The Obsessive Male Leads Want to Eat Me Alive - Chapter 39

—————

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

—————

Chapter 39
* * *
Sisrain’s words about becoming a noble and distinguished person lingered with me for a long time.
‘My dear boy will surely become just that. After all, he carries the blood of the Eldorado Empire Royal Family. If I simply wait quietly, the Imperial Court will come to claim him.’
And wouldn’t he live happily, more than anyone else?
He wouldn’t even seek revenge against Heinrich, would he?
‘Heinrich is far less cruel in this timeline than in the original story. Because of me.’
The original version’s spoiled brat was truly unbearable.
Pushing him away calling him dirty was just the beginning—whenever their eyes met, he would always show contempt and spit, and he even went so far as to step on the boy’s injured foot, calling him crippled… Our dear boy was truly vicious in the original, wasn’t he?!
‘Of course, Sisrain takes his revenge on Heinrich hundreds of times over later, devastatingly so.’
Even the readers initially thought Heinrich deserved what was coming to him, but later the comments were dominated by people saying they’d cry tears of pity, wondering if the author was trying to kill the character—it became so tragic and pitiful.
‘Such tragedy won’t happen now.’
I felt certain of it.
Then—
‘Haven’t I essentially already accomplished my purpose?’
When I first possessed this body in “The Mansion’s Dogs,” I had resolved to save Sisrain and prevent tragedy.
So I worked toward it, and I guided the situation according to my intentions.
Now, if I simply wait, Sisrain will become a member of the imperial family, and Heinrich will be adopted into the prestigious Hyacinth Marquessate.
The boys essentially had only a bright future ahead of them.
‘My role is finished.’
I had decided from the beginning that once my role was complete, I would exit.
That’s why I had set the grand goal of becoming a bakery owner.
‘Perhaps it’s right that I leave this place now and live a life of my own, as I promised myself.’
I was lost in thought, walking along the Forest Path, when it happened.
“Big sis!”
“Hm?”
Heinrich suddenly emerged from a nearby side path and hugged my arm.
“Oh, Heinrich. Have you already finished gathering all the medicinal herbs?”
It was time for Byzantine Teacher’s infamous “Introduction to Herbalism” class.
The teacher would later inspect the basket, grade it meticulously, and scold harshly for meager results. It was a subject that Heinrich, who was far from diligent, lacked confidence in.
Yet surprisingly, Heinrich shrugged his shoulders proudly.
“Of course. Big sis, I gathered so much!”
Oh, what’s this?
I checked Heinrich’s basket. Weeds, grass roots of unknown use, wildflowers….
…Was this really all of it?
Oh my, you adorable little scatterbrain.
Like a puppy rolling around in the dirt and looking so proud of itself.
I teased Heinrich a bit.
“Wow, our Heinrich is amazing! You gathered everything except the actual medicinal herbs!”
“…That’s too mean, big sis.”
I scooped a generous handful of the medicinal herbs I’d gathered and placed them into Heinrich’s basket, which had begun to droop with disappointment.
“With this, you won’t get scolded.”
“There’s no one else like you, Sister.”
Heinrich’s eyes trembled with genuine emotion as he gazed at me earnestly. Soon, the boy carefully withdrew something precious from his pocket and extended it toward me.
A four-leaf clover. Its verdant leaves were absolutely exquisite.
“I searched for this because I wanted to give it to you.”
While his own basket contained nothing but the wrong specimens, what he’d brought for me was precisely a four-leafed clover—the correct answer.
I could picture Heinrich crouching for hours, his small hands carefully searching to find this gift for me. My chest tightened with emotion.
“Thank you so much! You’re the best.”
“I hope good fortune comes to you, Sister.”
You’re the only one who cares about my luck, Heinrich.
I treasured his gift, wrapped in such pure affection, and kept it close to my heart.
“Sister.”
Heinrich then rubbed his soft cheek against my arm, gazing up at me.
“Hmm?”
“Would you like to go pick wild strawberries with me? It’s been a while.”
His eyes, cold and beautiful like a winter dawn sky, smiled down at me.
Whenever Heinrich smiled like that, I could never refuse him.
* * *
Around the Lakeside, delicate yellow evening primroses bloomed in charming clusters.
Beneath the largest weeping willow in that floral congregation lay our Secret Hideout—a place for only Heinrich and me.
We spread lace cloth and sat, plucking wild strawberries one by one to eat.
My tongue grew tart and sweet, and both my lips stained crimson with strawberry juice.
“This is wonderful….”
Heinrich reclined loosely on one hand behind him, whispering with his eyes closed.
As the wind whistled softly, the boy’s hair swayed gently.
Ripples glimmered across the still water’s surface. It was as though stars had descended upon the Lake.
“…Wonderful.”
When I echoed his words, Heinrich opened his eyes and gazed at me.
The boy’s smiling face appeared innocent and pure.
It was a smile I cherished.
“Sister, every time I come here, there’s something I’ve been curious about.”
“Hmm? What is it?”
“Will you answer me?”
I nodded readily.
“Of course!”
Then Heinrich turned his gaze toward the distant water and spoke.
“You know, about the Winter Lake. Why did you go in back then?”
“….”
I too directed my gaze toward that distant Lake. Then, with a soft smile, I spoke.
“Um, I just mistepped!”
“Tch, you’re lying.”
Heinrich lowered his eyelashes and forced a smile.
“Why? Why are you so curious about that~?”
I asked playfully in return.
As I did, I recalled the first time I met Heinrich. He was like a child trapped inside ice.
A small frozen being, locked in that very state—abandoned by his father for tainted blood, having witnessed even his mother’s death.
Whenever someone approached, he scattered a biting chill, yet he himself didn’t know what to do with his own coldness.
‘I was so heartbroken for you, Heinrich.’
That’s why I wanted to show him.
That there exists at least one person in this world who would listen to everything he says and stand by his side.
Because he looked so terribly cold, suffering alone without letting anyone near him—the frozen surface of the Winter Lake didn’t seem cold at all to me. I could gladly step into it. For Heinrich’s sake.
I could gladly step into it. For Heinrich’s sake.
“I was just curious, sister.”
Heinrich spoke, and the corners of his mouth lifted slightly.
Then, belatedly, he murmured in a small voice.
“…Even though I knew all along.”
A foolish idiot who listens to all my whims even knowing they’re unreasonable—my angel-like Anette.
Heinrich vividly recalled the first time he met Anette.
The girl with large, jade-colored eyes was smiling brightly.
She seemed pure and warm. Like an angel who knew nothing of the world’s suffering.
“Hello? So you’re Heinrich.”
The moment he saw that smile, the boy became afraid.
That bright, warm smile—like spring sunlight melting winter—was far too sweet for him―
He feared he would inevitably come to love her.
If he were to grow fond of her and draw near, what if the cold despair surrounding him were to wound this girl who knew nothing of such pain?
So he pushed her away, and pushed her away, and pushed her away….
‘In the end, it was all meaningless.’
Hello—such a simple greeting.
With just one word from you, my entire life began to paint itself in a completely different color.
That tenderness that melts the frozen ice and brings forth brilliant spring.
A warm embrace that carries the scent of lilac….
Heinrich came to love her irresistibly.
“I like good children, Heinrich!”
Whatever Anette said, I wanted to listen to it.
Though I have little to offer yet.
I was always eager to give her my fortune, my smile, my tenderness, and all my remaining days.
My beautiful sister.
My Anette….
You don’t know how much I love you.
Without you, I’d probably die.
“Heinrich, you know what?”
“Hm?”
Heinrich laughed with his usual playful expression.
“What is it, Sister?”
Anette swallowed hard, as if about to make a momentous announcement, then asked.
“What would you do if I ended up being adopted?”
Heinrich didn’t hesitate for even a second.
“Whoever tries to take Sister away, I’ll tear them to shreds and―”
“No, stop!”
At Anette’s reaction, her eyes widened to twice their normal size, and Heinrich, who had been speaking with a terrifying expression, quickly broke into a grin and answered.
“I’m joking!”
‘…That’s clearly not a joke, you little rascal.’
If I were adopted, my new family would certainly be nobility, yet he spoke of killing them without hesitation!
Then again, he was a brave little chihuahua who didn’t hesitate to curse even at an imperial prince when annoyed.
Heinrich, who had been speaking so freely, furrowed his brow and pondered seriously for a moment before opening his mouth again.
“But Sister wanted to have parents….”
“Yeah! That’s right!”
I nodded vigorously in agreement.
Heinrich puffed out his cheeks and clutched his forehead as if wrestling with an incredibly difficult dilemma.
Then, like a rebel soldier confessing the location of his base and the names of his comrades under terrible torture, he declared with great solemnity and grandeur:
“If they’re good parents, then I should let you go!”
‘…Do you really need to say it with such grim determination?’
“Of course, if some bastard tries to adopt you, then I’ll definitely tear them to shreds!”
Heinrich grinned cheerfully and looked at me.
‘So it wasn’t a joke after all…!’
Ugh, please stop talking about tearing things, you little child. The person isn’t pastry—they’re a human being!
Based on his conduct, it seemed certain that Gerard would end up as pastry.
“Sister.”
Then Heinrich rubbed his face against my arm as he spoke.

—————

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

—————