The Obsessive Male Leads Want to Eat Me Alive - Chapter 4

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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 4
* * *
Socialization training.
A program designed to help trees that lived solely in The Forest adapt to the outside world, typically beginning after ability awakening.
In truth, however, it was also an opportunity to showcase merchandise before they were sold off to noble houses.
Today, Heinrich participated in a salon where the highest nobility of the Eldorado Empire gathered.
Dressed in an elegant children’s frock coat and a refined shirt, with silver hair and eyes that gleamed with vitality, Heinrich cut a lovely figure.
“What a beautiful boy. I hear his magical power is quite extraordinary?”
Marquis Hilberk, who cultivated a distinctive swallow-tail mustache, spoke while observing Heinrich.
“Heinrich is the only Special Grade 1 tree in our Forest, sir.”
Julius, who oversaw the socialization of the trees, answered with utmost courtesy. Yet beneath his measured tone and expression lay unmistakable pride.
“His latent magical power is so formidable that controlling it proves difficult for his young body. That is why he wears this ‘mana suppression earring.'”
As Julius’s hand drifted toward the earring, Heinrich flinched and turned his head away. For a fleeting moment, irritation flickered across his face—but it vanished just as quickly.
Throughout the salon, Heinrich admirably refrained from frowning even once, faithfully playing the role of a ‘good and talented child.’
“Most intriguing, truly intriguing… He would be the perfect age to take into my household as the youngest.”
Marquis Hilberk, clearly delighted with Heinrich, gently stroked the boy’s hair.
“….”
Heinrich did not respond. Instead, he accepted the touch obediently and offered only a smile.
* * *
“How irritating. Damn it!”
Once inside the carriage after leaving the salon, Heinrich unleashed the temperament he had been suppressing.
The boy pressed the back of his hand against his forehead as if exhausted, closing his eyes.
“Why does he have to touch me like that?”
I had always despised being touched by anyone.
There was only one person whose touch I permitted. Anette.
“I’m tired. I want to return to The Forest immediately.”
Julius gazed at the boy with gentle eyes of deep blue beneath his long golden hair and smiled softly.
“There is still one more location, Heinrich.”
“I’ve been paraded around like a beast in a pet shop for two weeks! I’m exhausted.”
Unlike the other children in The Forest, Heinrich attracted far more noble suitors.
Trees were classified into nine grades according to their awakened abilities, and Heinrich was currently the only Grade 1 tree.
Moreover, he bore the prefix “Special”—making him Special Grade 1.
A higher grade signified greater potential.
Naturally, the nobles wished to claim the most talented child as their own trophy.
“I informed you that the schedule was not yet complete, Heinrich.”
Julius continued smiling gently, yet a subtle killing intent emanated from him.
Heinrich’s breathing, which had been agitated like a drenched cat, fell silent.
Instead, the boy slowly lifted his eyelids. Violet eyes gleamed with startling clarity within his narrowed gaze. He whispered softly, asking:
“Would it matter if I got hurt?”
“….”
Julius’s expression stiffened in an instant.
He had recalled a certain memory.
The socialization training that had ended in bloodshed.
He was the one who had destroyed a precious Tier 1 talent and felt profound self-loathing at that outcome.
Julius’s facial features softened once more.
“…If you dislike it so much, then there’s nothing to be done.”
He then sat upright, facing forward, and spoke to the coachman.
“Our destination is The Forest. Let us return at once.”
“Yes, sir!”
Only then did the coachman’s resonant reply ring out, accompanied by the cheerful clatter of hoofbeats.
The boy closed his eyes in the back seat, his face etched with exhaustion.
‘I miss Anette.’
It was the first time he had gone so long without seeing her since knowing her.
The past two weeks had been utterly dreadful.
Weary and drained, Heinrich wanted nothing more than one thing the moment he returned to The Forest.
To be held in Anette’s embrace and breathe in her scent.
It was Heinrich’s favorite thing in the world.
But then—
Upon returning to The Forest after two weeks, Heinrich witnessed something shocking.
Anette was holding hands with some filthy boy.
It was wrong.
After enduring two years of war, bleeding and sweating and crying, the sight of his wife holding another man’s hand felt like the greatest betrayal imaginable.
Though he was only eleven years old. Though he had not fought in any war, and his height was barely half that of an adult man.
Regardless, Anette smiled with such radiant innocence in this grave situation.
“A new friend! Say hello, Heinrich.”
Heinrich’s expression betrayed none of his inner turmoil.
…Friend? Who decided we were friends?
‘What a beastly brat.’
Those crimson eyes beneath the black hair looked at him, and his mood simply soured.
The boy seemed originally filthy, yet now he was hastily cleaned up, pretending to be fresh—and that irritated him too.
Unlike Anette’s blind infatuation, Sisrain fell short of Heinrich’s standards of hygiene.
Yet he wasn’t exactly dirty or unclean either…
Heinrich frowned deeply and grumbled, purely out of jealousy at the hands they held clasped together.
“You’re filthy, you bastard.”
* * *
Crack.
In that instant, a sound rang sharply in my ears.
It was the sound of Heinrich planting his destruction flag.
‘This is even worse than being dirty!’
Things have gone more awry than in the original work, haven’t they?!
I can’t believe this.
‘How could he say such things to such an adorable child?’
I stared at Sisrain with trembling pupils—clearly blinded by affection—my eyes wide and vulnerable.
Then, my face nearly crumpling into tears, I turned to Heinrich.
“…You can’t say such cruel things, Heinrich.”
That wretched little beast.
In the original work, Heinrich’s manner of speech was consistently rude and his demeanor arrogant, constantly provoking Sisrain and only hastening his descent into ruin.
When I read it as a novel, I’ll admit—I rather enjoyed that abrasive character.
I was drawn to his arrogance and lack of courtesy.
But—
watching my beloved accumulate ‘future suffering’ right before my eyes was unbearable.
“I won’t be friends with someone so filthy.”
Oh, please stop.
Yet that ridiculous little chihuahua showed no restraint whatsoever.
Heinrich huffed indignantly before suddenly stepping forward and shoving Sisrain.
“Big sister is mine. Get lost.”
“Heinrich!”
I turned pale, rushing to stop him.
All this time in the Forest, Heinrich had monopolized me. He was particularly sensitive, finicky, and wary of everyone—caring for him had always fallen to me alone.
Perhaps that was why?
Heinrich resembled a territorial alpha cat, furious at a newcomer entering his domain.
If Sisrain—with his low self-esteem and introverted nature—witnessed this display, he would surely be devastated.
‘This won’t do….’
But my expectations and Sisrain’s actual reaction diverged entirely.
Sisrain didn’t yield much at all; instead, he gripped my hand more firmly and gazed at Heinrich.
Then, with eyes as crimson as rubies, he asked quietly.
“Why is Anette yours?”
“….”
Unlike his own frantic outburst, Sisrain’s calm rebuttal seemed to catch Heinrich off guard, leaving him momentarily speechless.
“…That’s, that’s—!”
Heinrich’s ears flushed crimson.
“When I grow up, I’m going to marry big sister!”
I gasped in shock at hearing this.
That was never agreed upon!
Sisrain, unmoved despite Heinrich’s desperate mewling, continued to observe him calmly.
Then he countered with measured composure.
“Siblings usually can’t marry each other.”
“…!”
Heinrich’s violet eyes trembled with shock.
As if struck by cognitive dissonance, he blinked rapidly before urgently grasping my sleeve and asking earnestly.
“Sister, is that true? If I call you sister, I can’t marry you?”
“…Well, that’s…”
I rolled my eyes awkwardly.
Did this child really think the only reason we couldn’t marry was just that?
When my answer fell short, Heinrich quickly redirected his arrow by pointing at Sisrain with his index finger.
“But why doesn’t that guy call you sister? He’s definitely younger than twelve!”
In the Forest, twelve years old—my age—was the oldest anyone could be.
Just ten fingers plus two more, yet here I was the eldest of all.
Sisrain and Heinrich were both eleven, the same age.
‘Hmm, his complaint is fair.’
I’d simply let it slide when he called me Anette because it sounded nice…but if he’s going to protest the unfairness like this.
For the sake of peace, I should settle this matter.
“Heinrich’s right. Sisrain, I’d like you to call me sister too.”
Sisrain gazed at me intently with crimson eyes beneath his black hair.
Then, burying his sweet-scented head obediently against my shoulder, he lowered his eyelids.
Sisrain whispered in a voice as honeyed as ripened fruit, his face flushing.
“Sister…”
In that instant, my face burned as red as a cherry candy. Goodness, this boy could seduce every sister in the world.
‘He’s too adorable. My precious baby.’
Heinrich, who had been watching, finally collapsed where he sat and burst with indignation.
“…Damn it, just call her by her name like before!!!”
* * *
I barely managed to soothe the fuming Heinrich and sent him downstairs to the living quarters.
He threw a tantrum about not wanting to leave me, so I had to sweeten the deal with “I’ll tuck you in tonight, I promise.”
Since Heinrich particularly loved when I tucked him in, he asked “Really?” several times over.
Then, like a cat leaving after burying a delicious fish, he kept glancing back before finally leaving the room.
“Sigh…”
It felt like something momentous had just happened.
I patted Sisrain’s shoulder and whispered.
“He speaks harshly, but his heart is kind.”
Even though in the original story, he treated you poorly.
“His heart carries many wounds, just like yours, Sisrain.”
If he had only received love, he wouldn’t have developed such a jealous nature.
Knowing Heinrich’s entire backstory, I understood perfectly, but from Sisrain’s perspective, he must seem like a terribly wicked child.
‘Our first impressions of each other have become the worst possible. What do I do about this?’
While I was lost in deep thought, Sisrain, who had been sitting quietly in his chair, asked me.
“Does Anette…like Heinrich?”
“Yes.”
At my unhesitating answer, Sisrain slowly lowered his eyes, his face darkening as he spoke.
“…I see.”
It was at that very moment.
Click—
I heard footsteps from beyond the door.
Wait, that’s strange? Only Sisrain, Heinrich, and I know about this room?
Has Heinrich returned?
I walked slowly to the door and peered out into the Corridor.
Whoosh—
A shadow darted around the corner of the Corridor so quickly that I swallowed hard.
“Heinrich?”
No answer came back.
‘This isn’t a safe place to stay for long.’
No matter how vast the Mansion was, it surprisingly lacked hiding spots. With so many children and so many eyes watching, I could be discovered at any moment if I stayed in one place too long.
Even though I’d only been here for a few days, it would be safer to move to a different location.
‘I need to find a new place to hide Sisrain within three days.’
I thought about it, then quickly shook my head.
‘No. The sooner, the better…. Yes, I’ll move tomorrow.’

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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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