Treat the Second Male Lead Like a Stone

Ricardo, who barely managed to stop laughing, wiped the tears that had formed at the corners of his eyes.

“Wasn't the wind particularly strong today?”

“Right? It looks like there might be a storm coming soon.”

When I quickly chimed in with Ricardo’s clumsy excuse, he stared at me intently.

“Why, why are you looking at me like that……?”

I thought he would interrogate me about why I had done something so sudden, but unexpectedly, he didn't ask anything.

“It just feels like what I was worried about was a waste of time.”

That was all he said.

……Worried, he said.

It was a remark I couldn’t quite understand, but I awkwardly laughed it off.

There was no doubt we were getting to know each other little by little. But there was also a clear line that could never be crossed.

Ricardo would never speak of his past. Because I had said I wouldn’t listen.

‘And I also……’

I’d never be able to say that I had somewhere to return to.

* * *

A few days later.

Today was the day of the Cardiff social gathering.

And it was an event I would be attending with Cedric.

I was walking slowly, but the moment I spotted Cedric already waiting outside through the window, I ran out to the front gate.

“……!”

He looked at me, who was panting, with a displeased gaze and scolded me.

“You’re late.”

“You're just too early, brother!”

Today, of all days, I truly felt wronged.

My disgruntled tone burst out.

“No matter how bad the traffic is, arriving 30 minutes early is a bit much, isn’t it?”

“It’s to prepare for unexpected situations.”

“Even accounting for that, it’s still too early.”

He didn’t even pretend to hear me. I climbed into the carriage, grumbling to myself things I couldn’t say aloud. Then Cedric immediately opened his mouth.

“Since we’re going to the temple today……”

“You’re telling me to mind my demeanor, right?”

“You know well.”

I had found the perfect way to cut off his nagging.

Just beat him to the punch.

I should have realized this sooner!

“By the way, are Cardiff gatherings usually held at temples?”

I wasn’t familiar with it, so everything felt strange.

“It’s typical to have at least one connection to the temple.”

“Ah.”

“……You don’t even know that kind of common knowledge.”

“Should I just get off here?”

When I asked with a bright smile, Cedric closed his mouth quietly. Instead, the way he stared at me turned extremely hostile.

“Oh? So that means I should get off……”

“It’d be better if we traveled in silence.”

He closed his eyes, avoiding further conversation.

He should’ve done that from the start.

After a long silence, the carriage came to a stop in front of the temple.

I stretched my stiff body and got out of the carriage, and a man waiting at the front gate welcomed us warmly.

“You must’ve had a hard time coming all this way!”

He was a man with neatly combed hair. His face appeared easygoing and friendly at a glance, giving the impression of a good-natured personality.

But unlike my positive first impression, Cedric’s gaze wasn’t so kind. He held his forehead as if he were getting a headache.

“……Lord Glaster, you were a Cardiff member?”

“Temporary member! Lord Onyx took a liking to me, so I’ll be staying at the temple for the time being.”

Responding cheerfully to Cedric’s sharp tone, he immediately turned his attention to me. I felt like he expected an introduction, so I hurried to speak.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Bianca Roygin.”

“I’ve always wanted to formally greet you, but the Marquis has kept you so well hidden! I’m Eli Glaster.”

When I glanced at Cedric during the continued exchange, he showed no sign of relaxing his frown.

……He’s really like that?

For someone skilled at managing his expression, this was quite the reaction.

I didn’t know the reason, but Eli Glaster—you’ve just become my number one target of caution.

* * *

The House of Count Glaster.

It was the family that first co-authored the scriptures with the founding Holy Emperor.

Around the time imperial authority began to decline, Glaster proposed the idea of creating a new religion to the imperial family.

Later, they denounced the gods from the Divine Era as heresies and founded a religion to support imperial power.

‘For someone from such a family to be just a temporary member is certainly unusual.’

I was briefly lost in thought when a loud voice snapped me back to attention.

“Oh, did you all hear the news? Apparently, the World Tree in the dead forest started growing again!”

“Yurian, maybe save that for later……”

Because it was a temple-related gathering, I expected a solemn atmosphere. But Cardiff, when I saw it with my own eyes, felt much more relaxed than I thought.

The woman called Yurian quickly looked at me and Cedric with a sheepish face.

Onyx, who had stopped her, brought his index finger to his lips with a brief smile.

The host of the Cardiff gathering, Onyx Phynon.

Despite being born a commoner, he was granted the title of baron directly by the Emperor.

‘I heard even His Holiness is fond of him.’

“Exploring knowledge that can’t be known by human power is truly a joy. I’m very glad to be joined by new people.”

Onyx continued speaking without giving Cedric and me a chance to respond.

“The flowers that have bloomed inside the temple have also blossomed safely under the arrangement of the gods. Now, take a look.”

……They’re just wildflowers.

That comment came all the way up to my throat. But because of the strange madness swirling in his eyes as he stared at me, I somehow managed to force a smile.

“Ah, somehow! They do feel kind of different!”

Perhaps he liked my forced reaction. Onyx’s eyes sparkled as he stepped closer to me. I instinctively stepped back, but he didn’t seem to notice and began explaining enthusiastically.

"Everything in the world comes from divine kindness. Even common wildflowers! Though often ignored by society, they thrive in the temple, meaning…"

You can find these anywhere on the streets!

The significance he was assigning to them was over the top.

At some point, Cedric, who had been standing beside me, had moved far away.

I looked at him with eyes full of resentment, but he stubbornly avoided my gaze like his life depended on it.

"Lady Roygin, may I give you a tour of the temple, if you have time?"

Since I was here at Cedric’s request, my decision depended on him.

Just as I was about to ask for his approval, Eli quietly approached my side.

“In that case, I’d like to join as well.”

His friendly smile was quite pleasant. Like a sunflower that had grown only under warm sunlight without ever facing a harsh storm.

His charming smile nearly made me lower my guard.

“Before that.”

Just then, Cedric’s firm voice cut through.

“Get to the point first.”

“Ahem, my apologies.”

Onyx coughed with an embarrassed expression.

“I let the conversation wander a bit. This way, please.”

Only then did Cedric let out a sigh of relief and gesture with his eyes for me to come over to him. Reading the situation, I skillfully avoided Eli and moved toward Cedric.

“That was my mistake.”

“What was?”

It really seemed like it was because of Eli.

"You should probably just head back…"

But he didn’t finish his sentence.

“Goodness, it’s so difficult just to have a conversation with the lady.”

Eli casually approached and spoke playfully. Then he looked at Cedric, who stood firmly beside me, and gave him a knowing smile.

“Being the princess of House Roygin, no wonder the caution is fierce. You even sent Lady Bianca home early at the last masquerade ball, didn’t you?”

“You still remember something so trivial?”

“Haha, I recall you saying quite strongly, along with Count Owen, that she should leave early. Or am I mistaken?”

Ah, no way.

Back then, Leon said he’d return with me, but Cedric sent me back alone.

I thought it was just because he didn’t want to ask Leon……

Cedric’s eyebrows twitched.

“Ah, it wasn’t my intention to offend the Marquis. If I had such a beautiful younger sister, I’d behave the same way you did.”

The atmosphere took a strange turn.

It wasn’t just that Eli was being annoying—Cedric’s expression wouldn’t have deteriorated this badly for that alone.

Was it something to do with political matters……?

But one thing was clear—Cedric didn’t like me and Eli interacting at all.

Even now, if I looked closely, he had positioned himself between us to keep any closeness from forming.

“I didn’t think I’d done anything to offend you, Marquis.”

“You must be mistaken. Why would I have any ill feelings toward Lord Glaster?”

“Ah, now I see. So you did have ill feelings toward me all this time.”

……I think I understand why Cedric doesn’t like Eli.

“Still, isn’t it a bit much to even hide the fact that I sent a marriage proposal to Lady Bianca?”

Eli smiled lightly and gave me a small wave.

“Marquis, I’m starting to resent you.”