The Tragic Male Lead Chose the Wrong Partner

* * *

Helene learned through a letter from Charles, left at the government residence, that the entire Visente family had vanished overnight.
It seems she took care of them herself, my lady.
Charles, who had been secretly defaming Cynthia on Helene’s orders in exchange for money, had gone into hiding after the overseers who accompanied him ended up dead.

As a result, Helene’s plan to isolate Cynthia within the residence had also collapsed.
I’m risking my life just to send this letter. All incoming and outgoing correspondence is being inspected by the military. I’m merely fulfilling the duty I was paid for.
Charles made it clear that he could no longer act on Helene’s behalf. In fact, simply reporting to Count Queensguard when he occasionally visited was much safer for him.

Helene crumpled the letter with an irritated frown and bit her lip.
“She dealt with the Visente family? Just what does she plan to do about the consequences?”
Cynthia’s merciless method of handling things was an entirely unexpected variable.

Helene rose immediately and made her way to the Grand Madam, who was drinking tea with the Duke of Recanosa.
With a grave expression, Helene sat down across from them and began to speak.
“It seems my younger sister couldn’t accept the Visente couple after all. I’m ashamed, considering your concern for them.”

The Grand Madam set down her teacup and nodded.
“I see. Well, it can’t be helped.”
Helene was thrown off by her unexpectedly nonchalant response.

She had all but ignored the Grand Madam’s letter asking her to take care of “those distant relatives.” Was this really something to brush off so easily?
“But still, they are relatives of the ducal house, and you personally made the request…”
The Grand Madam shook her head firmly, drawing a line.

“Relatives? Nonsense—they’re strangers. Whether they were the brigadier’s adoptive parents or his real ones, I offered out of courtesy, but that doesn’t mean we need to force anything on our side.”
Her sharp green eyes fixed on Helene, who was flustered.
“And you were the one who invited them to the family gathering. Not me. I wrote that letter because you asked me to. You should be worried they might tarnish my name, not lashing out solely at your sister.”
Ah. The order of things had been wrong.

With nothing more to say, Helene apologized and excused herself.
The Duke of Recanosa, who had been silently listening to their conversation, lowered his gaze, deep in thought.
He had been suspicious of the sudden appearance of “Madam Eleonora,” and after pressing Helene, discovered she was actually the Countess Visente—formerly the one who adopted the brigadier.

Wouldn’t this help you as well? You wouldn’t even talk to me, so I just didn’t say anything.
Helene had a point.
The mere fact that the brigadier’s adoptive parents had gambling debts was a major liability—it wasn’t a bad situation for him. However...

The duke recalled the verbally abusive in-laws and Cynthia wiping away tears from the pain they caused.
And now, she was even being threatened by an organization. Just imagining it left him seething.
'She’s suffering because she met the wrong man. How hard must it be, all alone while the brigadier’s away?'

The duke stroked his chin with a troubled look, silently wishing that Cynthia would come to him for help.
* * *
Helene instructed her maid to prepare dessert again that evening.

“You’ve been having dessert every night lately. And two servings at that. You never even liked sweets before.”
The maid gave her a suspicious look, but Helene was too lost in thought to really hear.
She was thinking of Oliver Visente, the younger brother of Count Visente, and his illegitimate son.

'The organization has probably already approached the bastard son. That must be why we haven’t heard from them.'
Naturally, that bastard child would try to track down his father to avoid inheriting the debt.
That was precisely why Helene had brought Oliver Visente into the residence in the first place.

Debt was like a contagious disease—it could reach beyond immediate family and torment even distant relatives.
'If all of this is exposed, even the Grand Madam won’t be able to stand by and watch like it doesn’t concern her.'
No one could keep cherishing a child who killed others without hesitation.

“Is he not coming tonight?”
Staring out the darkened window, Helene suddenly realized she was waiting for Capitano.
'It’s just because he’s useful to me.'

Denying her own feelings, she went to bed. But the chill of dawn woke her from sleep.
In the darkness, she saw a man slumped against the far wall, head bowed.
“Capitano?”

Helene hurried to him.
“What happened to you?”
Capitano raised his head with a faint smile, bruised cheek and split lip on full display.

“Sorry. I’m late tonight.”
“How did this happen? Were you in a fight?”
Flustered, Helene sat him on the bed and brought first-aid supplies to disinfect his wounds.

Eyes closed, Capitano spoke softly.
“It happens all the time. I’m just a lowly employee, after all… Ow, that stings.”
“Bear with it. I’ve never treated anyone before.”

At her words, Capitano chuckled and laid his hand over hers.
Startled, Helene’s eyes widened.
Her stunned face was reflected in those dazzling golden eyes.

“I’ve never received kindness like this before. It feels nice.”
“……”
Helene, feeling a strange mix of pity and something else seep into her chest, quickly pulled her hand away.

“If you’re hurt or sick next time, you don’t have to come.”
“I can’t do that. I promised the princess.”
“You’re still human. You need rest.”

He gently wrapped her wrist, which had moved to push him away.
“Coming here is rest. Even if we met for business, I get to talk with you and eat dessert.”
His voice was warm, though his hand was cold.

“Do you enjoy being with me?”
He pressed her hand to his cheek, smiling.
“Yes.”

Helene turned her head as if suppressing a sudden urge—but she didn’t pull her hand away.
“Just being in the same space as you takes my breath away. You’re like a flower with no scent.”
Her husband, the duke, had once said that to her—harsh and heartless.

“…Me too. Sometimes, it’s comforting.”
The moment she looked back at him, the cold expression on Capitano’s face melted into a smile.
“This is bad. I shouldn’t be doing this with a married woman.”

He ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) stepped back with a smile in his eyes.
Like someone waiting for her to make the first move—his movements were slow and seductive.
Helene bit her lip.

'The duke does it, so why shouldn’t I? Why can’t I?'
An eye for an eye. Everything should be repaid in the same way.
Fueled by pride and defiance, Helene grabbed the back of his neck and pulled him close.

“I want the throne. Help me become queen. It’s not a seat I can reach without the backing of shadow forces anyway. I’ll give you the title of royal consort.”
“…Is this a proposal?”
Capitano asked with surprise in his eyes.

Helene raised her chin haughtily.
“Marriage is a transaction, isn’t it? You’ve got nothing to lose.”
“Marriage is spending your life with someone you love.”

Was that what marriage was supposed to be? The concept felt foreign. She mulled it over like a candy rolling around in her mouth—strangely sweet.
“Anyway, about that maid—Anna—the one the princess ordered locked up.”
He changed the subject naturally and continued.

“She’s dead. Today.”
Helene’s face, which had just regained a bit of color, went stark white.
“What? Anna’s dead?”

“There were intruders where she was being held. I got these wounds fighting them off.”
“Who sent them?”
“According to her final words, Princess Cynthia visited her while she was in hiding. She said Cynthia threatened her using her relationship with the duke.”

Cynthia had killed the Visente family… and now even Anna.
Helene was shaken to the core.