The Tragic Male Lead Chose the Wrong Partner

* * *
“It was my intention to expose their scandal.”
Early in the morning, Helene visited the Duke and handed him today’s newspaper.

He unfolded it and read the article.
「Disgraced Scandal of the Last Royals
Cynthia Queensguard and Carlos Queensguard, siblings entangled in a forbidden affair. The photo submitted by an anonymous source supports rumors of their relationship...」

A large photo filled the front page—Cynthia and Carlos embracing in the forest.
What kind of expression would Masera be making as he saw this article? Even if there was no affection, he would be consumed with betrayal and rage.
The press would undoubtedly flood the air with news of a falling-out between the two, and Masera’s reputation would begin to chip away.

The Duke folded the newspaper with a sense of satisfaction.
Then he looked over at Helene, seated with elegant composure.
She was beautiful, but evoked no feelings beyond that of a business partner. Ironically, the Duke knew better than anyone how miserable a marriage without affection could be.

Helene spoke.
“My objective was achieved, but there was an issue midway.”
Helene explained what had happened at the villa.

That the note had been forged, and by chance a kidnapping incident occurred, turning them into subjects of an investigation.
The Duke of Recanosa immediately changed his tone and reprimanded her.
“What exactly is the mistress of a ducal house doing? If the truth is uncovered, the dignity of the house will be in shambles.”

Helene raised her chin proudly.
“As long as no one finds out I wrote the note, it doesn’t matter.”
The Duke’s face twisted in disbelief.
“They said the evidence was delivered to Intelligence. It’s only a matter of time before the messenger is caught.”

“Negotiating with the higher-ups is your job. Besides, the one who delivered the note will never be caught.”
At Helene’s beckon, a woman with a headscarf timidly entered the room.
“She’s a maid registered as deceased, with no existing records.”

She had been secretly spared by Helene the day the staff at the Queensguard estate were killed.
‘Originally, I kept her alive as a useful witness to restrain Father and Cynthia, but now that I hold the leash, she’s good for this too.’
At Helene’s signal, the hesitant maid removed her scarf. A delicate-looking woman with pale flaxen hair and green eyes.

“My name is Anna.”
The Duke quietly observed the plain woman introducing herself.
Helene smiled leisurely.

“Now, that silly note isn’t even a critical issue anymore. We’ve bought time. Just resolve everything while public attention is fixated on the scandal.”
‘She’s dumping the troublesome work on me.’
The Duke clicked his tongue internally as he turned his gaze from the maid.

* * *
Cynthia wore a gloomy expression after seeing the malicious articles that morning.
‘Even a photo... How did this happen? Could Carlos have hugged me on purpose, aiming for this?’

But even so, Carlos had plenty to lose as well.
Dalia, who had brought the paper, said firmly.
“Director, it appears to be a deliberate media strike. We should prepare a counter-report.”

Cynthia was deeply moved as she looked at Dalia, who didn’t doubt her for a moment.
“Do you think the Brigadier will believe me too?”
At her question, Dalia smiled reassuringly.

“The Brigadier is no fool. He’ll know this is a cover-up article related to the kidnapping incident.”
It was easy to deduce ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) who benefited from this mess.
It had to be Helene.

“You truly are my aide. Your insight is no joke.”
Though she was relieved to have someone on her side, Cynthia couldn’t shake off the creeping unease. The memory of everyone leaving her, of being alone again, suddenly resurfaced.
She always proclaimed, ‘I can live just fine on my own!’—but being capable of it and living with loneliness were two very different things.

* * *
Diego, who had delivered the newspaper to Masera, looked at him with a tense expression.
He waited silently as Masera read the paper, then checked his wristwatch and asked carefully at what he judged was the right time.

“What should we do? To clear up the misunderstanding with Lady Cynthia—no, with Her Highness...”
“Nothing in particular.”
Seated at his desk, Masera lifted his head and spoke.

His cold and hollow gaze felt especially frightening today.
He lowered his eyes back to the documents and added,
“It’s not something worth caring about.”

So, because it was a political marriage based on mutual interests, he wouldn’t let this affect him?
‘The Brigadier is such an idiot...’
Diego sighed.

After he finished his report and left—
Crack.
The sound of a fountain pen shattering in Masera’s grasp echoed faintly.

His lips curled into a vicious sneer.
“How dare he...”
What Masera hated most was someone touching what was his. Because he had never had anything of his own, his possessiveness was stronger than anyone’s.

* * *
The capital, in the residence where the Count of Queensguard and his sons were staying—
“What the hell is this! You said you didn’t care! That you’d marry someone else! Explain this!”

Edford shrieked, shoving the newspaper at Carlos.
Carlos ignored his whining and headed toward his father’s study.
The Count of Queensguard, who had been looking out the window, turned with a raised brow. On the desk was a wrinkled newspaper.

“You’d better figure out who’s sabotaging everything.”
At his father’s frigid accusation, Carlos shook his head.
“I did hug her of my own will, but it wasn’t part of a scheme.”

The Count picked up a long golf club leaning against the wall and smiled thinly.
“That’s all the excuse you’ve got?”
He looked ready to beat his son to a pulp.

“If you're useless and you betray your father on top of that, I have no reason to treat you like a son anymore.”
“I only comforted Cynthia because she might change her mind after hearing about my engagement with another woman.”
The Count lifted Carlos’s chin with the tip of the club and gave a cold smile.

“And that just happened to be photographed? And you just happened to get kidnapped together?”
Carlos recalled Helene’s warning.
“Go ahead and say I did it. In the end, it’ll just be dismissed as nonsense.”

She was the lady of a ducal house—and a power-holder.
Carlos couldn’t bring himself to mention Helene. He knew his father couldn’t win against her either, and it would accomplish nothing.
At that moment, a maid entered to inform the Count of a visitor.

The Count grinned and looked at Carlos.
“Brigadier Visente has arrived. He mentioned earlier he’d be dropping by.”
Seeing Carlos’s stiffened face, the Count waved his hand dismissively.

“You know who he’s here for, right? Go on. If you value your life, don’t provoke him.”
* * *
Carlos headed to the reception room where Masera was waiting.

As he opened the door, he saw Masera seated on the sofa in uniform, legs crossed.
Sensing his presence, Masera removed his officer’s cap and stood.
“What brings y—”

Just as Carlos began to speak—
Boom!
His body was instantly slammed into the wall.

Masera’s hand was gripping his throat, his eyes darkening into a chilling blue.
“Is this about the article?”
Carlos let out a strained chuckle, despite the pressure on his neck.

“I came to investigate the source of the scandal... and to give you a warning.”
Masera released his grip and began rolling up his sleeves.
“Please, cooperate.”

Carlos shrugged, watching him.
“Cooperate? Judging by how your fists act before your mouth, I guess you can’t hide your lowly roots.”
But before he could finish—

“Ugh!”
His vision spun as Masera’s boot struck his previously injured leg, sending him crumpling to the floor.
“That’s right. A man raised on the battlefield, soaked in slaughter all his life.”

“Kicking where I’m already hurt, how cowardly—”
Masera seized his hair without mercy and yanked him up, glaring down at him.
“All I can do is imitate people. I don’t know anything about humane methods.”

“A commoner war orphan like you thinks he can do this to me and get away with it?”
Smack!
Carlos’s cheek, previously struck, was slapped again. He stared in disbelief.

Masera spoke in a quiet voice.
“Even if I killed you here and left, nothing would happen to me.”
He pointed to the scratch on his cheek from the previous day’s raid.

“And my wife would worry more about this than about you dying.”
Carlos couldn’t find anything to say.
His opponent was a world-renowned war hero. He was a disgraced royal by birth. And it was clear Cynthia’s heart had already left him.

“You don’t even love Cynthia. Why go this far?”
Silence. Only their breathing filled the room.
Smack!

This time, Masera struck the other cheek, a sinister smile on his face.
“Because she’s mine. And I despise it when someone touches what’s mine.”
He then began unstrapping his watch.

“From now on, answer only the questions I ask. I don’t care who the subject is or where they come from.”
Loosening his tie, he looked up with a chilling gaze.