How The Sub-Male Lead’s Stepmother Teaches Love

“They are bad people! They looked at Nell with those eyes!“Lily, calm down. You must not use magic here.” “That’s right, you can’t use magic. Calm down, sister.” “Alex! How can you take off your gloves like that?!” Does it make sense to throw gloves at the banquet so peacefully? Oh my God! Why are there so many gloves coming out of his pocket? “It’s crazy. This is confiscation!” “Don’t worry. I’ll just throw it in their face, so give it to me.” “Calm down! What’s wrong with not getting any roses?” “Nell, this isn’t just a matter of not receiving roses. The People ignoring you, the lady of the Howard family.” There was a quiet resentment in the voice of my older brother, who was the most forgiving of them all. Well, everyone takes this matter seriously. But I’m really fine. ‘Come to think of it, the original Raenel also delayed her debut as much as possible.’ It was because she doesn’t like dancing in places where there are a lot of people she doesn’t know. Maybe ‘Raenel’ expected this and did it. Even if the host of the banquet was a man, it was a virtue for young ladies to give away the roses they received to the ladies. However, the number of Young men who debuted this year is five, and Young lady is four. Even though there was one more Young man, no one gave me a rose. Even though it was an unspoken rule to match the number so that the girl who received a few roses would not be ashamed. ‘The four flowers I received were also given by my family… In the original story, I wouldn’t have received what my family gave me, so it’s like I didn’t even get one.’ ‘At least if my parents were still alive, this wouldn’t have happened…’ “It’s all my fault.” “Why is this your fault brother!” “It’s my fault. I mean Count Howard is not what it used to be.” “Oh, no…” “I don’t know about others, but my motives shouldn’t be like this. Benjamin, let it go. I have to go and check it out.” “You can’t use your magic, Lily!” Oh, it’s a mess… What should I do to solve this? “Excuse me, Lady.” “I’m sorry, but I’m busy right now… oh?” In replying carelessly, I completely forgot what I was about to say. He was one taller than me, and had an ideal inverted triangle body with shoulders stretched out to the sides and pectoral muscles that seemed to explode. The distinct outlines of the well-dressed uniform proved that the man’s natural bones were thick. Based on him, the man’s body was armed with tight muscles from shoulders to thighs, but it didn’t feel excessive or burdensome at all. ‘Maybe it’s because of that ridiculous appearance?’ He must have been a knight by looking at those strong shoulders and the small scars that appeared under his gloves, but his pale white skin was reminiscent of snow on a cold snowy field. Maybe that’s why I smelled of crushed snow. However, the golden hair shining bright like the sunlight and the cloudless blue sky blended with the clarity of a sunny day, so it didn’t feel cold at all. How can I explain this handsome man’s beauty? If I were to attach an A rating, it would be Triple S. In this murky water where F-class and E-class compete! “Uh… What is your business?” “I was very impressed with your dance a while ago. It’s late, but can you accept it?” The handsome man even held out flowers to me. Receiving a single red rose, I said as if possessed by the man. “Yes, I’ll marry you….” “Excuse me, what are you talking about?” “Huh? Oh, my God. I don’t even know.” I thought a handsome man would propose to me because he was giving me flowers. After clearing my throat, I put the rose he gave me in the back of my ear and lifted the hem of my dress to greet him. “Thank you for your kindness. I will make a bookmark and send the flowers you gave me. Where should I send it?” It was a common manner to return the flowers received to the person who turned them into bookmarks or perfumes. Normally, even if the number of roses received is insufficient, it is normal to use more roses to make perfume or alcohol… It’s obvious that I only received four, no, five, but I need to work hard to do that. “Can’t I get it directly?” “Oh, my God…” I looked up at Triple S man at the unexpected remark. At the unexpected words, I raised my head and looked at Triple S man. This is the time. “That’s if you asked me out on a date…?” “Excuse me.” “Captain!” Just when I was about to ask if I was asking him out on a date, my little brother stopped me. At the same time, a man appeared gasping and close to triple S man. Triple S man paused as he looked back for a moment. Taking advantage of that gap, My younger brother scanned him up and down with eyes full of vigilance. “Isn’t it polite to reveal your identity first if you want to ask a noble lady from someone else’s house on a date?” “Please Alex, don’t make trouble.” I glanced around at Benjamin’s tearful voice saying that he was afraid others would see him. Fortunately, no one looked this way. Others were busy watching Duke Khalid dance. “Captain, what are you trying to do?” “My aide is a little late.” “Yes?” Triple S man took a step back and gave me a small smile. The man called the aide who looked at him and I alternately made a noise, then the triple S man came up to me and held out a rose. “It was a wonderful dance, Lady. I don’t know how long it’s been since my eyes kept looking at you. Please accept my rose.” “You’re not pushing me because of another man, are you?” “That can’t be true. I don’t live so self-assertively.” “Then with pleasure I’ll take it…” The moment I was about to receive the rose, loud applause poured in and swallowed my voice. It was a thunderous applause that could not be compared to when the first dance was over. “After all, it’s the Duke of Khalid. He dances well.” “How about Lady Norman’s dance?” “They are a really good pair.” “Lady Norman has finally granted her wish. That’s how she hanged herself on Duke Khalid.” “If you’re that active, you’d rather cheer for her, right?” “So. If Duke Khalid lived in confinement for three years, he would have shown all his sincerity toward the former Duchess… We may hear good news soon.” “Still, the age difference between the two of them…” “It suits them so well, isn’t there a problem with a 12-year-old?” No problem. Those two will eventually get married and have children. That is, the heroine of this world. However, the Countess dies while giving birth, and the barely born child is kidnapped by the younger brother of the deceased former Duchess. It’s kind of pitiful to think like this. “The Lady of Count Howard has become a bit pitiful.” “I know, right. She must have postponed her debut dance until today, aiming for a dance with Duke Khalid…” ‘Sorry?!’ What? me? I was aiming for a dance with Duke Khalid? “Excuse me, Lady.” It’s not because I’m chasing him right away. In the midst of feeling the urge to explain, Triple S man started talking to me. Oh, he’s handsome, he’s really handsome. The moment I turned my head, I thought the sun had just risen in front of me. He has such beautiful shiny blonde hair. It is a divine appearance that melts people’s unclean hearts. A smile automatically formed on my lips. “What is it?” “My name is Leonhard Ajas, the lord of the Ajas. Would you please give me the honor to dance with you for the first time?” “Sure, what! What is your name… can you repeat it ?!” “I am Leonhard Ajas.” ‘Ajas!’ Am I the only one who was surprised by those words? I was thinking about it. “Leonhard Ajas?” “Oh my God, the Marquis Ajas must have arrived!” “Marquis Ajas? Where?” “I didn’t hear he was at the prom today!” Leonhard looked only at me and asked if I couldn’t hear the voices of the chattering people. “It’s the first time I’ve been to the capital since the title succession ceremony, so if you think about it, this place is also my debut in the social world. If you’ll excuse me, would you like to give me flowers?” “Uh, me? I don’t have any flowers…” “Isn’t it enough for you to refuse all the other flowers?” Triple S, no, Leonhard put his hand through my hair and gently pulled out a rose. The sound of fingers and hair grazing clearly rang in my ears. Leonhard put a white rose in the handkerchief pocket of his uniform top. A white rose stood out in a black uniform embroidered with blue thread. “I think one rose of mine is enough for Lady.” “Uh yes…” Leonhard took the rose he had given me earlier, and put it back carefully into my hair. Because of that, I couldn’t even breathe properly because of the wide chest that was almost right in front of my nose. ‘Wow, he must have put on perfume. He smells good….’ I must have been mesmerized by the scent. Even knowing that he was the Marquis of Ajas, I held his hand that was immediately outstretched to me and headed toward the center of the banquet hall. * * * “Excuse me, Marquis Ajas.” I held Leonhard’s hand and whirled softly, aiming for the moment when I went round and went into his arms. “Leon is enough” ‘Wow, did you just give permission for the nickname when we first met?’ Because of this, you know that ‘Raenel’ fell in love with you at first sight! Even the situations were exquisite. If it was an original story, Leonhard was the first and only person who gave a rose to ‘Raenel’. Besides, how can you not fall in love with a rose and that face? If you are heterosexual, you have no choice but to fall for it. ‘But I’m different!’ Even if you have triple S-level beauty, I will never fall for you! “Excuse me, but you are not a very good dancer.” When I was close to him again, I whispered softly, and Leonhard’s cheeks turned slightly red. “Sorry. It’s been a long time since I danced again.” My heart was bombarded with missiles at the shyness of a person who seemed unlikely to do that at all. ‘Your Majesty, please make it illegal for handsome men to blush.’ It’s a foul, Was I the one who said I’d never fall for this guy 5 seconds ago? I don’t think it’s possible. ‘No…I will never fall. Not only for me, but my family’s life is in my hands.’ I smiled on the outside to avoid getting caught. Only Leonhard would have known that she had a really pretty smile. * * *