ladies, and it’s been difficult to meet up with her since she decided to open up a shop. 

And when they do meet, Pernia only talks about her work. 

Just like before, when she only looked at Lucian and never really got excited that they were together. 

His heart pounded. 

“What are you doing, standing there looking like a homeless person?”

Lucian turned his head to the voice teasing him. 

Kuhn stood there with a bouquet of flowers. 

Kuhn looked over Lucian’s shoulder behind him and raised the corners of his mouth as if he knew what was going on. 

“Aha. You must have been jealous.” 

Then he burst into laughter. 

“That’s so funny. I thought you don’t have emotions.” 

Lucian, whom Kuhn met on the battlefield, was completely different from the man in front of him now. 

He was polite and friendly to everyone and took care of the weak, but there was no emotion behind his actions. 

Should I say that he is like a well trained doll who acquired emotions. 

He didn’t do things because he wanted to do them. He was merely doing things because he was ordered to. 

Then the saintess appeared. 

A woman who Kardien respects and devotedly follows. 

[Then, is it because of that woman?] 

Then, he heard that the saintess came to the Sebran Kingdom. Kuhn went to see the saintess immediately. 

She was indeed a beautiful woman. Not only was she beautiful, but she also had a bright mind and a pure soul. 

[Are you the woman Lucian’s into?] 

But she was surprised and denied the words. 

[Lucian’s partner is Miss Nia.] 

[Nia?] 

[Yes. She is Lord Lucian’s fiancee. He cherishes her very much. They get along very well.] 

Interest arose in Kuhn. 

Lucian cherishes her? They get along very well? 

He couldn’t imagine such a thing. 

So Kuhn headed to the empire. Half was due to the benefit of curing the sick emperor, and half was to see Lucian’s lover. 

He was really disappointed when he saw her. 

Pernia seemed like an ordinary woman. He couldn’t find anything special about her like he did with the saintess. 

She smelled of strong perfume. In a fancy outfit. With eyes full of arrogance. 

All common traits of a noble woman. 

However, what she did afterwards was different from Kuhn’s expectations. 

[Take it back. That Lucian is a monster.] 

He had seen this exact scene before. It’s not like he hasn’t encountered a Lucian-obsessed woman.

The courage it took for her to say that was not surprising. 

However, what she said after that was especially shocking. 

[You.. your eyeliner…. is uneven.] 

…. He’s never been so insulted before. 

Kuhn smiled grimly, recalling that moment. 

“I thought she was just a gentle young lady, but she wasn’t at all. Unlike her coy appearance, she has a feisty spirit that’s not afraid to bite.” 

Kuhn said with his thick eyelids bent like a crescent moon. 

“She’s quite interesting.” 

However, unlike Kuhn, who smiled, Lucian’s eyes were behaving strangely. 

His red eyes were twitching erratically. As if he was filled with a certain emotion. 

Lucian opened his mouth with a calm face. 

“Kuhn, please stop. I don’t want to hear you say another word about her.” 

“What if I don’t stop? Are you going to kill me?” 

“…No. I won’t kill unless I’m on the battlefield. Now, I’m asking you politely.” 

Kuhn laughed as if he had heard a funny joke. 

“Ask me one more time.” 

As Kuhn provoked him, Lucian’s eyes flashed eerily. 

But Kuhn wasn’t scared of Lucian at all. 

Lucian will never touch Kuhn unless Pernia wants him to. 

Kuhn smiled and walked past Lucian. 

As soon as he opened the door, people’s eyes turned to him. 

The women brightened and exclaimed at the two men who entered the store. 

“KYAAA, SIR KUHN!” 

“Oh my! Lord Kardien is here too.”

“What a sight to see the two of them together!”

In the meantime, Pernia stood there. Among the above mentioned women, Pernia also approached them.

Pernia, whose cheeks were red, said with a bright face. 

“You’re here, Lucian. I thought you wouldn’t be able to come.”

“I worked hard to make time.” 

When he said that, she lowered her eyebrows and touched Lucian’s cheeks. It felt ice cold.

“I see. You didn’t have to overdo it.” 

“But isn’t it an important day? Congratulations, Nia.” 

Lucian handed Pernia a bouquet of fresh purple pansies. 

Pernia giggled at him as she received the bouquet of flowers. Her face had a look that was dripping with love.

The faces of the women who saw the two turn red. 

It was Kuhn who broke the atmosphere.

“Tsk tsk, PDA.”

Kuhn held out a bouquet of roses to Pernia with a grumpy face. 

“Am I invisible?” 

“…… ” 

Pernia looked at Kuhn from a completely different attitude than when she was looking at Lucian. 

Kuhn seemed to know what Pernia was thinking. 

She was thinking of how she’ll deal with him.

She received the bouquet of flowers from Kuhn as if she had made up her mind. And she greeted him with a forced smile. 

“Aigoo, I’m so grateful that you’ve decided to grant this shabby place with your majestic presence.” 

Anyone could tell she was not grateful at all. 

Kuhn grabbed his belly again and burst into laughter. 

Pernia looked at Kuhn with contempt.

‘What’s wrong with him?’

* * * 

The opening ceremony for the shop was successful. 

The women who attended the banquet left the store with satisfied faces. 

It was fun to talk to Pernia, the owner of the store, but it was also a great pleasure to be able to see the two most famous men in the capital. 

Only Pernia and Lucian remained in the empty store. 

After having drunk a few glasses of alcohol with the guests, Pernia was full of excitement. 

She said, waving her notebook with child-like innocence. 

“I’m fully booked for a month. Isn’t it amazing? 

“That’s because Nia is so talented. You’re really amazing.” 

“Hehe.” 

Pernia giggled with a bright smile at Lucian’s compliment. She spoke with sparkling eyes. 

“If I make a lot of money, I’ll buy Lucian a lot of gifts. I will buy you delicious cakes, a new sword, and clothes made by famous designers.” 

Lucian burst into laughter. 

“Alright, I look forward to it.” 

But soon Lucian’s eyes drooped down. 

I can’t bring it up when she’s feeling so happy. 

But it was something he had to say. 

Lucian said. 

“Um.” 

“What?” 

“I think I have to go to the war zone. His Majesty gave an order.”