The Blackened Second Male Lead’s Wife - Chapter 72

I decided to try finding some answers there. 

I told Estelle. 

“How about going to Lucian’s hometown?” 

“Lucian’s hometown?” 

“Yes. Where Lucian was born and raised. There might be some clues.” 

Estelle looked to be thinking for a while and nodded. 

“Good idea. I actually wanted to check something out.” 

So I and Estelle decided to leave for Lucian’s hometown. 

Upon hearing that, my father grabbed me and shook his head.

“It hasn’t been long since you came home. And now you’re leaving again! You always get into some kind of trouble whenever you leave. Pernia, don’t think about doing anything else and just stay home. I’ll cook you delicious food. I’ll give you a lot of money to spend as you like.”

I touched the tip of my nose, feeling my father’s desperate heart.

I held in my tears and said.

“It won’t be as dangerous as you think. I’ll be going to Estelle. So don’t worry.” 

“But…” 

“I’m sorry.” 

Patting my crying father, I thought to myself. 

‘I’ll find a way to bring back your future son-in-law, who you liked very much. So please wait for a little bit.’

It was morning as I left for the trip. 

Comforting my father once more, who cried all night which gave him rabbit eyes, I headed to the front of the gate to meet Estelle.

My eyes widened.

Next to Estelle stood her most devout follower, Carlix.

They both looked serious as they were talking about something.

‘Come to think of it, she said she fought with Carlix. Have they made up?’

Their mood seemed unusual, so I stopped walking and watched the two quietly. 

Carlix said to Estelle with fierce eyes. 

“I let you go to Kardien’s castle alone last time, but not this time. No matter what you say, I’m going with you. If you refuse me again…”

Carlix continued to shout with a stern face. 

“I’m going to be upset. And it won’t be for a short period of time. It’ll be for at least a month…No, three weeks.” 

…His a-hole personality skill must have upgraded while I was away.

Instead of flicking his forehead and scolding him, Estelle made a troubled face lowering her eyebrows. 

“I want you to go with me too. But Miss Nia’s not doing so well. Seeing me with Your Highness may reopen some of Miss Nia’s wounds.”

It was only then that I realized why Estelle didn’t tell me much about Carlix. 

It wasn’t because they fought.

Her consideration made me feel cherished.

Of course, Carlix wasn’t having it.

Carlix’s face twisted as if he was hurt. 

“Estelle, you’re really… Tell me. Is it me or Pernia?”

As soon as Carlix pathetically tried to win over Estelle, I intervened. 

“I don’t care whether you come with us or not.”

Estelle and Carlix turned their heads at the same time in my voice. I approached the two.

Although he is my best friend’s boyfriend, the crown prince is the crown prince. 

As soon as I went to bow to Carlix to greet him with courtesy, he held out his hand.

Recognizing his intention, I straightened my bent back. 

I shook his hand.

Carlix looked me in the eye and said. 

“Long time no see.” 

“Same here.”

“I heard you went through a lot while being kept by Kardien… Your face don’t show any signs of that at all. You became chubby like a well-reared little pig.”

I ate all kinds of delicacies all day long while I was kept by Lucian. 

Thanks to this, I looked very healthy for someone who was detained for days.

I spit back at his cheekiness with a pout.

“Your Highness has changed a lot since we’ve last seen each other. You sure know how to decide how long to be upset.” 

“…..!”

Now, Carlix, whose eyes widened, perhaps from the embarrassment, said in a strained voice.

“It’s because this cheeky woman taught me not to hide my feelings.” 

“I’m glad you didn’t forget what I tried to teach you. You weren’t a very good student.” 

It was Estelle who intervened between the two of us. 

Estelle asked me. 

“Miss Nia, are you really okay?” 

“Of course. It’ll be better if His Highness comes with us.” 

No one would mess with us with this tall knight as our escort.

Estelle looked at me as if I was straining myself for her and nodded. 

“Okay. Then, let’s go together.” 

At that moment, Carlix made an astounding face. His cheekbones were twitching, unable to contain his joy.

‘He’s back to being Estelle’s devout servant.’

In the past, I would have looked at Carlix with a sour look on my face, but when I thought of my boyfriend who is currently in very bad condition, I quickly held back.

‘Well, I guess it’s cute… sometimes.’

I tapped Carlix’s shoulder and said. mischievously. 

“Fortunately, you won’t be upset for 3 weeks, right? It would’ve been a very difficult 3 weeks if you were.” 

When I said that, Carlix snorted with a ‘hmph,’ but he didn’t deny what I said. 

Estelle, who approached us, grabbed my hand with one hand, and Carlix’s with the other.

She said with determination. 

“The carriage is waiting for us. Let’s go.”

* * * 

Lucian’s hometown was a small village located deep in the mountains. 

In the original novel, Lucian was abused for being cursed from his birth. 

So I thought it would be a shady village riddled with vicious people. 

However, it did not look like what I had in mind.

Under the mountain, small houses were huddled together, and goats were grazing peacefully in the middle of the mountain. 

The people I observed seemed very good-natured.

They were wary of outsiders who appeared out of nowhere, but there was no hostility in their eyes. 

I scratched my face and said.

“It looks like a normal rural village. The people here look friendly.” 

Estelle nodded. 

“This village was built by devout believers a long time ago. They don’t have much, but they’re pure people who appreciate what they’re given….. so they can be much more cruel.” 

Cruel? 

I frowned at Estelle’s words. 

When I was about to ask what she meant, I heard a woman’s voice from far away. 

“Saintess?”

The woman looked at us with her eyes wide open. Estelle smiled at the woman tilting her head with a confused face. 

“Yes, I’m the saintess.” 

The woman covered her mouth with a surprised face. 

“Oh my god. You really are the saintess! You used to only reach my waist but…. you’ve become a beautiful lady.” 

“It’s been 10 years since the last time I stopped by here. It’s been a long time, but you remember me.” 

“Of course I’ll remember.” 

A woman with pigtails looked at Estelle and said.

“When the saintess visited here previously, I was the one who guided you around. You may not remember insignificant people like me.”

“Ah… Susan! Are you Susan?”

Susan’s face was thrilled by Estelle’s words. 

“Do you remember me?” 

“Of course. You were so kind to me. You look  the same. Actually, you’ve become so pretty.” 

Susan laughed in delight.

“You’re joking, I’m an old lady now. Nevermind that. You see, I have two kids.” 

“You gave birth to a child! It’s late, but congratulations.” 

Susan smiled with a happy face. 

“It’s an honor to receive your congratulations. To me, your words are the best gift I can receive. Why did you come all the way here?”

Looking at me and Callix standing behind Estelle, Susan’s eyes widened and said.

“Your companions don’t look like priests…” 

“I’m here to take care of personal business… One person is dating me right now.” 

“Oh my.” 

Susan covered her mouth with a surprised face. 

Carlix stroked his hair with a pompous smile. 

As if to brag, ‘Yes, this man right here is Estelle’s boyfriend.’

Tsk tsk. I thought he got a lot better, but I don’t think the terrible prince disease has been cured.

However, Estelle moved onto my introduction at such a fast pace that Carlix’s bragging was overshadowed.

“And the other is my most precious friend and… Lucian’s fiancee.” 

“……..!” 

At that moment, Susan’s eyes changed. 

Her warm face turned pale. As if she had heard something that shouldn’t have been said. 

Estelle said to her. 

“Actually, I came to see the chief for something concerning Lucian.” 

Susan replied with a dark face. 

“…I see.” 

“How is the chief?” 

“He’s not doing so well. He’s been in bad shape since last year, so he can only stay lying down on his bed.” 

“Can you guide us to him?” 

Susan hesitated and nodded. 

* * *

Susan guided us to a house inside the village. 

In the dark house lay an old man who looked weak like he was about to die.

Seeing Estelle, the old man widened his eyes, and then trembled.

“Oh, saintess! You’re the saintess!” 

“Long time no see, chief.”

I could feel the old man’s immense awe for Estelle after only a short greeting.

The old man continued to talk with a look filled with emotion. 

“I knew you’d come when it’s time. You’re here to find something to kill the devil, right?” 

His words made my heart beat harder. 

It was clear that he was referring to Lucian by the word ‘devil.’

Estelle said calmly. 

“Did you know I would come?”

“Of course. I heard that he became the devil from a priest I’m close with. I wasn’t even surprised. I’ve known for a long time that the bastard was a devil.” 

The old man continued with blazing eyes. 

“Even when the saintess took him to educate him, even when he was recognized by people as the great knight, and even when the villagers admitted they misunderstood him and shrugged off the past, I never gave up on my original thought. He’s a devil. One day, he’ll show himself.” 

The old man said with a joyous expression. 

“Look! That day has finally come.” 

The hollow eyes of the old man were filled with pride that his belief had been right.