The Tragic Male Lead Chose the Wrong Partner Chapter 23

I quickly approached the two of them.

 

Eugene flinched when he spotted me and tried to run away, but I grabbed his hand before he could escape. Then I turned to the officer with the silver hair.

 

He was tall and strikingly handsome, his features refined and elegant. Judging by that distinct hair color, he had to be an Essatian.

 

‘Right… the Essatians were the people who lost their homeland and were massacred.’

 

All those who barely survived had fled and taken refuge in other nations.

 

I gave the officer a solemn bow.

 

“Major, I’ll apologize on his behalf. I’m sorry for his rudeness.”

 

His rank was clear from the insignia on his uniform, Major. He must’ve earned that rank through countless acts of bravery, risking his life to reclaim his people’s lost homeland and dignity, even while serving under another country’s flag.

 

The young major offered a good-natured smile at my apology.

 

“It’s fine. He’s just a child who doesn’t know anything.”

 

“Thank you for your understanding. Still, I don’t think we should not overlook him just because he is a child.” 

 

His blue eyes widened slightly before softening with warmth.

 

“I don’t want him scolded or punished. Really, I’m not upset.”

 

“No. If you do that, nothing will change. If we let it go just because he’s a child, Eugene will always remember white-haired people as monsters. And in your memory, Eugene will be just a rude little boy. I’ll talk to him and try to understand why thinks that way, so… would you mind waiting just a little?”

 

The major looked at me for a moment, then nodded with a faint smile.

 

“Of course. I don’t have any other appointments, so I’ll wait.”

 

I took Eugene to a place a little further away and crouched down to meet his eyes, holding his hand gently.

 

He avoided my gaze and squirmed to run away.

 

“Let go! That hurts!”

 

I held his hand firmly and said in a calm but firm voice, “You’re the one making it hurt. I’ll let go once you stop running away and decide you’re ready to talk.”

 

Noticing the eyes of others starting to gather, Eugene’s face turned bright red. Then, on the verge of tears, he finally stopped struggling.

 

I released his hand and asked gently, “The white-haired monster, what is that? Can you tell me where you saw it?”

 

Eugene was also a victim of war. He probably had trauma from what he’d experienced. Maybe he had seen someone with similar features during a frightening moment.

 

Eugene, who had been holding back tears, sniffling and looking down, he mumbled through his trembling pout, “There’s a book… The bad monster in it eats kids. It had white hair. It ate the hero’s friends.”

 

“Do you remember the title of the book?”

 

Tears welled up in his eyes, and he wiped them with his sleeve. “The Snow Queen.”

 

“Was it really that cruel…?”

 

I tilted my head slightly and gently wiped away the rest of his tears.

 

“That must’ve been scary. But that’s just a fairy tale. Neither I nor the Major would ever eat children. White hair is just something you’re born with. He’s a person, just like you. But being called a monster… that would hurt, wouldn’t it?”

 

I spoke gently, trying to explain it in a way he could understand.

 

Eugene didn’t respond, he just looked down with a gloomy expression.

 

“Even adults get hurt and sad, you know.”

 

At those words, his lips parted slightly, as if he wanted to say something.

 

I waited patiently, but in the end, the boy ultimately said nothing.

 

“The Major saved a lot of children during the war. Isn’t that amazing? Shall we go listen to the story of how he bravely saved children together?”

 

“…Okay.”

 

This time, he followed me obediently.

 

I went back to the Major and explained where Eugene’s words had come from.

 

The Major listened attentively, then put his officer’s cap back on with a light sigh. 

 

“I see. I suppose white hair would seem strange to him. I must’ve approached too suddenly. Eugene, I’m sorry.”

 

He turned his head and smiled at Eugene.

 

Eugene stared at the ground with a conflicted expression, not saying a word. But he didn’t apologize either.

 

“I… wanna go. I need to use the bathroom.”

 

Since this situation seemed extremely difficult, I let Eugene go.

 

I watched Eugene’s back as he ran away and smiled awkwardly at the major.

 

“Getting a child to understand an adult’s perspective is harder than I thought. Forcing him to apologize wouldn’t really change anything either. He’s a good kid, so I’m sure he’ll realize what he did wrong and come back to apologize.”

 

What needs to change isn’t just the words or actions on the outside, it’s the way we think on the inside.

 

Leave a prejudice alone and it’ll harden over time, becoming part of lifelong values. Then once it gets that far, it’s nearly impossible to change.

 

So even if it takes time, I’d do my best to help him understand.

 

“Understanding each other always takes time.” 

 

The Major offered his hand for a handshake.

 

“I am Major Isaac Rodriguez of the Federal Army Headquarters. Are you an Essatian, by any chance? I’m not familiar with everyone in the residence.”

 

I shook his hand enthusiastically.

 

“I am Cynthia Queensguard. I am not an Essatian, I was just born lacking pigment.”

 

I didn’t bother explaining my condition. Instead, I handed him the box of macarons I’d bought earlier.

 

“It’s just a small gift. There will be dinner this evening, please come if you can.”

 

He looked down at the box quietly, then gave me that same kind, gentle smile.

 

“Thank you. I’ll enjoy them. Unfortunately, I already have plans tonight, but if you invite me next time, I’ll definitely come.”

 

After that, I handed out macarons to the other officers and staff, and invited them to the evening dinner as well.

 

The soldiers under Maceira’s command looked rather unenthusiastic, but the higher-ranking officers smiled and thanked me. You could tell they were being polite out of obligation, though.

 

‘Well, it’s all about promotion, isn’t it?’

 

In this kind of world, even if you don’t like someone, you still have to play nice.

 

* * *

 

Major Isaac Rodriguez watched Cynthia walk off into the distance, her parasol swaying above her.

 

As a member of the Federation Army, this was only his third visit to the Republic of Luthemia.

 

He had no idea Cynthia was engaged to Maceira. He just assumed she was one of the noble daughters who interacted with the official.

 

Still, one thing was clear, she was thoughtful and warm-hearted.

 

If she had held any prejudice against Essatians, she would’ve immediately demanded an explanation from him, “What did you do to the child?”

 

He had endured countless instances of discrimination and prejudice due to people’s assumptions, and he was prepared to brush this incident off as just another in a long line of them.

 

“If you do that, nothing will change.”

 

But Cynthia hadn’t just scolded the child for his behavior, she made the effort to understand why Eugene had said what he did. She wanted to hear his story.

 

‘Turns out the one with prejudice… was me. I assumed everyone would think negatively of Essatians… but that kid didn’t know anything.’

 

“The villain in Eugene’s book has white hair. He doesn’t like me either. He’s just scared of people who look like that because of the story.”

 

Her bright expression carried a kindness that was clearly meant to show consideration for not hurting anyone involved.

 

Even in the shade of her parasol, her red eyes sparkled. Her lively face and unblemished smile had a kind of calm, gentle power to make others feel comfortable.

 

He had originally planned to leave soon for the autonomous territory where the Essatians had settled. But now… he found himself wanting to stay in the Republic a little longer.

 

He wanted to know more about Cynthia.

 

“…I want to know more.”

 

He picked up one of the lemon macarons and took a bite.

 

He usually never touched sweets, but this one crumbled softly in his mouth, and for once the sweetness felt nice.