The Tragic Male Lead Chose the Wrong Partner Chapter 28

What could Major Isaac Rodriguez possibly want?

 

After grabbing her parasol, Cynthia followed Dahlia toward the garden where he was waiting.

 

“Hello.”

 

Major Rodriguez approached her in casual clothes, his voice warm and gentle as always.

 

With a friendly smile, he handed her something.

 

“The macarons you gave me that day were really delicious. I was wondering how to repay you, so I picked out this gift. I hope you like it.”

 

Cynthia looked down at the gift in his hands.

 

Her eyes immediately caught the ruby brooch, strikingly similar in color to her own eyes. She looked up at him, startled.

 

“Wow, isn’t this way too expensive compared to what I gave you?”

 

“Is that an expression from the Republic language?”

 

‘Oops, I accidentally slipped into modern language out of surprise.’

 

Cynthia explained with an embarrassed smile.

 

“It’s a complicated exclamation of surprise with different meanings depending on the situation… Anyway, thank you. I really love it.”

 

She wasn’t one to refuse gifts.

 

Sliding her hand out from under the parasol, she held the brooch up to the sunlight, admiring the ruby’s radiant glow.

 

“Wow, it’s beautiful. I’ll treasure this and pass it down for generations.”

 

“It’s not quite that grand, but I’m glad you’re happy.”

 

Major Rodriguez’s smile sparkled, the kind of smile that would fit perfectly on the lead of a romantic fantasy novel.

 

Are all Essatians this pure and radiant? Cynthia studied his features carefully, curious.

 

“Major, would you like some warm tea? Let’s go to the reception room together.”

 

“No, thank you. I just stopped by briefly on my way. I’ll just accept your kindness.”

 

“Oh! You’re going on a date, then? No wonder you looked so nicely dressed.”

 

He scratched his silver hair and smiled awkwardly.

 

“I don’t have a lover.” 

 

“With that handsome face, I’m sure people won’t leave you alone. Major have cold tones, but overall you radiate warmth.”

 

In other words, the Major seemed like a warm-hearted ice mage.

 

“Lady Cynthia, you are beautiful both inside and out. When I first met you, I almost mistook you for an angel who came to pick me up.”

 

“Isn’t that more like the Grim Reaper?”

 

What followed was an endless exchange of compliments between the warm-hearted man and the sunshine-like woman, so warm and bright that all the snow around them would melt.

 

After pouring out all the flattery they knew, Cynthia extended her gloved hand for a handshake.

 

“Somehow… I think we could be good friends.”

 

It was clear they were kindred spirits.

 

Both emotional and romantic types.

 

On top of that, they had experienced discrimination, building a bridge of empathy between them.

 

The Major carefully took her gloved hand.

 

“Are you saying you want to be my friend?” 

 

“Yes. I grew up in the countryside and don’t know many people here. I’ve been trying hard to make friends lately.”

 

“I’m honored. But, your eyes are red. Did something happen? As your friend, I’m worried.”

 

“No, it’s nothing.”

 

Cynthia shook her head. Saying she had just been peeling onions for the second time since they met felt a little embarrassing.

 

Major Rodriguez looked at her with tender eyes.

 

“If there’s anything you need help with, please don’t hesitate to ask. I’m happy to listen, too.”

 

‘Wow, it’s been a while since I’ve met someone this kind. By now, he must have known that I’m a fallen royalty.’

 

Her heart warmed at the unconditional kindness she felt after a long time.

 

Everyone usually gave her looks like, ‘Ugh, the villainous royal who ruined the country! She must have a terrible personality!’

 

After only ever seeing Maceira, who hissed and threw cat punches, this felt like meeting a kind golden retriever who wagged its tail and licked your hand on the first meeting.

 

“Will you put up with my endless chatter like a friend? Everyone else seems to get tired of it.”

 

“I’m mostly the one listening, so I’m confident I won’t get tired.”

 

They shook hands, gripping tightly and swinging them back and forth. It was a silent pact only the two of them understood.

 

At that moment, Maceira happened to walk past the garden and caught sight of them shaking hands.

 

* * *

 

Maceira’s brows furrowed as he watched Cynthia and Major Rodriguez warmly shaking hands.

 

‘What?’

 

He still didn’t completely trust Cynthia, so his sharp eyes carefully observed them from a distance.

 

He repeated it again, he didn’t really care who Cynthia met. 

 

However, if it was Major Rodriguez, who was Brigadier General Steve’s direct subordinate, that was a different story.

 

‘That’s why this feeling is so unpleasant. If they were purely romantically attracted to each other, then it doesn’t matter.’

 

At that moment, Major Rodriguez was seen rubbing his eyes and lowering his head.

 

Cynthia looked at him with genuine worry and sympathy.

 

Looking closely, Cynthia’s eyes were bloodshot.

 

‘Is she crying?’

 

Maceira unconsciously took a step forward and approached them.

 

Then, seeing the Major’s face whose eyes had also turned red, he stopped walking.

 

A tear rolled down the major’s bright blue eye.

 

“I’m sorry for hurting you.”

 

“No, it’s nothing.”

 

To any observer, it looked like a painful exchange of rejection between two people.

 

Contrary to what Maceira thought, there was no need to worry if it was just a simple mutual fondness, somehow, this made him feel even more unpleasant.

 

It was a feeling like swallowing a red-hot stone, burning from his throat downward, similar to when he saw Carlos, Cynthia’s older brother.

 

The Major, who had been wiping away tears as if he was making a fool of himself, quickly excused himself and left.

 

Maceira remained standing there silently, his sharp gaze fixed on the spot.

 

Soon, Cynthia’s characteristically light, cheerful footsteps approached from behind, and her voice called out.

 

“General, what are you doing here?”

 

Her tone was calm and casual, completely unlike the scene just moments ago.

 

Maceira turned his head to meet her composed expression.

 

Shouldn’t a woman with a fiancé show at least a hint of surprise or embarrassment?

 

‘Does she really not care about me at all?’

 

For some reason, his feelings were distorted. When he thought about it, he was always the only one swept up in emotions.

 

No matter how indifferent he acted, how hurtful his words, or how cold he seemed, this bright, harmless woman remained like an unchanging white night.

 

Did she build an impenetrable fortress around her heart?

 

“Why were you crying?” Maceira asked. 

 

Then why did she seem to shed tears like she had taken off her smiling mask in front of that man? That was what bothered him most.

 

“Ah!”

 

Cynthia was caught off guard and took a few steps back, hiding her hands behind her.

 

“The onions I ate earlier were just too spicy.”

 

‘What kind of excuse was that?’ Maceira’s expression hardened.

 

But Cynthia had her own circumstances.

 

‘I can’t exactly say I peeled thirty-eight onions as a princess.’

 

She had even challenged the servants to a peeling contest.

 

The kitchen servants would probably get in trouble.

 

Furthermore, the innocent Major Rodriguez had accidentally rubbed his eyes right after shaking her hand and ended up shedding tears. 

 

‘If anyone finds out I even committed ‘onion terrorism’ against an officer….’

 

‘I absolutely must not get caught.’ 

 

Cynthia glanced nervously at Maceira, like a culprit hiding evidence.

 

Seeing Cynthia like that, Maceira’s fierce eyes became even sharper.

 

“I don’t care who you meet. There’s no reason to keep your promise in the first place.”

 

His voice dropped sharply and sounded fierce. Cynthia blinked in confusion, looking at him blankly.

 

“Yes.”

 

She had heard that one enough times during cooldown periods and just let it slide.

 

Then suddenly, she remembered a trope from tragic male leads in romance fantasy novels and quickly added.

 

“Please don’t bring in a mistress. If you absolutely must have a companion, then let it be a man. I’ll even interview all the candidates too, and choose as a woman would. Think of it as a partner, not affairs.”

 

Honestly, he didn’t seem like the kind of man who would call the companion in and shout ‘Cynthia! What are you doing to my delicate, innocent darling?!’ but you never knew. 

 

Maceira’s mouth twitched noticeably after hearing Cynthia.

 

‘Why are you the only one angry here? What did I miss?’

 

She quickly ran through the possible scenarios in her head.

 

Unbelievably, the only one fitting Maceira’s grumpy mood was Major Rodriguez, who happened to be standing nearby.

 

“Were you upset because you saw me talking with Major Rodriguez just now?”

 

“No.”

 

Maceira denied it strongly.

 

Bullseye. Of course he did.

 

So he was one of those traditional types who wouldn’t even let his woman speak to another man.

 

‘I never expected that… What a jealous guy.’

 

Cynthia looked at Maceira with hazy eyes.