Chapter 26
Hold on a second.”
Let’s revisit the original novel, <The Grand Duchess with Curly Hair>.
As I’ve mentioned a few times before, this story was a classic-of-classics northern grand duke trope story—faithful to all the familiar clichés. It told the deeply emotional, mutually healing romance between the female lead and the male lead.
And in that cliché northern grand duke setting, the one who took on the role of the tragic second male lead… was none other than my favorite—Sion.
Throughout the entire story, he carried out a near-perfect, pure-hearted unrequited love that was never meant to come true.
And the unfortunate reader who got completely hooked and emotionally wrecked by that second male lead storyline…
…was me.
KimLYN25
Oh wow, this author really knows how to write a second male lead~
KimLYN25
This is insane… the second lead’s story is way more delicious than the main male lead’s.
KimLYN25
Ah… Sion… my heart hurts so much ㅠㅠ
KimLYN25
From today onward, I declare I’m investing in Sion stocks for the long haul.
KimLYN25
Wait, Sion is the one risking his life fighting, so why is that main lead bastard taking all the credit?? What the hell?
KimLYN25
Are you kidding me—HEY, FEMALE LEAD, IT WAS SION WHO SAVED YOU BACK THEN, YOU DENSE IDIOT!!!!
KimLYN25
Author… seriously, if you’re going to do this, just make Sion the male lead already…
KimLYN25
asldkfj;lasjdf PLEASE let her end up with Sion at the end PLEASE just derail the plot I’m begging you—
KimLYN25
I can’t keep reading this. Sion is the one constantly fighting, getting hurt, suffering nonstop, so why does the female lead only flutter over the male lead? The emotional logic makes zero sense. I can’t relate, can’t empathize, can’t immerse myself. I’m dropping this.
└ LemonFrog91
Uh… because… he’s the main male lead…?
└ fhvkstkfkd
LOL this person says they’re dropping it every time but still buys every new chapter
└ PossessedRomanceNobleLady
This is the terrifying power of second-lead syndrome, folks~
Comments
KimLYN25
……ha……. so it ends in death……. unbelievable… deleting this from my library.
…Anyway.
Even now, just thinking about those countless heartbreaking moments makes my eyes well up.
Simply because he was the second male lead, Sion had to endure that absurdly unfair fate.
And to make things worse—at the very end, the female lead never even realized his feelings, and stood before his grave saying this outrageous line:
“Sion, my precious friend. I’ll never forget you.”
“No way.”
I muttered, gnawing on the sleeve of my worn-out sleepwear.
“I am NOT watching my favorite character end up like that ever again.”
I recalled that hopeless first meeting between Sion and Genebia from a few days ago.
“There’s no way I’m letting it fail that miserably a second time.”
I stared intently at Sion, who was quietly reading documents, his profile absurdly handsome, and sank into thought.
“But… setting the female lead aside, why is Sion showing zero reaction to her?”
I had honestly expected that when Sion first saw Genebia, he’d feel some kind of fateful pull or instinctive connection.
But judging from their last encounter, instead of attraction, they were just stacking mutual dislike.
“Could it be… because the original story event hasn’t happened yet?”
In the original novel, Sion and Genebia first meet on the night before the Winter Coming-of-Age Ceremony—meaning, tonight.
Tonight, the Grand Duchess will send assassins to prevent Sion from attending the ceremony.
During that attack, Sion is seriously injured, and Genebia—who happens to be staying at the estate—finds him by chance and heals him.
That moment becomes the starting point of their relationship… and Sion’s unrequited love.
“In that case, there are two things I need to do tonight.”
I counted them off on my stubby fingers.
“First, take out the assassins targeting Sion.”
“Second, orchestrate Round 2 of Sion and Genebia’s fateful meeting.”
This was the critical point where the original story truly begins.
And considering that the main male lead would show up soon…
I had to make Genebia fall for Sion as early as possible.
I looked at Sion, still focused on his documents, his calm gray-blue eyes reflecting quiet melancholy, and made up my mind.
Don’t worry, Sion. I’ll make sure your love comes true.
I steeled my resolve to finally free my favorite character from eternal singlehood.
At that moment, Elda entered the room.
“Young Master, Miss Lin, I’ve brought your morning refreshments.”
“Ooh!”
Drawn by the sweet aroma, I zipped over to the tea table.
Luxurious-looking cookies I hadn’t seen before were neatly arranged.
“Oooooh.”
“These are extras from a large order placed by the main estate.”
For reference, the Grand Duke’s residence was currently bustling in preparation for the Winter Coming-of-Age Ceremony.
Garen, who had been busy running around and rarely seen since yesterday, also entered the room.
“These are items delivered for you, Young Master. Please check them.”
At Garen’s gesture, servants carried in boxes of various sizes.
Sion set down his documents, clearly annoyed.
“What are they sending this time?”
“They appear to be outfits and accessories prepared for the ceremony.”
“…From whom?”
“Likely from various elders and retainers…”
As the servants cautiously opened the boxes, inside were luxurious clothes, jewelry, and cards filled with long-winded messages written in different handwritings.
Sion glanced over them, then clicked his tongue.
“Send them all back.”
“All of them, sir?”
“Yes. Every single one. Don’t leave even a speck behind.”
“But… they must have sent these despite risking the Grand Duchess’s displeasure, hoping to build ties with you. Wouldn’t it be better to accept them?”
“That’s exactly why they should be returned. I have no interest in getting tangled in their petty political games.”
He added coldly,
“Besides, none of them have even the slightest sense of practicality or efficiency. Tasteless.”
“…Understood.”
Garen swallowed his disappointment and dismissed the servants.
I popped up from behind my teacup and said,
“Wise choice, Sion.”
Stuffing cookies into my mouth, I continued,
“There’s a saying in the fairy world: The face completes the fashion. And in the end, natural is best. The better your base looks, the less you need to decorate it. Nom nom.”
Then I pointed toward one corner of the room.
“Besides, we’ve got that, don’t we? The ‘fairy-custom, bias-tailored outfit’!”
Following my finger, Sion, Garen, and Elda all turned to look.
It was the outfit completed yesterday.
“The one-and-only custom piece made from fabric I worked my butt off to get, designed with all my years of romance-fantasy expertise, and sewn with Elda’s god-tier skills!”
I pointed dramatically at Sion.
“Look at him! That flawless face, those insane proportions, and that finely honed physique from sword training. Do you really think ordinary clothes can handle him?!”
“……”
“……”
“……”
I declared solemnly,
“No matter what, Sion has to be the most handsome, most eye-catching person at tomorrow’s ceremony. Got it?”
“Yes, Miss Lin! I’ll do my best too!”
Moved to tears, Elda nodded enthusiastically.
According to the original story, the Winter Coming-of-Age Ceremony was a massive annual event held across the northern territories.
However, for the ruling Luxia family and their retainers, a special ceremony was held inside the Grand Duke’s estate.
Meaning tomorrow, the Grand Duchess, all the elders, retainers, and influential families will be present.
It was the perfect stage to show everyone Sion’s rising status—including Genebia, who was likely already somewhere in the estate.
Of course… that’s only if we deal with tonight’s assassins first.
Looking at Sion, who was still reading documents with a slightly awkward expression after my passionate speech earlier, I clenched my resolve.
“Anyone who tries to stand in Sion’s way… I’ll crush them myself.”
And finally—
Night fell.
