The Obsession of the Tyrant Sub-Male Lead is Unnecessary

Episode 38

Osmund’s brow furrowed.

“What are you doing here?”

“You told me to speak with you after the court meeting, didn’t you?”

“That didn’t mean you could enter my bedchamber.”

“We’ve known each other for quite some time; it stings to hear you say that.”

Olivia smiled brightly and drew closer, her vibrant violet eyes staring directly at him.

Seeing Olivia’s demeanor and tone drastically different from before, Osmund let out a scoff.

In the darkened room, tension stretched between the two as they stood close. When Osmund said nothing, Olivia spoke first, humbling herself.

“I apologize. But you can rest assured. No one knows I entered your chamber besides the butler.”

“Good to know.”

Osmund’s voice was icy.

“I thought perhaps you’d had a change of heart.”

“That could never happen.”

Olivia quickly denied it.

“As someone under your guardianship, I simply didn’t want others to see me speaking with you late at night.”

Though he was annoyed by her uninvited entry into his room, he couldn’t deny she had a point.

Osmund gave a begrudging nod and moved past Olivia to sit down, with her following and taking the seat opposite him.

“You’re not as naive as you appear.”

Osmund recalled her daring green eyes and spoke. Olivia responded calmly.

“I told you as much, didn’t I? Though at first, I also thought you seemed too trusting. But I see now you’re not as simple as you look.”

“Did the emperor fall for that delicate face of hers, then?”

Osmund considered that he might need to adjust his plans. Olivia, noticing his contemplative expression, asked,

“Then, will you consider my proposal?”

“The proposal?”

Osmund looked at her coldly. Olivia nodded.

For a mere viscount’s daughter, her terms were bold and outrageous.

But given that the Princess of Waterfall was no pushover, Olivia’s offer was tempting.

Osmund, observing Olivia’s composed smile, asked,

“Wasn’t it your intention to become a duchess?”

When they first met, that certainly seemed to be her goal. This pretty woman had feigned innocence, flaunting every advantage to capture his attention.

He admitted to being curious. However, now that he understood her true intentions, he had no intention of being manipulated like the foolish former emperor. He would, however, use her as a convenient pawn.

“That was true once.”

Olivia didn’t deny it.

“But when you turned your eyes toward the Princess of Waterfall instead…”

She met his blue gaze without hesitation.

“I changed my goal to becoming empress.”

Osmund laughed aloud. The kitten he thought he was raising turned out to be a lynx.

Yet, he didn’t mind. If she wanted to win the emperor’s heart, she needed to be at least this bold.

A woman like her had a better chance of catching the emperor’s attention than some ordinary woman.

Osmund knew the emperor well.

While he wore a gentle and kind mask in front of the Princess of Waterfall, that was merely a facade, concealing the twisted, festering core within. The moment that mask slipped, his true emotions would burst forth.

In that moment, it might even be the princess herself who left, unable to handle the emperor’s madness. A woman like Olivia would be better suited to managing a crazed emperor.

“We’re alike, you and I. Perhaps that’s why I disliked you from the beginning.”

Olivia remained unfazed by his words, meeting his gaze with a smile. Osmund continued.

“It’s something like a loathing for one’s own kind.”

“I also know that I’ve piqued your interest.”

Olivia replied.

“I’m not the sort to wait around stupidly, unlike the princess of Waterfall.”

Her brazen disdain for Verona dampened the smile on Osmund’s face slightly, though Olivia didn’t seem to notice.

“And I’m different from you, Grand Duke.”

With a radiant smile, she extended her right hand.

“You want to bring down His Majesty. That’s why you seek to claim the princess.”

“…And?”

“I only need to possess His Majesty. If I can etch myself as the most unforgettable presence in his heart, then it won’t matter what happens to some little princess from a minor kingdom. Whether she goes mad with loss or slinks back to her homeland in disgrace.”

The dazzling, radiant crown of the empress.

The esteemed seat beside the emperor.

That would suffice. Olivia had no intention of being a foolish woman begging for undivided love.

Even if he kept the princess as a mistress, it wouldn’t bother her. The children would still be recorded in the family line as born of the empress.

And Olivia prided herself on her knowledge of poisons, particularly toxic plants, knowing she was second to none.

If she were to become empress, gradually poisoning a mistress wouldn’t be a difficult task.

The mere thought of the emperor’s cold, sorrowful green eyes eventually softening into love when gazing at her sent a thrilling shiver through her body.

The image of those who had always scorned her kneeling before her, wearing the empress’s crown, was so intoxicating it was almost maddening.

“My arm’s getting tired, Your Grace.”

Olivia urged Osmund with a pointed tone.

“Remember, I do have other options besides you, Your Grace.”

“Quite impudent words coming from a ward.”

Osmund replied without a hint of a smile. But despite the harsh words, he grasped Olivia’s extended hand.

“Still, as an ally, you’re not half bad.”

A deep smile spread across Olivia’s face.

“You won’t be disappointed.”

The two slowly shook hands, sealing their pact.

Olivia smiled, confident that the grand duke shared her ambitions without a hint of doubt.

* * *

“Thank you, I appreciate it.”

Verona reached out toward the lake. Carlos stood off at a distance, watching her with a slightly sulky expression.

Her golden hair, shimmering under the moonlight, dipped into the dark lake water. The splashing sounds hinted at another creature present in the lake that connected to the sea.

“It’s been so long since I’ve seen you too. No, it’s not that… I…”

Carlos frowned, visibly displeased with the scene before him.

Watching her kiss the dolphin’s forehead, he snapped the branch he was holding in two.

It was just an animal, yet jealousy flared up inside him. The fact that her lips touched something other than his own skin irritated him. But he couldn’t reveal such childish feelings openly.

‘Why won’t she even let me get close to that ridiculous dolphin?’

Verona had warned him off, saying the dolphin was skittish. But he insisted on staying. After all, what if she fell into the lake in the dead of night?

Even though, as a mermaid, falling into water would only make her more comfortable, Carlos stubbornly remained. So Verona had reluctantly allowed him to stand nearby.

“Carlos?”

When he came back to himself, Verona was walking toward him, the dolphin gone without a trace.

“So, did you enjoy your reunion with your dolphin friend?”

“Yes, I did. It’s been ages since I left Waterfall, so it was really nice to see him again and catch up on the news.”

Verona spoke with joy, but Carlos hardly listened. Instead, he reached out, wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her close.

“Oh.”

“Your hair’s wet.”

Carlos gathered a handful of her damp hair, wet from dipping into the lake. Water dripped down, soaking her clothes.

He pulled out a handkerchief and gently wiped her collar, where lake water had left a trace. Her pale cheeks flushed slightly.

“I didn’t know you could communicate with creatures. Is that a mermaid trait?”

“Not all mermaids, no. My father can’t, for instance. I’m not sure, but I think it’s a unique ability passed down to female royals.”

“Then we’ll need to keep an eye on our future daughter.”

Carlos nodded, tucking her hair behind her neck.

“She might just leave her father to dote on animal friends, just like her mother.”

“When did I ever abandon you, Carlos?”

Verona replied in exasperation, but Carlos didn’t bother hiding his sulky expression.

“If that’s not the case, then why wouldn’t you let me near the dolphin?”

“Well, humans hunt whales, so of course he’d be wary of you… Hold on, are you jealous right now?”

“Yes.”

Carlos nodded boldly. Verona was at a loss for words.

“But you only just….”

“Even after handling state affairs, it’s never enough time to be with you. In my heart, I want you right by my side at all times.”

“Isn’t that already the case?”

“I mean even while I’m working.”

“…”

“Don’t you feel the same?”

This was serious.

Verona looked at Carlos, whose eyes demanded her agreement with a relentless intensity.

‘Is this… jealousy?’

To any onlooker, he would seem like a madman. His actions up until now had shown a hint of it, after all.

“But, Carlos, you’re the emperor. It wouldn’t make sense for you to keep me at your side all the time, would it?”

“You’re too good.”

Carlos let out a deep sigh.

“That’s what bothers me. If you had asked me to stay by your side, I would have reluctantly agreed. I could’ve even found an excuse by burning down the Imperial Wardrobe. I mean, no loyal official would insist on sending the emperor out for state matters if he had no clothes to wear.”

‘Is he seriously suggesting he’d destroy all his clothes just to stay near me?’

Verona stifled a laugh as she pictured him sitting naked on the sofa in the private palace.

As she giggled, linking her arm through his, Carlos’s expression softened slightly.

“…I heard.”

Back in the private palace, Carlos spoke after ordering a warm cup of tea.

“Why haven’t you said anything?”