The Tragic Male Lead Chose the Wrong Partner Chapter 36

“Uh.”

 

I knew that ceiling.

 

Blinking slowly, I stared up at the ceiling of the cruise ship. The intense emotional residue from that vivid dream of my past life was beginning to disappear.

 

When I turned my head, the chiseled side profile of Maceira with his eyes down came into view, far too close for comfort.

 

‘His nose is ridiculously perfect,’ I thought absently.

 

Then I realized my head was resting on his shoulder. I got up in a panic.

 

Right at that moment, his eyes fluttered open. He looked like someone who had not slept a wink.

 

“Um… did I, by any chance, do something last night…?”

 

I asked carefully.

 

I could barely remember anything after hearing the fireworks, just that I had curled up under the blanket in a panic.

 

“It would  be helpful if you told me in advance about things that scare you,” he said, still staring blankly at the ceiling with tired eyes.

 

‘How was I supposed to know there would be fireworks on a cruise ship?’

 

Anyway, judging from the context, it seemed like I had done something last night to deserve that man’s care.

 

“Things like gunshots, explosions, sirens…”

 

“And yet, you happen to be married to a soldier. I’ll keep it in mind.”

 

He was still lying there, gazing up at the ceiling. His platinum-blond hair, which always neatly styled, was now tousled and messy.

 

“Please wash and change your clothes first.”

 

He spoke in a stiffer tone than usual.

 

He used to wake up at the crack of dawn on the train, always perfectly groomed. Was it because of me?

 

“Got it.”

 

As I stood, something felt… empty. I looked down, my pajama buttons were undone. I yelped and scrambled to fix them.

 

“It wasn’t me.”

 

His weary voice floated over from behind.

 

“I know.”

 

There was no way something like a romantic one-night would happen between us.

 

“You stayed with me all night, didn’t you? Thank you.” 

 

I turned around as I buttoned up my clothes and offered him my thanks. He said nothing in response.

 

Every time I slipped back to that moment when I had given up on life, ironically the one who embraced me was this man who didn’t like me.

 

‘Deep down, he is a warm-hearted person.’

 

A warm-hearted doormat, for now, you have passed the first document screening.

 

* * *

 

While Cynthia was fixing her disheveled pajamas in the bathroom, Maceira lay in bed, deep in thought.

 

“Have you forgotten the suffering and hardship the royal family of Bariesa caused us? In the end, even you have become someone blinded by ambition, Brigadier General.”

 

Captain Declen’s agitated voice, who had opposed the marriage until the end and refused to attend the wedding, came to mind.

 

“How could a woman who lived hidden in the countryside, pampered like a precious princess, ever understand the horrors of war? This is something that even the officials, who are mostly victims of war, can’t do.”

 

Maceira covered his eyes with the back of his hand and sighed. Before meeting Cynthia, he had been determined to treat her coldly, to hurt her, even. 

 

“Hello. I’m Cynthia Queensguard.”

 

However, that innocent, childlike smile had completely shaken his resolve.

 

He had vowed to break her bright and cheery spirit, but all it brought him was guilt.

 

Above all, that look of terror on her face last night, only someone who had truly been broken could wear an expression like that.

 

“I’m okay! When I eat something delicious, I feel all better.”

 

Always laughing, always pretending to be fine, until one day, a subordinate like her lost to trauma and took their own life.

 

That moment flashed in Maceira’s mind, and his eyes snapped open.

 

“Ha.”

 

His gaze trembled faintly.

 

His subordinate’s death had become the reason he started taking in and helping others suffering from war trauma.

 

But the person he should hate the most is now evoking sympathy. Since meeting Cynthia, unfamiliar emotions had begun to stir in him.

 

‘Just get through this.’

 

Once the honeymoon was over, he would only have to see her for official events. No more of this constant face-to-face interaction.

 

They would keep their distance and go separate ways when the time comes.

 

‘So she can never become someone precious.’

 

Beneath the hand covering his face, his lips twisted ever so slightly.

 

* * *

 

After many twists and turns, we finally arrived at the Medeia Royal Palace, invited as state guests.

 

The moment people saw Maceira’s sleep-deprived face, they beamed at us like we were in the honeymoon phase.

 

“We welcome the war hero of the Republic of Luthemia and Princess of Bariesa. I hope you enjoy your stay here in Medeia.”

 

We even had an audience with the Queen of Medeia. a stunningly elegant beauty. She also happened to be fluent in six languages, including Luthemian.

 

Afterwards, we were shown to the luxurious guest suite reserved for state visitors. Maceira let out a sigh when he saw that there was only one bed. He brushed off the sofa that would inevitably become his and asked.

 

“So, what’s the itinerary? I heard you planned it down to the last detail.”

 

“Of course I did. Here it is.”

 

He took the schedule I handed him and gave me a look that screamed, ‘you can’t be serious.’

 

“…You call this a plan?”

 

“It couldn’t be more perfect than that.”

 

Day 1. Arrive at the palace. Palace tour (*buy the queen’s 20th anniversary commemorative gift). Visit a famous river whose name I don’t remember.

 

Day 2. Visit the highest observation deck. Ride that ferris wheel with the amazing night view.

 

Day 3. Visit a beautiful temple. The cathedral. Walk part of the pilgrimage route.

 

“Day 2 sounds like an aerial battle. Day 3 is a pilgrimage to a holy place?”

 

“It’s all about flexibility.”

 

I was a textbook P-type personality, living by vibes and spontaneity.

 

He flipped to another page and pointed at a section.

 

“You clearly put all your effort into the food research.”

 

• 73 Blaine Street, Le Celine House. Local cuisine endorsed by the royal family. 100 years of history, run by the Le Celine family for generations. Opens at 3 PM, closed during break times, open until midnight. Expect long lines at dinner.
• 5 Descente Street, Footman My Fairmade. Famous for traditional beer. It is said to have been opened by a retired Francian footman who once served Medeia’s noble families.
• … …
• …

 

It was a carefully curated list of over twenty restaurants.

 

“Because food is what makes a trip truly memorable!”

 

As I held my head high, Maceira gave me the most incredulous look before letting out another sigh.

 

“Let’s go see the palace gardens first.”

 

“It’s raining.”

 

A country where rain came year-round and clear skies were rare.

 

“It’s fine. I’m a weather fairy, after all.”

 

Despite my confident claim, the rain showed no signs of stopping.

 

“It will stop once we step outside.”

 

While looking at the beautiful garden and going to a famous river whose name I still don’t know, the rain didn’t stop.

 

‘Indeed, the rain here is strong enough to beat my luck.’

 

I looked up at the sky under my umbrella, having ditched my usual parasol.

 

“Still… It’s romantic when it rains. Isn’t it nice?”

 

“Yes.”

 

Maceira answered half-heartedly as he stared at the muddy river.

 

I wanted to ride a tourist boat, but that wasn’t happening. No way that man would row, and I wasn’t about to do it either.

After half-heartedly gazing at the murky waters, we headed to the cafe I had worked hard researching.

 

<Closed today due to our dog (name: Latti) giving birth!>

 

“Uh… Congratulations, Latti.” 

 

The cafe was closed, and I turned to Maceira with an awkward smile, feeling my confidence as the trip planner started to crumble.

 

Somehow I felt like I had failed.

 

But a book said, ‘The world doesn’t go as planned, that’s what makes life fun.’ 

 

As someone with a flexible mind, I decided to bring forward my plans for the second day.

 

Next stop: the highest observation deck!

 

“….”

 

I dragged Maceira to the observatory and was silent for a moment.

 

<It’s not open in case of rain.>

 

“It rains all the time. Then when on earth will it open…”

 

Having accomplished absolutely nothing, evening rolled around. We ate at one of the places on my list, right as the rain finally stopped.

 

See? I told you. I am a weather fairy. Those earlier delays were just the universe making way for something better.”

 

“Lucky Princess, I think it’s just that the rain was due to end around now.”

 

I glared at his dry remark, then led the way to the ferris wheel to admire the night view. When he started to ask what we would do tomorrow, having used up all our plans today, I skillfully pretended not to hear him.

 

That was a problem for Future Me.

 

Fortunately, the ferris wheel was operating normally.

 

I rode on the bumpy ferris wheel and looked out at the night view in awe.

 

The clouds had cleared, and the sky sparkled with stars and a bright moon. The city lights below merged with the heavens, looking almost like the universe.

 

I shouted at the man sitting across from me.

 

“The night sky is so clear. It’s usually hard to see the night view because of the fog, but I guess the rain earlier was for this. It’s such luck, right? There’s a saying that things come true as you say.”

 

“…Right.”

 

The ever-stoic Maceira gazed silently out the window, lost in thought.

 

“Now that I think about it, what happens if this suddenly stops?”

 

“Then we live here.”

 

He answered with the flattest tone imaginable.

 

And just as we reached the top, the ferris wheel shook violently, then came to a complete stop.

 

“…Wait, seriously?”

 

The lights flickered off. The Ferris wheel showed no sign of moving.

 

With an anxious expression, I scrambled to his side and sat down, clutching his sleeve like a squirming puppy. His eyebrows furrow slightly.

 

“If your so-called ‘speak it into existence’ luck manifests like this, that’s a real problem.”

 

It’s not my fault!

 

But isn’t this one of those classic romance cliches, where the male and female lead get stuck together in a confined space and end up baring their hearts?