The Obsessive Male Leads Want to Eat Me Alive - Chapter 126

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 126
* * *
“I would refuse the proposal myself, Your Majesty.”
Owen summoned the Royal Physician to assess his master’s condition, only to hear that the situation had grown far more grave. It was shocking.
“At this rate, the Crown Prince will not survive.”
Unlike Owen, who was startled, Sisrain answered calmly.
“I see.”
―he said.
My master truly was remarkable in the most unexpected ways. Owen muttered while gathering painkillers.
“It’s only natural that Anette refuses. I wouldn’t accept such a husband who neglects his own health.”
“Owen. Shall we wager on who dies first?”
Oh no. Owen felt cold sweat trickling down his back as he turned his head.
Eyes as terrifying as a messenger of hell were fixed upon him.
The secret to extending one’s life today: lesson number one.
Do not provoke a man whose proposal has been rejected.
“I wanted everything about Anette, yet it seems I possess only ‘contempt’ in excess.”
Sisrain bit his molars softly, speaking with self-deprecation.
“Even if I were a woman, I would find it difficult to accept easily. If you are the Crown Prince….”
Owen suddenly began to reason as though possessed by Anette herself.
“Compared to others, you are certainly a rather burdensome type.”
“You’re spouting madness today. Keep going.”
Owen was not typically talkative, but today, having heard that his master was dying, he was somewhat twisted in mood.
“Of course, you are attractive.”
“….”
“No, in fact, as a man you are far too attractive—it’s actually a flaw.”
Any woman would naturally be drawn to him.
It was an attraction sensed on a most primal level. Like animals responding to pheromones.
Owen continued thinking in Anette mode—or rather, the mode of a young noblewoman of marriageable age.
“Your face is exceptionally handsome….”
Beneath thick brows lay sharp, keen eyes; a strong masculine nose and jawline stretched downward without flaw—the very embodiment of a beautiful man.
Though there was something rather intimidating about it.
“You are 190 centimeters tall, possess an excellent physique… and are among the Empire’s strongest ability users.”
As Owen spoke, he felt his heart racing. He had become far too immersed in the young noblewoman’s perspective.
“Is that all? You possess considerable wealth, and moreover, you are the Crown Prince! The future Emperor! Truly, you are an overpowered character.”
“….”
It seemed Owen would occupy the seat Anette had rejected today.
“However!”
There was always a twist. Owen raised his index finger as he spoke.
“In truth, Grand Duke Hyacinth does have a quality that stirs a woman’s maternal instinct.”
“….”
“Moreover, what of Marquis Winston? That gentle charm is rather like castella cake—women would find it easy to fall for without hesitation.”
Owen smiled faintly, as though pondering which flavor to taste (Owen’s smiles were a rare occurrence, happening perhaps only a handful of times a year), and stroked his chin thoughtfully.
“However… the relatively dangerous man is somewhat difficult to approach.”
“Is that so.”
“Yes.”
“If it comes to that, I suppose I’ll have to kill them all.”
“…?!”
Owen, who served the man ranked number one for making threats of death sound entirely serious rather than jest, was startled.
A chill ran down his spine.
In truth, whether another aide’s master lived or died was not the pressing concern at this moment.
My master was the real problem.
Owen soon returned to his usual demeanor, speaking with a stiffened expression.
“…First and foremost, the Crown Prince’s health is of paramount importance.”
The loyal aide was genuinely worried about his sovereign.
“What do you intend to do?”
Are you simply going to charge forward like a blinkered racehorse, mad with speed?
“If you continue to rampage and lose your mind, sacrificing your very life… as your aide.”
Crunch—
Owen clenched his fist.
“I absolutely cannot bear to witness it.”
Have you not already lived a life devoid of peace, Your Highness?
Sisrain rose and slowly dressed himself as he spoke.
“Did you not hear me, Owen.”
“…”
“The more I am with Anette, the more my ability approaches its true trajectory.”
The Royal Physician had said so.
If I could master the power of Mephistopheles—the so-called ‘rampaging demon’—without being swayed by its force, and instead ‘perfect’ that formidable strength.
Then I would finally reach a state where I could command that demon like a slave.
“I will ‘perfect’ this power and end this agony.”
He, who had forgotten sleep through nights and days of torment, laughed hazily through eyes reddened and withered.
It was the gaze of madness.
“The closer I am to Anette, the stronger my ability becomes.”
Watching him smile with his lips drawn back, Owen thought that if Lady Anette saw that face, she would surely flee once more.
She would reject his proposal of marriage yet again.
“…But Your Highness, you cannot know whether ‘rampage’ or ‘perfection’ will come first, can you? Are you gambling?”
“No.”
His eyes burned crimson like the scorching sun of summer.
“I am certain I will ‘perfect’ it.”
Owen beheld his sovereign’s conviction. The aide felt a sharp pang pierce his chest.
Serving such a man was a profound joy.
The loyal aide, ultimately unable to argue further, bowed his head.
“Understood.”
* * *
Gerard was being humiliated.
For several days now, he had been summoned repeatedly to the Grand Temple for grueling interrogations.
Normally, even the Grand Temple could not lay hands on an imperial prince, but thanks to Anette’s spectacular exposure of the incident, the Grand Temple could now step forward openly.
―A convenient excuse had presented itself.
“Due to ‘noble opinion,’ even we at the Grand Temple have no choice, Your Highness.”
It was Anette’s calculation.
After spending several days in a state of derangement, Gerard spent the entire day in his Separate Palace cursing Anette and Sisrain.
“Damn it! Venenum, why is that monster still intact, why!”
I opened my power.
Surely, I poured curses upon him.
“Because I opened my power, my life force continues to drain even now. Yet the curse I placed on him isn’t taking effect!”
Gerard’s eyes widened red like a serpent’s before the cunning sorcerer who bore the form of the Black Snake itself.
“Sisrain—I will make that bastard return to ‘the most agonizing time’ of his life.”
If that curse had taken effect that day, Sisrain would have been cast into the Crevasse once more.
“By now he should be rotting in the Crevasse, driven mad unto death!”
The serpent flicked its crimson tongue and hissed with laughter. It coiled itself as it slowly climbed the body of the goddess statue and spoke.
[ Gerard, curses don’t take well on opponents with naturally strong bodies and mental fortitude. ]
Gerard’s eyes widened at those words.
Had this cunning creature deceived me?
[ But rest assured, my foolish contractor. Sisrain grows weaker with each passing day, and by now he should have no means to withstand the curse. ]
Cackles echoed forth. Then, from the crescent moon slipping through thick clouds came a shift.
From that eyebrow-like moon, brilliant moonlight poured into the Separate Palace like divine revelation.
[ At most, it will be tonight. ]
“…!”
Ecstasy bloomed across Gerard’s face.
* * *
“For now, don’t tell me any news about the Crown Prince, Victoria.”
“…My.”
I had only said it that way, yet Victoria’s eyes gleamed as if she understood something.
She spoke with a smile.
“Is the Crown Prince ‘disqualified’?”
“…?!”
Excuse me, I’m not running a husband audition program here.
Please don’t make such an intrigued expression, Head Steward.
“That’s not what I meant.”
“What a shame. I thought the atmosphere between you two was quite good.”
Me and Sisrain?
This makes no sense.
Whenever we’re together, I’m tense, and I’ve never been at ease around him—yet the atmosphere is good?
Victoria patted and straightened the sheets in my bedroom, muttering to herself, “He’s not here today,” before lifting the blankets to check, then resuming her tidying with another pat.
‘Who are you looking for there?’
Could it be that person with silver hair who throws quite the tantrums?
“When I see the two of you, I find myself thinking about love that risks one’s life.”
Without realizing it, I touched my own wrist. Does it show to others as well?
From the beginning, Sisrain came to me risking his life.
Without a single moment of hesitation.
“Moreover, when I see the Crown Prince’s gaze, I feel such earnest sincerity.”
…Sisrain?
That’s completely different from what I feel.
“When the Duke looks at something, others look at the same place as the Duke.”
Victoria whispered near my ear as if sharing a great secret.
“But the Crown Prince always looks only at you, Duke. No matter where you gaze.”
“…!”
So that’s how it was… Sisrain….
Without my knowing, he was like that.
Suddenly I became curious. What other moments had Sisrain experienced that I never knew about?
I lowered my eyes and spoke.
“But you said it yourself. A future with the Crown Prince feels… frightening.”
“Love is always frightening.”
The more intense an emotion, the harder it becomes to predict what lies ahead. People grow weak before love out of fear of being wounded by that uncertainty.
One step backward, without even realizing it.
Out of fear of being hurt.
True love inevitably touches upon fear. It was that way for everyone.
Victoria smiled knowingly and spoke.
“That’s why people in love always willingly embrace their beloved and say this: ‘Nevertheless.'”
At the same moment.
Something astonishing occurred in the Imperial Palace. The Crown Prince, who had been in his bedroom, tilted his massive frame and collapsed from his seat with a thud.
“…Your Highness the Crown Prince!”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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