Chapter 3: The Scumbag Male Lead
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 3: The Scumbag Male Lead
The timing was perfect.
In the original story, the male lead returned to the mansion shortly after Claudia’s death, marking the true beginning of the novel.
Normally, the original Claudia would have succumbed to her high fever and passed away by the time I opened my eyes. However, because I had taken over her body at that moment, she—or rather, I—had managed to survive.
“……I understand. I’ll go out, so please look after Dia in the meantime.”
“Yes, my lady.”
Veronica’s face darkened, as if she too realized the male lead had returned. She stood up, leaving me in Sophia’s care.
“Dia, Mommy has to step out for a moment. Eat your meal with your nanny, okay?”
“Okay.”
“I’ll be back soon. You have to eat well, alright?”
“Yes.”
Pressed by the inexplicably heavy atmosphere, I answered obediently. Veronica gave a faint smile and stroked my hair.
I stared intently at Veronica’s back as she left the room.
What happens now? Just like in the original, will the male lead shamelessly announce that he’s taking the female lead as his concubine?
I’d rather they just get a divorce.
In the original story, the Ducal Family supported Veronica and clashed with the male lead, only to fall due to his schemes. Still, they were a Ducal Family of the Empire. They would be more than capable of protecting a divorced Veronica.
After finishing my meal, I gazed blankly at Sophia.
Sophia, who had been anxiously glancing at the door the entire time she was feeding me, flashed a bright smile as soon as our eyes met, acting as if nothing was wrong.
“Nanny, I want to look in a mirror.”
“A mirror?”
“Yes.”
When I nodded, Sophia looked puzzled but brought me a small hand mirror. I looked closely at my reflection.
I had long, glossy black hair just like Veronica’s, which contrasted sharply with my fair skin. Perhaps because I was sickly and often ill, my complexion was so pale it was almost translucent.
Still, with my small face, delicate features, and eyes that tilted up slightly like a cat’s, I was already quite pretty. I clearly took after my beautiful mother. I would undoubtedly grow up to be as stunning as Veronica.
“Hmm……”
The problem, however, was these eyes.
They weren’t like Veronica’s; they were violet, like pansies—the same eyes as the male lead.
I let out a dissatisfied groan as I stared at them.
Everything else was fine, but these eyes were the problem. Since I was a child, my eyes were large enough to take up most of my face, and the violet hue was incredibly vivid.
If anyone from the Ducal Family saw them, they would instantly be reminded of the male lead. I flipped the mirror over, feeling dejected.
“My lovely lady, what’s wrong? Do you not like the mirror?”
“……It’s nothing.”
“I wonder what it could be. Our lady is as beautiful as ever today.”
“…….”
Sophia smiled and stroked my hair. I closed my eyes, feeling the warmth of her touch.
“Now, it’s time for your medicine, isn’t it?”
“Ugh……”
“You have to take your medicine to get better quickly.”
“I’m all better now—”
“Our lady is a good girl, right?”
“…….”
Sophia pressured me with a smiling face.
She might look kind, but she was surprisingly firm.
Reluctantly, I took the medicine from her. I squinted suspiciously at the green liquid, which was made of god-knows-what ingredients.
“Now, drink up quickly and I’ll give you a delicious candy.”
“……You have to put it in my mouth the moment I finish.”
“Of course. Just trust your nanny.”
Only after receiving repeated confirmation from Sophia did I tilt the cup.
A revolting scent hit me first, followed by a bitter and strangely astringent taste that colonized my mouth.
“Ugh.”
“Well done, my lovely lady.”
“Urgh……”
Sophia quickly popped a candy into my mouth, but because the bitter medicine had completely overwhelmed my palate, I couldn’t taste the sweetness right away.
Ugh, I hate this. To think I have to take this three times a day.
It would be so much easier if I could just take a pill like back in Korea. I absolutely loathe the Middle Ages and their lack of medical advancement.
As I grumbled inwardly, I soon began to doze off.
A child’s body was truly simple. Eating and sleeping, eating and sleeping—that was how the day ended.
“Nanny, I……”
I tried to say I was going to sleep for a bit, but I couldn’t finish.
The door burst open with a loud bang! I snapped my eyes open in shock.
“M-Marquis?”
“……!”
A tall man strode into the room. Overwhelmed by his extraordinary aura, I could only stare up at him, speechless.
“……I heard you were ill, but you look perfectly fine.”
The man’s—no, the male lead’s—chilly gaze landed on me.
Sophia had just addressed him as Marquis, but even without that, I could have guessed his identity instantly.
He was the male lead of this novel, Cedric Lionel.
The man who had returned to the mansion today after finding the female lead—and the biological father of this body’s owner, Claudia.
“The young lady suffered from a fever for an entire week and has only just recovered.”
“…….”
Sophia stood in front of me, looking tense. I peeked at the male lead from behind her.
As expected of a novel’s male lead, he was breathtakingly handsome.
For a male lead, he sure is good-looking.
He had translucent silver hair and violet eyes that shone like jewels.
It was a level of beauty great enough for Veronica—who had grown up surrounded by all sorts of beautiful and precious things in the Ducal Family—to fall in love at first sight.
However, perhaps due to Claudia’s memories, the moment I saw those cold, sunken violet eyes, I froze like a mouse before a snake.
……To think those are the eyes he uses to look at his own daughter.
There wasn't a single speck of warmth in those violet eyes that so closely resembled Claudia’s.
Had he always looked at Claudia like that? My body was trembling uncontrollably against my will.
Yet, despite my shaking body, that gaze felt strangely familiar. My real biological father from before my possession used to look at me with those exact same eyes.
Besides, Veronica is way prettier.
It had only been a few days, but thanks to seeing the world-class beauty Veronica every day, my eyes had somewhat adjusted to looking at beautiful things.
So, I managed to calm my trembling frame and stared straight back at the male lead.
“You, what kind of nonsense did you spout to Veronica?”
“……?”
What was he talking about all of a sudden?
No, more importantly, was that any way to speak to a five-year-old daughter?
I looked up at him, dumbfounded.
“My Lord, why would you say such a thing to the young lady……”
“You, get out of my way.”
“Ugh……!”
“Nanny!”
The male lead shoved Sophia aside as if she were a nuisance. The sheer force of it sent her tumbling across the floor.
“Nanny, are you okay—”
“You, answer me.”
“Ah……!”
The male lead stepped closer and gripped my shoulder tightly.
As a Sword Master, he might not have thought he was using much strength, but it caused me significant pain.
“What did you babble to Veronica!”
“……!”
Veronica? Did Veronica say something to him?
Wait, could it be……
I recalled what I had said to Veronica the first day I met her.
‘Mom, divorce Dad.’
Could it be that my words had caused a change of heart in her?
Enough for the male lead to come charging in here to interrogate me?
If that’s the case, it’s a total win for me.
Rather than Veronica obsessing over him and leading the Ducal Family to ruin, it was much better for me if they divorced and became strangers.
Even though the male lead was an insufferable jerk, I started to feel a bit better.
My mouth didn't want to move properly because my body was shrinking back from his oppressive aura, but I managed to force out an answer.
“I didn’t say any—”
“Don’t lie to me. You’re just as wicked as that woman you take after.”
“…….”
I doubt Claudia wanted to take after you either.
I reacted indifferently inside, but it was becoming harder to endure. This bastard had finally started emitting a sharp, murderous energy toward a mere child.
“Hic……”
My small body shuddered, unable to withstand the bloodlust.
I had Claudia’s memories, but fortunately, they were blurry when it came to facing the male lead. I could only recall that the child had felt extreme terror.
Had he always treated Claudia like this?
I didn't want to cry, but tears welled up in my eyes.
This piece of trash. Taking his anger out on an innocent child.
I glared at him and asked, “……Even if I did say something to Mom, what are you going to do about it?”
“What?”
“Are you going to kill me or something?”
“……!”
Perhaps it was because of my past life. Thinking of the father who had persecuted me back then made something surge up from deep within.
Filled with spite, I gritted my teeth. The male lead’s grip on my shoulder loosened slightly.
Feeling like I could breathe again, I took a deep breath.
I decided it was time to use my cheat code.
Closing my eyes tight, I let out a piercing scream.
“Mommy!”
“You……!”
My loud cry and the male lead’s voice shook the room simultaneously.