The Blackened Second Male Lead’s Wife

As I stared at the stage out of curiosity, I felt a stinging gaze. 

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When I turned my head towards the direction of the gaze, I let out a little shriek.

Lucian’s face was glimmering very brightly. 

‘Ah, my eyes!’ 

It was only then that I realized why I didn’t feel the same way as others when I saw Pew.

It wasn’t a vision problem. 

With such a heavenly handsome man next to me, my eyes just have higher standards. 

‘What a relief.’ 

Unlike me who was relieved, Lucian muttered with a serious face. 

“If I had known it was about this, we wouldn’t have come.” 

Then he looked at me and asked. 

“……Is that actor cool in Nia’s eyes?” 

Whoa, whoa, was he jealous right now?

If I answered yes, it’ll make him feel like digging a hole. 

I said, barely holding back my desire to embrace him. 

“Not at all.
Compared to Lucian, that man is a sq–” 

No.
He’s not a squid.
(Note: Squid is a metaphor for ugly.)

I corrected my words with respect to the handsome man. 

“He’s just a common human being with two eyes, a nose, and a mouth.” 

Lucian’s mouth twitched and he smiled brightly.

In my eyes, my boyfriend was the best man in the world! 

───── 〔✿〕─────

We went on a date every day. 

At an art gallery, at a library, at a park, at a flower garden, in front of a castle, at a forest, at a lake, at a training ground, on the street, at a dessert shop. 

The interesting thing was that the more we met, the harder it became to separate from each other. 

It was the same day yesterday.

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Lucian took me back to my place around sunset time.
It wouldn’t be fun if we just said goodbye so we would continue talking until it became too late at night. 

Because of him, I fell asleep later than usual. 

‘I overslept again.
Ah, I just want to go see Lucian….
Why the hell do I have to go to this party?’ 

I was sitting in front of my vanity with a sleepy face.

Unlike me, whose face was a mess, Anne was fired up. 

“It’s been a while since we had a banquet.
This is an opportunity to make a fool of those who ignored you!” 

Hundreds of boxes filled the room.
These were gifts that Lucian recently sent. 

Dozens of dresses, jewelry, shoes and accessories. 

There were a huge number of items, and each item came in a complete set.

That made Anne excited.

This was the best environment for Anne, who only had a few dresses and old jewelry to dress me up. 

“A red dress from Chanel and accentuate it with a ruby amulet necklace?” 

Anne shook her head as she thought about it. 

“It’s a simple tea party, so that would stand out too much.
If we match some diamonds with an ivory dress, I’ll be elegant and dignified.” 

Anne shook her head again. 

“But isn’t that too modest? You look good in fancier styles.”

I answered with a face of annoyance. 

“I just have to wear something good enough so that I don’t get criticized.
It’s not like I’m seeing Lucian. 

Since I sided with Estelle at my engagement ceremony, I’ve drifted away from my peers. 

On top of that, the Crown Prince’s birthday banquet made my relationship with the Empress Dowager awkward. 

Obviously, I haven’t attended social gatherings since that day. 

‘She’s everyone’s enemy.’ 

If this was just a regular banquet held at the imperial palace, I wouldn’t have gone.

I really want to fake illness so I didn’t have to go, but if I do, my father will be in trouble. 

I sighed and thought. 

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‘I’m gonna eat cake in a corner and stay quiet.’ 

If an aristocrat, who values their dignity, starts an argument, it’ll only be to the point of exchanging a few words.

Let’s not rip off their hair if they say they don’t like me.
If I just let the words go from one ear and out the other, then I’ll be fine.

I looked in the mirror and started doing my makeup.
Anne brushed my hair with an excited face. 

───── 〔✿〕─────

After much consideration (from Anne), I arrived at the imperial palace wearing a purple dress made by Chanel and an emerald necklace. 

I took one step, two steps, with shoes studded with diamonds and made up my mind.

‘I’m sure everyone’s attitude towards me will change as soon as I enter the banquet hall.
It’s the most common way for aristocratic women to torment people.’ 

Don’t react to anything, just look for a seat. 

The higher the rank of one’s family or social standing, the more attention their table, which was most likely in the center of the banquet hall, would receive.
The spot I was aiming for was exactly the opposite of that. 

If I don’t find it, I’ll try even harder whether it exists or not, that shall be my seat! 

I just wanted to sit there and eat all kinds of desserts.

The banquet hall was breathtakingly beautiful, but the cakes made by the imperial’s patissier were the best part. 

I entered the banquet hall with such a meticulous plan. 

As expected, as soon as I entered, there was silence.
The women who had arrived first and were already engaged in a discussion all looked at me in unison. 

This was when I ignored their gazes and went to find a place to sit. 

“You’re here, Lady Pernia!” 

“It’s been a while since you’ve shown your face.
I’ve missed you so much!”

I was taken aback by the sight of women rushing to me with a smile.

‘W-what? What’s going on?’

It was like when Pernia dominated society before I came in.
No, they’re more enthusiastic than before. 

The women surrounding me in a circle began to compliment me with faces full of admiration. 

“I heard you got as many as 20 dresses from Chanel.
I see you’re wearing one right now.
It’s so beautiful.”

“The necklace and earrings are emeralds, right? Such bright jewels aren’t available just anywhere.
They go so well with the lady’s eye color.” 

“Lady Pernia has always been beautiful, but she shines even more today.
It’s because you’re loved by your fiance right? I’m so jealous.” 

Only then did I realize. 

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Why their attitude towards me has changed so much. 

‘It’s because of Lucian.’

Lucian was kind to me before.
Though it didn’t seem to be any more than politeness towards a political fiancee. 

But Lucian was completely different these days. 

He bought gifts for me at so many stores that many started saying that all of Kardien’s fortune had been wasted.
In addition, he had been meeting me and going on long dates with me every day.

There was no one in the capital who didn’t know that Lucian was crazy about me.

I was not one they could dismiss easily as I was fervently loved by Lucian, the best knight in the Empire, the most trusted subject of the Emperor, and who had recently gained the title of an emerging tycoon (thanks to the diamond mine found in his estate).  

‘Instead of ignoring her, I should get close to her and drink some of that soybean water!’ (Note: Soybean powder is a Korean idiom for wealth.)

Perhaps many women have changed their minds about me with that thought.

There was no animosity in the women’s faces.
There were only smiles as bright as a flower.
A smile of capitalism. 

I smiled bitterly. 

‘I knew it.
This playing ground is fierce.’ 

───── 〔✿〕─────

I became a social flower again. 

Countless women surrounded and complimented me.

These people have always ignored me until a while ago, so I thought I should listen to what they had to say and give them a chance, but they failed. 

“I saw Lord Kardien and Lady Pernia together at the dress shop and thought the two of you looked really good together.
You two were like a match made by a goddess.” 

“The color of his eyes goes well with yours.
Red eyes and green eyes are like strawberries on a spring day.” 

Haha, you girls.
You know my taste too well. 

To me, who was in the midst of a relationship, there was nothing better to hear than the words that I got along well with him.

My cheekbones keep rising from their honey-filled flattery. 

In any case, it was more enjoyable to look at their soft and smiling eyes than the eyes of my enemies.

Of course not all women were on my side. 

I glanced at the other side. 

There was a group of women, at the center of which was the Empress Dowager. 

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She was the host of this banquet, and she, who had the highest rank here, didn’t even look at me.

Because of the fact that she harassed me at the Crown Prince’s birthday party and got scolded. 

‘She’s been quiet and hasn’t picked a fight.
It must have been shocking to see that Estelle and Lucian were on my side.’ 

This was a good thing for me. 

Since the Empress Dowager was staying quiet, let’s chat a little bit before leaving. 

Sipping a cup of tea, I made eye contact with Erica, who was sitting next to the Empress Dowager and acting cheeky. 

Erica shrugged her shoulders and raised her eyes.
As if she’s encountered an enemy.

‘She’s still the same.’ 

I must have misjudged Erica. 

I thought she was a cowardly person who only harassed others when they are weak, but her posture hasn’t changed even when she’s facing me now. 

She was a woman of unexpected grit. 

Erica told the Empress something and came up to me. 

“Lady Pernia.
It’s been a while.” 

“I know.” 

Erica and I laughed at each other.
But it wasn’t a pure smile.

‘The one who frowns loses.’ 

This was a battle between two noble women. 

Those who win this battle would take the top spot in society, and those who lose would be thrown out to a secluded corner and become an outcast. 

The women around noticed this battle, gulped, and turned to watch us. 

Erica blew the first punch. 

“Lady Pernia.
I’ve heard that Lord Kardien and you have been going on dates in a lot of places.
You two seem to have a very good relationship.”

“That’s right.” 

I didn’t hesitate at all to affirm what she said.
Erica said with a smile. 

“Lord Kardien is from the lower class of the common people.
The lady is the daughter of a Marquis family.
It’s amazing how you two get along so well.
That means your love is that deep, right?” 

You dare bring up Lucian’s background?