Rejected by Daughter’s Second Male Lead Chapter 107

When the meal was over, and everyone was relaxed, enjoying the merry and boisterous atmosphere, Gillen, sitting among the people gathered in the drawing room, kept looking for the right moment.

The Blake family servants were taking their own break in the kitchen and servants’ quarters after the masters had finished eating, drinking, and enjoying themselves. Now, once Hexion left and Cecilia went up to bed, he would have time to talk to Yuan.

In any case, Gillen’s thought was that the sooner he ended it, the better. It was questionable whether Yuan would accept it easily, and Gillen himself was already hesitating to say goodbye.

Just then, Hexion put down his teacup and said.

“It seems it’s about time we wrap things up.”

My dear male lead, what’s gotten into you! To be so perceptive! It was just like Hexion to be perceptive only at times like these. Gillen stood up, half relieved and half wanting to hold on.

“I will see you out, Your Imperial Highness. We’ll need to have your horse brought from the stable as well.”

Now, once Hexion leaves, I’ll have to tell Yuan. As Gillen made that resolution and took a determined breath, Hexion spoke.

“Um, but before I go, there is something… I must do in front of Duke Blake and Marquis Hampton.”

As Hexion said this, he rose from the sofa and knelt on one knee on the floor.

Huh…?

The handsome man with sweet, honey-colored eyes took a small velvet-covered box from his breast pocket. He then opened the box towards Cecilia. Inside was the ‘Empress’s Ring,’ an imperial treasure decorated with a large diamond and various jewels.

Huh huh…?

Gillen stared blankly at the scene unfolding before his eyes. Even Yuan seemed a little surprised. But the most surprised of all was Cecilia.

“Hex…? What is this…!”

“Cecil, I’ve been waiting for this moment. You’re smart, so you must have already known my heart.”

“Hex…!”

“A long time ago, from the very first moment I saw you, I fell in love. As time went on, that love only deepened, and now… I just can’t live without you. In fact, if you hadn’t suddenly called me over today, I would have climbed the wall of the Blake estate at night.”

At that shameless remark, Gillen’s legs gave out and he collapsed into his seat. Yuan firmly grabbed Gillen’s arm to support him. Hexion and Cecilia were so lost in their own world that they didn’t even glance toward Gillen and Yuan.

“If I become emperor, the only person by my side will be you. Cecilia Marian Blake, who is far wiser, braver, and more beautiful than I am. I love you with all my heart. Will you marry me?”

“Hex… I, I too…”

Cecilia hesitated before answering and looked at Gillen. In that moment, Gillen noticed that Cecilia’s cheeks were flushed red. That tears of joy were welling up in her eyes. And that she… wanted to accept this proposal but was concerned about Gillen.

Gillen gave a faint smile and nodded. The original male lead, the destined male lead, whatever—none of that really mattered. He only wished for his daughter to live happily with the person she loved. He hoped she would find someone to overcome the pain and loneliness of life with, that she would create a family to be with even after Gillen was gone. That was a wish that had nothing to do with Gillen’s own feelings of disappointment, loneliness, or alienation.

Seeing Gillen’s nod, Cecilia’s face lit up brightly. She looked back at Hexion and threw her arms around his neck.

“Yes, Hex. I’ll marry you! I’ll nag you by your side for the rest of our lives.”

“Haha, I’m already looking forward to it. The Duke and the Marquis are our witnesses!”

Then, the two, overcome with emotion, kissed.

That thieving bastard… Gillen thought, turning his head to the side. He couldn’t bear to watch his daughter kissing a man. But as soon as he turned his head, Gillen’s eyes met Yuan’s, who was staring intently at him.

‘Are you okay?’

Yuan mouthed the words. For a moment, Gillen’s breath caught in his throat. He somehow felt like he was about to cry. Maybe my hormones are messed up because I’m getting old. Why do I want to cry like this.

Yuan, catching the slight droop at the corner of Gillen’s eyebrow, moved the hand holding Gillen’s arm down and squeezed his hand tightly. Then, very secretly, he sent his pheromones to Gillen through his hand. They were pheromones of comfort, like a warm embrace.

“Remember. Emotional independence. This is something to celebrate, Gillen.”

Yuan whispered softly into Gillen’s ear. Gillen nodded silently. And he squeezed back the hand Yuan was holding even tighter.

It seemed… he wouldn’t be able to say goodbye to Yuan today.

1. Independence

The Blake estate buzzed with a fervor bordering on madness over the young lady’s marriage. The Crown Prince and Lady Blake would not have a separate engagement ceremony but would marry directly, and the imperial family released an article welcoming the union with the Blake Ducal House.

Cecilia was not only the lily of the valley of high society but was also a popular lady among the commoners, so the news of her becoming a member of the imperial family sent the Moore Empire into an uproar. This was at a time when the people’s reverence and affection for the Blake family had already reached its peak due to the recent nationwide tour of Duke Blake and Marquis Hampton.

Day after day, Cecilia was busy being summoned to the imperial palace to meet the emperor, the empress, and other members of the royal family. Gillen, too, had to reply to every single congratulatory letter, invitation, and gift that poured into the estate, and the servants were busy organizing the imperial treasures that came in as wedding gifts.

Since the position of High Priest was currently vacant due to Marius’s crimes, a new High Priest had to be quickly appointed to receive the blessing of the goddess Retina. With the news of Lady Blake becoming the Crown Princess, the number of nobles trying to get connected to the Marian Orphanage and the Blake Foundation also grew exponentially.

In many ways, they were hectic days. During all this, Gillen could never find the right time to properly say goodbye to Yuan.

One reason was that he was busy, but another was that Yuan had rolled up his sleeves and stepped in to help Gillen. He helped with even the most trivial things.

For example, he would organize the pile of wedding gifts that reached the ceiling all at once, attend nobles’ meetings in busy Gillen’s stead to present agendas, or steadily advance the work related to the Marian Orphanage.

Yuan acted as if he were Gillen’s aide. Thanks to him, the actual aide, Navard, could also breathe a sigh of relief. Lately, Navard had been showing genuine fondness for Yuan.

“Your Grace the Duke, when does your contract with the Marquis end? Could you possibly postpone it a little? An aide as competent as the Marquis… no, I’ve never seen anyone so competent. It makes me reflect on myself. I just wish my subordinates were half of a half of a half as good as the Marquis.”

“Navard, Yuan and I will be parting ways soon. And don’t forget that he is a marquis. What aide in the world works a marquis to the bone?”

“I’m not the one working him to the bone!”

Navard shouted as if wronged, covering his face with one hand.

“The Marquis is a true genius among geniuses! He finishes everything before I can even touch it! Besides, when the Marquis himself says he’ll do it, how can a mere viscount like me possibly stop him…! I’m suffering too, Your Grace the Duke.”

“Lower your hand.”

“Your Grace the Duke…”

“Now.”

When Navard, who had been pretending to be in anguish with his face in his hands, lowered his hand, the corners of his mouth were seen to be turned up high.

“Goodness, you man!”

“My apologies, Your Grace the Duke. But my feelings are sincere. Please keep the Marquis by your side for just a little longer.”

“Haa…”

His head throbbed. Gillen knew it too. The reason Yuan was helping Gillen in silence, doing even these trivial chores… was solely because Yuan liked Gillen.

But because he knew that, Gillen had to cut Yuan off quickly, all the more. He pressed a hand to his forehead with a troubled expression.

It was then.

“Does your head hurt?”

“Whoa! You startled me!”

“…I was more startled. I thought a bear was crying.”

Yuan, who had appeared in Gillen’s office via teleportation, approached with a displeased expression.

“Marquis Hampton! You’ve arrived!”

Navard greeted him loyally. Yuan simply waved a hand languidly and stood next to Gillen. Navard, moved to tears by just that, stepped aside.

“Look here. Do you have a headache? Or a fever?”

Yuan naturally cupped Gillen’s chin and lifted his head up. For a moment, Gillen’s heart pounded unnaturally. He pulled his head back and waved his hands in refusal.

“It’s just a small headache. It’ll be fine in a little bit.”

“Why would you endure the pain when I’m right here? Come here.”

With that, Yuan powerfully grasped Gillen’s cheeks with one hand, turned his head toward him, and gently placed his other hand on Gillen’s forehead. A white light emerged, and soon the throbbing that had been tormenting Gillen disappeared.

“Better now, right?”

Yuan asked with a slight smile. Gillen blankly looked up at that charming and dazzling smile, then spoke.

“Yuan.”

“What is it. Did seeing healing magic after so long make you realize anew how great I am?”

“Our contract… let’s end it now.”