The Blackened Second Male Lead’s Wife - Chapter 95

Lucian unloaded my bags on the dressing table. Then he slumped into a chair in the corner of the room. 

I pointed at the door with my chin and gave him a hint, but he held on and kept his seat. 

As if it was his place. 

Duchess Rosasa, who saw us, burst into laughter and said, 

“I don’t mind having Lord Kardien here with us. I won’t feel uncomfortable, so make yourself at home.” 

“…Thank you.” 

*Sobs* She’s such a kind person. 

My angelic customer. 

I sat face to face with Duchess Rosasa. Bare-faced, she looked more innocent than a village woman. 

I asked, tapping the rose powder over her closed eyes. 

“You seem very nervous.” 

Duchess Rosasa smiled at my words, lowering her eyebrows. 

“Actually, I am.” 

The banquet for the delegation was not just a regular party. 

On the outside, the banquet seems like a friendly event, but it is actually a political event where people discuss the national interest between the countries.

So young people who are not married like me are not even invited.

Only the head of the most prestigious families in the empire and his wife can attend. 

Since it was such an important event, it was natural for the Duchess to feel nervous. 

Duchess Rosasa said with her eyes down. 

“And to put it lightly, the delegation from the Kingdom of Axion are not gentle people.” 

The Kingdom of Axion was a close ally of the Empire, but in many ways they were completely different. 

In particular, they have a hostile nature. 

“Are they as rough in nature as rumored?” 

“They’re not just rough. To be honest, they’re a bit hard to deal with.” 

Duchess Rosasa let out a sigh and continued.

“But the nobles are fine. They are rude, but they never take it too far. But Princess Lara is another case. She’s really scary.”

Princess Lara. 

My eyes widened at the familiar name. 

Among dozens of princesses, she is the youngest daughter who monopolized the love of King Axion.

In addition, she was the best villainess in the well known novel. 

She was a character that appeared in the latter part of the original novel. 

She was the political partner of Crown Prince Kalyx. 

Unable to accept the relationship between Kalyx and Estelle, the Empress Dowager pushed Lara to become the next Empress. 

Kalyx flatly rejected her.

[The only woman who can be next to me is Estelle. So don’t be swayed by my grandmother’s words and leave the Empire.]

But she didn’t give him up easily like the villainess she is. 

Lara was obsessed with Kalyx and jealous of Estelle.

She went so far as to threaten Estelle. Eventually, she gets cut off by Kalyx and ends her life. 

‘The end of the villainess is always a miserable one.’

But it’s not easy to sympathize with her because she had a really cruel personality. 

I could tell by the face of the Duchess of Rosasa. 

The Duchess’ face turned pale and hardened as she muttered Princess Lara’s name. 

As if it was the name of an evil murderer, not a princess. 

I rubbed my hand on Duchess Rosasa’s shoulders to console her.

“Don’t worry. I’m going to make you look so scary that even a princess with a nasty personality won’t be able to easily approach you.”

Only then did Duchess Rosasa’s stiff face loosen up a little. 

After I was done with the makeup, Duchess Rosasa looked into the mirror. 

“I look elegant and very strong. As Lady Pernia said, even those who come from the Kingdom of Axion won’t be able to look down on me.” 

Duchess Rosasa smiled, bending her dark eyes gently. 

“Thank you, Lady Pernia.” 

I said with a proud face. 

“Should I do your makeup like this on the day of the banquet?” 

“Please do.” 

“All right.” 

I answered energetically. 

Duchess Rosasa asked cautiously as I arranged my makeup tools. 

“Lady Pernia. It may be sudden, but may I ask you a favor?” 

“What is it?” 

“Can you go to the banquet as my maid?” 

My eyes widened at the unexpected proposal. 

It is not required for noble ladies to bring their maid to regular banquets.

However, events like the welcoming banquet for the Axion delegation are different. 

Participants usually take their daughter or a close family member as their maid of honor. 

This was to bring those who had not yet been to such events to give them political experience. 

“Are you not going with your daughter?” 

“I planned to, but she’s not feeling well. I guess she was really nervous since it was such a big event. I’m afraid I’ll make a mistake if I take my unwell daughter with me.” 

“But it’s an important event, so you’d better go together with your daughter.” 

Duchess Rosasa said, fluttering her fingers. 

“To tell you the truth, I want to go with you. I think I can more comfortably enjoy the banquet if I go with Lady Pernia.” 

Duchess Rosasa asked, looking at me. 

“Am I asking for too much?” 

“…..”

I blinked, unable to readily answer. 

It wasn’t a problem for me.

No matter how intense the banquet may be, this was a good opportunity for me to be able to attend such a big event. 

Above all, I wanted to do her a favor. 

Because of my own adoration for Duchess Rosasa.

She was considerate and friendly to people, even though she had a great position as a duchess. 

As she became close to me, she often expressed the burden of having a high position as the Duchess, which also made her more lovable.

However, it was because of Lucian sitting quietly over there that I was not ready to answer.

‘I’m sure he’ll try to tag along.’

Lucian is in really good condition. He’s not telling me not to go.

But it’s still hard for him to separate from me, so I’m sure he’ll try to follow me to the banquet. 

‘What if something bad happens during such an important event?’

It was terrible just imagining what could happen.

I made up my mind. I’m sorry to the duchess, but I don’t think I can go.

When I was about to say no,

“I’m fine with it.” 

It was Lucian. 

I looked at Lucian with big eyes. Lucian said, making eye contact with me. 

“Don’t give up what you want to do because of me.” 

“…..” 

“Do as you please, Nia.” 

I would’ve never imagined he would say that until just now. 

Since he normally would prevent me from going anywhere myself.

I managed to resist the urge to run to hug Lucian right away and cry. 

But it’s not just me and Lucian here. 

Duchess Rosasa was blinking her eyes wondering what on earth was going on. 

‘I shouldn’t show the innocent woman how toxic of a couple we are.’

I nodded to Lucian, then turned and said to Duchess Rosasa. 

“All right. I’ll join you at the banquet, Duchess Rosasa.” 

My answer brightened the face of Duchess Rosasa. 

* * *

A few days later, the royal delegation from Axion arrived. A reception was held for them at the Imperial Palace. 

A long table was set in the splendidly decorated banquet hall. 

One side seated the imperial nobles, and the other side seated the delegation from the Kingdom of Axion.

The royal delegation from the Kingdom of Axion had not yet arrived, so only the aristocracy of the empire sat at the table. 

All of them were heads of prestigious and prominent families in the empire. Behind them stood young nobles from an equally great family.

Women were dressed in elegant dresses, men in neat uniforms. 

I was seated behind the Duchess of Rosasa in a light-colored dress. 

‘It’s a spectacular sight to see all these noble families together.’

It was my first time attending such an event, so everything was amazing to me. 

Watching the aristocracy, I found a familiar face at the end of the table. 

Marquis Garthian and Marquise Erica. 

Marquis Garthian was the damn bastard who shouted and said that Lucian was cursed at the previous banquet. 

I was told that he still insists Lucian should not be left alone. 

The same goes for Erica. 

‘They’re just a couple of annoying people.’ 

At that moment, I made eye contact with the two.

The faces of the two were stained with astonishment. 

‘How dare you be here?’

It looked like their faces said that. 

I stuck my tongue out at them. 

“…..!”

The faces of the two were distorted. 

I slipped my tongue in and pretended to have done nothing. 

Erica made a face that showed how much she wanted to curse me the worst in the world, but she couldn’t. 

Even after gaining the prideful position of Marquise, she did not have the guts to cause a disturbance in this solemn atmosphere. 

After a while, the voice of a servant rang out. 

“The guests from the Kingdom of Axion are entering.” 

Tension lingered on the faces of the nobles sitting in their seats. They turned their heads to the entrance to the banquet hall. 

The first person to appear was Princess Lara. 

Beautifully tanned skin, curly red hair. Fancy accessories decorated all over the body. 

Among all that, what caught people’s attention was her voluptuous body which she made no effort to hide.

Her voluminous chest and smooth legs were boldly on display beneath her fancy dress. 

I opened my mouth in admiration. 

I’ve heard that the Kingdom of Axion is much more open-minded than the empire, but wouldn’t this be too much?

‘Amazing.’